Page 104 of High Frequency

“If I hadn’t been told to stay home until I’m completely cleared by the doctor, and would’ve missed her reaching for and grabbing that toy just now. I recently missed her rolling over for the first time and don’t want to miss these milestones in her life. I don’t want to have to make choices that don’t have her as a priority, and these past few weeks have shown that’s exactly what this job would require. But I can’t just quit my job.”

As much as I’ve mulled this over in the past few days, I feel I’ve not really gained any clarity. Dan has patiently listened, encouraging me to take my time to figure things out, but he hasn’t really given me much feedback, claiming it’s a decision I have to come to myself.

“Hmmm.” Thomas rocks his chair and rubs his chin. “Why can’t you?”

“Quit my job? Because it’s a great job, and I need an income.”

He nods. “Fair enough, but as I understand it, the sheriff’s department now has a position for a deputy they need to fill. Predictable shift hours so you can schedule care for the little one in advance. Maybe not the job you want, but a job you can handle right now. Doesn’t seem that complicated.”

Back to being a deputy?

I give a mental shrug. Why not?

It might’ve felt like giving up my dream not that long ago, but it’s amazing how quickly perceptions can change. The idea actually lifts a huge burden off my chest.

I turn my head at the sound of voices and catch Dan chatting with Alex outside the barn, but his eyes are fixed on me.

“That boy loves you,” Thomas states behind me.

“I know. The feeling is mutual.”

“Right, then you know neither you nor that little one of yours ever has to worry about a roof over your heads or food on the table.”

We make a good team.It’s what he said to me the morning we got home from the hospital, right before he told me he loved me.

Apparently, it’s that simple for these men; you take care of what and who you love.

The old man is right, it’s not that complicated, I just need to tackle things one at a time.

When I see Dan start coming this way, I get to my feet and turn to Thomas, bending over to kiss his cheek.

“Thank you.”

Thomas clears his throat as he waves me off.

Grinning, I crouch down to pick Aspen up off the floor and prop her on my hip, just as Dan comes up the porch steps.

He doesn’t even hesitate, hooks me behind the neck and lays a heavy one on me. After he lets me up for air, he reaches for Aspen, who greets him with a gummy smile. He props her on his arm and blows a raspberry in her neck.

“What’s the smile for?” he asks.

“I’m having a good day.”

He grins back at me. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Can you keep an eye on her while I make a few phone calls?”

A few minutes later, I sit down on the couch in my cabin, and dial the number I ended up saving in my phone.

“Did you change your mind?”

The smug tone of Jeff’s voice annoys me, and it’s tempting to tell him to go fuck himself, but that won’t do anyone any good. He can be an asshole all by himself.

Two days ago, Dan handed me a piece of paper with the name and number of a lawyer in Billings. Courtesy of his sister Lindsey and her mother, who provided the contact. According to Dan, the lawyer was waiting for my call, which I will follow up with as soon as I get Jeff’s agreement.

“As a matter of fact, I did,” I tell him. “I will pay you five thousand dollars…” I can hear him whoop it up, but keep talking right over him. “…on one condition; you give up your parental rights to Aspen.”

“Sorry, what?”

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