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Ryan’s shoulders bunched, not just at the fact his aunt obsessed over what everyone thought of her, but her question put hie too He’d have to break the news to them eventually, so he said, “Job interview”

Under the glow of the lampposts, he saw his aunt’s confused look “But there aren’t any current openings at the church”

“No,” Ryan said “But there is an opening with the sheriff’s office”

Lydia’s jaw dropped Jonathan took a step back and regarded him quizzically He said, “I don’t understand Why would you apply for a deputy position?”

Ryan told them, “I completed the police acades and took EMT classes while working for the court Law enforcement is where my interest lies”

“But your religious studies,” Lydia ree and your desire to become a minister?”

“Itelse,” was the

best Ryan could say Not that he discounted his initial inclination by any un to realize church asn’t his calling after his first year in college That hen he’d shifted a portion of his focus

“Well, this doesn’tfrown

His uncle, however, said, “Now, Lydia, it’s the boy’s choice to make Not ours” To Ryan, he added, “If this is what you want, then of course we support it and wish you luck with the interview”

“Thank you I could learn a lot from Sheriff Johnson and his two deputies, before Miller Parks retires, that is”

“We’re happy to have you back hoether and catch up soon How’s Sunday evening at our house?”

“Sorry,” he said, feeling a tad guilty he didn’t have time for them on his ier Monroe”

“Ginger!” Lydia’s voice spiked an octave or two “Ryan Bain,” she said in her authoritative and chastising tone, as though he were seventeen years old again and had left his underwear in the bathroo and she is completely inappropriate I absolutely cannot abide—”

“Now, Lydia,” Jonathan interjected once again as he took her by the ar her off before she continued her rant “Ryan is an adult and Ginger is a very lovely woman It’s not our place to say who he can or cannot spend his tiested, “Let’s try Monday”