“I have all I need. I was born and raised in Wyoming, so I even have the cowboy hat.”
They grinned at each other and after writing down his information he shook hands with Nathan again. He walked out of the Sheriff’s department and climbed into his car to drive home. As much as he wanted to find Patsy and tell her, he couldn’t yet. It would be too hard to tell her he was leaving to finish some cases. When he came back to her, he wanted it to be free and clear.
****
Two weeks later, Patsy sat in her office making notes in the computer about herlast patient when she glanced up and saw Roni standing in the doorway.
“How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. It’s been over a month—”
“I know exactly how long it’s been, so I imagine you know it down to the seconds.”
Patsy sighed. “It doesn’t matter, Roni.”
“It does matter, Patsy. You love him. Take what you can get with him.”
“I can’t. I just keep seeing those bullets hitting him and him falling to the ground. I was so sure he was dead—”
“That should be enough to make you want to spend time with him. None of us know how long we have—”
“No!”
Roni stepped into the office and took a seat in the chair opposite the desk. “Patsy, we never know how much time we have with the person we love, no matter what their occupation. Anything could happen.”
“Yes, I know that, but Micah is in a very dangerous job and the odds of it happening to him are way higher. I can’t live in constant fear like that, and I would. I know I would.” Patsy shook her head.
“I’m sure nothing I say will convince you then, but to not have the man you love in your life when you can is something I can’t comprehend. I want you to be happy, Patsy, and you’re not going to be unless you’re with Micah.”
Roni stood and left the room.
Patsy quickly blinked her eyes. She was surprised she had any tears left.
An hour later, she left for home. She’d moved into Roni’s home behind the hospital when Roni married Lincoln. It had a fenced back yard and Runt loved it. She strolled up the walkway, her eyes on the ground but when she glanced up she came to a complete stop. Were her eyes playing tricks on her?
Micah was sitting on the porch swing. He stood when he saw her.
“Micah?” She slowly walked toward him.
“Hello, pixie.”
God, he looked so good and she was sure she looked like hell.
“What are you doing here?”
“Will you take a ride with me?” He smiled at her.
“A ride?” She knew she sounded like a bumbling fool.
“Yes. Will you?” He put his hand out to her.
After a slight hesitation, she put her hand in his and felt the usual jolt. He pulled her behind him to his Corvette, which sat just down the alley.
“You hid your car, didn’t you?”
Micah smiled at her. “Yes. I was sure if you saw it, you’d know I was here and not come home.”
“Why would I do that?”