Page 36 of The Finding Series: Vol. 1

“Who were they?” Finn asked as his eyes drifted to the barn as it began to buckle in on itself as the flames consumed it.

“Deputies Rollins and Hargove,” Rhys said angrily. “Rollins is dead.”

Callan felt rage consume him and he actually started to stand before Rhys grabbed his hand. “Callan, don’t. It’s over.” Rhys was right, but the need to wrap his hands around the scrawny deputy’s neck and wring the life out of him had him shaking. Callan felt Finn grab his hand and he instantly redirected all his attention to the younger man.

“Cal, I’m home on one condition,” Finn said quietly, the word “home” taking away all the fury he was feeling and replacing it with hope.

“Anything,” he said as he leaned down so he could hear Finn better.

“We need to get a bigger bed. You guys take up a lot of fucking room.”

ChapterFifteen

Callan stared at the charred ruins in silence as soft footsteps came up behind him. He turned to see his aunt approaching. She came to a stop next to him and wrapped an arm around his waist.

“You can rebuild it, darling,” she said softly as he draped his arm around her shoulder.

“I can’t do it anymore,” he said quietly. “They’re just going to keep coming for us.”

His aunt patted his back softly. “This town’s been asleep a long time, Callan. They’re just starting to wake up. Give them a chance to finish opening their eyes before you make any big decisions.”

Callan wasn’t so sure. The one thing he was sure of was that he wasn’t going to risk the men he loved again. His eyes drifted to where Rhys was moving Finn’s stuff from his house to Callan’s – well, their house now. He’d ordered the king sized bed he’d promised Finn this morning, though he wasn’t sure how the hell they were going to get it in their room. Their room - God, he liked the sound of that.

“How would you feel about moving somewhere else?” he asked Dolly as he turned to face her. “We might be able to get enough for this place to start over.”

“Unless starting over is in Boca Raton, count me out,” she said with a sly smile as she handed him a sheaf of papers he hadn’t noticed her carrying.

“What is this?” he asked as he skimmed it.

“It’s a transfer for Power of Attorney. It gives me the right to make all decisions for your father’s care and finances. I want you to sign it,” she said as she produced a pen.

“I don’t understand,” he said, completely lost.

“It’s time for you to let him go, Callan. He needs more than either you or I can give him.”

Callan flinched as he realized what she was saying. “You want to put him in a home?”

“It’s a place that helps people like him live as independently as they can,” she countered. “I’m going to be nearby, Callan. I’ll see him every day.”

“Where?” he said.

“I already told you. Boca.”

“Florida?” He couldn’t believe this. “You want to move to Florida?”

“You remember your Uncle Stan’s sister, Regina?” He did, but barely. Dolly’s husband’s side of the family had lived in California and he’d only met them a few times before Stan died and Dolly had moved to Montana to care for his father.

“She lost her husband a few months ago and has asked me to come stay with her for a while. The place your father would be living is only five minutes away and Regina’s daughter runs it.”

“Aunt Dolly, I can help out more,” he began.

Dolly reached up to grab him by the face. “You listen to me, Callan Bale. This has nothing to do with that and you know it. You’re a good man and you’ve made your mama proud with how well you’ve watched out for your father. Carter couldn’t have asked for a better son than if he’d been standing in front of God when he did it.”

Callan felt tears sting his eyes. “I don’t want to lose you too,” he admitted.

“Oh my boy,” she cried as she hugged him. “You won’t.” She pushed back from him and said, “Build a life with your men” as she glanced over at the house. “Whether it’s here or someplace else. As long as you’re together, you’ll always be home.” Callan squeezed her until she squeaked, then she held out the pen expectantly. His hand shook as he signed, but in his heart he knew it was the right thing.

“Now give me a dollar,” she said as she took the pen and papers back, then held out her hand.

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