She shook her head quickly and started to pump her gas.

At least she didn’t make the sign of the cross and back away.

Either she’d moved to Alba in the last ten years or my reputation had softened some since I’d joined the army. Hell, maybe the population of Alba had forgotten all about me.

I finished filling my tank and headed inside the small convenience store to grab a drink. God only knew what Dad would have in his fridge.

A set of bells chimed as the door closed behind me, and I nodded in greeting to the older man leaning on the counter. Looked like Mr. Williamson still owned the gas station. His bushy silver brows rose with a quick smile. Then he did a double take, both his brows and smile falling as he blinked in confusion. And then his eyes narrowed in recognition.

Looks like that rep is alive and well.

I quickly chose a few bottles of water from the slim selection and carried them to the counter.

The old man’s eyes darted between my hands and the bottles as he rang them up, like I was going to steal them or something. I’d been a lot of things, but a thief wasn’t one of them.

The bells chimed again, and Williamson visibly relaxed. “Afternoon, Lieutenant Hall,” he greeted his newest patron.

Awesome.

I didn’t bother looking. That stubborn, old, judgmental piece of work hated my—

“Holy shit. Cam?”

That wasn’t Tim Hall wearing a badge—it was his son, Gideon.

Gid’s mouth hung slack, his light-brown eyes wide in shock. It was a similar expression to the one he’d worn that time Xander had shoved us into the girls’ locker room the fall of our freshman year. I’d never found a way to properly thank my brother for his attempt at hazing—not that anyone would believe Xander would stoop so low. After all, he was the good son.

“I didn’t think police officers were supposed to swear in uniform.” I gave him a quick once-over. Unlike his dad, Gid was still too trim to sport a belly over his belt.

“As opposed to soldiers?” he countered.

“Actually, that earns us bonus points, and besides, I’m not in a uniform anymore.” I hadn’t been for seventeen days. “Does your dad know you stole his badge?”

“Anymore? Does your…” He sighed. “Crap, I’ve got nothing!” His laughter unleashed my own. “It’s good to see you!” He pulled me into a fierce, back-pounding hug, his badge digging into my chest.

“You too.” I grinned as we broke apart. “In fact, you might be the only person I’m happy to see.”

“Oh, come on. Not Mr. Williamson here?” Gid looked over my shoulder and cringed at whatever expression he saw on Williamson’s face. “Okay, maybe not him.”