Note: This was written before Starting Over, so Colleen McDonald hadn't insisted on her own story yet. Consider it one of those fictional time warps.

Randy Detweiler eased his pickup into a parking spot by the rec center at Pine Hills Park and checked his watch. Only an hour later than he said he'd be. He locked his truck and started across the parking lot. The smell of barbeque smoke and grilling hot dogs and burgers told him he hadn't missed dinner. He jumped down from the cab and hustled across the lot to the food tent. Two more minutes wouldn't matter, and he was starving.

He worked his way down the buffet line and surveyed the picnic tables set up on the soccer field. Not as big a crowd as in previous years. Budget cuts, he suspected. Too many good people let go in all departments, or their hours cut so they had to work two jobs. Still, he appreciated the town's efforts to say thanks to its public servants. He spotted Sarah sitting with Colleen McDonald, one of his colleagues. They sat, heads together, engrossed in conversation.

"Sorry I'm late," Randy said. With admirable restraint, kissed her upturned cheek. He set his paper plate heaped with corn, potato salad, baked beans and two burgers on the table beside her. "Group of high school kids thought it would be cool to have an impromptu party by the river."

The smile Sarah flashed turned his insides to jelly. And other parts the opposite. "Not a problem. Mac has been filling me in on some of your cases."

Randy glared at Colleen. Her green eyes twinkled back at him.

"Really?" he said. "And what kind of lies have you been telling my wife?" Wife. Eighteen months now, and he still felt that bong in his chest when he said the word.

"Hey, Detweiler. Nothing but good stuff. I swear." She giggled.

"I hope so. You know, one word from me and the chief will have you checking parking meters." He straightened up. "I'm going to get a drink. Anyone want anything?"

"I could use a beer, if you're buying," Mac said.

"One beer, coming up. Sarah?"

"Nothing for me. I'm fine."

Randy saw the half full plastic cup in front of her and picked it up for a quick sip before he left. Halfway to his mouth, he realized there were too many bubbles for it to be beer. He sniffed. Ginger ale. He set the cup down and glanced at the half empty plate in front of her. "You sure? You feeling all right?"

"I'm fine," she said. "Really. A little tired. A beer would put me right out."

He looked at her more carefully. "Getting enough sleep?" He could usually tell if she was keeping something from him. She hated it when she had nightmares and flashbacks to her kidnapping of two years ago. And hated it more when he tried to coddle her. For now, he'd let it ride.

"Yes. Now go get your drinks and eat your dinner before it's cold."

Randy strode to the table that served as a bar, grateful that he was finally off duty and could relax for the rest of the night. "Two beers," he said to the young man behind the table.

Randy watched as the band members strolled across the tennis courts to a temporary platform and picked up their instruments. He nodded to the bass player. He knew the keyboard player as well. Should be good music. He looked forward to dancing. An involuntary grin erupted as he thought about holding Sarah—something he hadn't done in far too long.

The bartender pulled two bottles from a tub of ice and set them on the table. "That'll be five dollars."

"Last year we each got two free ones," Randy said.

"I've heard that a lot, sir. Guess they didn't get the donations they'd hoped for this time around."

More cutbacks. "Never mind. It's still cheap enough." He paid for the drinks, dropped a dollar into the tip jar and took the beers back to the table.

"Thanks," Mac said when he handed her a bottle.

"If I'd have known I really had to buy the beer, I might not have offered."

"Sure you would. I've got too many secrets. Like the time you had to use pantyhose to secure a perp." Colleen smiled at him and raised her drink.

"Don't threaten me, Officer McDonald. I've known you since you were a green rookie. I've got plenty of stories, too." He sat down and dug into his dinner. "Not bad. Didn't realize how hungry I was." Randy grabbed an uneaten deviled egg from Sarah's plate.

"You miss lunch again?" Sarah asked.

He stopped eating long enough to answer. "I guess I did. Hadn't really thought about it until now. It's been busy." He reached over and squeezed Sarah's hand, enjoying the soft warmth of her fingers and the way her rings dug into his palm.

Colleen picked up her beer. "You two look like you don't need a third party. I'll see you next week, Randy. Enjoy your days off." She was practically leering at him.

He shook his head in amusement. "I intend to." He scraped the last few baked beans from his plate and licked his fingers. The band was running through a set of Eagles tunes. Randy took a swig of his beer and set the bottle on the table. He wiped his hands on his napkin and stood. "Dance with me?"

She held his hand as they meandered to the tennis court. The band played "Peaceful Easy Feeling" and she moved as though she was a part of him. God, did he love the smell of her hair. "I've missed you. It's like we've been in separate cities."

"Well, I was out of town for three days on a buying trip, or don't you remember?"

He laughed. "Of course I remember. But it didn't really seem any different. You've gone to work before I get home, and I'm gone when you get back. And even when I should have been home, something always came up. Damn cutbacks and double shifts."

"I understand. I knew that was part of the territory when I married you. No need to apologize."

"I'm not apologizing. Just missing you." He leaned down and nuzzled her hair. "Well, now I've got forty-eight hours off, and I'm spending every damn minute of them with you."