Page 10 of Savage

“No. Quite the opposite.” He sounded confident as he continued, “Being VP will give you the experience you’ll need for the day you take the reins. And before you ask, yes. I still believe that day will come.”

“No doubt about it,” Guardrail chimed in. “I just hope I’m still around to see it.”

“You and me both.”

Stitch stood as he announced, “I don’t know about you boys, but I need another beer.”

“I could use two,” Dad chuckled.

“You got it.”

Stitch headed over to the bar, and moments later, he returned with another round for all of us. As the night wore on, the drinks kept flowing, and I found myself feeling better and better about my new role. And as I looked around the bar, watching the chaos unfold, I thought I had it all.

I thought my future was set, and I couldn’t imagine wanting anything more.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

CHAPTER4

Londyn

I’d always loved driving through Port Angeles. I’d roll down my windows, letting the cool breeze whip around me, and the second I smelled the salty air, I would be overcome with the need to put my toes in the ocean. Doing my best to dismiss the urge, I'd continue through town and up into the lush forests where towering evergreen trees created a beautiful makeshift tunnel. The sun would filter through the branches, casting dappled shadows and flickering light on the pavement below, and then, without warning, I'd catch a glimpse of the sparkling blue waters of the Strait, teasing me from between the gaps in the buildings.

The charming downtown area was filled with quaint shops, inviting cafes, and local boutiques, and the people were laid-back and welcoming, adding a charm to the town.It was one of the many reasons why my parents refused to leave. They’d set their roots there right after they married, and it wasn’t long after when Joseph and I were born.

Feeling the same nostalgia about our small hometown, my brother, Joseph, and his wife decided to buy a place a few blocks over, so when I finally arrived at my parents’ house, I wasn’t surprised to find his car parked in the driveway. I pulled in behind them, then turned to the backseat and gave Dalton a little nudge, waking him from his nap. “Hey, sweetie. We’re here.”

“Um-hmm.”

“Grangran and Papa are going to be so happy to see you.”

He nodded, then stretched before unbuckling his seatbelt. He wiped the sleep from his eyes, then stretched once more as he said, “Maybe they have ice cream.”

“I’m sure they do.”

I opened my door, then walked around to the back and opened his. Once he was out, I closed the door, and we started up the front steps. We hadn’t gotten far when my mother appeared with a big smile.

"There you two are!" Mom scooped Dalton up into a big hug. "Look how much you've grown since the last time I saw you."

“I’m four now.” He giggled as he hugged her back. "I missed you, Grangran."

"I missed you too, sweetie. And guess what? We have a surprise for you."

His eyes widened. "Ice cream?"

"No, something even better.” She motioned us forward as she said, “Come on inside and see for yourself."

Curious, we followed her into the house.

It was familiar, with the same old furniture, the same pictures on the walls, and blankets laid across the recliners. While I still smelled the comforting scent of my childhood, there was something new about it, too. I couldn’t put my finger on it until I spotted her—a beautiful golden retriever puppy with a pink collar and wagging tail. “Mom, what did you do?”

“We have a new member of the family.”

My mother had always been a remarkable woman. She was in her late fifties but always managed to look much younger. She was beautiful and tall, strong inside and out, and she was my best friend. We talked every day, sharing the tidbits of our day, and I took great comfort in the fact that she was just a phone call away. It made me feel closer to home, and with the craziness in my life, I needed that. I needed it more than I could describe.

I looked over at her, noting the smile on her face, and my heart swelled in my chest. It never failed to amaze me how she always knew exactly what our family needed. She was practically beaming as she told us, “Meet Daisy.”

Dalton’s face lit up as he sat down on the floor next to Daisy, hugging and loving on her like she was his new best friend. Clearly pleased with the attention, Daisy wagged her tail even harder and started licking Dalton in the face, making him giggle with delight.

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