Jim arched his dark eyebrows and remained silent. He took a swig from the bottle and wiped his hand on the knee of his jeans. He certainly wasn’t making this any easier.
“Jim. Let’s put everything on the table. I hate feeling awkward around you.”
He looked up, a half-smile softening his expression. He pushed the Yankees cap away from his forehead.
“All right, Chief. You know how I see things. I made a promise to Michael to watch out for you if anything ever happened to him. It did. I’ve done my best to keep that promise. If you marry Marc, I need to know that it’s the right thing for you. I want you to be happy and to make certain I’ve fulfilled that promise.”
“I know. I know. It is the right thing. I’m really sure. You’ve done a great job sticking with me. Supporting me in those really rough early months. We’ve done well together. This business is beyond what either of us imagined at the start.”
“I’d have to agree. That first year was a doozy too.”
“Yes, it was. We’re wiser fortunately, and the business is growing. I want us to continue as business partners. Marc isn’t cut out for the kennel business. He’s a cop and will be in whatever form that becomes now.”
“You’re sure?” Jim stood, thrusting his hands into his pockets. “He understands about us?”
Gracie laughed. “He does. We talked about that a lot, as a matter of fact. You have been, are, and always will be the extra brother I apparently need. The good Lord gave me one biological sibling, but generously gave me one more who’s almost tougher than the red-headed one.”
“Ha! Tom needs all the help he can get. You’re not an easy woman, Gracie Andersen, but I will continue our partnership until such time we decide to part ways—if ever. I’ve gone to the dogs with you, and now I’m officially doggone happy for you.”
Gracie giggled at the bad joke, and Jim swept her up into his arms for one of his famous bear hugs.
***
Marc sat in the parking lot of DACO on the outskirts of the Batavia city limits. The job offer lay on the seat of the pickup. How would he tell Gracie about this? They’d promised to communicate clearly and often about everything. The limitation had been active cases, if he was in law enforcement. She’d readily agreed and understood why.
His mind whirled with the best approach to explain such a shift in his career path. The six-figure salary amount was dazzling, the responsibility formidable, but a challenge he welcomed. Max could partner with him and they’d both receive more training. Unfortunately, secrecy was paramount, there was a great deal of travel, and a security clearance from the U.S. government was required. His family situation with a half-brother sitting in federal prison might be an obstacle to obtain the clearance, but the defense company hadn’t hesitated in handing him the generous proposal.
It was the opportunity of a lifetime. Fingering the textured letterhead, he refolded it, and slid the offer into the inside pocket of his suitcoat.
Thank you for taking the time to read Washed Up. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated. Thank you. –Laurinda Wallace
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laurinda Wallace lives in the beautiful high desert of southeast Arizona where the mountains and night skies inspire risk taking. A lifelong bookworm and writer, she made her foray into the publishing world in 2005. She’s contributed to a variety of print and online magazines, and along the way created the Gracie Andersen mystery series. She believes there’s nothing more exciting than writing the next book and connecting with readers.
Want to know more? Visit www.laurindawallace.com for more information and be sure to sign up for her newsletter. Subscribers receive exclusive discounts and insider book news. Your email is never shared or sold.
OTHER BOOKS BY LAURINDA WALLACE
Mystery
Family Matters, A Gracie Andersen Mystery (Book One)
By the Book, A Gracie Andersen Mystery (Book Two)
Fly by Night, A Gracie Andersen Mystery (Book Three)
Inspirational Books
The Time Under Heaven
Gardens of the Heart
All available at Amazon.com in paperback or Kindle.
Washed Up (A Gracie Andersen Mystery Book 4) Page 13
