Dispatch came over my earpiece, advising me that Bill had returned. It was time to get Dad off the streets of Salem and go catch up with my girl.
“Dad, I need to head home to change and meet up with Sydney to get Mom.”
“Next time you’re in town, Dex, stop on by and get a cut.” Luke said.
Dad reached out to shake Luke’s hand. “I will for sure, Luke. Nice meeting you.”
“Have a good one, Luke!” I called out as I got back into my patrol car.
By the time I got to the station, filled Bill in on the morning, and swung by the house to change, it was after two. I texted Sydney to let her know Dad and I were on our way over to her place to pick her up.
“How serious are things with Sydney?”
I pulled up to Sydney’s house and turned to stare at my father. “I’ve been with you for half the day, and you pick now to ask me about Sydney? When we’re sitting in front of her house?”
He shrugged. “You’re different with her. That’s all.”
Smiling, I glanced over to her front door. “I am different. She makes me feel… I don’t know. Whole?” I looked back at him. “If that is the right word to use.”
My father smiled at me. “Yes, that’s a good word to describe how loving someone makes you feel.”
I pulled in a deep breath. “We just met. I’m not sure I’m ready to use that word yet. But I honestly can’t even imagine ever looking at another woman.”
With a lighthearted chuckle, he put his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Son, when the moment is right, you’ll know when to say it.”
Sydney came out of her house, locked the door, and quickly made her way to my car. She climbed into the back seat and gave me the most beautiful smile. My heart felt like it stopped for a moment.
“Hey, did you boys have fun this morning?”
My father huffed. “If you call being told to go sit in the patrol car six times fun.”
“Why did you tell your dad to go sit in the car?” Sydney asked.
I pulled out and started toward Jaho Coffee and Tea, where the Red Hat Society was having their afternoon tea. “I’m pretty sure the department would frown upon a retired Boston detective assisting me.”
Sydney giggled in the back seat.
Soon, Dad and Sydney were talking about all Dad’s favorite places in Boston. I couldn’t help but wonder if she noticed how many were bars.
“We’re here,” I said, pulling into the parking lot.
“I hope she had fun. She was looking forward to it,” Sydney said. Dad offered his hand to Sydney as she got out of the car. They walked up to Jaho’s, Dad arm in arm with my girlfriend.
Sydney glanced at me over her shoulder and winked.
With a smile, I said, “Looks like you’ve captured the hearts of two Murphy men.”
Her teeth dug into her lower lip before she broke out into beautiful laughter.