Page 30 of Counter Attack

“If Parker knows, it’s official. What do you think I should do?”

“I don’t know. I can’t make that decision for you. But I can help you look at the pros and cons.”

She took a sip of Pepsi. “Okay, start helping.”

“Well, what do you see as the pros?”

“I’d make my grandparents happy.”

“Is that the only benefit you see?”

Alexis shrugged. “What do you think the pros are?”

“I see several. The chief deputy acts as the sheriff when he’s out of commission, so you’ll basically be in charge of the department. It isn’t running the Chattanooga PD, but it’d be close.

“Second, you’re right that you’d be helping your grandfather, and that would make you feel good.

“Third, it doesn’t have to be permanent. See what the job is like. If you don’t like it, I’m betting your department head will be happy to have you back. But who knows, you might even like it and want to run for sheriff when the time comes.”

She was quiet a moment, and he could tell she was at least considering what he’d said. “How about you? Are you disappointed Gramps didn’t pick you?”

That was a question he didn’t want to answer just yet, and he hoped she didn’t press him for an answer.

17

Alex had seen the hurt in Nathan’s face when her grandfather asked her to take the chief deputy position, and it was there now. If he really wanted the job, she didn’t want to stand in his way.

Nathan stood. “I need a cup of coffee. Be right back.”

That pretty well said it all. He wanted the job. They’d been friends since elementary school. When he returned, Alex would tell him she wasn’t taking the job, that he could have it—if he wanted it.

A minute later, Nathan returned and set the cup on the table. “I want—”

“I’m not—”

She motioned with her hand. “You go first.”

“I want to make something clear. God has a plan for both our lives. And right now, I think his plan is for me to finish what I started in the Pearl Springs police department. And with you as chief deputy and basically the sheriff, maybe we can work together on some of the changes I want to implement for the county as a whole. Changes I haven’t brought to Carson because ... he’s old school, and I wasn’t sure he would want toexpend the energy to see the projects through—not everyone likes change.” He smiled. “Your turn now.”

Alex didn’t know what to say. She’d been prepared to relinquish the job to him. And why did she have to notice how blue his eyes were right now? If they married, would they have blue-eyed babies?

Babies? Where in the world did that come from? What was wrong with her? Besides, Nathan was fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants, and she lived by rules and liked structure and organization and following procedures.

“Are you okay?”

Alex knew better than to look into those eyes again. They would be full of compassion. Because that was Nathan. Instead, she nodded and took another sip of soda.

“Well...” Nathan leaned closer. “What were you going to say earlier?”

“We haven’t talked about the cons.”

He laughed. “What do you think they are?”

She held up her finger. “One, I’d have to leave Chattanooga and keep living with my grandparents, at least for a while. Two, what if his deputies resent me? Three, what if I’m no good at managing people ...”

“Stop worrying. You’ll be great at the job,” he said. “I won’t sugarcoat it though. Some of the deputies might resent that he went out of the county to fill the job, but I know you’ll win them over.”

What if she didn’t? That wasn’t a bridge she had to cross today. She took a deep breath. “Then I guess we better go tell my grandparents I’ll be needing my room a little longer.”

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