“You couldn’t possibly outstay your welcome. It’s been a rough couple of days. You can’t make a decision like that at a time like this.”

“True. I shouldn’t have said anything. Consider it a weak moment.”

“This place wouldn’t be the same without you.”

“Oh, sure it would. It was fine before me, and it’ll be fine after me. You might have to follow the rules a little more closely without old Uncle Joe around to run interference for you,” he added with a teasing smile.

Sam shuddered at the thought. “All the more reason for you to stick around.”

He laughed, which she’d hoped he would.

“While I have you, let me run something past you,” Sam said.

“Sure.”

“Detective McBride asked me to be an attendant in her wedding. Since this is the first time one of my detectives asked me to be in their wedding, I had no idea what I should say.”

“Do you want to do it?”

“I wouldn’t be completely opposed. I think a lot of her. I guess you could say we’re friends—as much as we can be anyway.”

“I was going to say if you didn’t want to do it, feel free to pin it on me.”

“I like how you think,” Sam said, laughing.

“It’s easy to see why you’d be conflicted, but I’d be more concerned about a romantic relationship between a squad commander and a subordinate than I would about something like this. I’m sure by now it’s no secret that you and Detective McBride are friendly.”

“I guess you could say I’m friendly with all of them. I know I shouldn’t be—”

“There’s nothing wrong with being a friendly, compassionate leader, Sam. You get much more out of them with sugar than you’ll ever get with vinegar. Just ask your old friend Stahl about that.”

“Still, sometimes I wonder if I’m coloring outside the lines with them.”

“As long as the lines never get blurred, you’re fine. Don’t look for trouble where there isn’t any.”

“Good advice, thanks.”

“Please make sure I get pictures of you in pink taffeta.”

“Um, hello, I don’t have friends who’d have pink taffeta bridesmaid gowns.” The very thought of pink taffeta made her want to barf, especially knowing it would make Shelby’s life complete.

His ringing laugh made her laugh too.

“See you in the morning,” she said.

“Get some sleep.”

“I’ll try.”

Sam got into her car and waited until he drove out of the lot before she followed him into traffic. The idea of the MPD without him at the helm was something she didn’t want to think about. He’d been chief the entire time she’d been on the force. He’d guided and mentored her—and protected her at times. Of that she had no doubt.