by Jenna Brandt
Zach shrugged. “How would I know? It’s not like I have a need to know that kind of stuff.”
“One day you’ll find the right girl and settle down. You just haven’t found her yet.”
“And I probably never will. Casual dating is more my speed. I don’t want anything serious,” Zach countered.
“Even if it was with someone like Erica?” Aiden probed. “You’ve had a thing for her ever since you met her when we were planning my wedding.”
“She’s hot, I’ll give you that, but there’s no way I can deal with her good girl attitude.”
“If you really made an effort to show you’re a good guy rather than always putting on a façade that you’re a player, you could have a chance with her,” Aiden pointed out.
“I’ve tried to get her to like me, but I think it’s a lost cause.”
“Never say never. I have a gut feeling about you two. I don’t think you should count yourself out completely.”
Zach decided there was no point in arguing with Aiden even though he knew Erica was a relationship-type girl, and Zach just wasn’t into that. There was no way he could be what she wanted.
The men spent the rest of the time talking about video games and football as they hiked down the mountain. At the base, they reached the Clear Mountain police SUV and loaded their dogs into the kennels in the back of the vehicle.
They reached the police substation where a curvy brunette wearing a skin-tight navy blue suit with high heels and a short skirt was waiting. Before they were barely out of the car, Natalie Watts, the newspaper reporter for the Clear Mountain Gazette, was pouncing on them.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Officer O’Connell, Officer Turner.”
“Why’s that?” Aiden asked, raising in eyebrow in question as he let out a large sigh. “Don’t you have better things to be doing then waiting around here for us, Miss Watts?”
She shook her head. “On the contrary, I heard you rescued two hikers, one of whom was attacked by a bear. Care to comment on what happened out there?” Natalie inquired, pushing her voice recorder towards them.
“Like I’ve told you a dozen times, Miss Watts, we were just doing our job,” Aiden stated with irritation. “Now, we really need to get inside and file our paperwork.”
Zach pulled Aiden out of earshot, then leaned over and whispered, “You can handle the paperwork for the both of us, right partner? If you don’t mind, I think I’ll take Miss Watts up on her offer and spend a little time giving her some comments.”
Aiden rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say, Zach. At least you’ll be keeping her from bugging me.” Glancing at the flirtatious woman, he added with a warning, “Don’t get into too much trouble,” Aiden turned around heading through the doors of the substation.
“What was that all about?” Natalie said with a pout. “I don’t think he likes me very much.”
“What does that matter when you’ve got me around anyway? Why don’t we head over to The Lucky Penny where you can talk me into giving you all the quotes you like.”
A sultry smile curved the woman’s mouth as she tilted her head to the side. “Fine. I guess I can finally give in, Officer Turner. I’ll follow you over in my car.”
Zach was looking forward to spending the night with Natalie. Though she could be annoying at times, she was smoking hot, and there wouldn’t be any strings attached to their time together. Just what he liked, a woman who didn’t want more than Zach was willing to give.
Two
Her cell phone dinged a third time. Erica was going to be late; really late this time. It seemed like it was happening a lot lately, more than she would have liked. Between her crazy work schedule as a dental assistant, volunteering at the church with the junior high kids, and helping Lindsay with her daughter’s birthday party, Erica was full to the brim with commitments. Add in her endless attempts at dating, and Erica sometimes didn’t know if she was coming or going.
Last night had been just another unfortunate disaster in her long list of dating catastrophes. When was she going to learn that online dating just wasn’t going to work for her. None of the guys measured up to what they presented on the internet. Her latest date turned out to be lying about being a Christian and was already three alcoholic beverages in by the time she got there. As soon as she could get away, she made her excuses. What was she doing wrong? Why couldn’t she just meet a nice guy like Lindsay’s husband, Aiden?
Not wanting to put herself in a bad mood right before church, she pushed the bad date from her mind and focused on the extra-large travel mug in her hand. “Thank goodness for strong coffee,” she whispered as she took a swig just as she arrived at her car in the parking lot.
Coffee was her one constant in life. Lindsay joked Erica was addicted to the stuff, and maybe she was right. All Erica knew was that it made any bad situation a little better for her.
Erica opened the car door of her ten-year-old Toyota Camry, then slid into the driver’s seat, saying a prayer it would start. The car had been acting squirrelly lately but she didn’t want to spend the money to fix it when she’d been saving up for another one. Her college car just needed to last her another three months and she would have enough money.
The turn of the key in the ignition proved fruitless. Nothing happened. Oh, geez, what was she going to do if it didn’t start? She had special plans with the kids today at church and she didn’t want to disappoint them by not making it there on time.
Erica should have just said “no” when her boss’s secretary, Layla, called and asked her to come in to assist on an emergency tooth extraction. When she took the job in the first place, Erica had told Dr. Michelson she wouldn’t do emergency work on Sundays. When she found out there was no one else and it was a five-year-old kid, she couldn’t refuse. She was a sucker when a kid was in trouble. It’s why she started working with the junior high schoolers at Clear Mountain Assembly. It was probably why she got along so well with Lindsay, her best friend and former roommate, who was a social worker. They both wanted to help as many kids as they could.
“Come on, baby,” Erica whispered to the car, twisting the key in the ignition once more holding her breath hoping the results would be different this time. The hum of the engine came to life. She let out a sigh of relief as she started the drive to church. If she hurried, she would only be a few minutes late and just in time to lead the games.
She was only two blocks from Clear Mountain Assembly when she saw the lights and sirens in her rear-view mirror.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she said, slamming her hands against the steering wheel of her car. There was a small shudder from the vehicle, and she quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, baby, don’t quit on me now. Let me take care of this and we’ll get back on our way.”
Hopefully it was going to be one of Aiden’s cop friends like Brooke or Connor and she could just apologize before they let her go. Erica pleaded with God that it wasn’t the one officer she didn’t want to see. She wasn’t in the mood to deal with Zach Turner.
Just as his name came floating into her mind, his face came into view. Ugh, what am I going to do now? Erica thought with disgust. If it had been anyone else, this wouldn’t have been so bad, but it had to be him. It was going to take all her energy just to be cordial to the man, let alone appeal to his good side—which she wholeheartedly didn’t even think he had—in order to get out of this. If she had to pay for a speeding ticket, she would have to wait another month before she could get her new car.
“License and registration, please,” Zach said, all business, as he bent down to look through the car window.
Erica didn’t want to admit it, but he looked good with his black hair slicked to the side and his piercing blue eyes twinkling at her. Their gorgeous color was only enhanced by his dark blue uniform, which hugged him in all the right places. As the gleam of his polished badge shined in the spring morning light, it was all Erica could do to not gawk at him.
His name and position was
clearly stitched above the pockets of both sides of his chiseled chest; Turner, K-9 Unit. The Clear Mountain Police Department was small, so when Zach and Aiden weren’t working search and rescue cases, they were helping out with routine traffic stops and standard calls of service. Aiden was off on Sundays for church, but Erica wasn’t surprised Zach was working. Religion didn’t even register on his radar.
As his eyes settled on Erica, they grew wide for a moment before he crossed his arms and winked. “I didn’t expect to find you behind the wheel, but I can’t say I mind the fact.”
Erica leaned over and pulled out her registration from the glove compartment and her license from her purse. She turned her attention back to Zach, glaring at him as she accused, “Oh, really, you didn’t know it was me? Deanna’s my close friend and she runs the Clear Mountain police dispatch. She would recognize my name.”
Zach shrugged. “It’s Deanna’s day off so we had a rookie on the radio.”
She thought about his explanation for a moment and realized he might be telling the truth. Deanna had recently started going to church, so a shift in her schedule made sense. Still, he could have asked who the car belonged to, and she wondered if he knew and was teasing her.
“Whatever, here you go, Officer,” she said with audible irritation as she shoved the requested items at him.
His eyebrows raised in amusement, as a lopsided grin settled on his face. He raised his hand, refusing the items. “I don’t need those. Now that I know it’s you, there’s no need to pull up your record. I won’t find any surprises with your constant good girl shield up.”
Erica narrowed her hazel eyes, her grip tightening on the steering wheel. She had a good mind to tell him off, but a small part of her wondered if he would have the gall to arrest her if she did. Besides, she was already so late, she needed to get out of there as quickly as possible.
“Are you going to write me the ticket already. I know I was speeding; I was late for church. I don’t have time for your games today, Zach.”
He tilted his head to the side like he was contemplating his options. A few moments later, he spoke using a flirtatious voice, “You know, if you just agreed to go out with me, all this tension between us would disappear.”
“No, that’s not what’s going on at all,” Erica stated vehemently, trying to deny it to herself as much as him. Even though she didn’t want it to be true, there had been tension between them from the first time they met because of the obvious attraction. The problem was, he was an obnoxious, egotistical playboy and she had no time for a guy like that, let alone one who openly ridiculed her faith. “I’m irritated because I think you’re wasting my time on purpose, knowing I’ll never agree to go on a date with you.”
He let out a chuckle. “Keep telling yourself that, Erica, but I’ll wear you down some day.” Gesturing towards the road in front of her, he added, “You can go on your way. I’m not giving you a ticket today. Just slow down so you don’t end up in an accident. Wouldn’t want to mess up that pretty face of yours.”
Tossing her brown curly hair over her shoulder, she put the car into drive and took off. She couldn’t get away from Zach fast enough. Even as she tried to focus on all the reasons she despised him, she couldn’t help but have his handsome face taunt her all the way to church.
Three
Kids parties weren’t really Zach’s scene, but he didn’t want to hurt Aiden’s feelings, not to mention Alex looked up to Zach and considered him an uncle. He didn’t want to disappoint either of them, but the idea of spending the afternoon with a bunch of screaming kids made him stiffen with apprehension.
He took a deep breath as he raised his hand to knock on the front door. A quick glance over at Natalie beside him, and he was at least grateful he would have a welcome distraction for the party. She was sexy in all the right ways and he enjoyed flirting with her, but it was unlike Zach to go out twice with the same girl in one week. He didn’t do serious, and though Natalie seemed interested in keeping it casual, he didn’t want her to get the wrong idea. This would be the last time he went out with her for a while. He’d have to cool things down after this.
Bringing her had been an impulsive last-minute decision, wanting to bring along a pretty buffer to keep him from chasing after Erica all day. Though he found Erica attractive, he was tired of her constant rejection. There had been a steady stream of it, starting all the way back to when he was Aiden’s best man and Erica was Lindsay’s maid of honor. From the wedding rehearsal when she chastised him for bringing an obnoxious date, to when she caught the bouquet and Zach caught the garter forcing them to be required to take a picture together, her disdain for him was always present. The worst incident was when he tried to convince her they should spend the night together.
“You know, it’s traditional that the best man and the maid of honor hook up at the wedding,” Zach stated in his most flirtatious tone.
“How many times do I have to tell you the same thing, Zach? I’m not interested. I can’t be with someone like you,” Erica insisted in an irritated tone as she scowled at him.
“You keep saying that, but I can tell you’re attracted to me. It’s great because it goes both ways,” Zach appealed to her, adding, “It’s why I didn’t bring a date tonight. I wanted to be available for you.”
Erica snorted as she tried to push past him, saying, “More likely, you couldn’t get a date.”
He reached out and gently pulled her back towards him. “Honey, I can get a date if I want to, no problem.”
“Don’t call me honey,” she ordered, scrunching up her face. “It grosses me out.”
“Come on. You’ve got to realize its fate. We caught the bouquet and the garter. We’re supposed to end up together. Give me one good reason why we shouldn’t.”
“Well, I’m a Christian, and I don’t believe in fate. I believe in what the Bible tells me, which means I don’t hook up with people, or date guys who do.”
“Maybe I can persuade you to forget about all that religious stuff for the night. I promise I’ll make it worth it. All you have to do—”
Their conversation was interrupted when Aiden came in the room and asked for Zach’s help. In hindsight, Zach realized he came on too strong. Erica was a nice girl, and he didn’t take that into account. The truth was, she was the exact opposite type of woman he usually pursued. He didn’t do emotional attachments and she seemed as if that would be exactly what she needed to ever give him the time of day.
“How long do we have to stay at this thing?” Natalie whined, drawing his attention back to the present. She batted her long fake eyelashes at him as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I want to head over to The Lucky Penny and have some fun.”
Zach glanced at his watch and shrugged. “Just a couple of hours; it’s only three o’clock. Once we get out of here, I’ll take you to dinner and then over to the bar.”
“Fine,” she said, letting out a huff as she placed her hand on her hip. “Let’s get this over with. I’m already itching to go and I haven’t even seen a single cupcake or bratty kid.”
Even though Zach wasn’t a big kid person, he didn’t like Natalie’s sour attitude towards his niece or nephews. He had to bite back his rebuke knowing if he was gruff with her, he would be ruining any chance of getting lucky later tonight.
Zach knocked on the door, and a few moments later a frazzled Aiden opened it. He glanced from Zach to Natalie with a shocked look before he stepped back and gestured for them to enter. “Come in, but let me warn you, there’s a lot of pink tiaras and princess gowns floating around here.”
Natalie leaned over and whispered to Zach as they walked inside, “See, I told you this was going to be awful.”
“I’ll make it up to you later,” Zach promised with a wink. “You’ll forget all about this in a few hours.”
She rolled her eyes as she whispered back, “You’re going to owe me big for this one, Zach. I mean big.”
Just as they came to the back of the
ranch-style house, Lindsay, Aiden’s wife came over to them. She looked over at Natalie and said with surprise, “I recognize you. We’ve bumped into each other a few times. You’re Natalie Watts from the newspaper.”
She nodded, her face smug from the recognition. “Yes, Zach here invited me along to come to this…” Natalie glanced around the room and said with veiled disgust, “quaint little party of yours.”
Zach tried to ignore Natalie’s behavior by focusing on Aiden and his wife. He handed a card over to Lindsay, saying, “This is for Mandy. It has a gift card inside as I have no idea what to get a little girl.”
“That was nice of you, Zach. She’ll love being able to go to the store and pick out what she wants,” Lindsay stated, putting the card over at the nearby gift table that was piled high with pink and purple packages covered in polka dots, unicorns, and fairies.
“You got any beer around here?” Zach asked, looking for anything with alcohol which would make this party more bearable.
“It’s a kid’s party, Zach. You’re going to have to make do with root beer,” Aiden explained.
“Or there’s punch and tea out back,” Lindsay offered. “We also have snacks and pizza.”
If he couldn’t have beer, at least pizza would make it a little better. He moved towards the sliding glass door, but just as he opened it, he found Erica standing on the other side, holding a giant glass punch bowl.
Four
“We need more ice in the punch bowl,” Erica said, clutching the glass bowl in her hands. She sidestepped past Zach, and moved towards the kitchen. She placed the punch bowl down on the counter, her eyes darting from Zach to Natalie. A disapproving frown formed on her lips. “Alex is asking for you, Aiden. He said they need help with the bounce house.”
“Thanks for letting me know, Erica. I’ll catch up with you all in a bit,” Aiden said, kissing the top of Lindsay’s head before heading outside.
