So far, Miranda is taking care of her ex-lover, Dougie's son, Waylon. When Dougie disappears and breaks off all contact, Miranda gets temporary custody of Waylon. Now, Dougie has resurfaced and Miranda is convinced he's back to take Waylon.

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I watch as Dougie and Waylon pull out of the parking lot and wince at the sound of the truck tires squealing when Dougie peels out. He's such a show off. I can remember when we'd go places and he'd drive like a maniac. Swerving and braking for no reason, taking corners like he was being chased by someone. He'd look over at me while I was clutching the door and grin. He honestly thought he was turning me on.

"Can you slow down? I'd like to get there in one piece," I'd say, trying not to show him the brunt of my irritation.

It never failed, he'd look at me like I had just peed in his cornflakes and mutter something about me never wanting to have any fun.

I think about Dougie now, instructing Waylon on the proper way to handle a vehicle. Probably telling him how women get turned on by aggressive driving, telling him not to sweat wearing a seat belt and how yellow lights mean speed up to get through before the red light. I make myself stop. Maybe Dougie has finally grown up. Maybe he has changed. I pray Momma is right.

The store is dead tonight. I've had one customer and four or five at the self pay pumps. I wander around, fronting the shelves and restocking the few drinks that are gone. I'm cleaning the junk under the counter when the chimes on the door sound.

I pop my head up over the counter and see Mitch. "Look it's the fuzz," I tease.

"Ah, haven't heard that in a long time. Pretty quiet here tonight." He walks down the candy aisle and grabs a Reese Cup. "You going straight home after you get off?"

"Not sure. Dougie took Waylon out for the night. Said he was going to teach Waylon how to drive."

"That'll be good for both of them. Plus, it gives you a chance to spend a little alone time with me." He tosses the candy on the counter and winks.

"Come back to my place and have a beer. It's a nice night to sit on the porch and look at the stars."

Mitch smiles and leans in to give me a kiss. "I'll see you around ten." He starts walking to the door and as he's about to exit he turns around. "Miranda, I'm gonna let Waylon spend some time with his father, but I'm gonna have to talk to Dougie sooner or later. Maybe you can convince him into coming by the station, so I don't have to come looking for him."

"I'll pass it along, Mitch, that's all I can do."

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Aaron is sitting on the steps when I get home. The trailer is dark and that's my clue that Waylon is still with his father. "Evening, Aaron," I say, dropping my purse on the chair by the door. "How long have you been sitting here?"

"Fifteen minutes or so. Was that Dougie that came and picked up Waylon this afternoon?"

"Yep." I say it closed mouth, because I'm trying to remain civil, but even to my own ears that "yep" was loaded with attitude.

"Where the heck has he been?"

I shrug. "I haven't asked and to be perfectly honest, I don't care. Dougie came back to see Waylon and that's all that matters."

I check my watch. "Wonder what's keeping Mitch?" I ask aloud.

I hear the phone ringing inside and jump up to unlock the door. "Hello?"

"Hey, I'm just finishing up with an accident. Should be there in about twenty minutes. Still okay with me coming over?"

I look around at the empty trailer. No Waylon, draped on the couch, staring at the television. "Yes, please hurry."

I don't hang up the phone. I call Waylon's cell and it goes to voice mail again. "Hey, it's me. Just wondering what time your daddy is gonna drop you off. Hope your driving lesson went good. I'll leave the door unlocked. Oh, Aaron stopped by, um, that's all. See you in a little while." I hang up.

Digging two beers from the fridge, I return to the porch. "Here," I say, handing one to Aaron.

"Thanks," he says, popping the top and slurping the bubbly head that comes through. "Did you shake mine up?" He laughs and pours some of the excess foam onto the grass.

"Honest opinion, Aaron, what do you think about Dougie?"

"I don't know. He could be cool. He wasn't good enough for you. Why? You aren't thinking about getting back together with him, are you?"

I scowl at him. "I should punch you for even asking that. No! I know Waylon is happy that he's back, but I can't help but wonder why he's back."

Aaron shrugs. "Maybe he missed his kid. Even the worst parents can realize what's important."

"I hope so. Momma said that maybe he's changed. I pray he's here for the right reasons, for Waylon's sake." After a few moments of silence, I look over at Aaron. "Still working with your brother?"

"Yeah. Few days a week. I, uh, went and told my dad about the DNA findings and how the other car was a Fed's car. He said I needed to find a new focus."

"Aaron, forgive me for saying this, but your daddy is an asshole. You helped solve a mystery, helped give closure to two other families, not to mention your own family. You should be proud of yourself."

A slight smile comes to his face. "Thanks."

"I'm proud of you. You were like a dog with a bone about it. You showed grit and determination when most others would have given up. Stop measuring yourself by your daddy's yardstick and start measuring yourself by your own."

He holds out his half empty beer can and clinks it against mine. "Thank you, Miranda, that means a lot coming from you."

"So, besides working for your brother a few days a week, what else are you wanting to do?"

Aaron gulps his beer and turns quickly to face me. "I'm thinking of writing about it?"

"About the cars in the pond?"

He nods. "That and about my great uncle, the other fellas, about Waylon and me diving and finding them, then you finding Ed Preston's dead body there. I could write about how I got to assist in pulling the cars out. I really think its a story that people could sink their teeth into."

I take a sip and let the cold liquid slide down my throat. I try not to think about Ed Preston.

"Miranda?"

"I think if anyone can write this story, it should be you."

Mitch's headlights illuminate Aaron's face and I can see how happy he is.

"I'll see you later," Aaron says and waves at Mitch as he walks across the yard. "Oh, how's this for a title? The Three Musketeers at Hayne's Pond."

I try not to laugh, even though I know he's joking around. "Change it to the Three Stooges at Hayne's Pond, and I'll bet you sell more copies."

He laughs and continues home.