Page 30 of An Unfinished Memory

A worry gnawed at my mind. “I might get called out.”

“Then we’ll eat and leave when we need to leave,” she said. “I knew you were on call when I planned it.”

I had to clear my throat again. “I appreciate it.”

“Good—now let’s go in and get some food in case you have to leave.”

I had everyone pile into the house.

Tova glanced around, her blue eyes wide. “I’ve never been in here— Oh, slow down.”

I smiled at the thunder of the kids streaking down thehall as they raced for the bathroom. Aggie started unpacking sandwiches, chips, fruit, and salad. “There’s nothing in here they can ruin,” I assured her. The place had furniture, and that was it.

Cody tied an “Over The Hill” helium balloon to a dining room chair.

“Just wait until you turn fifty,” I grumbled, not caring a damn bit what my age was or how many balloons Cody attached to my chair.

“That’s why I have to be obnoxious for all of your fortieth birthdays.”

Aggie was in the kitchen, and I stood helpless as to what to do. I usually hated the feeling. The idea of Cody being in charge used to chafe, but today he could tie a million balloons to chairs in the house. They were better than being on my own with beer and watching old sports clips. Technically, today Aggie was the ringleader, and thanks to her, sounds that were rarely heard in my place filled the air. Dishes that hadn’t been used for years were taken out of cupboards. Talking, laughter, and the occasional baby squawk filled the house.

Aggie handed Ro to Ansen and disappeared into the little-used kitchen. She came out with the dessert, which was actually a small cake surrounded by donuts. Tova dug out the candle.

My work phone rang and vibrated at my hip.

My stomach sank, and a groan slipped out. Ivy and Grayson jumped in to help with the candles. Aggie glanced at me, and Eliot and Cody eyed me.

“Excuse me.” I went into the kitchen and answered. “Deputy Knight.”

Brenda, the dispatcher who’d been with the department the longest, spoke. “A grass fire at the section lineby Thompson Road has gotten out of control. Help blocking off the road is requested.”

A fucking fire. God knew how long it could burn during the driest part of summer. I didn’t know when I’d return home, and I’d smell like a cross between a campfire and a stale blunt. I stepped into the dining room.

Cody saw me first, resignation in his eyes. “Gotta go?”

“Yeah,” I said gruffly and bit back a sudden and intense hatred for my job. Where had that thought come from? I was being selfish. Wasn’t that what Ray had accused me of when I’d gotten into trouble as a teen? What Cody had said when I wouldn’t follow his directions immediately after Mama left? I was being selfish. The town needed me. I beelined for my bedroom, shut the door, and dressed. I had the task down to a science.

Out in the dining room, the candles were lit. The regret that I wore a badge was tough to beat back.

Aggie gave me an understanding smile. “Okay, really quick now and give Uncle Wilder hugs while you sing.”

Aggie and Tova led the fastest rendition of “Happy Birthday” I’d ever heard. I got a quick hug from Grayson and Ivy.

I backed out of the dining room, waving to everyone, my gaze unfocused so I couldn’t see disappointed expressions. “Thank you. This means a lot.”

A chorus of “Happy Birthdays” followed me out the front door.

I trotted to my vehicle and got in. This was familiar. This was what I was meant to do.

Except my family had driven all the way out here. For me. When was the last time someone had done something for me?

Since before I faced divorce papers one life-changing afternoon.

Don’t be selfish. I kicked the car into gear. I didn’t need directions to the fire. The billowing smoke on the horizon was like a giant arrow. Thompson Road ran past the quarry. A nice swath of gravel and dirt mounds sat between town and the burn.

The next few hours were a whirlwind as I redirected traffic and gave directions to people unfamiliar with the county to find another route to their destination.

Ray stopped by to check on everyone and said, “Helluva Saturday, eh, Wilder?”

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