Free Justice Healed by Olivia Jaymes

know?" 
    Sherry nodded.  "I thought everyone knew, honestly.  Is it a big deal?"
    Madison shook her head.  "No, it just surprised me that's all.  Dad, you said he had a drinking problem.  Does that mean he doesn't now?"  Tanner had always seemed completely in control when she'd been around him. 
    "From what I've heard he hasn't touched the stuff for about ten years.  Sober as a judge.  He was a wild one back in the day, though.  I heard he was the life of the party.  People have conjectured that's why he and Abby divorced.  His son, Chris, appears to have inherited the propensity to drink.  He's constantly in the drunk tank or getting in a fight."
    "Tanner's been sheriff for thirteen years," Madison said in amazement.  "The town elected him Sheriff knowing he liked to drink?  I guess this little town isn't as closed-minded as I thought."
    Greg Shay chuckled.  "Remember this is Montana.  A hard drinking, hard partying man isn't considered a problem as long as he takes care of business.  And Tanner Marks has taken good care of this town.  Sheriff Tunney used to keep some rotgut whiskey in his desk and drink during the day.  No one thought a thing about it."
    Madison rubbed her chin.  "Alcohol addiction is complex.  It's not just genetic factors, but environment and personality."  She looked at her dad.  "How did I not know this?  Was it a well-kept secret?"
    "Why would you know?"  He shrugged.  "You were too young to hang out in bars.  No one thought much about it so they didn't gossip about him.  He wasn't a man to fall over his own feet even drunk so even if you saw him it wouldn't have been obvious."
    "Does this bother you?" Sherry queried.  "It was all so long ago I didn't think it was a big deal.  You could always call him and cancel."
    Madison shook her head.  "It doesn't bother me in the least.  Can you imagine the strength of character he must have to overcome his body's desire for alcohol?  I'm not even going to go into how serotonin and dopamine can play into addiction."
    Her father nodded.  "You make a good point."  He leaned down and kissed her cheek.  "Have a good time tonight."
    "Thank you, Dad."  Madison smiled.
    "Thank you for growing up into such a fine young woman.  Now if you ladies will excuse me, I'm heading over to Harvey's today.  I'm helping him work on that bookcase he's building."  Her father hurried out of the kitchen and Sherry grabbed Madison's hand.
    "I knew you wouldn't care.  That's what makes you two so perfect for one another.  Your ability to see past the superficial stuff."
    "It actually helps me relax."  Madison sat back in her chair with a smile.
    "How on earth does this help you relax?  You won't have to pair your wine with the entree?"
    Madison laughed.  "It means he's not perfect.  It means he has flaws.  I can deal with a man who has the occasional dent in his armor.  It makes him more human."
    Sherry sighed.  "I guess I see what you mean.  I like that Dan isn't perfect.  I like some of his flaws.  Like how he snores after he eats pasta and how he's the worst speller in the world."
    "I'll just ask him about it," Madison said, lifting their plates from the table and heading to the sink.
    "No," Sherry gasped.  "You can't do that."  She looked scandalized. 
    "That's a no-no, too?"  Madison rinsed the dishes and dried her hands.  "Fine.  There are way too many rules in dating."
    "You'll remember all them.  Don't worry."
    "I've got lots of things to worry about but I don't think that's one of them.  Let's get on the road and I'll let you browbeat me into buying clothes I would never choose myself."
    "Deal."  Sherry bounced out of her chair.  "I know just what you need.  We're going to start with your underwear."
    Madison groaned.  It was going to be a long day.  And she liked her underwear just fine.
    * * * *
    Tanner was shoving a load of towels into the washer when he heard a rap on his front door.  Scout, his four year-old