Page 76 of Daybreak

“Then I’m going to make us some sandwiches. Not sure what’s in the fridge, but I’m hungry.”

“I’m not picky. As long as it’s not calf fries, I’m good to go.”

He was laughing as he left the room.

* * *

Two hours later, the photos and contract were all finished. The ham and cheese sandwiches had been eaten, and the kitchen was in order once more.

“It’s a pity you have to go back to work. We could have tried out that bed.”

“There’s always tomorrow,” Holly said and blew him a kiss from across the room. “I’m going to wash up before we leave.”

“Then how about I take you back in the Jeep, and you can see how the back exit works, too?”

“Yes! That would be awesome,” Holly said.

Gunner went to get the other set of keys.

Holly came back carrying her briefcase and the camera case.

Gunner was peeling off the wrapper of a Hershey’s Kiss when she reached the counter.

“Dessert,” he said. “Open wide,” then he popped the little chocolate candy in her mouth. “Off we go, darlin’. I’m right behind you. I need to set the alarm as we go.”

The chocolate was still melting on her tongue as he loaded her briefcase and camera bag in the back seat while she got inside and buckled up.

He tapped the remote as soon as he was behind the wheel, leaving Holly witness to both the garage door and the back gate at the fence opening in unison.

“This is genius, Gunner. Are you responsible for this?” she asked.

“No, it was here when I bought it, but it’s also part of what sold me on the house.”

He started the engine and drove straight out and through the gate. He pressed the remote again as he was clearing the gate, and Holly turned to watch both doors going shut.

“Oh, I can’t wait to start showing this house,” she said.

“And I can’t wait to get the both of us back to Crossroads.”

“I still keep pinching myself, that this is really happening. I guess we will be back in our parents’ houses while our house is being built?”

“Not the ideal situation, but we’ll figure it out as we go. Remember, we have all the time and the money we need to make it happen,” he said.

She leaned back into the seat as they exited the alley and onto a street. This time when he launched them onto the Loop, she was prepared. Sitting in a seat beside Gunner Kingston as he drove was a little like sitting in the passenger seat of a plane taking off.

“Do you ever get speeding tickets?” she asked.

He laughed and pointed at the traffic they were in. “You drive in this traffic every day. Do you ever see anyone getting pulled over for speeding?”

She grinned. “Now that you mention it…”

“Right. The only cops and cars stopped on the Loop are working wrecks, or part of one. You’re safe with me. Trying to catch a killer running a roadblock is way worse. I will never be sorry I stepped out of that job when I did. You and me… We’re good. Not sure what your Daddy is going to think about this turn of events, having this all happen so fast.”

“A… I’m way past the age of consent. B… I make my own decisions about my life. He wasn’t crazy about me leaving Crossroads, but he got over it. He’s going to be so happy that I’m back in his world, he will be beside himself.”

“Good enough,” Gunner said.

A short while later, he pulled up into the parking lot at her work.