Page 3 of Stryker

“We’re hoping all the talkwill be good.” John laughed as he took the pen and signed the pileof papers, which sealed the beginning of his future inMarshall.

Jason followed suit, and after therealtor left, they stood, keys in hand, allowing the magnitude ofwhat they’d done to wash over them as Ben ran around the emptyspace.

“Thank you,” Jason saidquietly.

“For what?” Johnasked.

“You know what. Thiswouldn’t be happening if you hadn’t given up everything you hadback in Oregon start over here so I could stay close to my son,”Jason said. “I promise I’ll do everything I can to make sure thiswill be a success.”

“You would’ve done thesame thing for me if I were in your position.”

“Yeah, but I won’t everforget you doing this for me.” Jason punched him lightly on thearm. “This is one momentous occasion.”

Before John turned a full circle,taking in their new shop, Ben let out a loud, “Hey” as theirfriends entered en masse. Cheers of congratulations were shouted,bags filled with burgers and beer handed out, and the long counterattached to the wall near the entrance was turned into a makeshiftbuffet. The celebration was unexpected but absolutelywelcomed.

Standing among the group, Johncouldn’t help but measure himself against most of the guys in theroom. They were men of stature in both size and reputation, and hecouldn’t help feeling a little overwhelmed at how they’d adoptedhim as part of their extended family.

He’d never had one of his ownbefore.

“So, when do we startmoving stuff in?” Fletcher asked as he wolfed down anotherburger.

“The containers shouldbegin arriving tomorrow,” John said. “There’s ten all together.” Itwould be a ton of work to get them unpacked, but with this tribe tohelp, he was sure it wouldn’t take long.

As the team milled around eating andchecking out the new digs, John noticed Stryker gettingprogressively closer. He hadn’t run into the guy since ChristmasDay, when he’d beat feet after his asthma attack,

“Hey,” Stryker said as hecame to stand beside him.

“Hey.” For a moment, theywatched the kids racing around the place, followed by Kyle’s dog,Gracie.

“So, how are you feeling?”Stryker asked, his gaze still focused on the activity aroundthem.

“I’m good.”

“Any more asthmaattacks?”

“No, only a few mildflare-ups.”

“Good. Do you always carryyour inhaler on you?”

John pulled it from his jacket pocketand held it up. “Everywhere I go.”

Stryker looked closely at it beforereturning to look at the group.

“Good. Better to besafe.”

John felt he should apologize for hisdramatic exit from the Christmas party. “Look, I’m sorry if Icaused you any worry or interrupted your time at theparty.”

Stryker turned to look at John, andthat same feeling of awareness shot through him when their eyesmet. “Sorry? You don’t have anything to be sorry about.”

“Oh, okay.” Maybe the guyhadn’t been worried. And why the hell did that bother him somuch?

“Just wanted to make surewe were all good, that’s all,” John said.

“We’re fine.”

“Good.”

“Good.”

---