Love in Tangled Branches

Chapter 25

       Mac walked out of the CO's office where Rich was waiting, shaking hands with his CO, he nodded for Rich to follow. When the got into the jeep, Rich said "So why the serious look?" Mac looked over and said "I was granted the 4 months leave." Rich grinned and said " That's great!" Mac said "That's not all. He told me my contract is up in 6 months. Suggested if I was serious about Adele I think about my career and if I want to re-enlist."

        Rich looked at him and said "You really thinking of leaving?" Mac said "Maybe, depends if your sister will marry me or not. I mean I want to have a family and be there for them. I don't want to be deployed and my mind being here. I think I might talk to Joe and see what it would take to get into law enforcement." Rich grinned and said "So already thinking about giving me nieces and nephews huh??? Just give me time to get use to my sister before you make me an uncle!" Rich started laughing and Mac couldn't help but grin at his best friend.

       As they were driving back through town they saw Joe walking out of the coffee shop, Mac pulled over and called out to him. Joe looked up and greeted them before saying "What can I do for ya?" Mac said " Just a question. How hard is it to transition from military to law enforcement?" Joe regarded him for a few moments before saying "It can be done, I'm looking for a couple new officers here, you planing to retire?" Mac said "Thinking about it, I have 6 months left on my contract. I can choose to leave or re-enlist. So i'm just figuring out my options if I choose not to." Joe grinned and said "Thinking about moving here?" Mac said "I'm pretty much living here now. Besides most of this depends on Adele answering a question."

        Joe laughed and said "I know y'all are taking a trip. Come see me when you find out if you for sure want to come over to the PD and we'll talk. Shouldn't be hard to switch over." Mac grinned and said "Thanks Chief. See ya in a few weeks." They said their goodbyes and headed towards the bakery. When they arrived at the bakery, Rich headed home and Mac let himself into the door. He heard her singing in the kitchen and couldn't help but smile.

        He quietly snuck to the door leading into the kitchen and watched her dance while mixing batter. He slipped out his phone and quietly recorded her for a few moments. After he slipped his phone back into his pocket he slipped up behind her and wrapped her in his arms. She grinned and said "Hmm who could it be?" He laughed and said "Who else has a key?" She laughed and said "Well Linda, and mom do have one too you know." He kissed her neck and said "Do you have any idea how much I missed you?" She laughed and said "About as much as I missed you."

        She wrapped up the bowl of batter she had been working on and slipped it into the cooler. Looking over at him she said "Let's get out of here. We need to make sure we have everything for tomorrow and we're suppose to pick mom up at 8 am." He grinned and said "Then let's go home Babe. Are you ready to be on vacation?" She laughed and said "I'm ready to enjoy the time with mom and you. I think we will have plenty of fun."

        They walked out hand in hand and he opened her door to help her in. Sitting on the console was the bag from the jewelry store, he had removed the ring of course. She looked over at it and he grinned before saying "Are you going to open it?" She looked up at him and whispered "It'd for me?" He laughed and said "Of Course it's for you Beautiful. Open it." She slid the gift box out of the bag and slowly opened it. When she saw the necklace she gasped and said "It's beautiful Mac! Oh Thank You!" He kissed her softly before saying "Not as Beautiful as you are Baby."