Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Author's Note: Many thanks to those who reviewed the previous Chapters. I hope you enjoy Chapter 6.
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Chapter 6
Thursday morning Sam and Syd were awake at 7:00. Sam showered while Syd ordered breakfast. Just after she finished talking to room service her cell phone rang. She checked the Caller ID before she answered.
"Hey, Handsome," she said to Gage.
"How are you, Shorty?" he responded. "Did you sleep okay?"
"Great. I feel much more rested than yesterday. How are you?"
"Fine. I was wondering what your plans for today are."
"We've got a hard day ahead of us," she replied sarcastically as a playful smile spread across her lips. "I just ordered room service for breakfast. Sam has in room massages for both of us coming at 8:30. Then we're going to the spa for manicures and pedicures. You can see it's going to be a rough morning."
"Yeah. Sounds like sheer torture," he answered mockingly. "What about lunch?"
"I know we're going to C.D.'s this afternoon to get ready for tonight. But so far we don't have definite plans for lunch."
"Let's hook up then. We can meet for lunch before you go to C.D.'s."
"Good idea," she agreed. "Anyone else going to join us?"
"I'll talk to Walker and Trivette and let you know. Max and I are going to be partnered until you come back, so I'll just plan on bringing him."
"Tell Walker and Jimmy to invite Alex and Erika, if they're available. Then I'll ask Sam if Alex can help us at C.D.'s this afternoon. I'm sure she would love to."
"Sounds good. I'll call you around lunch then. You and Sam pick somewhere to go and let me know where to meet you."
"Okay. Talk to you then."
Gage paused before finishing with, "I love you, Shorty."
Sydney smiled wide and replied, "I love you back." Then they ended the call.
About that time Sam came out of the bathroom and Syd shared her conversation with Gage.
"That's a good plan," Sam said. "I would love for Alex to join us, if she wants to." With this the ladies began their day.
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Just after he hung up with Syd, Gage placed a call to Max. "Hey, Max. Since we're working together and have stuff going on pretty much all day, how about I just pick you up and you can ride with me today?" He paused as Max responded. "Good. I'll be there in half an hour."
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Gage and Max entered the offices just after Walker and Trivette. The four men congregated around Walker's desk to discuss the upcoming day.
"Boss, I talked to Syd this morning," began Gage. He proceeded to share the pertinent information from their conversation. "So you guys want to join us for lunch?"
"Sure," answered Walker. "I'll give Alex a call. I think she's been getting cabin fever. It'll be good for her to get out of the house."
"Let me call Erika and see if she's free for lunch," replied Jimmy. "As far as I know we should be able to."
"Good," finished Gage. "I'll let Syd and Sam know. By the way, Boss, what did she pick up from you yesterday?"
Walker smiled as he responded with, "I'm sure you'll find out when she's ready to tell you. Now let's get to work." With that the men dispersed.
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Everyone arrived in the parking lot of the steak house just after twelve. Sam had called ahead to let them know a large party was coming in, so they were seated promptly. Two tables had been pushed together to accommodate them. Nobody thought anything was unusual when Gage helped Sydney to sit down then sat next to her and draped his arm across the back of her chair. They talked amongst themselves as they ate.
"Walker," asked Sam, "can I ask how things are going with Jeff and his friends?"
"Sure," he replied. "Since this is the first serious offense for any of them they'll be given the chance to go to Camp Justice." He explained about the program he developed to help young offenders turn their lives around and avoid hard time. "Hopefully they'll learn some personal responsibility, and maybe interacting with some young men who have had a much harder life than they have will teach them to appreciate where they come from. If they don't succeed here they'll be facing prison."
"Sounds like a good opportunity," she responded. "I sure hope he and his daddy can get things right between them."
"Have they had problems long?" inquired Alex.
"Mrs. King passed away when Jeff was seven," Sam informed them. "Mr. King took it hard and became very withdrawn. He realized too late how much Jeff was hurting, also. It went downhill from there."
"Perhaps this incident will give them the break they need to get back on track," put in Jimmy.
They chatted some more on various subjects as they finished their meal. When the bill came they divided it up. Walker paid for himself and Alex, Jimmy took care of his and Erika's portion, and Max picked up the tab for the rest of them.
"I'm off work at five," Erika said as they left. "Shall we plan dinner for 5:30?" Everyone agreed to that. Then Sam, Syd, and Alex, with Angela, headed for C.D.'s and the rest went back to work.
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The ladies arrived at C.D.'s just before two. Sam led them inside to find that her employees were already there beginning preparations in the kitchen. Sydney settled into a chair and Alex handed Angela to her, mostly so Syd wouldn't be tempted to get up and do too much. Sam pulled out decorations to put up all around and set the jukebox to play random selections.
"Alex," Sam stated, "I have something I need to pick up. Would you mind getting started here? I should be back in about thirty minutes."
"No problem," replied Alex. "Syd and I will manage until you get back."
Sam left and Alex began asking Syd where to hang the decorations. They hardly noticed the time pass as they laughed and talked. Syd sat in the chair holding Angela and giving input on where to place things, and Alex would hang them on the walls or from the rafters. A short time later Sam returned with a large dry erase board and a wrapped package. She set both on the table in front of Syd and called Alex to join them.
"This is something special I wanted to put up," began Sam. "Walker helped me get part of it, but you two are the first to see the completed product, so please let me know if you think everyone else will like it." As she spoke she removed the wrapping from the package to reveal what it contained. Sydney gasped and put her hand to her mouth. Alex choked up as tears came to her eyes.
"Oh, Sam," Alex said as she pulled out a tissue, "it's wonderful. I'm sure everyone will appreciate it."
"Definitely," joined in Syd. "Thank you. It's beautiful."
Sam beamed at their responses. "I'm glad you like it. I thought I would hang it behind the bar." She walked toward the spot she was planning to use.
"That's the perfect place," interjected Alex as she moved to the wall with Sam. "What's the white board for?"
"I'm going to place it here for something fun," answered Sam as she positioned the board against the wall. "Let's hang these up and I'll show you what I mean."
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As five o'clock approached Sam surveyed C.D.'s and was pleased with what she saw. She turned to Alex and Syd.
"Well, ladies," she began, "it looks good in here. I say we unlock the doors and declare this place open for business." They chorused their agreement and she went to the door. Several people who had been regulars and heard about the reopening were waiting outside, and they entered with enthusiasm, admiring the decorations.
Just before 5:30 Walker came in, followed by Jimmy, Erika, Gage and Max. Sam greeted them at the door and led them toward the bar where Alex and Syd, who was still holding Angela, were waiting. Their eyes went to the wall behind the bar, and everyone took pause. They immediately noticed a ten inch by thirteen inch picture of their old friend C.D. It was surrounded by a white matte, which had an inscription in calligraphy above and below the picture, and was framed in oak. The upper dedication stated: In Loving Memory of C.D. Parker. Beneath this were the dates of his birth and death. Underneath the picture was the caption: Respected Ranger, Faithful Friend.
"You did a good job, Sam," exclaimed Walker. "So that's what you wanted the picture for."
"Thank you for including that," added Jimmy. "It means a lot."
"Wow," was all Gage could get out.
Gradually their eyes shifted slightly to the right of the picture where they saw the white board. They all read what was written there by Sam. It began with the heading: Quips, Quotes, and Sayings of the Wise. Beneath this was written: Yesterday is history; tomorrow is a mystery; today is a gift. That's why it's called the present. Author Unknown.
"I like that," remarked Jimmy.
"It's a cool idea," said Erika. "How often are you going to change it?"
"At least once a week," Sam informed them. "I just thought it would be fun."
"It's good," commented Walker.
Two tables had been pushed together near the bar for them. Walker took his daughter from Syd then kissed Alex. No one said a word about Gage greeting Sydney with a kiss as he sat beside her and clasped her hand. As they all settled in they looked around the room at the many flags and red, white, and blue streamers.
"I like the decorations," stated Walker to Sam. "All the flags are fitting. I like how you've hung examples of the older versions."
"The explanations that go with them are a nice touch," included Gage.
"Yeah," put in Jimmy, "I never knew we had so many different versions or the history behind them." Then his eyes fell on the espresso machine. On the side was a large sticker that simply read Revelation 3:16. "Sam, which verse is that in the Bible?"
She smiled as she replied, "It's the one about, to paraphrase, 'be hot or cold, if you're lukewarm I'll spit you out'." Her friends laughed with her at that.
"So you think God likes coffee?" continued Jimmy.
"Well," responded Sam, "He did call his people the Hebrews." Groans went up from around the table at that.
"So, what do you have to eat?" Walker asked.
Sam began to share the menu with her new friends. As she neared the end she finished with, "And I know that C.D. made famous chili. We also have that, though I'm not sure how it will compare to his." She then went around the table taking everyone's order.
"I'd like a Cobb salad and iced tea," Alex began.
"Sirloin steak, medium well, and potato salad with coffee, please," requested Walker.
"Let me have your chicken fajitas," added Jimmy. "And fix me a tall, half-caf, skim latte, with no foam."
"Fried chicken, coleslaw, and lemonade," stated Erika.
"Chicken strips, fries, and a Coke," put in Syd.
"I'll have to try your chili with cornbread," said Gage, "and a beer to go with it."
"I'll have the same," added Max.
Sam smiled mischievously as she answered, "First I need to see your ID."
"Aw, come on," they both began to gripe. "What for?" She just smiled as they handed over their badges.
"So that's what your first name is," she said as she grinned at Gage after studying his. Then, as she examined Max's, her eyebrows raised. "Interesting." She handed back their ID's. "Neither one of you uses your first name." She saw Max turn red as everyone looked at him, and then she smiled sweetly at him and went to the kitchen to place their orders, returning quickly. Their server came by a few minutes later with their drinks. At that time, Alex took Angela from Walker. She placed the sleeping baby in her carseat, and settled it on a chair at the end of the table.
"So what's your first name?" Gage asked Max with surprise.
Max looked askance at him. "You first," was all he said.
Gage sighed. "Francis," he replied. "Now you know why I don't use it. Your turn."
"Julian," responded Max.
"So where did 'Max' come from?" inquired Syd.
"That's kind of complicated," answered Max. "My full name is Julian Maxwell Bowen, the third. PeePaw is Julian and Daddy goes by Maxwell. I was called Julian Maxwell, until I declared myself Max when I was ten." Everyone chorused their understanding.
Sam chatted with them until they received their food. Then she made her way around the room to introduce herself and check on her customers. Everyone seemed to be having a good time.
From across the room Sam turned to face the table near the bar and observed her friends. They were talking and laughing as they ate. Alex, Walker, Jimmy, and Erika had their backs to her, but Max, Gage, and Syd looked at her and smiled. Max indicated the empty chair to his right in a silent invitation to join them. She made her way over and asked how everything was as she sat next to him.
"This is really nice," commented Alex sincerely from across the table.
"C.D. would like what you've done here," added Walker as he placed his left arm around his wife.
"I sure do miss Big Dog," put in Jimmy with a wistful smile. "He was always one for a get-together. I'm sure he's smiling down on us right now." The others nodded in agreement.
"Speaking of get-together's," queried Gage as he looked across the table at Jimmy and stretched his left arm across Syd's chair, "what did you and Erika want all of us here for?"
Before he answered, Jimmy and Erika looked at each other and he slid his right arm around her shoulders. "You all know, except for Max and Sam, that we got engaged a month ago. That same day, events took a nasty turn when Lavocat launched his revenge against Company B. First he shot Dan Jensen. Next, we found out he had murdered C.D. Then he blew up my car and almost killed me." Here he looked at Alex. "You went into early labor, and Angela ended up in critical condition in the NICU. Finally, we discovered that Wade and Betsy Harper were both gunned down by his men in their home." He paused in his reverie as they all exchanged glances and contemplated the gravity of what those memories brought to mind. "All that being said, we all know the risks we take with this profession. And we know how precious life is. Erika and I have been discussing it, and we don't want to waste any time we might be able to share together. So we've decided to get married the first weekend in August."
A chorus of congratulations of various sorts went up from around the table. Walker slapped his partner on the back and beamed at him. Gage stretched his hand across the table to shake Jimmy's, and then he turned a thoughtful gaze on Syd, who smiled lovingly back.
Erika spoke up here. "Alex, I'd be honored if you would be my matron of honor. And, Syd, I want to ask you to be my bridesmaid."
"Thank you, Erika," replied Alex. "I would love to."
"Me, too," added Syd with a smile. "Thanks for asking."
"And, Walker," continued Jimmy, "I would like for you to be my best man. Gage, I want you to stand with me, too."
"I'd be glad to," answered Walker.
"My pleasure, man," responded Gage.
"Just make sure he doesn't get near the tuxes until the day of the wedding when you're all getting dressed," said Syd as she grinned from ear to ear. As everyone laughed, Gage tried unsuccessfully to defend himself and the story about him blowing up the men's tuxes and Jimmy's car right before Walker and Alex's wedding was shared with Max and Sam. The friends enjoyed being together, as they talked and laughed into the night.
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Roll credits.