Page 99 of Missing

We worked on our crafts while we talked. This month, we were making Halloween decorations for the Wyatt Foundation fundraiser, being held a week from Saturday. We had black, purple, and orange streamers we folded together to make fancy garland, and foam ghosts and goblins we decorated with googly eyes and felt accessories. We punched holes in them so we couldhang them around the shop. If we had time, we’d also be making some themed bracelets for the trick or treat bowl. It was an ambitious idea since we rarely finished most projects.

When I asked Mary where she got the stuff to make the ghosts, wanting to pick up some supplies and make some with Chase, she said I could take all the extra stuff home with me.

“I’d rather see it put to good use than get tossed. God knows I don’t need to collect more stuff.”

“Thanks, I’ll send you pictures of him creating his masterpiece.” We laughed, knowing Chase would end up with more felt pieces glued to himself than his ghost.

Chapter 50

Doug

Beth, Chase, and I came home to change after helping set up Grannie’s for the Wyatt Foundation fundraiser. I had to wear a cowboy costume this year, just like everyone else. Except John. His job was to mingle and help raise funds, alongside Mary.

Everyone else from SSI would be sharing bartending duties, while Grannie’s Girl’s, as Mary liked to call her baristas, would man the raffle tables. Because everything was donated by the generous people of Weatherford, all proceeds from the nightwent to the foundation, for the first responder families in need of help.

I lucked out last year because John wanted to introduce me to everyone and hadn’t thought the costume would be appropriate. It was the perfect opportunity for me to network; The Wyatt Foundation fundraiser was a big deal in Weatherford. Politicians, local and county cops, business owners, friends, and family all attended.

Phil Wyatt had been a respected member of the Parker County Sheriff’s Department, and a beloved member of the Weatherford community— everyone wanted to contribute to the foundation started in his honor. John and Mary had helped a lot of families in the last couple years because of the generosity of everyone involved.

The sound of Chase’s plastic spurs on the stairs as he ran down them brought me back to the present.

“Hey, Little Man, you look great.” I scooped him up and swung him around, knowing how much he loved it. When he started to squirm, I put him down. “Where’s your mom?”

“Upstairs. Where’s your hat?”

My straw cowboy hat was on the table, along with the black pleather chaps that came with the costume. I flat out refused to wear them. I wasn’t the kind of guy who dressed up in costumes. Give me a uniform and I’m good to go, but silly costumes, no thank you.

“I’ll put it on when we get to Grannie’s.”

His pout made me consider putting it on, but Beth came downstairs.

My breath caught in my throat. The cowgirl mini skirt was shorter than anything I’d seen her wear, and it was sexy as hell as it swung with the sway of her hips. The cowgirl hat hung down her back and she'd tied the ends of the blue gingham button-up at her waist.

“You look-”

“Mommy, Mr. Doug doesn’t have his hat on.”

I was getting used to not finishing sentences when Chase was around. It could be frustrating, but it was the price of admission to be a part of Beth’s life. It turned out I was willing to dish out cash left and right for the ticket.

“Chase, what do we say when we interrupt someone?”

He looked at me, shoulders slumped forward. “I’m sorry.”

Beth waited for me to make eye contact before asking, “You were saying?”

“You look amazing.” I closed the distance and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before whispering in her ear, “absolutely breathtaking.”

“Thank you.” She glanced at the table and the aforementioned hat. “Now put on your hat, so we can go.”

“Not going to make me wear the chaps?” I asked, only half joking. I didn’t want to wear them, but I wouldn’t hesitate to put them on if she asked me to.

“Maybe another time.” The mischievous glint in her eye gave me an instant hard on.

Damn it. I used the table as a shield and adjusted myself while trying to ignore her giggling. I had half a mind to drop Chase off with Mary or Meg then drag Beth back here so I could rip her costume off with my teeth and kiss every inch of her bare skin.

Instead, I picked up my hat and placed it on my head. When I turned back around to face her I pulled it low over my eyes, hoping to God I looked sexy not silly. In the huskiest voice I could muster, I said, “Yes, Ma’am, you can count on it.”

That put an end to her giggles. Watching the blush spread up her neck and cover her cheeks felt like sweet victory. And made me hard again.

---