“Hey, man, you can’t beat the love of a good dog.” Jesse knew they were kidding with him. The good-natured ribbing was one thing he loved about being in SWAT. They were so close, they were practically like family. Still, he wished he had someone to go home to.
“Just remember to stay close to your phone in case anything comes up.”
Jesse nodded and headed for the locker room to change. His stomach was rumbling, and he really wanted a sandwich and a good cup of coffee.
“So, will you think about giving Brie a chance?” Brendan asked as he fell into step beside Jesse.
“I don’t even know how to contact her,” Jesse said.
“I got her number if you’re interested.”
Jesse let out a sigh. Brendan was not going to let this go. “Fine, give me her number. Maybe I’ll reach out tomorrow.”
“That’s all I’m asking. Then if you decide she’s not for you, maybe she’ll give me a chance.”
Jesse stopped and looked at his friend. “You mean you asked her out and she turned you down?”
Brendan shrugged as if this was no big deal. “She said she preferred the strong, silent type. So, please, give her a chance for me?”
Jesse chuckled and shook his head. It wasn’t like Brendan didn’t have a slew of other women lined up. Of course, they probably weren’t billionaires like Brie. And Brendan hated it when women turned him down. “I’ll do my best.”
“Thanks, my man.” Brendan slapped his shoulder and hurried toward the parking lot. He probably had a date waiting already.
Jesse continued into the locker room, showered and changed, and then headed out to his car. He hoped the Java Hut was still open. They made a mean Americano and usually had a sandwich or two left that he could snag for dinner. He didn’t mind cooking, but after a long day like today, he just wanted something easy he could eat while watching TV.
“What the?” He did a double take as he passed the building. There was a line out the door. He had never seen it this busy, and while he didn’t really want to stand in line for food, he was curious as to the reason for the lengthy wait.
A block over he found a space and parked the car. He pocketed his keys and tugged on his shirt to make sure it covered his concealed weapon. The last thing he needed was someone spotting his weapon and getting stupid in a crowded place like this.
As he joined the back of the line, he tapped the shoulder of the man in front of him. “What’s the deal with the crowd? I’ve never seen it this busy.”
The man’s eyebrows arched on his forehead. “You mean you didn’t hear? Brie Carter is here serving drinks. I’m going to keep this cup forever or maybe sell it on eBay to the highest bidder. Maybe I’ll buy two drinks, so I can keep one cup and sell the other.”
The man kept rambling, but Jesse stopped listening. What were the odds that Brie would be working here at his favorite coffee shop the night after he met her? Even more ironic was his promise to Brendan to give her a chance. He wasn’t sure he would have called her, but now here she was in front of him. Was this a sign? Sign or not, he wanted to see Brie in this environment. He had a feeling she would be frazzled and way out of her league.
His prediction was spot on. As he entered the small room, he could see the frustration on both Brie’s face and that of her co-workers. Her blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail, but tendrils stuck out at all sides. Sugar or some similar white substance clung to her cheek.
“No, not like that. You’re making an Americano, not a cappuccino.” The male employee - Jesse assumed he was the manager - threw up his hands and shook his head.
“I’ll get it,” Brie said, blowing a puff of air out of her mouth and sending her bangs ruffling.
“It’s all right. I don’t mind an Americano if Brie is making it.” The customer whose drink Brie was working on leaned against the counter and flashed a smile at her.
Jesse rolled his eyes at the man’s obvious flirtation. This was just another reason he didn’t usually go for girls like Brie. Though he wanted a woman he was physically attracted to, he didn’t necessarily want one that everyone was physically attracted to.
It took another ten minutes, but finally Jesse reached the front of the line. “I guess we meet again,” he said as Brie turned to him.
“Well, hey, Jesse, nice to see you again. What can I get for you?” She flashed him a tired smile, but Jesse thought it made her look more relatable.
“Americano is my drink, and it seems to be one you’ve perfected, so I guess I’ll stick with that.”
“Thank you.” Relief was evident in her voice, and he wondered how many drinks she had messed up since she started.
While she made the drink, he scanned the glass container for a sandwich deciding on a BLT which he handed to her when she returned with his drink. “I’ll take this too.”
“Are you staying to eat?”
Jesse scanned the room. Though still crowded, the manager had locked the door to new customers and the men were slowly filing out. “Yeah, I could. Why?”
“I’m almost off. I was hoping maybe I could sit with you and relax a little. It’s been a long day. I know we don’t know each other well, but I don’t know anyone else in here, and I’d rather avoid being hit on.”
Jesse bit his lip to keep his reply to himself. From the way she dressed and approached their table the night before, he had a hard time believing she didn’t enjoy being hit on, but he decided to be nice. “Sure. I’ll just be over there. Join me when you can.”
A few minutes later, Brie slid into the table across from him and dropped her head onto her hands. Jesse raised an eyebrow and took a sip of his coffee. It wasn’t terrible, but it certainly wasn’t as good as normal. “Long day?”
“I didn’t realize work was so hard,” Brie said with a sigh. “I mean I knew work was hard. That’s why I avoided it so long, but I didn’t know it was this hard.”
“So, why did you take the job? You didn’t have to, right?”
Brie dropped her eyes to the tabletop. “This is going to sound awful, but my father made me. He said he would take away my money at the end of the month if I didn’t get a job by then.”
A sarcastic reply bubbled in his throat, but she looked so dejected that he swallowed it and tried for something nicer. “Okay, but why here? Surely pouring coffee isn’t your dream job.”
Brie’s eyes shifted to the side. “I don’t have a lot of skills. I pretty much had to beg for this job. In fact, the crowd of people is the only reason I still have a job. I told Matt I would post on social media that I was working here to get people in. At least that worked because I’m fairly certain I do not make good coffee.”
“It’s not that bad.” Jesse offered her a crooked smile. “And if it makes you feel any better, work gets easier the more you do it.” He didn’t know why, but he felt a little sorry for her.
“I hope so. I’m not sure I can keep doing this all month.”
“Don’t you have any other skills? Didn’t you go to college?”
Brie drug her finger across the table top in an imaginary pattern. “I didn’t go to college. It seemed like too much work.”
Jesse swallowed a bite of his sandwich. “It’s never too late, you know?”
“I know, but I’m not even sure what I want to do. Does that make sense?”
“I’m going to do some community service tomorrow. Why don’t you join me? It may not help you decide exactly what you want to do but seeing how those less fortunate live might give you some clarification.” Jesse had no idea why the words left his mouth, but it was too late to take them back.
Brie stared into his eyes and took a deep breath. He was sure she was going to say no, that community service was beneath her, but after a moment, she nodded. “Sure, that would be fun.”
“Okay. Give me your address, and I’ll pick you up tomorrow around ten am.”
She held out her hand. “Give me your phone.”
“What? Why?”
“So
, I can put my number and address in it, of course.”
Oh, right, he should have known that. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it across the table to her. With a few quick strokes, she input her details and handed it back to him. “I’m going to go home and shower, but I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
She pushed back from the table and made her way to the back of the store. Jesse noticed that her walk was different today. Tired and not as cocky. Perhaps there was hope for her yet.
5
Brie woke the next morning achy and sore. She couldn’t remember the last time she had stood for so long. A massage was definitely in her future. But not today. Today, she had a date with Jesse, and though community service didn’t sound fun, she needed an opportunity to get closer to him to win her bet with Ariel.
She dragged herself out of bed and shuffled to the shower. Hot water would have to do for now. Even though she had showered the previous night when she got home, Brie let the water fall over her for a good ten minutes. It didn’t ease all the knots in her muscles, but it helped.
After she finished and dressed, she wandered into the kitchen. Normally, this would be when she either made or ordered herself a cup of coffee, but after working all day yesterday, she had no desire for the brew. Instead, she settled on a chai tea.
She had just finished the warm drink when her intercom sounded.
“Ms. Carter? There is a Jesse Calhoun here to see you.” The voice of her doorman echoed throughout the house.
Rinsing the cup quickly, Brie hurried to the front door and pressed the speak button. “Yes, I’m expecting him. Send him up.”
She took a moment to check her reflection in the mirror. Her long blond hair had held the curls this morning and they bounced against her shoulders. And the eyeliner she had chosen made her eyes look like emeralds. It was a nice look if she said so herself.
A moment later, the knock came at her door and she opened it to Jesse on the other side.
“Private doorman, huh?” He looked casual in a pair of jeans and a polo shirt.
Brie shrugged and hoped her voice had the nonchalant tone she was going for. “Goes with the territory. Would you like a tour?”
He glanced over her shoulder at the expansive space and shook his head. “I’m good. You ready?”
Brie nodded and followed him into the hall, closing the door behind her, but she couldn’t get her mind off his reaction. He hadn’t seemed interested in her money at all. Nor had he wanted to see how big her TV was or how many channels it got. He hadn’t asked to sit on her Italian leather couches. It was refreshing, but also… odd. Was he really that unconcerned with whom she was or was he playing her? She’d have to keep a close eye out to discern.
“So, where are we going?” she asked as they stepped into the elevator.
“It’s a surprise.” He punched the button for the ground floor and said nothing else.
Brie bit her lip. Getting him to open up would be harder than she thought, and she was running out of time.
The doors opened and with a purposeful stride, Jesse crossed the lobby to the front entrance. Brie hurried to keep up with him. As he pushed open the door, the sounds of New York descended upon them. The constant chatter of people on phones, the shuffling of the crowds on the sidewalks, and the sound of car horns stuck in traffic. Brie loved New York, but one reason she loved her penthouse was that it was an escape from the constant noise of New York.
Jesse led the way to a blue truck parked along the street. Not many people in New York drove trucks. They preferred tiny economical cars they could squeeze into tight spots, but somehow the truck fit Jesse. He opened the passenger door for her, and Brie smiled up at him. She was used to having doors opened for her, but mainly because she had a driver. She couldn’t remember the last time a date had done so for her unless he also had a driver.
Brie slid into the seat, and Jesse walked around the truck and climbed in the driver’s side. He started the engine, and Brie looked over in surprise when Christian music came from the stereo. She supposed she should have expected it since Brendan said he went to church, but Brie knew a lot of people who went to church on Sunday but lived differently during the week.
Even though the traffic was bad, Jesse kept his cool composure as he pulled out into the sea of cars. Nor did he yell angry diatribes when they were stuck for ten minutes in a traffic jam.
“How are you so calm?” she asked when she could contain the curiosity no longer.
Jesse glanced at her out of the corner of his eye before returning his focus to the road. “Well, for one thing my job requires it. I’m the sniper for SWAT, so it’s my job to stay somewhere and keep my calm until the action starts. Two, what difference would yelling make? Will it make the cars go any faster?”
“No, I guess not.”
“So, why get fired up about it? God is in control, and we’ll get there in his time.”
“You really believe in God, don’t you?”
He glanced at her again. “Do you not?”
Brie took a lock of her blond hair and twirled it in her fingers. “To be honest, I’m not sure. I mean I guess I believe something created this world, but I don’t know if I believe in a God who watches out for us.”
The corner of Jesse’s lip pulled up into a smile. “You’ve never needed to trust him. Believe me, one day you will, and then you will know he’s there.”
“Have you? Had that need?”
“Lots of times.” He didn’t elaborate, and Brie didn’t push the subject though she was curious as to what he had faced.
Half an hour later, they pulled up to the children’s hospital. A knot of emotion clogged Brie’s throat. She had never been in this hospital, but she remembered going to the hospital often when her mother had been sick. And she hadn’t stepped foot in one since her mother’s death.
“We’re going here?” Her voice was pinched and soft.
“Yep, it’s what I do when I have time. Bring toys to the kids who are fighting diseases. Some of them have been here so long they start to lose hope. I try to remind them of some simple joys in life.
Brie nodded and tried to swallow her fear. She knew what these kids were going through. Well, not exactly, but close. While she hadn’t been the one sick, she had spent enough time watching her mother lose her battle with cancer that she had been one of those kids who gave up hope.
“You okay?”
Brie didn’t feel like sharing her sob story with him yet, so she pasted a brave face and a smile on and nodded.
Jesse grabbed several bags from the truck bed and handed them to her to carry. Brie struggled under the weight, but she was determined not to complain as she normally would have done. She could tell Jesse would be turned off if she acted like a spoiled rich girl. He grabbed the remaining bags, twice as many as she had, and led the way to the hospital entrance.
As the hospital doors opened, she struggled to control her breathing. The last thing she needed was to have a panic attack right now.
“Well, hello, Officer Calhoun.” A thin black lady smiled and made her way over to Jesse and Brie. “The children will be so happy to see you today.”
“Hey, Nancy, sorry it’s been so long since I’ve been in. Work has kept me busy.”
“We understand that, and believe me, the kids are happy to see you whenever you make it.”
“Thanks.” He gestured to Brie. “This is my friend, Brie. She’s going to help me deliver toys today.”
Nancy turned her kind smile on Brie. “Welcome, Brie. It’s about time Officer Calhoun brought a pretty girl with him.”
Brie felt her cheeks blush at the insinuation. So, Jesse didn’t bring many girls here. That made her feel special, but only for a moment as he jumped in. “Not like that, Nancy. Just friends.”
Nancy’s face took on one of those ‘uh huh sure’ expressions, but she nodded and said. “Okay, whatever you say. Let me get you your visitor passes, and you can head on up.” She led them
over to the desk and tapped on the computer’s keyboard. “I know how to spell Officer Calhoun here, but how do you spell your name, hon?”
“B R I E, like the cheese.”
Jesse snickered and glanced at her. “Were you named after the cheese?”
Brie put her hands on her hips. “No, it’s short for Brienna. It’s Celtic and it means strong.”
His eyes traveled the length of her body, and he smiled. “You might stick with the cheese story. It’s a little more believable.”
Brie swatted his arm in mock anger, but she knew he was kidding and as this was the first time she had seen him start to loosen up, she didn’t want to break the moment.
“Come on, I want to introduce you to my friends.” As Jesse led the way to the elevator, Brie’s stomach knotted again. Would she be able to handle seeing kids going through the same pain her mother had?
The doors opened, and they stepped into the elevator. Brie could feel the walls closing in on her. She needed to do something to distract herself. “So, how long have you been doing this?”
“Three years, I guess. My church issued a challenge to do something for someone else, and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. That night on TV, a commercial came on for St. Jude. I couldn’t cure cancer, but I could do something to brighten kids’ lives, so I went to a local toy store and bought a ton of toys and brought them in. The toy store found out what I was doing and decided to donate toys after that.” He shrugged. “It just kind of took off from there.”
Brie cocked her head and studied him. She had never met anyone like Jesse. He willingly gave up his time and money to help others. A tiny piece of her wondered what that would feel like.
When the elevator stopped, they stepped onto the floor. It looked like every other floor except that the walls were more colorful. Painted murals adorned many of them. Jesse stepped up to the desk and addressed the nurse working there.
“Hey, Linda, are there any kids in need of toys today?”
“Jesse!” The woman’s eyes lit up and a smile stretched across her lips. “Of course, follow me.”
Lawfully Pursued (Christian Opposites Attract Romance): A SWAT Lawkeeper Romance Page 3
