Page 101 of Rangers Last Promise

Actually laughs.

“You knew?”

“Grant swore he was at home!”

“He made his friend drive because he thought you'd recognize his truck.”

From somewhere near the front of the station, Sheriff Tate calls, “Keep it down!”

I lower my voice.

“Did he follow me the whole night?”

“According to Grant, the boy drove five miles under the speed limit because he knew an Army Ranger was behind him.”

I cover my face.

“He didn't trust the kid.”

“Why?”

“You were in the car.”

I groan.

Doc is still laughing.

And suddenly I can see it.

Grant at twenty-seven.

His friend Mike behind the wheel.

An Army Ranger following a teenage boy through town because his little sister was on her first date.

For years, thinking about Grant hurt.

Tonight it still hurts.

But I'm smiling too.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

Doc's laughter fades.

“For what?”

“Giving some of him back to me.”

His expression changes.

The words seem to hit him somewhere deep.

“You're welcome.”

I walk toward the break room before I start crying.

This time, I don't think Doc follows.