I Choose Us: Book 2 in the Crossing Midian Series - A Christian Romance

Chapter 6

-Coop-

"Thanks. Have a good night," Tommy said as he followed the last customer to the door and locked it behind them before he flipped the sign to 'Closed.' "Another day, done," he said with a grin as he walked back to the counter and reached for the broom so he could start sweeping the store.

Coop rolled his head from side to side as he said, "It's been the longest day. If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have made it."

Tommy laughed. "Then is this a good time to talk about a raise?"

Coop rolled his eyes. "Tell you what, if January first comes and we're still open, you got it." He opened the register and started counting the money from the till, making notes on a scrap piece of paper as he went along. It hadn't been an incredibly busy day, but news of what was going on had gotten out and they'd had a few more people than usual to stop by. Still, a few hundred dollars in cash and about half that in credit cards wouldn't go far in saving the store.

Coop put the cash in the money bag, then opened the door to his office and stepped inside. "C'mon, Cass, it's time to go."

He kneeled down to the safe underneath the desk and typed in a security code before putting the money inside and locking it back. "You, too, Duke," he said to the sleeping dog at Cassie's feet. "Let's go home."

Cassie jumped up from where she had been coloring at Coop's desk, and Duke raised his head before yawning and stretching his hind legs as he stood up to follow her.

Coop picked up her coat and helped her put it on, then grabbed her backpack before turning around to face Tommy. "Alright, guys, let's get out of here."

"You guys go ahead. I'm not finished stocking yet," Tommy said as he motioned toward the two boxes that sat at the end of the last aisle.

"Yeah, you are," Coop said, as he picked Cassie up and then clapped Tommy on the back. "It'll still be here in the morning. Now get outta here. Go home, go on a date — I don't care, just go do something that's not work."

"Yeah, Tommy," Cassie said as she looked at him over Coop's shoulder. "Go on a date."

Tommy took off his apron and hung it on the hook by the office door before reaching for his leather jacket. "How about I take you on a date, Munchkin?" he asked as he turned off the lights and held the door open for them to pass through.

"Yeah!"

"No," Coop said quickly. "You're too young to date and even if you weren't, Tommy is a scoundrel."

Tommy placed his hands over his heart. "Ouch, Coop, that hurts!" He shut the door and locked it, then reached a hand up and ruffled Cassie's hair, laughing when she tried to bat him away. "I'll see y'all in the morning."

"Alright," Coop said. "Hey, thanks for everything."

Tommy threw a wave up as he hurried down the sidewalk to where he had parked the Javelin. He got inside and then Coop watched him drive away before taking Cassie to the Jeep.

"You should take Mama on a date," Cassie said as Coop buckled her in her car seat.

"You think so?"

Cassie nodded. "Yep. She would like that."

Coop smiled and helped Duke into the front seat, thinking maybe Cassie was on to something. "We'll see."

***

Cassie was still talking about the date when they got home. As Coop unlocked the door, Cassie went in ahead of him and said, "Let's make Mama dinner."

Coop laughed and urged Duke inside as well before shutting the door and shrugging off his coat. "We will, Cass, but you gotta give me a minute to get inside first."