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electronic gates that guarded the entrance of the nursing home. Nate gave his name and
when the gates swung open with a loud creak, he made his way up the sweeping drive.
Armed guards surrounded the grounds.
The parking lot at the back of the building housed only a few cars, so Nate pulled up
near the door and killed the engine.
You ready to go in? Jared asked.
Nate nodded and unbuckled his seatbelt. As ready as I ll ever be. Thanks for coming
with me.
I m glad you asked. You shouldn t have to do this alone.
Nate led Jared through the building to the nurses station where they both signed in
before heading down the hallway to his father s room. Nate stopped outside and took a deep
breath to calm his nerves before pushing open the door. His father sat in an armchair near
the window.
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NATE S DEPUTY Lavinia Lewis
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Hey Pop, Nate said, crossing the small space.
Rick?
Nate swallowed and shook his head. No, Pop, it s Nate.
His father nodded and turned to look out the window. My eyesight s not as good as it
used to be. Where s Rick?
Nate sighed. Rick couldn t make it today, Pop& had to work.
Jared raised a curious brow, but he didn t comment.
I brought someone to meet you, Pop. This is Jared, he s the deputy sheriff in Wolf
Creek. Jared s my m Nate cut off what he was about to say. He didn t know if Jared
would want him to introduce them as mates so he left it at that.
His father raked his eyes over Jared then turned to Nate and scowled. You in trouble
again?
Jared chuckled, strode across the room and shook the old man s hand. Good to meet
you, sir. I m Nate s mate, and no, he s not in any trouble.
The casual way Jared made the declaration made Nate s heart skip a beat, and a happy
smile spread across his face.
Oh, that s nice, his Pop said. I ll have to get Lillian to invite you boys over for
supper. He turned to stare once again out the window.
Who s Lillian? Jared mouthed to Nate.
My mom, Nate mouthed back.
Jared s mouth curved sympathetically, but when he turned to Nate s father again, his
smile was bright. Thank you, sir, I d love to come for supper.
How you doing, Pop? Nate asked, taking a seat on the small bed, next to his father s
chair. Nate handed him a small paper bag and smiled when Jared sat down next to him.
His father shrugged. Some damn lunatic down the hall keeps screaming all times of
day and night. I m telling you if he doesn t quit his antics, I m going to go down there and
rip him a new one. His father peeked into the bag. Candy?
Yep, Werther s Butterscotch, your favourite.
He popped one into his mouth and grimaced. Tastes like shit.
Nate caught Jared trying to stifle a grin and it made him smile, too.
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What do you say I bring you some peppermint next time? Maybe next week? Jared
asked, reaching into the bag to snag a piece of candy.
Nate s smile got even wider. So Jared planned on coming back with him? He wasn t
sure what that meant for them both but the idea that there would be a next time, and soon,
made him incredibly happy.
His father shook his head. Gives me gas.
Jared laughed out loud, his eyes dancing. Right, I ll keep that in mind.
This was the most lucid Nate had seen his father in a long time. Nate could almost
make himself believe his father was back to his old self& almost. Everything was going great
until his Pop turned to him again and asked, Where s Rick?
Jared put a hand on Nate s knee and answered for him. Had to work, sir.
Nate gave a grateful nod of his head but he didn t trust his voice enough to speak.
An hour later, Nate rose from his position on the bed and bent to kiss his father on the
forehead. Gotta hit the road, Pop, but I ll come back and see you next week, okay?
His father nodded. I ll tell Lillian you came by.
Nate sighed. Right, Pop.
It was great to meet you, sir, Jared said. Hope you don t mind if I come and visit you
again.
Naw, don t mind none.
Just before they left the room Nate s father called out, Hey, Jared!
Sir?
Nate was surprised his father had remembered Jared s name. The old man pinned Jared
in place with a pointed stare, and it reminded Nate of when he was younger and his Pop
would chastise him for something he d done wrong there had always been something.
You treat my son right, ya hear?
Jared s gaze flickered to Nate s and he swallowed what must have been a lump in his
throat before he answered, You have my word, sir.
As soon as Nate closed the door to his father s room, Jared threw his arms around him
and held him close. Nate revelled in the contact for a few moments before pulling back.
You okay? Jared asked.
Yeah& yeah, I m okay.
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Doesn t he know about your brother s death?
Nate nodded. Yeah, he knows. Doctor s said my sister told him when it first happened
and I spoke to him once about it, too, but he forgets. The dementia, I guess.
He thinks your mom is still alive too?
Yeah. Doctors said it would probably be best to play along with it, because every time
you tell him the truth would be like the first time all over again. They said it would be best
not to upset him, because when he gets upset, he shifts and turns nasty. A couple of times
they ve had to tranq him until he calms down and shifts back.
When Nate next looked into Jared s eyes, the emotion he could see there was raw. Jared
reached down and squeezed Nate s hand. Come on, let s go home.
Nate closed his eyes and let Jared s words permeate. He only wished Jared had meant
home together. The thought paralysed him. Was that what he wanted? A home, with Jared? Is
that where this was going? Nate shook the thought from his mind. Even if Jared wanted to
forge some sort of relationship with him, it would a private one, behind closed doors. They
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