Before Avery could answer, Lon Pittman walked into the lobby from the hall.

“Oh, Chief! I didn’t know you were back,” Avery said. “This gentleman was wanting to talk to you. Here’s his info.”

“I just got here,” Lon said as he glanced at the ID and the business card, and then recognized a picture that had run in the first issue of the local paper after power was restored. “What can I do for you, sir?”

“I’m Marc Adamos,” he said and reiterated his reason for being in Blessings.

“We’re a fan of Nat Geo documentaries in my house. I can only imagine the things you’ve seen in this world,” Lon said.

“Many things. Some beautiful and amazing. Some unbelievably horrifying. Man and nature are often at odds. That’s the focus of the piece I’m working on now.”

“I can find out where Johnny’s working,” Lon said. “Avery, what’s the number to Pine Dozer Service?”

Avery pulled up Google Search. “I’ve got it, Chief. Want me to dial the number for you, or do you want to take it in your office?”

“Give me the number,” Lon said. “I’ll call him right here.” He made the call and waited for an answer, knowing Johnny’s wife, Dori, usually answered the phone for the business.

“Pine Dozer Service,” Dori said.

“Dori, this is Chief Pittman. Nothing’s wrong, but I have a guy here wanting to talk to Johnny, and I wondered where he was working today.”

“He’s not at work today. Beep got sick in the night, and Johnny took him to the doctor this morning. They just got back. Hang on a minute, and I’ll put him on the phone.”

“Thanks,” Lon said, then glanced at Marc. “He’s coming to the phone.”

Marc loved it when plans fell into place. He stood and listened to the chief explaining the reason for the call.

“He’d be happy to talk to you,” Lon said as he disconnected. “He said he could meet you at Granny’s in about ten minutes. That way you can meet him and Lovey at the same time.”

“That’s awesome,” Marc said, then shook Lon’s hand. “I really appreciate this.”

“Sure,” Lon said. “And here are your photo and ID. Glad we could help.”

Marc left the station and headed to Granny’s. He’d already seen it on the way to the PD, so no searching was involved. The parking lot was more than half empty as he pulled up and parked, then wasted no time going inside.

A young, muscular man was sitting on the bench in the lobby, and when Marc walked in, he stood.

“Mr. Adamos?”

“Yes,” Marc said. “Are you Johnny Pine?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Johnny, I need to shake your hand. I’ve seen a lot of things in my life, but nothing that exceeds the photo I saw of you perched on the side of that giant dozer in hurricane-force winds with that woman in your arms.”

Johnny shrugged. “You do what you have to do in life. Lovey matters to all of us, and Granny’s is the heart of Blessings.”