Page 2 of Under an Oklahoma Sky

The corner of Adam’s mouth curved upward. Jose always seemed to remember he was talking to a former man of the cloth a second too late. But he caught himself more often than not. “I get the gist, yeah.”

“What about you? I mean, you weren’t always a brother, right? Before all that, did you ever have a girlfriend?”

While his vow of celibacy had been a part of him since he’d realized his role in life was to be spent in the Brotherhood, he had a few intimate experiences during his teens. “Kelly Adams. We met and dated in high school. Everyone teased us, saying if we got married, I would be Mr. Adam Adams.”

Jose laughed. “That’s funny. Was she hot?”

“I believe the phrase you would use is ‘she was smokin’.”

They entered Cell Block C’s indoor rec area. The cells lined the perimeter of three floors. The upper two levels overlooked the large open room where men of all ages, races, and sizes found something to do to whittle away the endless days. Some prisoners watched the few TV channels they were allowed. Others read, played cards or chess, and worked out on the weight benches. It was pouring rain for the third straight day. Otherwise, most of them would be out in the courtyard on the first day of spring. A few had ventured out briefly just for a change of scenery.

“Where’s she now?”

Adam shrugged. “Last I heard, she’s living in Florida, happily married with a few kids.”

Jose was about to ask another question but was interrupted when one, then two, then more of the inmates started clapping. Soon, the entire block thundered with applause. Adam knew it was their way of celebrating his release. It wasn’t done for everyone, just men who’d gained the ultimate respect of their peers.

His cellmate, Justin Bauman, stepped forward and handed him a crudely wrapped gift as the others cheered.

“Bro-ther Ad-am!” Clap. Clap. Clap, clap, clap. “Bro-ther Ad-am!” Clap. Clap. Clap, clap, clap.

Although he officially resigned from the Brotherhood in disgrace after his conviction, most of his fellow inmates still used the title—especially those who’d embraced their faith in the Lord.

Embarrassed at the impromptu party, Adam waved and tried to quiet the crowd. “Thank you. Thanks.”

It was a full minute before the shouts changed. “Speech! Speech!”

He grinned. “If you would all shut up, I can give you one!”

Laughter faded to silence as he stared at the present in his hands. Leaving it wrapped for a moment, he swallowed and searched for the right words. “These past few years have been a form of hell, as most of you can attest to. But somewhere along the line, I’ve found friendships I never expected. I thank you for that. Now that I’m leaving, someone will have to step up to the plate as chess king around here.” A few chuckles scattered throughout the cell block. “Whether you’re here as a lifer or someone who will eventually be released from this hole, please do your best to become someone you can be proud of. Someone God can be proud of. Work hard. Respect others. And may God bless you and keep you safe.”

His words were met with another round of applause. He knew many would turn a deaf ear to his advice, but others would try to heed it. If only one person found comfort in his words, then they were worth saying.

Tearing open the package, he was stunned to see a leather-bound copy of one of his favorite books—Death Be Not Proud. He’d read his foster father’s copy many times while living with Harry. However, after the man’s line-of-duty death, the book was accidentally among the rest of his extensive collection that he donated to several nursing homes and veteran hospitals. Adam had found a copy in the prison library and reread it every few months.

A lump developed in his throat, and he coughed to clear it. “Um... wow. I didn’t expect this... and I’m not sure I want to know where it came from... but thanks. Every time I read it, I’ll think of all of you.”

A little over an hour later, his meager possessions were packed into two shopping bags, and he signed a receipt for the items the property office had stored. He was escorted out to the yard—the rain had temporarily subsided, but a mist still hung in the air—and up to the main gates, where several more guards wished him well. The last huge blockade opened, and he took the final few steps leading to his freedom. As his best friend pulled him into an embrace, the metal gate clanged closed behind him.

Standing an inch shorter than Adam’s six-foot-three, Shane slapped him on the back several times before releasing him again. “It’s damn good to see you on this side of the fence again. How does it feel?”

“Honestly... weird.”

“Ha! Yeah, well, you’ll get used to it. C’mon. Let’s get out of here. I’m taking you to lunch, complete with steak, potatoes, and beer.”

Chapter Two

Ugh, it’s hot.

Sage Hammond wiped the sweat from her brow before pitching more hay into one of the horses’ stalls. Two weeks before the first day of summer, the heat in Oklahoma spiked above average for this time of year. It was just past 7:00 a.m., and she already wished she’d worn a tank top instead of one of Mark’s large T-shirts. While she’d given away most of her husband’s clothes after his death two and a half years ago, she’d kept some of his funny shirts to wear when she wanted to feel especially close to him once more.

Today’s navy blue tee proclaimed, “Lead Me Not Into Temptation… Oh, Hell, Follow Me, I Know A Shortcut.” It’d been one of his favorites.

Behind her, the ranch’s prize sire nickered impatiently for Sage to let him out of his stall and lead him to the pasture. Last night’s wind and torrential rain had forced her ranch foreman to bring the horses in for safekeeping. Unfortunately, it had done nothing to cool the high temperatures.

“I’m coming, Gino. You know your pregnant girlfriend has to get some fresh hay and feed first.”

The horse nickered again, obviously not impressed that he had to wait a few more seconds so Sage could finish caring for Diamond Lil.