That Reckless Night

Jeremiah could tell she’d taken a leap of faith sharing that information with him. He had to admit he was a little conflicted. As a federal employee he felt obligated to report such a crime but there was no way in hell he would do that to Miranda. “How does your family feel about your dad’s new profession?”

Miranda barked a short derisive laugh. “You’re being kind. I don’t care what people say about marijuana being nonaddictive. My father is plainly hooked. And my family hates it. My oldest brother, Wade, won’t even speak to my dad. Trace is so embarrassed he won’t admit that it’s even happening, and my mother is so locked in her own delusions that she lives in a house filled with junk and won’t admit that her own husband has effectively moved out into the shop to avoid her.” Miranda wiped the tear falling down her cheek as she laughed again. “I can’t believe this. I’m crying. I never cry. But in the last week and a half I’ve cried more than I have in a lifetime. I don’t know what to do for my family. I’ve called Trace numerous times, trying to get him to come home, but he just won’t. I don’t know what to say or do to get him here and I’ve completely given up on Wade. If you thought I was a mess, you should see my family.”

“Everyone’s family has dysfunction in some way or another.”

“Yeah, but my family could medal in dysfunction.”

Jeremiah chuckled. “I’m sure it feels that way. My family tree has its share of nuts. I’d like to say I’m the normal one but I’ve come to realize that I have my quirks, too.”

“Such as?”

Jeremiah laughed, unsure of how much he should share. He didn’t want to come off as weird so early in their relationship. “Well, if you must know, I have an aversion to the sound of people eating popcorn. Like fingernails on chalkboard for me. All I can think of is all that gnashing and spit flying and dirty fingers plunging into the communal popcorn bucket and I want to puke. Makes it hard to go to movies on a first date,” he admitted with a rueful grin.

At that Miranda laughed. “So what do you do on a first date?”

“Depends. If she’s really set on seeing a movie I’ll suffer through the agony but I’ll suggest a matinee so there are fewer people. Or if she doesn’t care about going to a movie, I try to throw something unique out there, like skating or skiing or a poetry recital.”

Miranda looked aghast. “Poetry recital? Good thing you were on a self-imposed celibacy kick. There is no one who is going to have sex with you after a poetry recital. Talk about boring and very unsexy.”

Jeremiah agreed. “Well, that was an isolated incident. And the woman I was dating was a New Age type who seemed as if she would enjoy something like that. Personally, it wasn’t my cup of tea. But, in all fairness, it wasn’t a terrible night. I had a great time even if I didn’t particularly enjoy the poetry.”

“Aww, what a champion of making lemonade with lemons. But I would never enjoy something like that, just so you know.”

Jeremiah’s ears perked at that small admission. “Just out of curiosity, what kind of first date would you enjoy? Not that I’m looking for information...but you know what I mean.”

Miranda shrugged. “I’m not much of a dater. Small talk bores me. I’m a bit of a workaholic and any free time I have I spend with my son. But I used to enjoy snowboarding when I had the time. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to hit the slopes but if I were looking for an idea to suggest to someone it would definitely be something physical and outdoors.”

“I’ve never snowboarded. But I can ski.”

“I won’t hold that against you,” Miranda teased, then sobered. “Listen, I want to follow up on that tip that Rhett gave us. Honestly, I’ve never heard of Vivid Adventures and I don’t remember a permit with Vee Walker’s name on it.”

Jeremiah agreed. “I have that meeting with Stuart tomorrow otherwise I’d go with you but I definitely think follow-up is a good idea.”

Miranda nodded. “I will. For what it’s worth, I don’t know if Rhett doesn’t like her because she’s cutting into his bottom line or because he knows something that we don’t, but I know that he would never steer me in the wrong direction.”

“Okay. But I want you to take someone with you. How about Mary?”

Miranda grimaced. “Mary hates doing fieldwork. Anything that takes her outside of the comfort of the office is no good for her. I’ll be fine. I don’t need a chaperone.”

“It isn’t about needing a chaperone. It’s about safety. If this woman is involved with the poaching circles she’s not going to like you poking your nose around in her business. I just want to make sure you’re safe.”