Page 68 of Exhale
A train station was the main hub of the town. With one main street, a few doctors’ offices, a dentist, a laundry mat, and a liquor store, everything felt…simple…slower. Nice.
Across the street from the train station, down a ways next to the Fern Feed Store was Tauber’s Pool Hall, owned by US Marshal Whiplash Tauber.
“Brothers, US Marshal Axel Bains and Sheriff Memphis Bains work with Whiplash at the bar when not handling law enforcement duties,” the driver told them.
Jordan knew all this because he’d done his homework on the flight, but he smiled at the guy.
“They have a really protective dog,” Jordan told Owen.
“Who?”
“Diesel and Triton, her name is Molly.”
“And you said he was wounded in the military?” Owen asked, because they had discussed during the flight what he’d found on Gannon.
“Diesel, yes, that’s when he retired from Special Forces.” Jordan nodded.
“He sounds like a nice guy.”
“From what I could research, Diesel and his husband Triton are honest and reliable. Their Facebook profiles are filled with friends, laughter, and love,” Jordan said.
“Just like ours will be?” Owen smiled and linked their fingers.
Jordan heard the question in the words and searched Owen’s eyes. The pale blue depths were bright in the afternoon sun.
“Yes,” Jordan breathed the words. “Just like ours will be.”
He would have said more, but the car pulled to a stop in front of a charming house on a street with no sidewalks. The yard was filled with flowers and lush grass with a white picket fence surrounding everything.
Jordan was in love with the house at first sight.
“Wow,” Owen said, sounding impressed.
They both slid out of the car and approached the front gate.
A dog barked, and soon the front door opened.
A large Labrador retriever came barreling out the door and down the steps of the house, barking up a storm.
A large man stepped out onto the front porch.
“Hush, Molly,” the man said, and the barking stopped immediately.
“Diesel?” Jordan asked.
“Yes, and you must be Jordan and Owen,” Diesel said with a smile.
“I’m Jordan, this is Owen.”
“Molly, inside,” Diesel said, and the dog turned and trotted back into the house. “Sorry about that,” Diesel said, unlatching the gate.
The house was just as charming inside as it was outside, and Jordan stepped into the warmth ahead of Owen and Diesel.
His eyes went immediately to the couch and the small boy sitting with a slender blond man on the cushions.
For a moment, Owen couldn’t speak as he took in the tiny replica of Elliott. The boys were identical twins, with Elliott being the smaller of the pair.
“You must be Weston,” Owen said, pointing to Triton. “And I’m guessing you’re Triton?” Owen said, squatting in front of Weston.
