Later that night Wade and Zoe were sitting by each other on the couch with Lavon in the chair; Braxton and Ariel were off playing. They had made it all through dinner without asking Lavon any questions on what he was doing. They were trying to wait until Lavon was ready to tell them. Zoe was playing with Wade's fingers mindlessly as Lavon and Wade were talking about guy stuff that she wasn't really paying attention to because it held no interest for her. Wade would squeeze her hand every few minutes or so and it made her smile.
"Seriously man, what happened?" Wade asked, bringing Zoe's interest to the conversation.
"Like I told Zoe, it really was just a family matter with my Uncle, nothing big or even major, he just needed my help."
"Then why send Sheriff Bill?" Zoe questioned, looking over at him. If it really was nothing then why didn't he call himself instead of sending the Sheriff to get him?
"I had to save my cousin Lynly. She was on her way to get me and she got pulled over for speeding and she kinda went off," he chuckled. "But seriously guys it just took a few hours to get things to calm down and figure out how to go about fixing their house from the fire damage. No one was harmed and everything is good," he informed them.
"How'd their house catch fire?" Wade asked, removing his hand from Zoe's, to slip his arm around Zoe's shoulder. She smiled, leaning into him, her hand falling to land on his thigh.
"It was only a little kitchen mishap," he stated, leaning back in the chair. "I see that Brax is feeling better."
"Each day is different, some good, some bad," Wade stated he really couldn't wait until his son was feeling completely better and his throat was no longer an issue.
After learning that Lavon's impromptu trip sounded a bit scary but wasn't anything like Zoe had thought it was they were able to relax and get back to enjoying their night. "You really thought I was in jail?" Lavon asked with no expression on his face. Zoe winced looking down.
"It wasn't as if I really thought you would be it was just something that crossed my mind. I just wasn't sure if Sheriff Bill is one of those state officials to let you off the hook from a speeding ticket or any outstanding tickets just because you're the mayor or a famous football player," she explained.
"I'm not really sure where Bill stands on that," Wade commented thinking about it. Bill had let him go plenty of times when he was younger but Bill had a soft spot for him since he had been good at getting into trouble and he was friends with his parents. He got plenty of warnings and had to spend countless nights in the holding cell, but he was never booked and charged with things. A warning was the most he got. It wasn't until after he was told he was going to be a father that he had really turned his life around and after losing Aggie he had went back to his old ways once or twice when Braxton wasn't around, but that never meant that he was a bad father, he was just trying to deal with things in his own way.
"We won't ever find out," Lavon stated. He didn't want anything that could be used against him. He needed to have a clean record. He loved being mayor and he wasn't going to let anyone ruin that for him not even himself. He knew how to bide by the rules of authority.
The rest of the night was spent with mindless chatter. Zoe was happy to hear that it wasn't anything too serious they had taken Lavon from them. It was terrible for his uncle's place to catch on fire, but thankfully no one had been hurt. It was her yawn that had Wade looking at the time.
"Why don't you go home, Zo," he suggested. Zoe nodded ready for bed. She looked at the kids trying to figure out how she was going to get Ariel home without waking her up. "I'll carry her home for ya." Zoe smiled, moving over to hug Lavon.
"I'm happy you're home," she stated, walking to the door holding it open for Wade to walk out. The walk to the carriage house was done in silence. "Thanks," Zoe told him softly watching as he tucked Ariel into bed softly kissing her forehead.
"You're welcome," he stated pressing a quick kiss to her lips. Zoe smiled locking the door behind Wade.
"I'm gonna need your help with something," Wade stated, walking into Lavon's.
"Oh yeah, what is that?" Lavon asked, looking up from cleaning up the mess from dinner.
"A surprise for Zoe," Wade stated, picking up the mess the kids had made. "I'll go over things with you tomorrow; I wanna get my kid home to bed." Lavon nodded, holding the door for him.
"You know where to find me," Lavon stated, curious to know what this plan of Wade's was for Zoe.
Over the next few days found Wade and Zoe spending time apart. Between work and their own families they just couldn't manage time for each other. They had seen each other in passing. They had stolen a few minutes on breaks during work and it was enough to get them through even though they were still missing each other.
The night Wade had been waiting for was finally here and he was freaking out just a little. He had triple checked that Lavon had done his part and that the rest of them knew what they were supposed to do. He didn't want anything to go wrong tonight. It had to be perfect. This was the first time that he had put this much effort into anything when it came to planning a date.
Zoe slightly frowned seeing Ariel standing on the porch. "Shouldn't you be with Grandpa?" Zoe asked.
"Grandpa's waiting inside for me. I just have to give this to you first," Ariel stated handing her mom a card with a riddle on it. Zoe carefully read over the words.
"What is this about?" She asked. Only no one was there to answer her questions. Looking down at the dress she was wearing she considered it good. She did check in to make sure that Harley was there, happy with what she saw she read the words once more.I was the one that stole your fry; you can find me with Burt. Chewing her lip she set off in the direction that Burt called home at this time of day. Walking through the woods Zoe smiled seeing Braxton sitting on a log. "Are you feeling better?" He looked up a grin on his face.
"Huh uh. Before I can give you the next clue you must answer one question." Zoe nodded, ready to hear her question. "Me or my Dad?" He asked his voice growing quiet from his throat.
"Who do I love more?" She asked earning a nod. "That's really hard to answer, Brax. I love you like I love Ariel but I love your Dad like a mother and father love each other," Zoe explained. Braxton beamed up at her pulling a folded piece of paper from his pocket. Zoe kissed his head taking the paper from him. Braxton headed off for Lavon's place. Smiling Zoe unfolded the paper. Through the woods, past the pond to your boyfriend's house, you may go. Giggling Zoe made her way to the gate house. By the time she got there she was gasping for air. She pulled off the paper that was stuck to his door. Your next clue is hid where I use my creative juices or signing to Braxton. A soft smile crossed her lips as she entered his place. She looked around having no such luck finding what it was she was in search of. She was ready to give up when the instrument caught her eye in the corner. She let her fingers strum the strings. Pulling the note from the back of the guitar she read the riddle. Where it all started. Zoe had to actually think about this one. It could be one of two places. Going with her gut feeling she headed off to the Rammer Jammer.
Entering the Rammer Jammer she looked around but nothing looked different or outta place. She was ready to walk out and head back to Lavon's house thinking that was where she should have gone to start with.
"Miss Zoe Hart," Wally called. Zoe walked up to the bar.
"What can I do for ya Wally?" She questioned with a smile. She really did just want the next clue and to be stuck making small talk.
"I've got a clue for you but only if you can tell me one thing that Wade is allergic to?" Hearing those words she felt relief wash over her that she had came to the right spot.
"Birch beer," she smiled. They had just talked about that a few days ago.
"Excellent now go to the place where the sick and injured go," Wally stated, confusing Zoe for a very brief moment. The walk to the practice was short. Walking in she saw that Brick was waiting for her.
"Hello Dr. Hart," Brick greeted.
"Hello Dr. Breeland," she replied back.
"What school was Bluebell playing when Wade blocked a play saving George Tucker but caused Wade to walk away from the play with broken ribs?" Zoe rolled her eyes a smile evident on her face.
"Daphne," Zoe answered.
"Now you must return to the place where your heart feels at home." Zoe walked from the practice completely lost on where it was she was supposed to go. Where did her heart consider home?
