Faith knew he regretted that what he and his wife had planned never came to be. She shared that kind of regret from time to time. She’d always thought she and Allen would make the perfect marriage. How wrong could a person be?
“What can I do to help?” she asked gently.
He looked over and smiled. “Want to wash the potatoes? We’ll get them baking once I get the grill fired up.”
It wasn’t the same as working in the kitchen with Allen, but it was pleasant, Faith thought as she scrubbed the baking potatoes and put them in the tinfoil to snuggle in the coals. Tate seasoned the steaks and put them in the refrigerator until it was time to cook.
“I have iced tea or lemonade or soda—what’s your preference?” he asked when all was ready.
Faith chose lemonade and took her glass out on the deck. It was a bit cool and she was glad she’d worn a sweater over her T-shirt. Several Adirondack chairs on the deck beckoned. She sat down and relaxed. The peaceful deck was a pleasure. She’d enjoyed the day and was glad it wasn’t yet over.
Tate joined her, sitting on the next chair.
“I built the deck,” he said.
“It’s nice. Do you use it often?”
“Not as much as I thought I would. Usually I grab dinner at Marcie’s café or take something to eat at the office.”
“I think if I had a deck like this, I’d eat outside every day the weather permitted. And you have all this privacy with the trees. I know you have neighbors, but you can’t even see them.”
“You can hear them, though. Frasers on the right have teenagers who love to blare their music when they’re home. But, in all, the house’s in a good location.”
When it was time to grill the steaks, Faith found plates and utensils and set the round glass table on the deck. There was no breeze, and the ambient temperature hadn’t dropped much, so it was still comfortable to remain outside.
Just as dinner was finished, Tate’s phone rang. He rose and went into the kitchen to answer it while Faith stacked their dishes and carried them inside.
“I’ll be right there,” he said, as she placed them in the sink. Hanging up, he turned to Faith. “I’ve got to go. There’s been an altercation, gunshots fired,” he said, hanging up the phone. “Leave those and I’ll take you home first.”
“Or I can walk. It’s not that far and still daylight out.”
“Nope, you’re almost on my way, so I’ll take you home. Come on.” He hurried down the hall and returned a moment later wearing a sheriff’s shirt, badge and gun.
He drove his own car and soon stopped in front of her building. “Sorry I can’t walk you up,” he said, a hint of impatience showing.
“I’m fine, Tate. Take care.” She hopped out and watch as his car took off, turning the corner almost on two wheels. So much for their quiet evening. She hoped it was nothing serious. But of course it was, or they wouldn’t have called him on his day off.
“Please, Lord, bless Tate and keep him safe,” she murmured. She looked up to the sky, wondering what the Lord’s plans were for her future. “Thank You for a wonderful day,” she added.
Tate drew up in the middle of the melee. Two deputies looked like they’d been in the thick of the scuffle. One man sat on the curb, hands in cuffs, holding a handkerchief to his bleeding nose. Another was cuffed to one of the support posts for the overhang of Rachel’s antiques store, yelling at the man the deputies were still trying to subdue. The front window of the store lay in shattered shards on the sidewalk. The third man was being held back by Tate’s deputy, Jason. That man kept lunging toward the one by the post.
“What’s going on here?” Tate asked.
“Drunk and disorderly, aggravated assault,” Jason said, restraining the man once more. “Stay away from them! We need your cuffs, Sheriff, we used ours. This bozo had a gun and shot out the window.”
“Hey, I was aiming at him, missed and got the window by mistake,” the man complained.
“Lucky for you,” Tate murmured, taking his cuffs and handing them to the deputy. “Are you dumb as a stick or drunk out of your mind? We don’t allow guns in town. Don’t you see people out walking around? What if you’d killed someone? There are kids at the ice-cream shop.”
“Aw, I wasn’t aiming at no strangers.”
Tate shook his head.
In a moment the man was subdued and Tate got an abbreviated version of the situation. “So no one shot.” Looking at the one on the curb with the bloody nose, he asked “What’s the story with him?”
“Punched in the nose.”
“Anyone call the doctor?” he asked.
“He’s not on duty tonight and the on-call doc asked if we could get the nurse to assess the damage. If this guy doesn’t need a doctor, he doesn’t want to come here from Monkesville.”
Tate had let Faith off too soon. He asked the other deputy to call the clinic to see if Marjorie could contact Faith. He had her phone number, but at his house.
“I’ll take him to the clinic. Take these other two to the jail. We’ll sort through everything there. Book that gun into evidence,” Tate said, going to the injured man. “Did anyone call Rachel?”
“Will do,” Jason said.
“Hey, he still owes me a hundred bucks,” the most belligerent man shouted. “I want my money.”
“I don’t owe you nothing!” the one by the post retaliated.
“You two can iron all that out later. Right now we want to clear the street,” Tate said, going over to the deputy. “Ask someone here to keep an eye on the store until Rachel shows up. Get these two over to the jail.” He hoped the injured man wouldn’t bleed all over his SUV. He hadn’t had time to swing by the station to get a patrol car.
They arrived at the clinic a minute later. Tate had the man out and waiting by the door when Faith drove up a few moments later.
“Sorry to bring you out for this, but the doctor on call wanted your assessment before coming over from Monkesville,” Tate said.
“Rightly so. On first glance it looks like a bloody nose. Come on in.” She unlocked the door, flipped on the lights and moved directly back to exam room one. She worked efficiently to clean the blood from the man’s face, assess that the bloody nose was the source of the blood, though there were bruises already showing around his eyes.
“Tip your head back and hold this,” she said, pressing a cold compress against his nose. “What happened?” she asked Tate.
“Fight on Main Street. We’re lucky it wasn’t worse, one of the men had a gun and shot out Rachel’s shop window,” he said. “Good thing he didn’t kill anyone.” He stood near the door, watching Faith take care of the man. She had a grace about her that fascinated him. She was totally caught up in treating her patient. He’d had mixed emotions all evening. Sometimes being with her felt like a date. And then he’d want to pull back. Yet she’d never flirted or made any insinuations that she saw their relationship as more than just platonic. Still, he hadn’t had anyone to his place to eat before and hoped she didn’t read more into that than he meant.
He’d have a better handle on her feelings if they hadn’t had to end their dinner so abruptly. Would she have stayed to help with dishes, or insisted on being taken straight home?
Should he say anything or just let it ride? He’d spent more time with Faith today than with anyone in a long time. Only because they were on the rummage sale team and the other team members had not joined them. It was nothing more than that.
“Poor Rachel. But I’m glad no one was hurt.”
“Hey, I’m someone,” the man on the table said indignantly.
“Mmm. I think your guy’s good to go,” she said. “I’ll let the doctor know he’s not needed on this.”
She reached into a cabinet and took a handful of gauze p
ackets, offering them to the injured man. “I’m giving you some pads to take with you in case it starts bleeding again. And I’d suggest you wash that blood out of your shirt with cold water as soon as you can.”
“Which won’t be before you’re booked at the jail and someone responsible can come for you,” Tate said. “Thanks, Faith. I appreciate this. Bill the sheriff’s department.”
“Will do.”
Tate drove straight to the sheriff’s office to sort out the fracas. All three men were charged with disorderly conduct. The one with the gun had an added charge. After checking with the police in their respective hometowns, each was released on his own recognizance, with strict orders not to get into another altercation in his town. They’d have to come back to Rocky Point for their court dates.
Tate waited until the officers had finished their written report before heading back home. His evening was shot, so he might as well check out what had gone on during his day off.
By the time he returned home, it was dark. He finished clearing the deck, did the dishes and went to the living room, thinking he’d watch some television. Instead, he glanced at Mandy’s photos, as he often did. Giving in to impulse, he veered over to study them. He smiled, looking at her—she’d brought him such joy. She’d been so alive. These were taken before she began to waste away from the illness. She’d insisted he remember her as she’d been, not as she was in her last days.
“I miss you,” he said softly, reaching out to touch the cold glass. He would always miss her. Sometimes it seemed like a dream. They’d met, fallen in love, married and she’d died. All within a few years. Those last months had been the hardest he’d ever lived through. But he couldn’t have let her down. She’d meant too much to him.
Sighing for the future they’d both lost, he turned and went to the sofa, sank down and turned on the TV.
Tomorrow it was back to work. His parents were due home Monday. Stitches due out. And he wanted to see Faith again.
Whoa, where had that thought come from? He’d decided earlier to cool things between them. No sense in giving her the wrong impression. She’d been hurt enough by one man. Tate didn’t plan to be another.
But try as he could to get engrossed in the TV sitcom, his thoughts returned to their afternoon together—visiting, playing with the puppies, dinner. He’d enjoyed the day more than any other in a long time. So what did that mean?
Would she be in church in the morning? If things were quiet, he could stop in for the service. It would only be polite to say hi and ask about the dogs. Maybe update her on the three men who had abruptly ended their evening together.
Restless, he rose, switched off the TV and went out on the back deck. “Lord, I could use some guidance here, please.” The silence of the night seemed to seep into him. Peaceful and serene, he studied the stars in the sky. He didn’t want to get involved with anyone, but friends hung out together. It didn’t have to mean anything more. As long as they were both clear on that.
Chapter Five
Faith’s experience at church the next morning was completely different from her earlier attendance. She recognized Rachel from the antiques shop and greeted her, commiserating on the damage to her shop. Then two members of the singles group came over to say hi. She saw Marylou and waved as if they were old friends. She felt more connected than ever and it was a great feeling. Janette entered behind her and came over.
“How’s your cold?” Faith asked.
“Now I’m thinking it’s some kind of allergy. I feel fine, but keep sneezing and coughing,” she said. Then she sneezed.
“Bless you,” Faith murmured.
“Where’s Tate?” Janette asked, looking around.
“I haven’t seen him today. I think he’s working.”
“Umm, he misses a lot of Sundays in the summer due to work. Want to sit together?”
“I’d like that,” Faith said. Janette waved to another couple and then called a hello to another member of the singles group. They walked into the sanctuary and headed to the middle.
“This okay?” Janette asked, slipping into the pew.
“I have no preference,” Faith said, sitting beside her. She looked around, already feeling comfort and peace seep into her. She saw the Kincaids near the front on the left side. Striving to be casual about her perusal, she looked for Tate. She tried not to be disappointed when she didn’t see him.
The music was familiar and she enjoyed singing the old hymns. Pastor John’s message about trusting God seemed to be directed to her. She listened attentively and hoped she could remember the points he made. When he referenced a passage in the Bible, she made a mental note to look it up. She was trusting God to direct her path. She just wished sometimes He’d give her a glimpse of what lay ahead.
When the service ended, Janette invited her to lunch.
“I’d love to. Is that a tradition here, going to Marcie’s after church? Last week I went with the Kincaids.” And with Tate.
“For a lot of us. We’ll see others from Trinity there. Especially in the summer. Sometimes we pack the terrace.”
They made their way to the back and out the double doors to the front lawn, where groups of people gathered to visit. Faith felt more a part of the community now that she recognized people she’d met. Then she spotted Tate. He was wearing his uniform, without the utility belt or gun. He stood with the Kincaids and an older couple. Were they his parents? If so, they’d come home a day early. How had his mother taken his injury?
She looked away before he could catch her staring at their group.
“So will others from the singles group be joining us?” Faith asked Janette, turning slightly to make sure she didn’t give in to temptation and look at Tate again.
“I expect so. We’ll see when we get there. Did you drive or do you want to walk over?”
“I walked this morning. I really like that aspect of living in Rocky Point—I can walk everywhere.”
She and Janette started down the wide walkway toward the sidewalk. Faith longed to glance just once more in Tate’s direction, but resisted.
“Faith!” a young voice called.
She turned at that, her eyes going directly to Tate, who was looking right at her. Her heart fluttered slightly and she shifted her gaze to Jenny, running over toward her with two friends.
“Faith, can we come see the puppies? These are my friends, Sally Anne and Melissa. They want to see them, too. Maybe Melissa’s mom will let her have one. I get first pick—don’t forget.”
“Hi,” Faith said, smiling at the excitement of the young girls. “I’m going out for lunch but will be home later if you want to come by then. I’m sure the puppies would love to see you. They have their eyes open now and are starting to scramble around. You’ll love them.”
“I already do,” Jenny said. “What time should I tell my dad to bring us?”
“How about three?”
“’Kay, thanks.” They ran back to the group where Tate stood. Faith looked up once more and smiled, then turned to rejoin Janette.
“Puppies?”
“Oh, my, let me tell you about my puppies…” Faith said.
Lunch on the terrace of Marcie’s café turned out to be fun. There were others there from the singles group and they pushed two tables together. Everyone reminded Faith who they were and then when Janette mentioned the puppies, that became the first topic of discussion, which segued into tales of dogs owned in the past.
The sun was blocked by patio umbrellas. The slight breeze from the ocean kept the temperature comfortable. The food was fabulous. Faith was reluctant to leave when lunch was finished. She didn’t think she’d ever laughed so much at one time in her life.
“See you Wednesday” was the common goodbye. She was glad to join in with the same farewel
l. She did have Wednesdays to look forward to.
“Bring Tate again,” someone called.
She smiled and waved. As if she had any say over what the sheriff did.
As soon as she reached home and changed, she took Maggie out for a run. The mother dog was flourishing and seemed glad to get away from the puppies for a bit. Faith liked having the dog with her on walks and today on a short run. She was winded before long, but the fact that she could run at all showed she was getting back her normal stamina.
They stopped at the park by the marina and Faith sat on one of the picnic benches. Two other picnic tables had families still enjoying their lunch. Maggie sat beside her, tongue hanging out, content to stop for a moment.
It’s so beautiful here, Lord, Faith thought. Thank You for bringing me here. I couldn’t have found a better place to start this new stage of my life. And I want to trust You better. I think the pastor’s message was especially for me. Please, let me feel Your love that’s there for me.
She heard a car stop behind her and looked over her shoulder. Tate was getting out of a police vehicle. He waved and she rose and went to meet him, Maggie pulling on the leash in her excitement to see him.
“Hi,” she said. Suddenly the day seemed even brighter.
“Enjoying the sunshine?” he asked, stooping to give the dog a greeting.
“Maggie and I had a short run. Now it’s time to get home. We’re expecting visitors.”
“So I heard, when Jenny came back full of excitement. Little girls adore puppies. She thinks her friend Melissa will ask for one, too.”
“Maybe. I need to hear from Melissa’s parents first.” Suddenly Faith felt shy. Her smile felt awkward and she was uncertain of what to say next. She couldn’t help remembering the last comment at lunch—“Bring Tate to the next singles group meeting.” “Are you on patrol?” she asked.
“I am. I saw you and Maggie and thought I’d stop. Usually it’s quiet on Sundays, but it doesn’t hurt to keep a visible presence.”
“Umm. Not so quiet last night. What happened there?”
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