Page 12 of Fanatic

“Human. That makes you human and fallible like everyone else,” Fanatic answered.

Fanatic glanced over my shoulder as the waitress and a man in a suit appeared. He stopped at our table and held out Fanatic’s card.

“Is there a problem?” Fanatic asked.

“I’m the manager, Caleb. Your money is no good here,” Caleb stated.

“Sorry, I assure you that’s my card, and there’s money in that account,” Fanatic replied.

“No, sir. You’re a hero of Rapid City. You don’t pay,” Caleb explained.

Fanatic swallowed hard. “That means a lot. It really does. But we can pay.”

“I don’t doubt it, sir, but no. It’s our honour to serve you and Agent Ware.”

My head snapped up, and I gazed at Caleb.

“Sorry, Ma’am. I recognise you from the funeral and several reports. You two are heroes, and we honour them here and respect their sacrifices. The staff here stand behind you and applaud you both,” Caleb said.

He stepped back and started clapping. The waitress shoved the tray she carried under her arm and copied Caleb’s actions. Slowly, around the bar, the staff stopped as word passed amongst them, and they began applauding, too.

Fanatic stood up and now customers could see his cut. He reached out and shook Caleb’s hand as I picked up Danny and placed him in his car seat.

With his hand holding my elbow and carrying Danny’s car seat, Fanatic led us through the applauding restaurant and outside. Several people rose to shake our hands and thank us for standing up for what was right. Fanatic coolly waved at everyone as we exited and looked at me. There was a red blush to his cheeks.

“Let’s go before someone offers to kiss our feet,” I teased, and he laughed.

“It doesn’t get easier.”

“This has happened before?” I asked.

“Yeah. A few times, everybody’s experienced it.”

“That’s kind of nice.”

“Also embarrassing. We stood up and were counted. We shouldn’t be called heroes for that,” Fanatic replied.

“But you are,” I argued.

“No,we’renot me.We’refuckin’ heroes. Willow, you were there too,” Fanatic responded forcefully.

“That was my job.”

“You still showed, many didn’t. You could have gone sick or anything. Instead, you saddled up and rode out.”

“Fanatic, no, no, not in your accent.”

“But I love that saying.”

“Yes, it doesn’t go with the English accent, mate,” I said, and Fanatic began laughing.

“Okay, woman. Just don’t say mate again.”

“Mate, mate, mate!”

“Yeah, we’re no longer best friends, Willow.”

“Mate, mate, mate!”

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