Aaron looked at his friends, then back at Bear. “Yes, sir. Absolutely.”
“Good. And, Aaron?”
“Yeah?”
“That job application you asked about at the garage? Bring it by tomorrow. We’ll talk.”
The boy’s face lit up with genuine shock. “For real?”
“For real.”
Bear extended his hand, and after a moment’s hesitation, Aaron shook it firmly. The other boys followed suit, a tangible pact forming between them.
As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, they worked out a plan for returning the stolen items discreetly, and Bear scheduled a time to meet with the boys later in the week to start drafting proper course plans. The relief and enthusiasm from the teenagers were palpable as the conversation shifted from punishment to possibility.
“Why are you helping us?” Aaron asked quietly as the others began gathering their belongings. “You could have just called the sheriff.”
Bear considered the question. “Because everyone deserves a second chance. And because what you built here—” he gestured to the course “—shows dedication. Determination. The kind of qualities worth developing.”
Aaron nodded, something resolving in his expression. “We won’t let you down.”
“See that you don’t,” Bear replied, but his tone held no real threat—only expectation.
By the time they returned to the truck, dusk had settled over the landscape. Twilight painted the sky in deepening shades of purple and gold, signaling the transition to evening.
“That was not how I expected our detective mission to end,” Joy said, looking at him with unmistakable warmth.
“Disappointed we didn’t make a citizen’s arrest?”
She laughed. “Hardly. Though I am surprised by the big softy hiding beneath that tough Marine exterior.”
“I’m not soft,” he protested.
“Oh, please. The moment you realized they were just trying to be like you, you practically adopted them.”
Bear rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t deny the truth in her words. “They’re good kids. They just needed a direction.”
“And you gave them one.” Joy’s voice softened. “That’s what you do, you know. You help people find their way.”
“Takes one to know one. That suggestion about involving the community? Pure Joy Davis brilliance.”
The glow of streetlights began to appear as they neared town. Bear glanced at Joy, taking in her profile silhouetted against the darkening window.
“My place tonight?” he asked, his voice low and rough. “I’m thinking dinner, maybe that bottle of wine we never opened last week.”
Joy turned to him, a slow smile spreading across her face. “That sounds perfect. I just need to grab a few things from my house first.”
“Done,” he agreed, already anticipating a quiet evening together after the day’s unexpected adventure.
His phone rang as they reached the edge of town, the screen lighting up with the number of his garage’s after-hours answering service. Sure enough, there was a vehicle stalled a few miles outside of town Bear needed to go see about.
Bear glanced at Joy, an apology already forming in his eyes.
She shook her head, smiling. “Go. I know how this works. Just drop me at my place. I’ll grab what I need and meet you at your apartment later.”
“You sure?”
“Positive. I’ll take a shower, pack an overnight bag, and be at your place before you’re done with your rescue mission.” Her eyes twinkled. “Besides, it’ll give me time to pick out somethingspecial.”
