Page 38 of Mountain Man Officer

“It doesn’t make any sense,” Macy was saying. “If they wanted you to uninstall the firewall, they should have just said.” She looked up to see me standing at the register, her face breaking into a smile. “Lindsey!” Dillon and Nicky, Macy’s husband and son, squeezed through the door behind her. “I’ll catch up,” she told them.

The boys smiled before diving into the depths of the hardware store in search of something they needed.

“What are you doing here?” Macy was clearly surprised.

“Oh, I came to get a gift for someone.” I sidestepped the question, not ready to announce my intentions to the world.

“Is it Jason?” she asked slyly.

I nodded, feeling my cheeks heat up.

“Did he move into the cabin?”

I nodded again, thinking of our frantic lovemaking session.

“I have to hear all about it.”

“Do you want to go get dinner?” I asked cautiously. It seemed like Macy had her hands full, but the question couldn’t hurt.

Dillon came up behind his wife, put his arms around her, and said, “You go ahead. I’ll take the kids home.”

“Really?” Macy brightened.

“Sure.” He kissed her ear, and I couldn’t help but feeling I was gazing in on an intimate act.

Dillon paid for his purchases and walked the family out to their car. Macy disentangled herself from the baby and put her in the car seat. I watched their ballet with a mixture of jealousy and pride. I was thrilled for Macy and Dillon that they had found a partner in life, and I wondered what it would be like to have help all the time. To wake up and share the most mundane tasks, to raise tiny human beings together.

Finally, Macy turned around. “Shall we go?” She looked excited, like Cinderella about to embark on an evening of magic.

I laughed. “Sure, where do you want to go?”

“The Lucky Lady?” Macy suggested.

We walked back to my car and drove to the Lady. Inside, it was cozy and busy but not slammed. We found a seat and sat down, then ordered drinks and appetizers to share. When the chicken wings came, we got messy fingers and couldn’t figure out how to work the napkin dispenser on the table.

“Excuse me.” Macy stood up and invaded someone else’s table. “Can we borrow some napkins?” Her fingers were drenched with barbeque sauce, and she was having trouble keeping a straight face.

As soon as she returned with the napkins, we both broke into hysterics. It was good to count Macy among my friends. I had a feeling that we might grow even closer. If Dillon was friends with Jason and we were all living in neighboring cabins, the chances of a lasting friendship were high.

“So, tell me about Jason.” Macy wiped sauce from her fingers. “Geez, I’m as messy as the kids.”

“He’s nice,” I said hesitantly. “I think it’s going to work out fine.”

“What’s the gift for?” she asked.

“It’s a… housewarming gift,” I lied. Studying her face, I decided to confess. “I also misjudged him, so it’s an apology gift as well.”

Macy nodded.

“He likes woodworking,” I added.

“I wasn’t sure about Dillon when we first met,” Macy admitted, “but he’s a good man. Jason is too. I think it will all work out.” I held my glass across the table for a tap. Macy obliged, saying, “Cheers.”

We drank and enjoyed the rest of our meal, trading stories about cabins and the rugged men who lived in them. When I drove Macy home, I realized just how close our respective homesteads were and how lucky I was to have a friend in the neighborhood.

15

JASON

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