Longmire: Second Chances

Chapter 16: Chances

June

Vic had gone out to Durant for two weeks after school had finished for she and Walt to arrange for her permanent move back to Wyoming. Her parents had met Walt at Christmas time, and after some initial shock, had found they sincerely liked Walt and thought he was an outstanding man. Even her brothers had warmed up to their sister again, probably, as Vic told Walt, because they were afraid he'd kick their asses if they didn't.

He had visited Boston four times between the New Year and the end of her school year, seldom getting out of the hotel room Walt had for them each weekend. They both knew there was no going back.

Walt had told Vic to fly one-way, and to take his truck back to Boston to gather what she would be bringing with her, then after a brief stop in Philly, she would drive West. They would then set a wedding date shortly after she arrived for good.

"Think the truck can carry all your stuff out here?"

Vic snorted. "I don't have all that much", she smiled. "Most everything I need is already out here, Walt." The fell into a soft kiss.

"You don't know how good it is to hear that, honey." Walt continued to be enthralled with his fiancé each day he held her.

"Baby, as I told you, I only need you." They were standing next to the truck, and Vic looked back at Walt. "I'm not leaving for another hour, you know?"

He raised his eyebrows. "Is that so?"

"Think you can give me one for the road, mister?" Her hazel eyes lit again with desire.

"Maybe two, if we hurry." They both laughed and rushed back inside.

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Two Weeks Later

Vic had decided to stay an extra few days with her family in Philadelphia. She had everything packed, and wanted this time with them. Her mother hadn't been thrilled that she was going back to Wyoming for good this time, but she knew she had a wonderful man and wonderful friends to go to. Vic promised they would get married in Philadelphia, probably about a year from then.

The night before she left Philadelphia, she called her fiancé. "I'm gonna head out tomorrow morning about 8 am, Walt", she said with growing excitement, knowing that she wasn't coming back this time except to visit.

"How are your parents?"

"They're great, baby", she said happily. "I know we've just touched on this, but mom really wants the wedding to be in Philly."

"Honey, that's only fair. You deserve to get married with your family nearby." As Walt had told her, he would go wherever she was or wanted to be. "What's your driving itinerary?"

"I'll leave Philly about 8 am, as I said, I've got a hotel in Toledo tonight, in Omaha the next night, and I'm hoping to be home late on Friday."

"Home", Walt said in wonder, almost to himself.

"Yeah, home. You're home. You're my life now. I can't wait to get started."

"Me neither, although I'm sure the minute you get here you'll want to ravage me."

"And that's a problem how, Mr. Longmire?" They laughed together, wanting that moment to happen quickly.

"Vic, I'll let you get to bed so you're ready to go in the morning", he closed his eyes blissfully as he finished the call. "Call me about mid-day and when you reach Toledo, OK?"

"I will, Walt", she went silent. "I love you, Walt."

"I love you to, my dear, sweet Vic", the bliss lingering. "I will see you in about seventy-two hours?"

"It's a date. Bye baby."

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The next day, Walt, Lucian, Ferg and Henry got together at The Pony for a "businessman's lunch", gathering. The were all in a festive mood, with Vic's arrival in three days.

Henry took a sip of his Rainer, "So, Walter, has the future Mrs. Longmire stated whether she would like back on the police force while continuing her studies?"

Walt shook his head, "We haven't even discussed that, Henry. If she wants to, I guess that's up to Sheriff Ferguson here." Walt looked proudly as the younger man who had joined the department solely as a favor to a dying father, but who had ended up being an outstanding Law Enforcement Officer.

"If Vic wants to come back, there's always a spot for her. We could use another experienced deputy, if you ask me."

"Don't get your hopes, up, Ferg", Walt wagged a finger at him. "Vic wants to continue her education to be a lawyer, it's up to her what she'll do. I'm just along for the ride." Everyone chuckled.

"Thanks for rubbing it in like that", Lucian quipped, eliciting more laughter.

"So she'll be here, what? Friday night?" Mathias said between a bit of his burger and a swig of his own beer.

"That's the plan, Mathias", he acknowledged.

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Cady was still a few hours away from the end of the days while the boys were at The Pony. It had been a steady day, but not one that had overwhelmed her senses, she was grateful for that.

About 5 pm, her office phone rang. She never looked at phone numbers, as her work led her to area codes all around the nation. She was looking at a case file, her hand almost absently picking up the phone.

"Reservation Legal Aid Office, this is Cady Longmire, how may I help you."

"This is Cady Longmire", a shaky voice said on the other end of the line.

She instantly became concerned, "Yes, it is, can I help you?"

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A half hour later, the boys were still going strong at The Pony. They had decided to stay through dinner. Henry had just brought out more sandwiches and a fresh round of beers. He looked up, seeing Cady come through the door. He was instantly alarmed.

Her eyes were blank, her hair askew, and absently stared over at the table where her father was.

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4 PM, Eastern Time

Vic had made blessedly good time on first the Pennsylvania Turnpike and now the Ohio Turnpike as she headed West. It was a warm, but not punishingly so. She had the radio on, constantly switching to find stations as she exited and entered different areas of Pennsylvania and Ohio.

She almost felt as if she could fly to Durant on her own volition, so excited was she to start this new chapter of her life. Walt was waiting. She would never leave him, of that she was certain. They were totally, irrevocably committed to a life together.

She was about an hour from her hotel in Toledo, just south of the city of Sandusky, which was home to one of the best Amusement Parks in America. She thought about that, but was sure she was about to begin a ride far more satisfying than any roller coaster. Another smile peeled across her face.

Vic had been following a tractor-trailer for about five miles miles, and they passed each other several times, to no one's annoyance. The truck had pulled ahead of her this time, but she stayed a safe distance behind it. She was in too good a mood to let anything bother her.

They had just come around a bend in the road, both vehicles doing about seventy, Vic about a hundred yards behind the big rig.

Suddenly, Vic noticed something fly off the front of the rig in front of her-she wasn't sure what it was. She slowed a little. There were two cars almost even with her in the two lanes to her left. The rig instantly began to jackknife, it's speed reduced in half in a matter of seconds. The trailer snaked out toward Walt's truck. Vic had time to utter a quick expletive.

The void of nothingness enveloped Vic.