Page 25 of Bravo

“Bradyn Hunt.It’s good to see you back in town,” Pastor Gabriel Ford greets as I leave the pews and head out into the fellowship hall.

“It’s good to be back,” I reply, shaking his offered hand. I’ve met with the pastor on more than one occasion when I’ve beenstruggling with the weight of a mission, and he’s always there to listen and guide.

He’s a good man, one I’ve known since I was a kid. His daughter, Melody, graduated the same year I did.

“If you need to talk, my door is open.”

“Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. How is Grace? Melody? The grandkids?”

“All doing great. Grace went over to Melody and Huey’s place this morning to sit with the baby. He had to work, and Melody’s not been getting a lot of sleep with having a teething baby and a toddler.”

“I’m sure Grace is loving every moment of that.”

He beams at me, his gray eyes shining with joy. “You know she is.”

More people start filing in behind me, so I shake his hand again and say my goodbyes then head out into the mid-morning sun. It’s warmer today, though not by much, and if the weatherman is right, temperatures will be plummeting again tonight. Just in time for the nasty storm headed our way midweek.

I’m just about to open the door to my truck so I can head home and get back to work in the barn when I spot Sammy heading into our town’s small office supply store. Before I know it, I’m abandoning the truck and heading across the street.

I really shouldn’t follow her in here. It’s her private business after all, but the desire to see her again is so strong I’m walking into the store before realizing I have literally no reason to be here.

Sammy is standing in front of an assortment of postcards, studying the collection with the same scrutiny one might expect to use when diffusing a bomb. I start to turn away, but she happens to glance up at the same time and see me lingering near the entrance.

You’re doing this, Hunt.Not like I have a choice now. If I left, it would be weird.

Her gaze darkens when she sees me, and I have to force myself to smile. What is it that she has against me?

“Oh, hey,” I greet.

“Hey.”

“Afternoon, Bradyn,” Jerry Davidson, the owner, greets. “What brings you in here today?”

“Uh, I needed to get some stationary.”

“You got it.” He guides me over to a shelf directly across from the postcards. “Here is what we have. Anything in particular you’re looking for?”

“These are fine.” I grab the closest stack, not even bothering to look at it before I do.

“Sounds good.” He takes the stack then heads to the counter, right as Sammy is also ready to check out. Jerry scans the back of the stationary pack then sets it on the counter. “That’ll be twelve-sixty.”

I reach into my pocket and pull out my wallet then pay for the stationery. It’s only then that I lift it and realize I just bought twenty-two pages with kittens in the letterhead.

“Cute stationary,” Sammy comments.

“It’ll do the trick.” I glance down at her postcard momentarily, just long enough to see a beautiful background of bluebonnets. “Need one? You can send a personal note along with the postcard?”

“That’s okay. I’m partial to dogs myself.” She smiles, and I can’t help but return it.

“I can love them both.”

“No judgment here,” she replies.

“That all, Sammy?” Jerry asks as he takes her postcard.

“That’s it. Thanks.”

“Anytime. Hopefully, you can get it out before the storm hits.”

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