Page 29 of Counter Attack

Alexis sat perfectly still. “I can’t believe it,” she finally said.

“I wish there was something I could say to help you decide.”

Neither of them spoke until Nathan turned into the drive-thru at Erlanger and stopped in front of the door. “Don’t waitfor me—parking lot looks full. No telling how long it’ll take me to find a space.”

“Sure.” She unbuckled the seat belt and climbed out of the truck. He found a spot on the back row and parked, then checked in with Peggy.

“Everything is fine here,” she said. “How’s Sheriff Stone?”

“Word travels fast,” Nathan said.

“The head of the church prayer committee called, requesting prayers.”

He should’ve known. “The doctor was able to stent the blocked artery, and the sheriff was resting comfortably when I left him earlier.”

“Good.”

“By the way, a young lady will be coming by to fill out the paperwork for the dispatcher job.”

“So my reminder got you on the ball?”

“Yep, and now we have a couple of weeks until Jimmy leaves for him to train her if she checks out okay.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

Nathan walked through the automatic doors at the hospital. “Thanks. I’ll be here at the hospital if you need me.”

He pocketed his phone and started toward the elevators when he noticed Alexis standing by the information desk.

“I decided to wait on you,” she said when he reached her.

He nodded. “Elevator or stairs?”

“Elevator. Not quite ready for the stairs yet.”

He took her arm as they walked toward the elevators. “You want to go down to the cafeteria first? It’s been a while since we ate.”

“That might be a good idea.”

The cafeteria was practically deserted when they walked through the doors. Nathan nodded toward a table. “Why don’t you sit there while I get you something.”

“Thanks.”

When he returned with a Pepsi and a package of peanuts, she smiled. “You remembered.”

He had. In high school she’d buy a Pepsi from the vending machine and pour peanuts into the bottle. “You still do that?”

“Not so much, but it’s comfort food, and right now that’s just what I need.” She unscrewed the top on the drink and dumped the nuts in. Neither of them spoke for a minute, then she looked up. “I want to ask you something.”

“Okay. Shoot.”

“You know if I take this job, I can kiss the transfer to homicide goodbye, because it won’t wait for me. What would you do?”

“I thought you’d pretty well decided to do what your grandfather wanted.”

She swirled the drink, stirring the peanuts. “I had until I learned the transfer came through. I’ve wanted to work in homicide since day one.”

“I probably shouldn’t have told you, especially since it isn’t official yet.”

---