Chapter 1

October 27, 2018, 5:35 AM

They sat on the grass while they lay on their favorite Detroit Red Wings blanket. He stared into her hazel green eyes. She smiled wide as she stared back at his baby blues. This was their daily routine. Coming up here was a short distance from their home, but Dawn wouldn’t trade this for anything. After caressing his scruff on his olive tanned skin and rubbing on his squared jaw, she smiled wide once more. He grabbed her hand and held it to his chest for a moment.

Billowy, white clouds mixed with some black and brown, moved swiftly across the darkened sky. The sun revealed itself in a white, yellow ball of fire as its warming glow glistened over the lake. As the gleam of the outer yellow continued to rise, the dark brown, almost black sky began to brighten just a bit. The birds chirping, the frogs creating a rhythm with their gurgles created a magical moment.

“I love you, Huds!” He smiled.

“And I love you, Malone!” she said.

“I know this is cheesy, but this is our place. Here on Lakeside circle.”

“Yeah. My three older sisters raz me about it constantly. That’s not going up north. But the view here is just amazing, the sun is about to come up,”

She pulled her hand away, he reached for the back of her head, pulled her close and connected. As their heads moved back and forth, the sun rose above the tall buildings on the circular drive. While they continued, the birds continued to chirp, the frogs sang, the bright orange gave way to some billowy clouds over their spot still.

Nestled between two tall buildings, with a view of the manmade lake, they completely missed the sunrise. As they finished kissing, Dawn chuckled.

“Damn. We missed it!” she said.

“It’s, okay, baby. Being here with you, right now, there’s no other place I’d rather be.”

“I know we hardly get to do this. That’s why this is so special. Getting up extra early for this, is amazing.” She smiled.

“Yeah.”

“Jake, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Something!”

“Well, I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I think I got a job.”

“What? Get out!” She batted him on his chest in a playful way.

“Yeah. I’m supposed to meeting them here soon.”

“Here? Really, our spot? Jake, how could you?” she asked.

“There was no other time. With having to drive Austin to school in a bit and wanting to see you. Then going home and doing the house stuff. You know.”

“Yeah. Okay.” She checked the watch she wore on her left wrist. It was a Casio rangeman he bought her for Christmas one year. “Damn, I’m going to be late! It’s almost six fifteen. I told Choo, my partner I’d meet him in my office at the station at six thirty.”

“See what I mean?” He chuckled.

“Right. Sorry my job as a cop is so hectic.”

“It’s who you are babe. It’s one reason why I fell in love with you!”

She smiled wide and kissed him one more time. She rose from the ground and dusted herself off. Dawn wasn’t in unform, but she dressed nicely for work. Gray slacks, dress black T-shirt, and dress shoes.

“Where are you meeting these guys? And who are they? What’s the company?” she asked.

She stood over him and he glanced up at her. His wide handsome smile never left his face. Dawn grinned and blew him a kiss. He grabbed it and planted his hand to his heart.

“The company is called Crimson Reign. I’m supposed to meet Randy and Tony McQuade. Plus, they told me I’ll be meeting with a Roy Callahan.”

“Okay. Be safe with my handsome husband. I love you!” she said.

“You be safe with my beautiful cop! I kind of love her and stuff.” He chuckled.

She laughed as he rose and folded the blanket. He put everything in the wicker picnic basket and blew her a kiss as well. She caught it and rubbed it on her chest.