As Spencer grinned, Smitty raised his hands and they dropped immediately into an old, complicated hand-shake they’d shared, laughing when Spencer screwed up the first time.
The motions came back quickly enough, though, and Spencer ended up performing them almost giddily the second time.
“You good for nothing cock-sucker, you’re a fucking dick,” Smitty snorted, then noted Tabitha hanging back, and grimaced. “Uh, sorry, Ma’am.” He turned back to Spencer, and asked gruffly, “Where the hell have you been?”
Spencer didn’t flinch. “It’s a long story, and I promise I’ll fill youallin.” His look encompassed the small group of officers who’d surrounded him and Tabitha. “But first of all, I’d like to introduce you all to my…girlfriend. Guys, this is Tabitha. Tabitha, these are the reprobates I used to work with.”
Hoots and hollers erupted, and while Spencer stood by—hoping Tabitha hadn’t minded being labeled—she smiled broadly and shook many hands.
“Okay. Enough.” Spencer finally called it. “I have to go visit the chief.”
Everyone reluctantly took their leave, except Smitty.
“Alright, jerk-wad. Where are you staying?” Smitty asked as the commotion died down.
“We’re going to grab a motel room in town,” Spencer told him.
Smitty’s brows went up. “You’re not staying with your parents?”
Spencer looked sheepish. “We, uh, thought that some privacy might be best before I overwhelm Tabitha with my family.”
Smitty nodded, thankfully not saying something crass. “Probably smart, but why don’t you take the keys to my fishing cabin?” he offered. “I’ve just spruced it up for the season, so it’s all set to go with clean sheets and everything. All you have to do is pick up food.”
“Are you sure, Smitty? Won’t you want to use it this weekend?”
Smitty, who was a redhead like Tabitha, colored up.
“I, uh, actually have a pretty steady girlfriend now, and she got us tickets to a show in Boston Saturday night. I won’t be using it for at least a week and a half.”
Spencer deferred to Tabitha with a raised brow.
She stepped up easily. “That’s wonderful of you, Smitty. And if what Spencer is saying is true, I have a feeling we’ll be moving in with his parents before very long, anyway. So, a week and a half is probably all we’ll need. Now I want to know what we can do for you, in return,” she prompted.
“That’s easy,” Smitty replied with a smile. “How about promising a few double dates with me and my girl once we get back to Bangor?” he suggested.
“Great,” Spencer stuck in. “But only if you let us pay.”
“Done.”
They did their crazy handshake thing again before Smitty reached in his pocket, removed the talked-about key, handed it to Spencer, then saluted and walked away.
Spencer regrouped. Now, it was time to see the chief.
He led Tabitha down an industrial green corridor.
It took longer than it normally would to reach his destination, because everybody wanted to stop and talk. Spencer ended up promising that he’d get everyone together soon for a cookout at his parents’ place, where he’d give them all the deets from the past two years.
Agreement had the crowd dispersing again.
“You didn’t ask your parents if that’s okay,” Tabitha whispered to him as they walked away from the final group.
Spencer chuckled. “They’ll be fine with it. Any excuse for a party is okay with my folks.” He indicated to her that they’dreached the chief’s office, then lifted a hand and rapped his knuckles on the door.
“Come in,” a gruff voice called out.
Spencer poked his head in first, and the reaction he got was…heartwarming.
“Son of a bitch,” the big man cried, rising immediately from his chair. “Get over here and give me a hug, you asshole.”
