Page 45 of Ink and Ashes
Maybe this is the piece I need to finally convince Colson.
I quickly scan the place to see if I can find more, but I turn up empty. So I pull the Ziploc bag out of my pocket and drop the tab inside before taking off in the direction of my car to head back into town.
CHAPTER 16
Colson
“Good going, Sharpe,” I call out to the probie on our crew just as he finishes the hose run.
We’ve been running drills all morning, getting as much training in as possible while we wait for the next call. Knowing it could come any day now floods me with a sense of dread, so I’m doing my best to keep my mind off it.
“You’re getting faster with that. Way to go,” I add, patting him on the shoulder.
His smile glints in the sunlight. “Thanks, Lieutenant.”
I glance down at my watch then over at Whitlock, who was watching us drill. I nod and he does the same before he says, “Seems like as good a time as any to break for lunch. Let’s get this cleaned up and eat while we still can. Who’s on cooking duty today?”
Ace looks at Ethan. “Langley.”
He grins as he rolls the hose, while the rest of the crew groans.
“Oh, please no,” Mickey whines. “I can’t take another day of PB and Js.”
“Hey!” Langley says, offended. “They’re the best damn PBand Js you’ll ever have.”
Finn scoffs. “You wish. Hailey makes better, and she’s six,” he says, referring to his daughter.
Everyone breaks out laughing.
“Then I’ll make mac and cheese.”
“You mean microwaved Kraft Dinner? Gross,” Adler throws in with a scoff, grimacing.
“It’s better that way!” Langley defends.
“No, it’s not.” I laugh.
Whitlock joins in, the entire crew shooting the shit at Langley’s expense.
“Alright, someone call in an order to Marydale’s,” Whitlock eventually adds. “Langley can pick it up.”
“Hell yeah, thanks, Chief!” Langley says, always thankful to not have to “cook” for everyone.
Whitlock lets him feel joy for a moment before he nods at me. I take that as my cue to add, “But you’re buying too.”
Langley’s smile instantly falls while the rest of the crew continues to hoot and holler. I turn to head inside, shaking my head with a smile as their teasing echoes inside, and make my way to the bathroom for a quick shower before lunch.
Thirty minutes later, Langley arrives with a multitude of brown paper bags. For a guy who didn’t want to spend the money, he sure did buy a lot of food.
We chat as we eat, an easy camaraderie settling over the kitchen. After everything that’s been going on, it feels good to laugh and joke with the guys again. When we finish eating, the guys get to work on some afternoon chores, and I head back to my office to finish up some paperwork.
Just as I enter the room, I catch a whiff of perfume—a mix of orange and peonies. I turn around, already knowing who I’m going to find walking toward me. But the moment she turns the corner, my breath catches in my lungs.
Until now, I haven’t given myself the opportunity to appreciate just how stunning she is. Her long, auburn hair is a stark contrast against her creamy skin, and it suits her perfectly. She’s gracefulyet assertive all at once, and if not for the chaos she’s brought into my life, I truly believe I’d fall to my knees for her.
With every step closer she takes, I fight the urge to do just that. She can’t be taller than five-foot-three without those four-inch heels that are practically an extension of her, but there’s something about the air of confidence in the way she moves that has me unable to look away.
Today, she’s wearing a flowy navy-blue dress that falls just below her knees, with buttons up the front and a tie around her waist. I lean against the doorframe, a smirk tugging at my lips. I can’t help but wonder if she has any idea how out of place she looks, dressed like that in this town.
