It wasn’t that she didn’t want to finish what they had started, but she knew pursuing anything with Preston would overshadow the new life she had worked so hard for. Her past relationships after DeShaun had been quick and easy, nothing serious between either party. But with Preston, she knew she’d fall fast and hard. She didn’t even need the kiss to tell her that. She could feel it in the way her body responded to him the first time they met.
Together they walked down the sidewalk to Angie’s diner, a food staple in Carson. Shelly was amazed at how many people stopped to speak with Preston or offer a wave. Never once did he rush them through conversation. He was genuinely curious and interested in everything they said and apologized to Shelly after each conversation.
Abel was thrilled with the attention, as the three-block trek took about the same time it would have in New York - significantly too long. Her son found a way to add something to every chat, even if it was to ask Preston his own questions.
By the time they got a table and gave their order, Shelly’s stomach was grumbling loudly enough that Preston noticed from across the table. He apologized again that he had kept them too long.
“Please don’t apologize. I think it’s wonderful that everyone wants to talk with you. What does it feel like to be so revered in the community?” she inquired.
“I’m not revered, not after what happened with Sydney. They’re just nice to make a good impression on you.”
“What do you mean? What happened with Sydney?” Shelly was truly curious. Cassidy hadn’t disclosed anything about Preston or her sister and wondered what could have happened to make him seem so cynical about the people who had stopped to chat with him.
Edith, the waitress, strolled to their table before she could receive an answer and began placing a burger and salad in front of Shelly, and as her stomach rumbled again, her questions were quickly forgotten.
Preston and Shelly ate mostly in silence as they listen to Abel chatter on about a movie he had watched that morning. Every few minutes, he would ask Preston what he would have done if he had been in the super hero’s position. Shelly wasn’t sure how she would have answered, but whatever Sheriff Savage said seemed to appease her son.
“Do you think I could be an officer when I get older? I get in trouble sometimes and I know that it isn’t good,” Abel said as he took one final slurp of his milkshake.
“Well,” Preston began, as he folded his arms on the table and looked sincerely toward her son. “I think most little kids have good days and bad days, but that doesn’t always make you a bad person. If you listen to your mom, practice good manners, and try your hardest to be a good boy, then you’re on the right track to be a good cop.”
“Is it scary?”
“It can be. You know, before I came here, I used to work with the FBI, and I saw things I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. But there is also a lot of good, and that makes it worth it.
The people of this town rely on me to keep them safe and it’s a vow that I take very seriously. Some days can be slow and tedious, but you know what?” he asked, Abel in rapture as he waits for Preston to divulge an officer secret. “Those days are the good days. It’s when I’m busy with accidents or bad guys that I remember the tough days.”
“Woah,” her son whispered in complete awe. “Mom!” he shouted, spinning his bottom on the vinyl-covered bench seat. “I want to be a real-life superhero like Sheriff Savage.”
Shelly wanted to recoil at her son’s exclamation. She didn’t want him close to danger or ever have to fear making the right choice. That was the most challenging part of being a mother, knowing when to keep him safe or let him learn. But as his eyes filled with wonderment, she knew that she had to bite her tongue and believe in his dream.
“Well, let’s make sure you do all of the things Sheriff Savage said and I’m sure you’ll get there.”
Turning back to look at Preston, who was busy reaching for the check while she was distracted, Abel said, “
Yeah, and when I’m a Sheriff like you, I can get a puppy and have my very own Ace.”
“Sure, kiddo. It’s a good idea to wait until you know that you can handle the responsibility.”
Lunch ended too quickly for Abel, who pouted when she said they didn’t need to return to the police headquarters. Inside she was frowning as well, but for a completely different reason. She wanted to turn back time to relive the kiss she shared with Preston earlier. But for now she’d have to rely on her memory of the moment.
“Maybe we’ll see you later?” she asked, knowing the man was busier than anyone she knew.
“Yeah!” Abel chimed in. “We could play ball with Ace.”
“I should be around; just knock on the back door. It’s Alexis’ shift tonight. I’ll see y’all later, then.”
She watched as he walked in the opposite direction and her heart skipped a beat when he glanced over his shoulder to toss a wave in their direction. God, she had it bad and she needed to squelch it as soon as possible.
Abel seemed just as attached as she didn’t want to be, and that was something she hadn’t even considered. He hadn’t ever had a father figure of sorts to look up to. Preston fit that mold to a T. She didn’t want her son to be hurt more than he had as a child watching his birth father come and go as he pleased. No child deserved that. But his heart was going to break if Preston ended up being no better than any of the other men in her life.
Chapter Six
Alexis seemed just as surprised as he had when he agreed to leave on time that evening. He had exited his office at precisely 5:00 p.m. and not a second later. She had questioned what he was doing and if he had plans. He vehemently denied anything she said, but she still seemed skeptical. Either way, he was out the door on time as he had promised, with Ace sniffing the ground behind him.
Glancing out the back window of his home as he set a bowl of food out for Ace, he noticed Shelly’s silver car parked at the end of the pathway. As he stood, he saw how dingy his pants were after a fight with the printer's ink and losing marvelously. He hoped that they wouldn’t notice his arrival right away.
Rushing up the stairs he chucked his clothes in the corner as he stood in the tiled shower, turning on the water to full blast. The scalding liquid eased his tired muscles and he rolled his shoulders as he turned to wash his hair. Preston wasn’t sure how long he stayed in the shower, but the room was filled with steam by the time he turned off the water and opened the glass door.