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WHEN ANGIE RETURNED, Gordon studied her expression before speaking. Unreadable. Which was unusual. He raised his brows in a silent question.
“Three potential gigs, and she’s considering breaking up with Justin.”
“I’m sorry to hear that—the breaking up part, not the gigs.” He cocked his head. “They’re not going to interfere with our trip, are they?”
“No. People book weeks—months—in advance for special events.”
“Did you tell Megan about Pine Hills?”
Her headshake was strong enough to send her short hair flying. “Of course not. This is a preliminary trip, right? You haven’t decided you’ll take the job if they offer it, have you?”
“Yes to the first, no to the second. I wondered if you’d mentioned the possibility of a move to Megan for her to consider when she makes her decision.”
Angie scowled. “Her decision should be made on whether she loves Justin, not her job. She has the skills, she could make things work if she truly wanted to be with him.”
Gordon digested Angie’s words. Was that why she’d agreed to check out Pine Hills? Would she give up her job, one he knew she loved, because she loved him more? He couldn’t bear to make her choose.
He stepped to her side, drew her into an embrace. Kissed the top of her head. “We both have to want to make the move. I don’t want to put our love for each other into the mix at all. If you told me you saw your future with the event-planning company, I’d go with you, no matter where.”
She tilted her head upward, tears glistening her eyes. “I’ve been in Mapleton my entire life. Megan’s been my friend for years and years. I love you. I love our life. I’m ... confused.”
“We’re taking a few days off. Together. Sightseeing, enjoying each other’s company. Aside from one appointment, it’ll be our time. We’re going in with no expectations, no obligations. Let’s think of it as looking at the world outside of Mapleton for a weekend. No decisions, and if there’s one to be made, it’ll be our decision.” He released her, extended his hand. “Deal?”
A corner of her mouth twitched. “A handshake? Have we been married so long that it’s come to sealing deals with a handshake?”
“Dammit, Angie, I love you.”
“To the moon and back.”
He leaned down for a long, lingering kiss. One that promised they’d deal with whatever life threw at them. Together.
~
WEDNESDAY MORNING, Gordon called Laurie into his office and explained he would be out of town tomorrow and back on Tuesday. “I’ve already let Ed Solomon know, and I’m sorry, but you’ll have to deal with him. I’ll remind him you’re the boss.”
She laughed. “He won’t be a problem, Chief. He’s all bluster.”
“I assume you two understand each other, but you know what happens when you make assumptions.”
“We get along fine when you’re gone. I don’t anticipate any issues over a few days.”
Gordon had gone over every possible scenario for what to tell Laurie, and decided keeping the truth from her would put their relationship in jeopardy. She’d been admin to the chief long before he took over Dix’s job. He laid everything out, stressing it was because he felt he needed to weigh all the options.
Her face clouded. “How seriously are you considering leaving?”
“Right now, I’d say maybe a ten percent chance. There’s nothing going on with my job that would have me looking to go anywhere else. If this interview—and that’s all it is—” he stressed again, “is the universe’s way of telling me it’s time to consider other options, I’d be foolish to write it off without exploring them.”
“What does Angie say?” Laurie asked.
“We’re on the same page. Look at what’s out there, but don’t forget what Dorothy’s learned in The Wizard of Oz. Mapleton’s my home, and it would take a lot to pull me away.”
Laurie gave a one-shouldered shrug. “People change homes all the time. Did you mention this trip to Mayor McKenna?”
Gordon rolled his eyes. “I like to think I’m open and honest, but there are lines I see no reason to cross.”
“Smart move.” Laurie stood, her signal she was ready to get to work. “Anything else?”
“Not from me. I want as empty a plate as possible, so throw anything that comes in at me as soon as you get it.”
“Will do. Do you have an itinerary so I can update the calendar?”
Gordon handed her the copy he’d made, then prioritized his to-do list. His weekly report for the mayor—send it early and incomplete, or late with an apology?
Why was he stuck in do-it-yourself mode? Solomon knew how to handle the weekly reports. Gordon would enter what he had, Solomon would finish it and send it to McKenna.
He drafted an email, scheduled it for eight tonight so the mayor wouldn’t see it until he got to the office tomorrow.
Mayor McKenna. Called out of town unexpectedly. Ed Solomon’s standing in. Back Tuesday. Laurie will be able to contact me in an emergency.
Short, sweet, and given the town council meeting next Thursday was his single mayor-related Chief Stuff item, there should be no reason for the mayor to complain.
Solomon popped in at four-thirty. “Figured you’d want to brief me about what you’ll need me to do while you’re gone.”
Gordon had already made his notes, and he took the folder from the rack on his credenza. Handing it to Solomon, he said, “Not much. I’ve adjusted the duty roster to cover your patrol schedule. If the Volmer case gets hot, I trust you can juggle. McDermott’s already aware of what happened. She’d be good backup.”
“Roger that. You want to know what I found out about the Volmer case, or do you want to have one less thing to think about while you’re gone?” Solomon flashed a cat-swallowing-a-canary grin.