Page 10 of After All

Yep, that was his cue.

Hope noticed his attention had shifted and turned. “What’s going on?”

“Need to check on something,” he said, nodding in the kids’ direction. “Thanks for the talk. And advice.”

“Anytime. One last word?”

“Okay.”

“Don’t give up on her. No one needs to be loved more than Peyton. And no one’s going to be tougher to love. But she’s also going to be totally worth it.”

And that right there grabbed him by the heart and squeezed. Because Hope was right. And Scott was the man to do it. “I can’t promise to walk on eggshells about it,” he said.

Hope gave him a bright smile, and Scott figured that right there was how TJ Bennett had fallen ass over boots for her. “Eggshells is thelastway to be with her.”

Yeah, then he had this covered. He absolutely felt likestompinginto Peyton’s life—and heart. No tiptoeing, no being careful. Stubborn, no-nonsense, all-in—that was more his style.

He gave Hope a little hug and then started across the street to the town square.

There was no reason for the kidsnotto be in the square this time of night. It was April, so daylight savings time had kicked in and it was lighter later; it was Friday, so there was no school tomorrow; and hey, hanging out with friends in the heart of Sapphire Falls was the best, at any age. But it didn’t hurt to check up on eight eleven and twelve-year-olds oohing and awing over something. If it was a new video game or some great YouTube video, that was one thing. If it was pictures of naked women, alcohol or smokes, he’d have to intervene.

“Hey guys,” he called as he hit the grass. He supposed if they ran, he’d also know something was up. All he really needed was to snag Chase Walker. It appeared he was the center of attention. The kid’s back was to Scott, but he was wearing his hoodie sweatshirt with WALKER across the back.

“It’sScott,” he heard one kid whisper loudly.

“Crap, the cop!” said another.

“My dad willkillme!” was another response.

Oh, yeah, Scott needed to see whatever this was. “What are you guys—”

Chase swung around just then. He was holding a gun.

Scott stopped. Chase looked scared. Really scared. And a gun in the hands of someone who didn’t know how to use it, and was scared, was almost as bad as someone who was aiming it on purpose.

“Chase,” Scott said firmly and calmly. “Put it down.”

“We’re not doin’ anything,” Chase said quickly, shaking his head back and forth. “I’m just showing them.”

“Okay.” Scott nodded. Hopefully the damned thing wasn’t loaded. “Is it yours?”

Chase nodded. “Got it for my birthday. I’m gonna take classes with MacKenzie and then Dad’s going to take me target shooting.”

Scott nodded again. MacKenzie Cruise had a shooting range and obstacle course out on her land. She taught shooting with all types of guns, as well as archery. She was even talking with Tucker Bennett about bringing in some competitions and using his dirt bike track and arena as a site.

“And you wanted to show it off to your friends,” Scott said. “I get it. But we can’t have guns in the square.”

Chase looked even more nervous now.

“Does your dad know you took it out?”

Chase shook his head. Yeah, that’s what Scott had figured. “Okay, well, you give it to me and I’ll take care of it until we can get it back to your dad. You shouldn’t have this out without him around. Got it?”

“You can’t tell him!” Chase said.

“I have to,” Scott said in a tone that left no room for argument. “Bring it over here to me.”

Chase glanced back at his friends. The move shifted the gun higher and suddenly there was a loud crack—and then Scott felt a white-hot pain stabbing him in the thigh.

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