Picnic in Someday Valley (Honey Creek #2)(32)

She and Pecos both took a deep breath. “The kids will love a sleepover at the station. Too bad we don’t have a great place for the old fishermen, then they might move to safety. Some are so old I doubt they could swim ten feet if they fall in the river.”

Piper, who was still standing at the door, interrupted. “Let me make a call. I might know just the residence. There’s only one place in town where everyone would go if invited.”

Ten minutes later three trucks were headed out to pick up a dozen fishermen. The fishermen were going to Widows Park. Not one man turned down the invitation.

Pecos glanced at Marcie. “A handful of old fishermen who haven’t seen a napkin in years and a houseful of tea-drinking ladies. What could possibly go wrong?”

“I’d like to drop by and see.”

“Nope.” He laughed. “You’re needed here.”





Chapter 21


Marcie


As the hours passed and the storm raged, Marcie worked beside Pecos Smith like a pro. When she wasn’t calling in reports to the radio station and answering questions like, “When is this going to be over?” or “Is it safe to drive now?” she was serving coffee to people who were being transported from their homes to safer ground. All looked worried or frightened and most were dripping water on the floor.

The sheriff ate most of the sweets Mr. Winston sent over, and the firemen on call kept sandwiches and soup for anyone who wanted them.

When she finally took a break, Marcie called Brand, the only person who would worry about her, she figured He answered on the first ring. “You all right?” He sounded like he’d been sitting by the phone.

“I’m fine.” She laughed. Who would have thought Brand was a mother hen? “I’m helping out with the nine-one-one calls at the sheriff’s offices over in Honey Creek. How are you handling the flood?”

“I’m fine, Marcie. I live halfway up in the hills. Dolphins would be swimming by if the water got this high.”

“I know, Brand. I was out at your house, remember?”

“I remember. I wish you were here right now. This storm is putting on quite a show.”

“And what would we be doing if I was with you?”

“We’d be watching the storm and probably eating the leftover chili. We could share a cup of hot chocolate. I liked doing that.” He hesitated, as though he thought he might be asking too much. “You could play for me. I love listening to you sing.”

Maybe she needed normal right now, or maybe she just thought she’d tease Brand, but she asked, “Would you let me curl up in your lap and sleep?”

The phone was silent and she almost thought they’d lost the connection. Then, in his low voice he answered, “You can curl up in my lap anytime. I’d keep you safe, I promise.”

His words sounded so honest she almost cried. In a whisper she asked, “Brand, when the rain stops will you come get me? Another shift comes on at eight. I drove Wayne’s car over here to Honey Creek and I thought I’d better make sure it was safe, so I left it in Mr. Winston’s garage. After the rain stops will you help me get it back to Wayne?”

“I will. But I’d like it if you’d come home with me and rest first. He couldn’t get that car down the road behind the bar even if he wanted to.”

He was honest. His answers were always simple. She knew she’d never have to ask twice or call him to see if he meant what he’d said.

“Thanks. I think I’d like that.” Marcie dropped her phone in her pocket and went back to work. The hours passed with no thought of her own problems. Tonight was about helping others. Near dawn the calls became lighter. Rambling Randy had almost lost his voice, but he kept reporting.

The rain slowed and the sun would rise to weak storm clouds trying to hang on to the sky. Marcie heard Pecos call his wife in the now silent dispatch room.

“It’s over, wife,” he said. “I’ll be coming to pick you up soon.”

She sounded sleepy when Marcie heard his pregnant wife’s voice. “Mr. Winston said he’d make up a bedroom for Marcie if she wants to crash over at his place.”

“Thanks, I’ll tell her.” Pecos looked at Marcie, a foot away. She shook her head. Pecos went back to his wife. “How’d you make it at your folks’?”

“We just watched old movies and I slept. Dad listened to the radio. Randy said he’d relay any report from the sheriff if a tornado was spotted. That’d be our notice to move to the safe room. Mom packed a week’s worth of food in there but we never had to go.”

Pecos seemed to have forgotten Marcie could hear every word they both said.

“How’s my baby?” Pecos asked.

“Moving around more than usual. I keep trying to get some sleep but can’t. I think the kid wants you to pat on him.”

Marcie picked up the empty coffee cups and gave him some privacy.

As she walked to the small kitchen, she noticed the deputies nodded a greeting. Even Rip, the youngest deputy, who sat at the middle desk, said “Morning.” It was almost as if she was one of them. One of the team.

The sheriff watched her walk to the kitchen. When she headed back, he said, “Marcie, could I have a word?”

She was too tired to care what he planned to say. “Yes, Sheriff.”