Chapter 11.

Many thanks to Black Angus and Ranger Baldwin as well. Sorry it took so long, I promise to be faster from now on. I don't own anyone nor make any money off of them either. Pete spends all his money on Edie, so there wouldn't be any left any way!

Samuel Gunn folded each item of clothing carefully before laying it inside the suitcase, wondering if he would have enough for his stay. When he had talked to Edie on the phone the night before, how long he was coming for hadn't been discussed. He only knew that Pete was not adjusting back to life well after two months in jail and a month out and that she was worried about him and maybe he being there might help? He took enough outside clothes for ten days and under garments for seven. He hadn't seen Pete's new place but he remembered two or three all night laundromats from the times he had been there before.

"I pressed your gray suit and the black one." Mrs. Griffith laid both on the bed, cutting into his thoughts. "Which ever one you don't wear on the airplane, place it on the back of the door so I can get it ready to take with you."

He frowned slightly. "Am I going to have room for all of this stuff? Maybe I should take fewer clothes or leave some of the pictures behind." He pointed to the Whitman's Candy boxes full of photographs of Pete's growing up years. "Not having flown before I don't know how much stuff I'm allowed to take."

Marjorie Griffith had been the Gunn's housekeeper for 34 years and she gave him the look that meant he should know better by now than to question her on anything.

"You're going to be fine. It's not as much as you think it is and I'll condense the pictures down into a box or two. I think Pete needs to see them now more then ever and I'm sure his girl will get a kick out of a few. As for the suit case you will need every item of clothing you put in there." She assured him. "There's no telling what you and Pete might be getting into while you're there. I swear trying to make the two of you behave is like herding cats."

"Yes ma'am." He gave her a mock salute and a smile. Sam knew he had been running around all morning like a chicken with his head cut off but he couldn't help it. He felt like the proverbial kid at Christmas, even down to the nervous knot in his stomach. In less than an hour he would be getting on an airplane and flying across the country to see his son and meet the woman who would one day be his daughter.

"Why don't you go take a shower and change, while I finish up your packing?" Marjorie shooed him off, taking the black suit and hanging the gray one on the back of the bedroom door. And I'm laying out your red tie."

'She always has to pick the red tie.' He complained silently, turning on the hot water. It wasn't that he didn't like the red tie, it's just that it was so, um so red.

Fifteen minutes later he stepped out into the kitchen in his gray suit and bright red tie seeing the carry-on bag Marjorie had picked up for him that morning sitting on the island, a cup of steaming hot coffee beside it. He also saw the floppy ears and red tongue of his Heinz-57 variety dog whose greatest joy was trying to get a drink from a coffee cup without getting his tongue burned. It was one of the funniest sights Sam had ever seen and he was determined to get it on his movie camera one day. He picked the small dog up and gave him a good scratch behind the ears, letting him lick his nose and chin then turned his head so he could see deep into his eyes.

"Now I want you to promise me you'll be good for Mrs. Griffith (he would be, she was a source of food and belly rubs) and don't pick on Roxie-Cat unless she picks on you first." (But she always does it first!) The petite dog placed his left paw on Sam's cheek and pretended to be wounded that he would think such a thing. Sam had to laugh at that one, Jazz and Roxie-Cat had been sworn enemies since almost the first day. They fought with real battle strategy that left him and Marjorie laughing to tears. And considering that Roxie-Cat was quite a bit bigger, it was amazing how many times the pup sent her scurrying for her hiding place under the upright radio.

Jazz was a recent addition to the house of Gunn. Sam had found him on the back steps Christmas morning, dirty and shivering in the frosty cold. When he picked the small dog up he could see that although he was full grown, he still had his milk teeth and his bones were coming through his dirty, what they now knew was a white coat. After calling Mrs. Griffiths to tell her about their "company," he had taken him to the sink in the laundry room and scrubbed him gently but firmly changing the water twice until he began to see the white fur with black spots.

Marjorie and her youngest daughter prepared a beef broth with rice that he was fed three times a day and soon he was running around the place like he owned it. A deeply affectionate dog he loved to cuddle and be petted but he was also the king at chasing rabbits and picking on Roxie-Cat.

Quietly making his way to the refrigerator door so Marjorie wouldn't yell, (she said he spoiled them), Sam took a piece of the ham that she had made for dinner the night before and cut it into generous slices for the dog and cat.

Roxie was almost seven, a female of the black and white variety with the patterns on her back looking like a patch-work quilt. She was Sam's sweetheart and she knew it. A present from a former girl friend, she had acquired the cat part of her name when the lady's granddaughter was having trouble identifying animals. That had been six years ago and both Sharon and the granddaughter were long gone, but the one that mattered most was still his.

Going to the door he hollered out 1, (wait), 2, (wait), 3 dragging out the eees at the end and Roxie-Cat came bounding through the cat door rounding the corner at 90 miles an hour to reach the meat in her bowl.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't see that." Marjorie came in four wrapped boxes in holiday paper in her hands. "I know you said you weren't going to take these, but I've decided you should."

Sam shook his head and reached for the carry-on to place them in. "Well then I guess I will."

"Come on then, we don't want that plane taking off without you. Can't wait to get rid of you for the next little while," she snickered.

Why don't you tell me how you really feel?"

She drove him to the airport in his 1959 Buick Road Master so he wouldn't have to leave it in one of the over-priced parking lots. Neither one of them were sure where to go next but eventually they found the correct loading gate and Marjorie helped him get everything on to a trolley.

"Thank you for all of your help." He told her. "I'm not sure how long I'll be gone but I'll check in from time to time."

"The most important thing is to get Pete back on his feet no matter how much time it takes."

"I'll do my best." Sam told her solemnly.

"And I want a full report on the girl."

"You've got it. Oh and thank you for watching out for the young-uns." And she knew he meant the animals.

"That's one of the things you pay me for." The housekeeper smiled. "It used to be a two legged kid and now it's the four legged kind. I can handle them all. Don't worry; I'll keep the place running. By the way, I put a snack in your bag there and I packed a box of goodies for Pete in there too."

"He's going to love that."

"And you better make sure they all get to him. Oh and do you have the box I gave you?"

"I've got it." He touched his breast pocket. "Close to my heart."

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Sam thanked the stewardess for the coffee and took a long drink. It was pretty decent really for not being made by Marjorie Griffith. After the initial take off he started to relax and now half an hour into the flight he was very much enjoying it. Taking his friend Neil's advice he had gotten a window seat and had taken several pictures of the clouds that floated outside of it.

According to the ticket he had purchased last night he would be landing at his destination by 11:00 a.m. eastern standard time. It was remarkable to him to think that this journey he had made many times in the past would only take about five hours compared to the twenty-four it usually did.

He had tried to read his book; he had been reading about the presidents in order for the last couple years but for some reason Millard Fillmore just wasn't holding his attention. Nor had it done a much better job the night before. The air had been fairly warm for the end of March in Seattle and he had decided to take his book and a can of Hemrich, Seattle's finest beer and enjoy the fresh air. And the night had been everything it had promised, not too hot or cool, the mosquitoes weren't out yet but you could hear the bullfrogs down by the lake. But no matter how hard he tried to concentrate on Mr. Fillmore his thoughts went back to Pete.

He had felt bad he had missed his son's call on Saturday and would have gladly come in from Nate's boat if he had known. Marjorie said Pete had been quite talkative and sounded lonely. But when he had attempted to call him back over the next two days, the phone was either busy or rang and rang.

Then last night when the phone had rang, he assumed it would be Pete but instead of his son's dulcet tones on the other end he had heard jazz music in the background and a quiet yet strong voice answering his hello.

He was thrilled to hear Edie's voice; they hadn't really talked since Pete had come home. After a few minutes of chit-chat, he had heard her clear her throat, a slight hesitation in her voice and then she had plunged in.

"I don't know what Pete's told you but Sam he isn't doing well." She told him about the night mares and how he would often wake up not sure where he was, about his reluctance to go to the police station and even about the two men in the diner.

"My mother wanted me to come home this last weekend to help with my cousin's wedding reception because she had broken her wrist. And Pete insisted I go. I came home two days later to find him lying on the floor. It looked like he had tripped or lost his balance when he tried to get up to fast. I called Dr. Stewart despite Pete's protests and he's on bed rest for a couple of days but that's just for the dehydration mainly. I'm very worried for and about him. And I thought he might really like it if you could come see him for awhile?"

"Just let me find out how soon I can get there and I'm on my way. Should I call you back at Mother's in an hour?" If he lived to be a 100, he'd never forget the relief and gratitude in her voice.

"If I don't happen to answer just ask for me and if they should ask who you are say you're the plumber." and then she had giggled.

He'd make sure she did that more often he thought.

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

Placing his carry -on over his shoulder he looked around the busy airport finally spotting where he should go. He followed the signs pointing to the baggage claim wondering if Edie had been waiting long. His plane had been scheduled to land at 11:05 but by the time he had found the restroom and then discovered he was going in the opposite direction of his goal and had gotten back on the right track his watch was saying 11:30

At least the signs for the baggage area were easy to find and it wasn't too long before he thought he could hear the whirl of a motor. He soon caught the sight of a huge overhead sign that had BAGGAGE CLAIM printed in bold letters across the front and an arrow pointing down. He choose the stairs over the elevator even though there were three flights because he had what he was sure most would call an unholy fear that one of those contraptions would break down when he was on it and he had more thinking to do.

In a very short time he'd be with his only child, a son that he and Sarah had loved dearly. Neither he nor Pete had meant for two years to go by without seeing each other; it's just the way life was sometimes.

He smiled remembering that day, just a week shy of two years ago that Pete had arrived at his door-still tired from working too hard, still hungry from not taking time to eat well, but now he seemed to have a glow and relaxed air that Sam hadn't seen in his son since his mother had died.

Sam would never forget how in the middle of their dinner Pete had suddenly burst out "Pop, I'm in love."

He certainly had been surprised; maybe the better word would have been flabbergasted. "With a girl?" he had asked stupidly. Just like any other young man, his son had gone through puppy love and crushes even had a cute little girlfriend in high school. He had met another young woman that his son had seen somewhat steadily but there had never been anything serious there. And now this!

"Every inch of her." Pete had grinned.

And now two years later he was about to meet the woman that had added a new dimension to his son's life. Someone who loved and cared enough about Pete to stay and stand by him not only through the good but it seemed the bad as well. His heart picked up speed as his nervousness grew and the stairs were almost done. He rounded the last one and stood for a moment on the landing watching all the people picking up their luggage, his eyes searching.

Even if he hadn't known that she'd be wearing a white coat and a green skirt he would have figured out the lady standing catty corner to the stairs in front of the bank of phone booths was Edie Hart. She looked exactly the way Pete described her, maybe even prettier.

Her attention was focused on a young boy of about four who was earnestly trying to take a large over packed suitcase off the rack, her whole body on alert in case he should run into trouble. The child persisted finally getting a hold of it and dragging it a few feet across the marble floor a look joy on his face as he called out "I gets it for you Mommy." Edie's face held one of the most beautiful smiles Sam had ever seen even as she wiped a stray tear away listening as the woman praised her son for his help and willingness.

Sam felt his heart suddenly expand with an overwhelming affection and tenderness toward Edie that he'd felt for very few people in his life. No wonder Pete had lost his own heart to her. He was right; she was a very special woman.

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She was blonde and blue-eyed as Pete had told him; about 5'7', the sliver of a silver bracelet showing under her long sleeves. As he grew closer he could smell her perfume of vanilla and nutmeg and something he couldn't figure out.

"You must be Sam." She gave him a beautiful but tired smile and his heart went out to her.

"Don't tell me you see a family resemblance?" he teased and she nodded.

"Maybe just a little." Her left thumb and forefinger showing how much little was. "And just in case you were wondering, I am Edie Hart."

I had that idea."

They gave one another a hug, Sam wondering how long it had been since the girl had had a good night's sleep.

"Thank you for coming." she said against his suit coat. "Pete still doesn't know you're here. I'm hoping that the surprise will cheer him a bit."

"Oh, don't worry about that Edie Hart." He said reaching for the carry-on bag he had dropped. "I'll order him to be cheered."

"If you'd like to get the rest of you luggage, I'll go get the car." She still had that smile.

He was impressed and surprised to see his son's car pull up, the beautiful girl knowing what every button and dial would do. It was one thing to share your life with a woman, but it was quite another to let her drive your car. He placed his things in the trunk and then slide into the seat beside her, where she turned to him again with a nervous smile.

"When I left Pete was reading the paper in the living room and drinking a cup of coffee. He's not really feeling himself today, but he's trying very hard to make me think that he is. I told him I had a few errands to run and I'd be back around 1:00 and bring home his favorite pizza for lunch. So if you don't mind I'm going to pick my order up and then you can go see Pete."

Sam leaned back in the seat and smiled. "He's a very lucky man to have you."

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

Sam took the pizza box while Edie opened the front door with the key on her keying and pushed it open with her foot. The apartment was quite, the only clue that Pete had been on the couch earlier was his coffee cup left uncharacteristically on the end table. She placed the six pack of beer on the bar and told Sam to put the pizza down anywhere.

The only answer to her hello was Sherlock, who came running out to welcome his Mom but when seeing a stranger walked backwards into the safety of the patio drapes. "He'll get used to you." Edie assured him.

"I've heard Sherlock is a very resilient kitty." Sam nodded. "And I bet I can find his secret if I look hard enough."

"Uh-hmm. It's called, f-o-o-d." she giggled. "I'm thinking Pete's probably upstairs, so I'm going to see for sure. I'll be down in a minute."

He watched the graceful woman take the steps two at a time in those impossibility high heels and thanked God that men were not required to put up with such tortures. While she did that, he went back out to the car and brought in the rest of his things, stacking them out of the way behind a chair.

She came down just as he finished; putting the beer in the frig and pouring herself a glass of juice. "He was taking a nap." She told Sam and he's still not quite awake, so I probably don't have to tell you he's cranky. And he's still not in the best mood. Just go up the stairs and in the bedroom is the door at the top of the landing, you can't miss him."

Samuel Gunn took his time going up the stairs, looking at the paintings that lined the walls as he went up. 'Where had his son gotten his taste in art? ' he wondered. 'Must be that unknown relative,' he and Sarah used to tease each other about.

The bedroom door was unlocked as he opened it quietly and went in, thinking that room could use a little sprucing up. Pete was fully clothed but his feet were bare and his father resisted running his finger down the middle of one, knowing just how ticklish his son really was. "Hey, Pete!" he called out in what as a little boy Peter Gunn had called his father's 'Let get serious voice.'

"Pete, wake up, the sun is shining. We can find something much better to do today. Come on just me and you."

The private detective sighed but slowly opened one eye, blinking to get in focus. "Pop?" his voice filling with tears like a found little boy? "Pop!"

Sam gathered his son in his arms and rocked him gently.