“Then why did Old Chief Larson just tell mecongratu-fucking-lations on my son getting hired on at the policedepartment? I sure looked like a moron telling him he wasmistaken.” Prickly heat rose up Paul’s neck to behind his ears.
Asher couldn’t hide his surprise, and hisdelight. “I got the job?”
“According to Old Larson. He hates your guts,so I’m betting he wouldn’t lie about something like that. Whydidn’t you tell me you were looking for other jobs? I would havehired somebody else weeks ago.” Paul set his beer on the armrest sobrusquely, half of it splashed out the side. He shook off thespilled liquid from his hand as if personally attacked by thefrothy beverage.
Asher knew he should have said something, buthe’d wanted to wait until he knew for sure. “I’m really sorry youfound out that way, Dad. I honestly wasn’t looking for other jobs.Jonah, Young Larson, I guess, is chief now. He offered me the job,pending formal application, background checks and references, ofcourse. I was waiting to hear back from him before I saidanything.”
“When did you see Jonah–” Paul thought beforehe finished speaking, for once. It was clear when it dawned on him.“The bank incident. I got so caught up with this whole weddingdrama, I completely forgot to say anything. Now I’m the assholearound here. Asher, you did an incredible thing, rescuing thosepeople. I’m guessing Young Larson was more than a little impressedwith your skills?”
Rare praise from a hard man. Trying not tomake too much of it, hiding the warmth that nestled inside athearing his father’s compliments, he nodded. “Yeah. He pretty muchoffered me the job right then and there. Guess they’ve had a hardtime hiring folks with any sort of relevant work history oreducation these days.”
Smile wide across his leathery cheeks, Paulmarveled, “Or the balls to put himself in front of a bullet to savesomebody else.”
And that was the end of the moment. Paul wenton a rant about folks lacking in common decency anymore, which ledto a diatribe about his daughter’s future in-laws shirking anyshare of the cost burden, citing their own daughter’s weddingsomeday. Thank goodness she wasn’t marrying some slouch despite hisquestionable family. Complaining about money or the degradation ofsociety was always a neutral topic, according to Paul, anyway.
They weren’t questionable, they were actuallyreally nice people, but Paul wasn’t in the mood to hear that rightnow. Asher bit his tongue and listened politely. Best not toendanger the truce that was still so fresh.
Saved by the bell; Asher’s phone rang with alocal number he didn’t recognize. He walked to the far end of thedeck and stopped at the short stairs leading to the lawn to answerwith a reasonable amount of privacy.
“Asher,” he answered in his acquired crispmilitary accent. Couldn’t seem to shake it.
The voice on the other end was kind, casual.“Hey, Asher. Jonah Larson here. Your application and backgroundchecks cleared our screens, and those were some pretty greatreferences from your old Navy colleagues. If you’re sure want thejob, we’d love to have you on the force. Being the new guy, you’llget stuck with a lot of nightshifts to start.”
Overcome with an optimism he hadn’t felt in along time, Asher almost couldn’t find his voice to accept.“Absolutely. When do I start?”
“Glad you’re eager to join us. Next trainingstarts in about four weeks, that work out okay for you? You’ll jointhe rest of the recruits from across the state in Burien, undergophysical and psychological evaluations, polygraph, PAT test. Thenthe formal academy training; takes about three months to graduate.It’s a long haul.”
“I made it through SEAL training; I’m sure Ican handle it.” Asher’s chest was tight with nerves andexcitement.
“Great. Greg will be in touch with moredetails and have you come in for some paperwork to start theprocess.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Larson ended the call, thanking him fortaking the position. Right place at the right time, that was forsure. As Sophie had pointed out, maybe his impulsivity wasn’t sucha bad thing. He turned to see the rest of the crew had joined Pauloutside.
Lincoln and Freya must have appeared sometimein the last few minutes. Pippa and his mother ran over and gave himbouncing, bubbling hugs, topped off with high pitched squeals.
Looking over their heads, Asher caught a winkfrom his dad. Having something his family supported him inwholeheartedly was a brand-new, overwhelming sensation.
Sophie stood in the doorway wearing a hugesmile that lit up her face… the brilliancy of her look struck himlike an arrow to the heart. Denise and Pippa pulled away andcontinued their fussing as they returned to their party setup. Morethan anything, he wanted to pull Sophie against him and spin her inhis arms. Maybe drag her upstairs to celebrate.
***
Warmth filling her like hot chocolate withmarshmallows on a blustery, January day, Sophie stood back andwatched as Asher smiled so enthusiastically. Maybe it wasn’t so badof a birthday after all. She’d come downstairs a few minutes ago inold jeans and a ratty t-shirt to find Pippa and Denise glued to theopen window overlooking the deck. Asher and Paul were having one ofthose testosterone-overload, stiff-postured arguments.
Freya and Lincoln had clearly just enteredand were setting gifts on the entry table. Pippa shut everyone upwith a glower and a wave of her arm. Rolling her eyes, Freya headedstraight for Sophie and shook her head.
“Birthday girl, get your butt straight backupstairs and make yourself presentable.” Smiling deviously, Freyaturned Sophie by the shoulders and pointed her up to her bedroom,following right behind until they entered the bedroom.
Pulling open the closet doors, the hingessqueaking in protest at her gusto, Freya flipped through thehanging items. “You have some cute clothes. I’m going to do someshopping in here later.”
Sophie rolled her eyes playfully, enjoyinghaving another girlfriend. “I don’t think any of it will fit you.You’re taller by at least two or three inches and have triple theboobs.”
Grabbing out a pretty pink sundress that wasgirl-next-door sexy, Freya shoved it at her. “This.”
“I love that one but it’s a little short, soI never wear it.” She held it in front of herself, demonstratingthe mid-thigh length.
“Today’s a perfect occasion. Asher will loveit.” Freya winked knowingly.
