Page 44 of Trace's Passion
Chapter 13
Trace
Driving away from Emery didn’t get easier, but he had to check on little Mrs. Bowman.
Her cat always ran out of the house any chance it could and would run straight to the tree and stay up there. Trace knew the bugger could come down, but it never did willingly.
After the fifth time of trying to climb the damn tree, Brek had wanted to cut it down.
But it wasn’t his decision to make, so they kept climbing the tree and getting the cat that didn’t want to get caught.
Trace laughed and turned into Mrs. Bowman’s driveway. The woman was standing in her bathrobe and slippers and was wringing her hands at the base of the tree.
And sure enough, that stupid cat was in the top, laying on a wide branch, asleep with the tip of its tail swinging back and forth.
The little grey striped cat opened its green eyes when he came up under the tree as well and seemed to mock him with that gaze.
Trace wanted to shake his head but didn’t. “Oh Deputy. I know you and the Sheriff come out a lot, but he did it again. Smokey got stuck.”
Trace smiled gently at the woman, “I will get him. Don’t stress.”
She nodded and patted his hand, “Thank you.”
Trace knew how to get in and out of the tree quickly now and which hand holds to grab and where to put his feet.
He levered himself into the tree and softly grabbed the cat, and then climbed back down, all the while Smokey rubbed on his chest, purring.
He petted the little head and handed the cat back to Mrs. Bowman. She snuggled Smokey and then walked back into her house with a wave goodbye.
Trace drove back to the station and Scott told him about the man passing through.
Something about it made Scott anxious and in turn made him anxious as well.
But Emery was smiling and laughing with Stacy like she wasn’t bothered, and Trace wanted nothing but to take her home.
He knew that was crazy and when it was their turn for lunch, he took her to the cafe where she ordered a large milkshake and a cheeseburger.
He grinned and ordered the same thing, knowing he was crazy and putting the traveler out of his mind.
They had people pass through town all the time, it wasn’t new, and often people had to ask for directions.
The road into town was a dead zone for a GPS, so he understood it and tried his best to put it out of his mind.
Mila came over and brought their food, which made Emery jump up and give her a hug.
Mila laughed and hugged her back and the two talked in quiet voices about having a girl’s night sometime soon.
He didn’t love that thought. Not being able to be with her every second of the day and night, but he knew it was crazy.
She had to have interests and friends and he knew that with Sienna, Stacy and Mila on her side that she would be safe.
Mila excused herself to go to another table and Emery sat down, taking a bite of her burger.
He grinned at her, “Planning a girl’s night huh?”
She nodded, “Yeah! I am so excited. We wanted to do it next week. At Sienna’s house. She and I have been texting and she is excited too. Stacy said she would come, and my best friend Karalee is coming in this weekend. So, it should be a blast.”
Trace laughed, “What are us men supposed to do?”
