Page 59 of Redeeming Harmony

“Hey, Gideon.” Preacher’s low voice made them all glance up.

Nathan had spoken with the sheriff of Harmony Falls a couple of times. Once when he gave the sheriff’s dog, a large and friendly Great Dane named Tank, his vaccinations and annual health check, and once at Nan’s Diner. Gideon was on the quiet side but friendly, with a calm confidence that probably helped get him elected as the youngest sheriff in the history of Harmony Falls.

His face grave, he pulled a chair closer to Addison and sat down. He wore his sheriff’s vest over a long-sleeved shirt, a pair of jeans, and dark work boots. He turned his radio down and glanced at Preacher before giving Addison a strained smile. “Hi, Addie. How is Daniel doing?”

“He needs surgery on his left arm,” Addison said.

“It looked pretty busted up at the scene,” Gideon said.

“Are you here to arrest him?” Addison asked, her voice cracking.

Gideon cleared his throat. “Lennox was the first on scene. Daniel’s car had veered off the road and hit a tree. Some people driving by saw the car and called 9-1-1. Daniel’s car was empty, but they told Lennox they found Daniel about a hundred feet away, stumbling in the ditch, disoriented and bleeding.”

“Oh my God,” Addison said.

“They did basic first-aid until Lennox and the paramedics arrived,” Gideon continued. “Lennox radioed me as soon as he saw who it was, and I arrived as the paramedics were loading Daniel into the ambulance. Because of Daniel’s injuries, Lennox didn’t do a breathalyzer test, but he did observe slurred speech and detected the strong odour of alcohol on Daniel.”

“So, he’s being arrested,” Addison said.

“Lennox didn’t see Daniel behind the wheel of the car, nor did the people who stopped to help,” Gideon said.

“What does that mean?” Addie asked.

“He can’t be arrested for a DUI if the police didn’t witness him driving,” Preacher said.

Gideon nodded. “We could give him a DUI citation which would require him to appear at a hearing, but…”

“But unless Daniel confesses to driving the vehicle, it’s impossible to prove he was driving, and so a conviction of DUI would be slim,” Harper said.

“Very slim,” Gideon said.

“I don’t know whether to be relieved or angry,” Addison said. “I love him, but maybe being arrested would…”

She stared up at Preacher. “I’m a terrible sister for thinking that way.”

“No, Sunshine, you’re not,” Preacher said. “Daniel needs to understand how badly he fucked up tonight.”

“Once Daniel is awake from surgery, I’d like to speak to him,” Gideon said.

Addison nodded. “Of course. He, uh… they can’t do the surgery tonight because,” a half-laugh, half-sob escaped her throat, “he’s too drunk.”

Her lip trembled again, and she started to cry in earnest. “I’m so mad at him right now, and I feel terrible because he’s hurt… but I’m still so angry.”

Nathan watched as Preacher tugged Addison out of her chair and into his lap. She buried her face in his throat, her slender body shaking as Preacher stroked her back.

Gideon stood and squeezed Addison’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Addie. Preacher, call me tomorrow after Daniel’s surgery, all right?”

Preacher nodded. “Thanks, man.”

As Gideon walked away, Harper rubbed Addie’s thigh. “Honey, do you want me to get you a cold drink from the cafeteria?”

Addison wiped at her face. “Yes, please. Can you text Kira and Gracie for me? I haven’t told them yet, and I don’t want them to hear it from a random person.”

“I can do that.” Harper stood, and Nathan stood with her, not ready to drop the connection of their clasped hands. Harper kissed Addison’s forehead again. “I’ll be right back with cold drinks for all of us. It’ll be okay, honey. We’ll get Daniel into rehab, I promise.”

“Thank you for being here with me, Harper,” Addison said.

“Always,” Harper said.

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