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breathing slowed, and he
turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. Wrapping
herself in her robe, she followed Randy to the living room. She
watched him pour a whiskey, take it to the couch. Saw the trembling
in his hands.
    She poured a brandy for herself and joined
him. "So, it was a rough one?"
    "Sarah, please."
    "No, Randy. You listen. You can't keep the
ugliness away from me. On the job, it's you and Kovak, but when you
come through that door, it's you and me. I'm not fragile. Can't you
include me? Let me sit with you while you play the piano? Hold your
hand? Massage your shoulders? Something? Anything? Please." Her
voice started to crack, and she hurried to blurt out the rest.
"Don't shut me out. I feel so safe when you hold me. Like nothing
can be wrong. Doesn't it work that way for you?"
    He gathered her in his arms. "When I hold
you, it's like the entire universe gets realigned." He gave a deep
sigh. "I'll try to remember. You'll have to remind me when I
forget."
    "Count on it. Starting tomorrow." She
snuggled even tighter. "You going to tell me how you got that
shiner? I can't imagine a slimebag really got a clean punch past
you."
    "Not exactly."
    "So, go on."
    "Kovak did it," he mumbled.
    "What? Your partner punched you? Why?"
    Randy muttered something.
    "I didn't get that."
    "He said I was acting like a jerk, avoiding
you, and I told him to mind his own business, and—"
    "And he caught you totally off guard, I'm
sure."
    "Of course he did. I mean, who'd expect his
own partner to whack him one?"
    "I'll remember that. No more subtlety for
me. When I need to get through to you, I'll just hit you upside the
head." She rubbed his ear and twisted her fingers through his hair.
"I'm going to have to bake Kovak a batch of cookies tomorrow.
Chocolate-chocolate chip, I think. But I'll take them directly to
his house. No way am I leaving them at the station where you can
enjoy them, too."
    "That's almost assault on a police officer,
you know. I could arrest you for that."
    She held out her hands. "You want to
handcuff me, Detective?"
    "I have a better idea. I think I have some
of that control back."
    Afterward, she had to agree with him.

    * * * * *
     
     
    A Summer 's
Eve
    an epilogue to Hidden
Fire
     
    Copyright © 2010 by Terry Odell
     
    Randy and Sarah are back. Cutbacks in the
Pine Hills Police force have increased Randy’s workload, and he’s
looking forward to getting some time off to spend with his wife.
However, despite all of Randy’s detective skills, Sarah still
manages to surprise him, sending their lives down a new path.
     
    * * * * *
     
    For Jason, Jessica & Nicole – you've
enriched our lives immeasurably.
     
    With thanks to my crit group, the Pregnant
Pigs, and to Sandra, my first mentor, who's been there for me since
we played with Duncan and Richie. Thanks for the help, support, and
not-so-idle threats. To Jess, for knowing how to put text onto
Photoshop images. And of course, to Randy and Sarah—real or not,
who refused to go away, even after I'd written them two happily
ever afters. I hope they're happy now.
     
    * * * * *
     
    A SUMMER'S EVE
    Randy Detweiler eased his pickup into a
parking spot by the rec center at Pine Hills Park and checked his
watch. Only an hour later than what he'd told Sarah. He gazed at
the pink-tinged clouds above the trees. Barely sunset. He locked
his truck and strode across the parking lot, the smell of barbeque
smoke, grilling hot dogs and burgers telling him he hadn't missed
dinner. His stomach rumbled. Two more minutes wouldn't matter. He
hustled toward the food tent.
    As he worked his way down the buffet line,
he surveyed the picnic tables set up on the soccer field. Not as
big a crowd as in previous years. Budget cuts, he suspected. Too
many good people let go in all departments, or their hours cut so
they had to work two jobs. Still, he appreciated the town's efforts
to thank its public servants.
    He spotted Sarah sitting with Janie Kovak,
his partner's