“That explains a lot,” said Garrett thoughtfully.
“I know he’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but the boy has a good heart. In exchange for those papers, I want you to agree to visit him a couple times a month and make sure he’s on the right track. Frank says he’ll get them started on some legit enterprises, right away.”
Garrett noted the concern in the old man’s eyes and he nodded his agreement. “You have my word, Mr. Kline. I’ll keep an eye on your boy.” Kline nodded his gratitude and the two men shook hands. They turned back to the others as Merle’s laughter barked across the yard.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” squealed the little dragon.
Officer Johnson was leaning over Flower and scratching the dog behind the ear. He looked somewhat amused at the dragon’s outburst. “Nope,” he returned. “Dog’s been AWOL for weeks now.” Merle was laughing so hard, he had tears streaming down his cheeks.
Garrett looked back and forth between the officer and the dragon. “What’s so funny?” he asked.
“Tell… him,” snorted the dragon, between bursts of amusement.
Johnson looked uncertain. “Well, I was just saying that Powder here has been missing from the precinct for a few weeks.”
“Powder?” returned Garrett.
“Ya, he’s our premier high explosives lead,” said Johnson.
Merle slapped his knee and fluttered to the table where P.C’s remains were scattered. He laughed wildly. “Who would have guessed the mutt is a bomb sniffer?” he howled. “I can’t wait to tell Tin Head.”
Epilogue
Jack shouldered his pack and continued down the rocky incline. Behind him, his horse picked its way along, slowly. Coming to the end of the spruce trail, he stared into the grassy valley below them. The sun was just setting and the golden dusk almost brought tears to his eyes. He looked across the valley to where a stone house stood, tall and proud amongst the prairie hills. A little stream gurgled past the building and separated the farmhouse from the old barn. Tugging on the reins, he started toward the farm.
He was still fifty yards from the house, when the wooden door opened and a hound dog bounded through the long grass to greet him. He bent to pet the dog – which looked like it might pee in its excitement to see him. His eyes never left the doorway, though, and the woman who stood there shielding her eyes from the dying sun. He heard her gasp, and then she ran to him. He had pictured this moment a thousand times during his incarceration, yet none of those imaginings could ever come close to this.
His wife leapt into his arms and kissed him deeply. He swung her around and around, and now the tears did come. They fell to the grass and he kissed her again, not wanting this moment to end. It did end, though, and she pushed herself up and stared at a second horse and another man, just now coming across the field. A little girl emerged from the house, making her way to her mother. Jack laughed and went to scoop his daughter into his arms.
“What you name?” she asked boldly.
“I’m your daddy, little one,” he said, smelling her hair.
His daughter giggled and pointed at the second man. “What you name?” she asked again.
Jack pulled his wife to him and hugged both his girls fiercely. Forcing himself to release them, he smiled as Rowgar halted and tipped his hat in their direction. “This here is the Chief,” said Jack. “He’s a hero. Stopped the war with Ponce,” he confided to his wife. “He’s also the man that saved me from Gibet.”
Rowgar shook his head and spat into the grass. “Don’t start with your nonsense,” he muttered pleasantly.
Jack laughed and motioned for the house. “Come on, old man, let’s get us a plate of food. Then we can discuss that little cabin you want to build.” Jack turned to his wife and kissed her on the cheek. “Chief and I have some funds coming to us – straight from the king, himself. Chief here wants to settle down and build a little cabin a ways up the creek. Maybe get himself another horse. I think we should buy the whole damn valley and raise a herd of horses. What do you think?”
Jack’s wife brushed her fingers over his cheek and stared into his eyes. “I think you should do whatever makes you happy,” she said. “You never know what tomorrow will bring.”
“Oh I know what tomorrow will bring,” laughed Jack, “tomorrow and the day after that. I’ll be here with my family, where I belong. That much, I can promise you!”
The End
Note for Readers:
Thanks for joining Garrett and Merle on their adventures! I hope you enjoyed your time in Vellia and the whacky characters that inhabit these lands. If you did enjoy the tale, remember to check out the Vellian Heroes books, which tell the story of how Garrett was trained to be a protector of the realm when he was a boy (they take place 20 years prior to the Vellian Mysteries.) More zany characters await, some new, some old, and many that will revisit Garrett during the Vellian Mysteries series.
It is also greatly appreciated if you can take the time to review my work (Even just a few lines with your opinion and your rating is a great help!) Being an Indie Author is challenging on the best of days, so I appreciate all of the help I can get. If you liked the story, suggest it to a friend who might also enjoy the ride!
Thank you all again, and as always, if you would like to email me with any thoughts or comments, hit me up at [email protected]
Grant
Eyndegaria is a peaceful country nestled in the middle of the Freelands. Once, long ago, her rich soils were the battlefield for a war between the Makarios tribe and the people of the mainland. A thousand years of rest have seen her countrymen grow complacent and the threat of their forefathers dismissed. The Makarios have not forgotten though and will stop at nothing to free their imprisoned brethren.
There is one who remembers the tale of these horrific hunters and he has spent a lifetime preparing for their return. Now an old man, he must convince an officer of the watch and a grieving swordsman that theirs is the light that will push back the shadow of the Makarios.
Grant Reed has a background in business management, computer programming, and computer networking. He would much rather be out fishing though, so he spends his time writing and exploring the lakes in his back yard of Canada. He lives in Lively Ontario, Canada with his wife Robin, and their two children Aidan and Megan.
Welcome to Deep Cove (The Vellian Books Book 3) Page 26
