Running Northwest Read Online Free PDF Page A

last few years caused Derrick to be very protective over the two whom he considered family. The feeling was mutual for Thomas and Daniel towards Derrick. One of the ways Derrick was protective was keeping Thomas’ actual location in Oregon a secret from certain people back in Michigan that Thomas would not want to see again, or rather, that he should not see again. Thomas and Derrick had started a new life in Oregon they were determined to keep what was back in Michigan in the past and far away from their lives here on the Pacific Coast. Moreover, with the exception of family, they had become virtual ghosts to almost anyone they knew from Michigan. Thomas and his adopted son had built a good life together after Sarah died and did not want that interfered with, and neither did Derrick. Derrick protected their life and privacy as well as his own with a fierceness, which only Thomas could understand and appreciate.
    As the Rummy game went on – Derrick was losing badly – the pair’s conversation switched from family and business matters to the subject of Daniel’s teacher Laura Velasquez, after a brief explanation of what happened at Daniel’s school earlier in the morning by Thomas.
    “So are you gunna ask her out, Bro?” Derrick asked.
    “No; Hell no, I can’t do that,” Thomas answered.
    “Really, and why the hell not, man? It’s pretty damn obvious she’s kind of into you, why I don’t know,” Derrick said laughing.
    “Well neither do I,” Thomas said emphatically, adding, “I can’t because she is my kid’s teacher man. That would look bad I think, this is a small town and you know how much people talk and gossip and you know how private I am. Besides, I don’t know if I’m ready to date again or even try for that matter,” he answered his friend with a sigh.
    Derrick looked up from his cards, set them down on the wooden table, took a drag from his cigarette, and looked directly at Thomas.
    “If not now, Tom, then when? Seriously think about it at least. What are you scared of? And as far as what people are going to say or think, I don’t believe you have anything to worry about. You will never admit it but just about everyone in this town thinks you’re great, Bro. The ones who don’t are scared of you. Besides, when the hell did you really start caring what people think of you? Are you getting soft on me in your old age?” Derrick said trying to make it sound like a joke even though it wasn’t.
    Thomas leaned back in his chair and took a long hard stare into Derrick’s eyes, raising his eyebrows and growled a little bit under his breath. The look worked letting Derrick know that Thomas was getting irritated.
    “I’m not getting soft, Derrick,” he said in a very deep tone.
    “I’m not trying to push ya, you old fart, honestly, so don’t get all pissy with me. You have never been a fast mover with women as long as I have known you and it is probably a good trait especially now. I’m not saying you should ask her to marry you or have her move in with you or anything crazy like that. I am just saying a date, simple like dinner or something. Hell, you can double with Erin and me if you want , if that will make you more comfortable. Besides, Erin is always complaining that she never gets to see you enough anymore,” Derrick said.
    “I know you’re not pushing Derrick, it’s just that…well you know that if Sarah hadn’t died I probably would have asked her to marry me. You and I talked about that back then and it’s something I can’t let go of. Maybe I am a little scared I guess; every time I seem to find love or think I am close to it, it seems to be ripped away somehow. I have to think about Daniel and I do not want him to think I’m trying to replace his mom. You know how kids can get and I have to worry about the kind of women I bring around him. Even if I were willing to try dating again,” Thomas said quietly.
    “I know what you’re saying, Boss, I do and it’s great