Page 118 of Daybreak

“I went to work, then went home, went to bed, and went to work the next day just like every day, cleaning up the messes people make with their lives. And when I went to bed that second night, I was lying there watching TV when they began calling out the lottery numbers for that Mega Millions jackpot. And, because I’d bought that random ticket, I got it out of my wallet and glanced at it. To my eternal shock, every damn number they called was on the ticket I had in my hands. That night, I won just shy of eight hundred million dollars, and I was afraid to go to sleep. The next day I picked up my lawyer, and we went to the Dallas Claims Center of the Texas Lottery Commission to verify my winning number and agreed to a cash payout of a little over half. So, no, you sorry bastard, I did not dig up anybody’s stolen money. The apartment in Crossroads will help this town grow. That’s for all of us. Not for me. And I gave my dad money because I wanted to. The addition that Jacob Kingston is building onto his house is because he likes to have his freakin’ family home for the holidays, and there isn’t room enough anymore. You are a son of a bitch for even mentioning his name in such a derogatory way. And if I ever hear you denigrate my father’s name by mentioning him and Brenda Kingston in the same breath, I will beat your ass clean into the dirt. And just for the record to everybody listening, I am not your next available ATM. You need to borrow money, Dale Curry and Fred Wilson are the men you go to. Not me or my wife. Understood?” Then he went to the register to pick up his to-go order, handed a waitress the money to pay for it, and hugged Pearl.

“Thank you for the food, Mama Pearl. Love you, but put up the gun.”

She took his kiss on her cheek, glared at the whole room as he walked out, and then shouted. “Sit. Finish your food. Dave Randall will be leaving now.”

Dave wasn’t finished with his food, but he did not have enough guts left to even open his mouth, let alone argue or chew. He threw some money on the table and walked out with his head down.

By nightfall, everyone in Crossroads and beyond knew about Gunner’s windfall, but they also knew him well enough to know he meant what he said.

* * *

The Tumbleweed was nearly empty at noon. By the time Gunner got back to the bar, Pearl had already called Jacob and told him what happened. When they sat down at a table usually reserved for domino games and began to eat, Jacob started the conversation.

“I sure like having you around. Between you and Pearl, I might start feeling like I was somebody,” he said. “And for the record, Pearl called, I guess the second you walked out the door. Dave Randall is an ass. He lives in Tulia now, but I’d bet money you won’t see him around Crossroads anymore. Pearl sent him packing.”

Gunner dipped a french fry in his dad’s ketchup, then grinned. “She pulled out the shotgun on him.”

Jacob shook his head. “You’d think by now, all the locals would know better.” And then he smiled. “But she sure is a dandy, isn’t she?”

Gunner laughed. “She’s that, and then some.”

“Where’s Holly at today?” Jacob asked.

“She went to the ranch to have lunch with Trudy. I suspect she’ll hear all about the lottery revelation before she makes it home. Gossip has a way of traveling, but her family already knew. I told Garrett the day we came home.”

Jacob nodded and pointed to the pickle on the side of Gunner’s plate. “You plan on eatin’ that?”

“Help yourself,” Gunner said and sat listening to his dad’s bar stories as he ate, like they were the fairy tales he told Gunner when he was little. All the years Jacob had put into making sure his smallest son still knew he was loved had not been in vain.

* * *

Gunner was right when he said Holly would find out, because she had. They’d talked about this a dozen times in the past few months, and now it had happened, she couldn’t help thinking it was like peeling off a scab. Maybe it was time. She didn’t know how she was going to be received now, but she’d soon find out, because she was going to Belker’s for groceries before she went home. A short while later she pulled into the parking lot.

After a quick check in her purse to make sure she had her list, she went inside, grabbed a shopping cart and headed for the produce aisle, began gathering up what she needed there, then moved to the bread aisle. She was debating about sourdough or a loaf of plain bread when someone tapped her on the shoulder. It was the little nurse who’d caught her bridal bouquet.

“Hey, Holly, I don’t know if you remember me. I’m Wendy Jennings.”

Holly grinned. “The bridal bouquet! You caught it! Did it work?” she asked.

Wendy giggled. “Prospects abound, but nothing yet. I was wondering when you were going to start taking applications for the new apartments because I want to apply. I’m living out in the country with an aunt and uncle, and the drive back and forth is hard on my budget.”

“Oh… I totally understand. I think we’re less than a month from completion, and you’re the first one who’s asked, so your name will be at the top of the list. We’ll have an open house, but if the apartment and the price suit you, you have first pick. Up or down. They’re all two bedrooms, one bath. All appliances furnished. Utilities are on the renters.”

“Oh my God… Thank you,” Wendy said and handed her a card with her contact info. “I need to hurry. Aunt Pam is waiting for me and these groceries.”

Holly dropped the card in her purse and finished shopping. But her chance meeting with Wendy had been witnessed by other shoppers, and they were elated to know there would be an open house. Everyone wanted to see the latest addition to their little town, and nobody seemed inclined to exhibit jealousy to the man who’d foiled a bank robbery, or his wife, who’d just lost her mother in such a tragic way.

* * *

Gunner was still at the bar with his dad when he glanced at the time, then checked the travel app to see if Holly was still at the ranch. When he realized she was already back in town and at the supermarket, he knew it was time to head home.

“Hey, Dad, I’m going home. Holly is at the supermarket, and I’m the bag boy at our house.”

Jacob grinned. “You’re learning your place early, boy. Good for you.”

Gunner was smiling as he drove away. He already knew his place. Right by her side. He beat her to the house, but not by much. He backed up into the garage and was getting out when he saw her SUV coming up the road, so he waited.

Holly started smiling the moment she saw him. She pulled into the garage, parked, and killed the engine as he opened the door to help her out. Moments later she was in his arms.