by Tina Leonard
“Maybe I’m getting used to having you in the crook of my arm,” Mason said, pulling her next to him. “Anyway, nothing you do surprises me. I’m relieved you were fibbing about joint custody.”
“It wasn’t really a fib,” Mimi said, starting to get annoyed. “I had every intention. I dialed the number. It’s just not so easy…but maybe tomorrow,” she said, struggling for her pride.
“Nah,” Mason said. “If you quit trying to be the bossy old hen, everything will go a lot more smoothly.”
“As long as you’re the farmer in charge of the coop?” Mimi said, tensing. “When I told you about Nanette, I didn’t realize I was going to be adding another person to my life. I thought we’d stay pretty much on the same paths we’d been on.”
“Are you complaining?” he asked, choosing that moment to feather some light kisses along her hairline. The tension left Mimi slowly. What he was doing to her felt so good!
“Loudly complaining,” she said, and he laughed.
“Sure you are. I hear you. But every once in a while, you get real quiet,” he said, kissing her lips and drawing a sigh of pleasure from her that Mimi was almost embarrassed to hear herself release.
He knew her so well that it was ridiculously easy for him to push her pleasure buttons. The hard part was being in bed with Mr. Hardheaded Cowboy and keeping herself from being tempted beyond all control! She was only human after all, and a human who had been proven quite weak where Mason was concerned.
“Stop,” she said, tearing her lips away from his and pushing against his chest. “I admit it, you’re driving me wild. It feels vaguely sinful and terribly wonderful.” She flopped onto her stomach, protecting her space. “So if you don’t mind, I’m going back to sleep.”
He chuckled. To her amazement, she felt the bed give, and realized he was leaving. Not daring to see what he was doing, she listened as he put on jeans and zipped them. A few more movements and rustling noises, and then he left her room and walked down the hallway.
A few seconds later, she jumped as he said, “I’ve given Nanette one of her stuffed animals she left at my house. I expect her back tomorrow night, and you, as well, Mimi. Or else I will be back.”
“I’ll nail the window shut,” she said, which drew a hearty chuckle from him, and then he left out the window. Mimi blinked in the darkness, somehow feeling abandoned. “We have a front door, you know,” she said sourly. “You don’t have to act like Tarzan, swinging on tree branches.”
But Mason would do exactly what Mason wanted, she knew, and mostly, coming in and out of her window suited him just as well as a door. All the brothers had made use of any entrance and exit to the houses of girls they were pursuing. Why should Mason be any different?
Pursuit, Mimi thought with a start. Mason was pursuing her! Just the way she’d always wanted! Okay, maybe not the way she’d dreamed about, but he was pursuing her as the other Jefferson men had pursued their women!
She tingled all over thinking about it. But it was his heart that she wanted most of all. She’d waited all these years to get it, eventually giving up hope.
And Mimi held close to another secret, one she hadn’t included in the truth she’d told Mason tonight. She longed for another child…with him. He had many times said he didn’t want children, that he’d raised all his brothers and had no desire whatsoever for more raising to do. But when he’d found out about Nanette, he’d realigned his position to include raising his daughter. And he had mentioned another child on the day they hadn’t made love….
He was a good father. Such a good father, in fact, that a sweet kernel of desire for another one of Mason’s babies had sprung to life inside Mimi’s heart.
I want him. I want his love. I want to share his life, and I want him to tell me he wants our family to grow.
Then she would know that he was marrying her for her—and not just because he was determined not to be a deserting father. This way of thinking was dangerous territory, she knew, but it was the only territory she wanted to claim as her own. House was not a game she was interested in playing. It was all or nothing. And since she’d already had nothing with Mason, she could easily hold out for all.
No matter how sexy his kisses.
MASON GRINNED as Sheriff Cannady came into his office. Since it was Sunday afternoon, and not much was happening in town, there was probably only one reason Mimi’s father was coming to visit him, and it wasn’t to see his old office.
“Hello, Sheriff,” Mason said, standing to shake his hand. “Sit down and tell me how life’s treating you.”
The sheriff sat, but he really didn’t smile. “Life’s good. Can’t complain. Helga’s making me eat lactofermented cabbage and health foods, and I have to go see a woman who gives me a special rubdown once a week. She’s a big girl, like Helga, and I don’t dare tell her no. Helga claims it’s all beneficial to my liver. Mimi agrees with everything Helga says, so I’m starting to be more pliable about it.”
Mason grinned. “I only get the cabbage treatment.”
“You wait,” Mimi’s father told him. “One day, there’ll be no more carrot cake for you. You’ll get ginger tea for dessert instead.”
Mason laughed. “She’s a gold mine.”
The sheriff looked at him, then kicked his boots up on his old desk. “So last night, I was getting some winks in, and I heard a strange noise. Sort of like a window going up, and then boots dropping on the floor.” He pinned a gimlet gaze on Mason. “Strangely, I never heard the doorbell ring, nor the front door open.”
Mason raised his eyebrows and said nothing, realizing the sheriff had decided to get on with the topic he’d come to discuss.
“So I was thinking about this, seeing as how I really enjoy nighttime visitors,” the sheriff said. “I was thinking how much sheriffing meant to me over the years. Maybe I would have been nothing in life, but this town elected me to be sheriff, and I hung on to that faith the people had in me, even when I was real sick. Damn near died, you know, but I wouldn’t surrender my badge.”
“No, sir, you didn’t.” Mason nodded. “Mimi was real proud of your spunk.”
The sheriff scratched his head. “See, and that’s the funny thing. I thought my daughter would take my spot. Mimi would be a good sheriff, you know. She loves everybody, and everybody loves her. But she’s tough as nails, by golly, and wouldn’t think twice about spitting in the eye of the meanest bull on the planet.”
Mason laughed. “She’s run us all ragged over the years, Sheriff. No end to the excitement she brings to life.”
“Yep.” He nodded, satisfied with the compliment. “So I was thinking about that window and those boots and I’m thinking about how we live in town now. It’s not like living out on our ranch, you know. Not nearly so much privacy. Tons of social occasions, and it’s great to be close to Valentine’s bakery, but no privacy. If you know what I mean.” His stare was pointed.
“Ah, I think I’m getting your meaning,” Mason said slowly.
“It’s only because of what the badge meant to me,” the sheriff said. “Respect. It’s a helluva lot of respect the people of Union Junction give their sheriff. I think there comes a time when fun and games must go by the wayside.” He pointed at a picture on the wall of himself as sheriff with several prominent townspeople. “Perhaps it’s hard to respect a sheriff who shinnies up trees and sneaks in windows to get to a lady’s bedroom.”
Mason nodded. “Yes, I do see your point.”
The sheriff stood. “Well, I hope you do. As I say, we really enjoy our visitors at the town house. In fact, you might even say that a certain sheriff is a great favorite in our home.”
Mason nodded. “But you’d prefer the sheriff to use the front door.”
Sheriff Cannady held up his hands as he walked to the door. “Or the back door, son, it doesn’t matter. We’re not particular in the Cannady household. Door, not window, is all we ask. For the sake of the badge. And…for my daughter’s reputation. People would be expecting me
to get a shotgun after a man sneaking into my daughter’s bedroom, you see. And I haven’t got a shotgun or any firearms anymore. Not since Nanette came into my life. Not safe around children, you know.”
Mason looked at the sheriff. Nanette had brought a lot of changes to everyone’s life. He knew how much a grandchild had meant to Sheriff Cannady. “Appreciate you coming by, Sheriff.”
“Good visiting with you…Sheriff,” he said. Then he nodded. “You boys are like sons to me, Mason.”
Mason smiled. “I know. Thanks.”
The sheriff left, his shoulders straight and proud, and Mason knew he was looking at one of the finest men he’d ever known. “Door, not window,” he murmured, trying not to smile.
The sheriff was absolutely right. Mason needed to respect the badge, and Mimi, and the sheriff himself. Which meant he was going to have to find another way to sneak up on Miss Mimi. She was known for keeping doors tightly shut.
He was shocked when she stepped inside his office just then, like really good karma. “Hey,” he said. “Your dad just left.”
“Oh?” Mimi’s eyebrows rose. “What was he doing here?”
Since he could tell she honestly had no idea about her father’s request, Mason decided to avoid raising the issue and see what she had on her mind. “Reminiscing over his old office,” Mason said.
Mimi nodded. “The only reason Dad’s been able to completely give up being the sheriff is because you took the job. He thinks you’ll make a good one.”
“If I put away my childish ways,” Mason said.
She frowned.
He grinned. “Come here and sit in my lap. You make me happy just looking at your pixie face.”
She shook her head. “We have important things to discuss.”
“Oh. Important things. Well, that sounds…important.”
“It is,” Mimi said earnestly. “Mason, you can’t sneak in my window anymore.”
“And you can’t keep my daughter away from me. Which you have known since you told me about her.” He frowned at her. “Mimi, I am not a second-rate dad. I didn’t have one, and you didn’t have one, and our child is not going to have one. It’s not my way.”
“Maybe there’s a solution,” she said.
“Excellent,” Mason said, thinking they might be getting somewhere with the marriage proposal.
He got up, closed the door and locked it. “Your father wants me to respect the badge,” Mason said softly. “And you.”
Chapter Ten
Mimi’s blood tingled as she looked at the hooded expression Mason wore. Why had he locked the door? “Dad is very protective of everything,” she said, trying to sound normal.
“So am I,” he said, picking her up and sitting her on top of his desk. He kissed her neck and ran his hands underneath her skirt.
Mimi’s heart raced. “I just think everything should be out in the open.”
He slipped down the straps of her spaghetti top. “I agree.” His hands cupped her breasts, and Mimi realized talking was not on Mason’s agenda. She tried to slide off the desk, but he moved between her legs, holding her prisoner.
“Mason,” she said on a gasp, trying to fight the tingling flashing through every sensual part of her body, “what does this have to do with our discussion?”
Warm fingers pulled her panties down and began a tantalizing dance on her most private area. All thoughts of her battle plan flew into disarray. Moaning against Mason’s shoulder, she caressed the strong muscles of his back. “I do respect you, Mimi Cannady, even if you drive me nuts.”
She couldn’t think for the magic of his touch. This man—she had loved him all her life. First as a best friend, then as more. Nuzzling his neck, Mimi undid his belt buckle and jeans. “I respect you, too,” she said, “but you drive me nuts.”
His low chuckle tautened her nipples. He was so sexy, so powerful, so manly! She breathed in his scent. There was never going to be another man like Mason, and her heart knew it, as well as the most feminine part of her body. So when he pulled her forward onto his heat, she wrapped her legs around him and held on for dear life as he rocked into her.
“Oh, God,” she said on a groan that came from deep inside. “Everything about you feels so good.”
He suckled her breasts, and she tried not to scream because it was a public building, but when his hand slid between them to tease her hotly, Mimi couldn’t help the sound that ripped from her. Mason groaned, gripped by her unbridled pleasure, which sent her over the edge again. “Mason!” she gasped.
Deepening their connection, he cried out his own release against her lips, sending chills of joy and secret pride into her heart. Mimi knew right then that four years had been too long to wait to be with the man of her dreams.
Four years was too long to wait for sensual heaven.
THIRTY MINUTES LATER, Mason had talked a flustered Mimi into leaving the sheriff’s office. She was convinced that everyone in the town knew what she’d done on a Sunday, in her father’s old office.
He laughed at her and tugged her outside. “I hope you’re proud of yourself,” he said, “taking me away from my duties.”
“I am,” she said, “if somewhat embarrassed.”
“Don’t be. Every sheriff should have his future wife christen his office in such a manner.”
“Now, Mason,” Mimi said, stopping on the sidewalk not far from the Union Junction Salon. “Let’s not get crazy.”
He laughed. “Mimi, over the years, it was me saying that to you. Remember when you talked me into sending that silly e-mail to Julia about a housekeeper, and it brought all the stylists out to my house?”
Mimi frowned, which he thought was cute. He loved reminding her that she had a penchant for trouble.
“That’s not what I meant, Mason. I am not your future wife. Not at this moment. I can’t even think about that right now.”
“After what we shared, you’re thinking about marrying me, Mimi,” he said mildly.
She gave him a glare. “Mason, you are not yourself. What happened to Mr. Methodical? Mr. Slowpoke?”
“He’s ready to start a family, Mimi,” Mason said cheerfully.
Mimi stared at him. “I never thought I’d hear you say that.”
He shrugged. “Nanette needs a little sister or brother.”
The look on her face was priceless.
“Mason, I don’t even know you anymore,” Mimi said, seeming lost by the admission.
“Did you think I wouldn’t want more children?”
“Well,” Mimi said, “you always said you didn’t want a big family. That you’d raised enough kids.”
“Yeah, but…I’m done now. My boys are all gone. I don’t have to be father-big-brother-uncle-teacher-coach anymore. I can walk my own path.” Grinning, he swept her into his arms, right in broad daylight, which surprised her into compliance. That was what Mimi needed, more surprise and less room to maneuver her own thoughts, he decided. “My dad had twelve,” he said.
Gasping, she wriggled down out of his arms. “Mason Jefferson, you are a corn-fed bull if you think I believe you want twelve children.”
“From this day forward, I am making love to you every single day,” he promised. “Let’s see how many we can make.”
She shook her head, obviously stunned. “You’re crazy.”
“Nah. Just happen to think twelve’s a great number when it comes to children.”
“And here I was thinking that the idea of children would put you off,” Mimi said. “I’ll have to find another way.”
“To put me off marriage? Why? You’ve tried so hard all these years to catch me.”
He loved watching her suck in her breath with indignation. A grin broke out on his face that he couldn’t have controlled if he wanted to.
“I did not try hard to catch you, Mason. It’s just amazing that head of yours can fit inside your hat.” She twirled and went down the street, her feet marching her stubbornly toward the Union Junction Salon. Mason grinned wider.
She’d be back—and it would be on his terms this time.
He was going to romance that little girl until she finally realized that she was his—and if he’d started a little slow in the romance department, according to Last, well, then that just meant the best times were ahead of him.
But when he went to her house that night, holding a bouquet of wildflowers he’d picked himself, and the sheriff opened the front door for him, Mason learned an uncomfortable lesson about a woman whose stated desire was to escape the marriage noose.
“She’s gone, son,” Sheriff Cannady said. “She and Nanette are staying in the Union Junction Salon. They had a room available, you know, since Lily got married.”
Through his shock, pain and anger, Mason told himself to stay calm. Mimi was an easily frightened filly, who needed a gentle hand to lure her to his will.
Actually, Mimi was a spirited filly who was determined to do as she damn well pleased, and hang whatever he thought. Mason felt his jaw clenching and told himself to relax. “I’ll go scout her out.”
“I’d wait a bit, Mason,” the sheriff said kindly. “Sometimes you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. I think she needs a little time to clear her head.”
Mason shook his head. “She’s had all the time she’s getting, sir.” He pinned his badge on Sheriff Cannady’s chest. “Just to make sure I don’t disrespect the badge.”
MIMI TOOK A DEEP BREATH as she and Nanette looked around their temporary room. “This is beautiful, isn’t it, honey?” She loved the feeling of being in a room meant for a woman, in a house of women.
For the first time in her life, maybe, Mimi felt herself relax. This was the vacation she needed. “It’s better than a weekend at a spa,” Mimi told Nanette, settling the little girl on the bed to tie her shoe.
“What’s a spa?”
Mimi smiled. “It’s a place to take a vacation and be pampered.”
“What’s a vacation?”
“Something I don’t think I’ve ever taken you on.” Mimi looked at her tiny, wonderful daughter. “You’ll be in school in a few years. Let’s enjoy this vacation, and then take another, before you get busy with your education.”
