Protected by the Lawman

by Carver, Rhonda Lee

  “You sound like me now.” Ria smiled.

  “Now let’s hope one of us listens.”

  ~~~***~~~

  This was the first time he’d seen Ria in two weeks and although Phoenix realized he was anxious, he would have never believed that he could be this nervous. She hadn’t said anything in her text message except simply asking him to stop by to see her when he could. After spending almost five minutes staring at the message, he’d finally texted her back with, “I’ll be there after my shift. 6 P.M.”

  He had no clue why she wanted to see him, but he could only hope she’d listen to him. In fact, as each day rolled into another without hearing from her, his disbelief had gradually started to turn into anger. Hell, he wasn’t the smartest man around, but a man knew when he was given the runaround for something other than the obvious. Sure, he understood she was scared, but so was he. Katy had done a number on him, but on the positive note, she did the best thing for him by letting him go. They’d been miserable arguing more than not, and that was one of the reasons he stayed at work all the time. Sure, it was no excuse, but it was the truth.

  Ria was different. He loved her, but she’d have to trust him—trust their love.

  “Thank you for coming by.” She stepped back and motioned for him to come in.

  “I have to admit, I was a bit taken back when I saw your message.” He stepped past her, dragged off his hat and held it against his chest. The place was a lot different than he remembered from the last time he was here. “You have new flooring and couch.”

  “Although the cleaners had come in and taken care of the mess that was left, there were stains on the old floor and couch. That wouldn’t have helped grow business again.”

  “Did you lose a lot of clients?”

  “A few.” She closed the door quietly, then turned back to him. “Can’t say I blame people. I’ve thought about selling the house, moving and opening a place downtown.”

  “Is that what you want?” He understood how hard it would be for her to start anew.

  She shrugged. “Not really, but it’s probably best. She smiled but it didn’t fade the dark circles under her eyes. He had them too. He hadn’t slept more than a few winks each night. “I have a few of your things. A shirt and the blanket I used at the cabin.” She pointed to the neatly folded stack sitting on the couch.

  He dropped his arms to his sides. “You called me here so you could return a blanket and shirt?” he asked in disbelief.

  Her tongue came out to roll over her bottom lip. “They are yours.”

  “And I don’t give a damn about them,” he said in a low, tight voice. “You should have thrown them into the trash.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “No. I didn’t ask you to come here to return your items. I-I just thought it’d break the ice.”

  “Well, sweetheart, if there’s a layer of ice, it’s because you’ve created it between us.” Realizing how gruff his words were, he sighed. He had a hard time holding back his emotions.

  “Right, but…” she gave her head a shake sending tendrils of her hair around her cheeks. She brought a hand up and pushed them back into the blonde mass.

  “No buts, Ria.”

  “Did you see Katy?”

  “Yes, I did, but she stopped by because she’s having a hard time and wanted to tell me she’s sorry.”

  “Because she wants you back…”

  “No, because her new husband cheated on her and she realized karma had caught up to her. And just so you know, even if she did want me back, I wouldn’t want her.”

  “She hurt you.”

  “Yeah, she did, but my heart belongs to another. You.”

  “Yes, but you don’t know me.”

  “I don’t want to feel like I have to wade through Jamie’s baggage to convince you. Truth is, before I fell for you, I knew exactly what I was getting into—exactly the type of person you are. I knew without a doubt that you were compassionate, caring, and although you can’t see me with your eyes, you see me with your heart. That’s all I needed to know. A relationship isn’t something you can tiptoe in. You have to be willing to jump in.”

  Her face paled. “You love me?”

  He swallowed. “Yeah, I do.”

  “I’m glad.” Her bottom lip shook.

  “Although I’ve wondered why a dozen times over the last few weeks, I do, Ria. Enough that I know I want to spend my life with you, but only if you feel the same.”

  “To think I’ve been utterly miserable for the last fourteen days.”

  “Have you?”

  “I’ve missed you like crazy. But I’m still scared. I know you believe someone in love should be willing to jump in fully, and I’ve never considered my disability as a crutch, but if I give myself to someone I must believe, without a doubt, that I can trust him. I need to rely on him every day, for simple things like putting a spice container back where it belongs in the cabinet. Being vulnerable to someone isn’t easy.”

  He tossed his hat onto the couch and took four steps across the room to reach her. “Listen, sweetheart. I’m here for you. I’ll make mistakes, maybe forget important things at times, but I’ll always be here for you. I know you think you’re too independent to depend on someone, but I’m the guy. I have broad shoulders. I’ll protect you when you need protected, but I’ll never suffocate you or make you feel incapable. Same for me. Please be the one who I come home to and spill the horrors of my day to. The one who sees me even at my worst. Trust me. Give your heart to me.”

  “We’re in for a ride. Do you know that?”

  “Does that mean I have your heart?”

  “I think you stole it on the dance floor that first dance,” she admitted. “I love you.”

  He did what he’d wanted to do since he stepped into her house. He wrapped his arms around her and dragged her in for a kiss that was full of need.

  “Thank goodness. I thought I was going to have to tie her up and make her listen to you.”

  Phoenix froze. “You didn’t tell me we weren’t alone,” he whispered.

  Ria laughed. “That’s Kora. She wasn’t supposed to be snooping from the studio,” Ria said it loud enough for Kora to overhear. “Ignore her.”

  “I plan to.” He lowered his mouth and kissed her deeply.

  EPILOGUE

  “TELL ME WHAT she looks like.”

  “I have. A dozen times,” Phoenix laughed.

  “I know, but I never get tired of hearing how pretty she is.” Ria gently caressed their daughter’s smooth cheek, still in disbelief that a few hours ago she’d given birth.

  “Okay. Anything for my beautiful wife. Rose has thick, black hair like mine and a tilted nose like yours. Although she’s so tiny, I can feel the strength in her grip. I figure she gets that from both of us. She’s a little pink. While she sleeps she puckers her bottom lip. I think I’ll get used to seeing that a lot when she’s trying to wrap me around her little finger.”

  “Knock. Knock. The aunties have arrived.”

  Phoenix looked up and shook his head. “What do you ladies have there?”

  Phyllis laughed. “Presents. Some for momma and most for that cute button of a baby.”

  “Nothing for me?” he teased.

  “You didn’t push out a seven-pound package, did you?” Kora said in her usual teasing way.

  “No, but for nine months I was the one who made a number of middle of the night trips for ice cream and sardines.”

  “Are you complaining?” Ria piped in.

  “Not one bit, baby.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

  “I’m glad she decided to make her appearance before I left for Paris,” Kora touched Rose’s cheek. “Are you sure it’s okay?”

  “Kora, we aren’t going back to that. I want you to be happy and your man will never forgive me if I keep you from being with him. Keep in mind, we’ll be there for the wedding and I’ll finally get the dream vacation I’ve always wanted, but this will be a dream more per
fect that I could ever have imagined.” She took Phoenix’s hand and squeezed.

  “You better have that wedding in the next six months if you want me to come too,” Phyllis said.

  Ria’s mouth dropped. “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

  “No. I’ve decided to open my own law office. For the first year I’ll have to dedicate a lot of time, but long term I’ll have more with the family. Troy has also taken another position that will offer more time at home too. The eight grand we spent on marriage counseling and getaway trips to work on our marriage paid off in a big way.”

  Rose joined in with a cry of complaint. “Uh-oh. Someone’s hungry.”

  “Okay. We’ll leave the presents and hit the road,” Phyllis kissed Ria on the cheek. “I know how it is for new families. It’s important to spend time with just the three of you.”

  Once they left, Phoenix settled himself next to her on the bed. “Thank you, my love, for saving me. All along it was you protecting me.”

  “You say that, but we protect each other, and now we will protect her.” She kissed Rose on the cheek. “Our love has come full circle.”

  Not the end, but only the beginning…

  From the author:

  Thank you for reading. Please leave a review and let others know your thoughts.

  Hugs,

  Rhonda Lee Carver

  At an early age, Rhonda fell in love with romance novels, knowing one day she’d write her own love story. Life took a short detour, but when the story ideas were no longer contained, she decided to dive in and write. Her first plot was on a dirty napkin she found buried in her car. Eventually, she ran out of napkins. With baby on one hip and laptop on the other, she made a dream into reality—one word at a time.

  Her specialty is men who love to get their hands dirty and women who are smart, strong and flawed. She loves writing about the everyday hero.

  When Rhonda isn’t crafting sizzling manuscripts, you will find her busy editing novels, blogging, juggling kids and animals (too many to name), dreaming of a beach house and keeping romance alive. Oh, and drinking lots of coffee to keep up with her hero and heroine.

  For other titles by Rhonda Lee Carver, please visit: www.rhondaleecarver.com.

  Find me on Facebook, too! www.facebook.com/rhondalee.carver

  Other books by Rhonda Lee Carver

  Diamond in a Rose

  Double Dare

  Delaney’s Sunrise

  Second Chance Cowboy (Book 1, Second Chance Series)

  Second Ride Cowboy (Book 2, Second Chance Series)

  Second Round Cowboy (Book 3, Second Chance Series)

  Second Dance Cowboy (Book 4, Second Chance Series)

  Second Song Cowboy (Book 5, Second Chance Series)

  Second Burn Cowboy (Book 6, Second Chance Series)

  Second Hope Cowboy (Book 7, Second Chance Series)

  Second Sunrise Cowboy (Book 8, Second Chance Cowboy Series)

  Castle’s Fortress

  Dreaming Ivy

  Friends With Benefits

  Sin With Cuffs

  With Honor

  Wicked Pleasures (Book 1, Wicked Wolves Series)

  Wicked Lust (Book 2, Wicked Wolves Series)

  Fighting Flames

  UNDER PRESSURE (Book 1, Rhinestone Cowgirls)

  PRESSURE RISING (Book 2, Rhinestone Cowgirls)

  PRESSURE POINT (Book 3, Rhinestone Cowgirls)

  SECRET PRESSURE (Book 4, Rhinestone Cowgirls)

  RESISTING PRESSURE (Book 5, Rhinestone Cowgirls)

  Under the Mistletoe

  Cowboy Paradise (Cowboys of Nirvana)

  Ropin’ Trouble (Book 2, Cowboys of Nirvana)

  Smoke. Fire. Cowboy (Book 3, Cowboys of Nirvana)

  Kissed, Spurred, & Valentined (Book 4, Cowboys of Nirvana)

  Cowboy is Mine (Book 5, Cowboys of Nirvana)

  The Discreet Cowboy (Book 6, Cowboys of Nirvana)

  Leather for Two, Wings of Steel MC

  An Unexpected Hero (Buttermilk Valley)

  A New Year’s Cowboy

  Pride & Pleasure (Book 1, The KNIGHT Brothers)

  Roman’s Choice (Book 1, Saddles & Second Chances)

  Letting Go (Sable Hunter’s Hell Yeah! Kindle World)

  Have you read Letting Go? Here’s the first chapter as a gift. Please grab your copy and find out how hard letting go can be…

  CHAPTER ONE

  Brooke Winslow heard a child’s laughter and looked across the lobby, spotting the little girl cheerfully playing with a set of building blocks. Her blonde hair hung in one long braid down her back and she wore a pretty yellow dress. She had beautiful bright green eyes. “Look, Mommy. I built a tower.”

  Her mother glanced up from the magazine she was flipping through. “Oh sweetheart, what a stable tower it is too.”

  Feeling a sudden twinge in her chest, Brooke turned away, barely able to catch her breath. Why was she doing this? She stood up, gained her equilibrium, then started for the glass doors that would take her back out to her car—away from the possibility of having a panic attack in front of the people waiting in the lobby. She’d gotten better at staying in control, but on occasion she found herself coming unglued from the demons that still haunted her.

  She gripped the cold handle of the door just as she heard her name being called, “Ms. Winslow. The doctor will see you now.”

  Her mind raced. Her heart skipped a beat. She could easily scurry out and skip the appointment. Being here didn’t help anyway. She hated opening up and talking about the tragedy that turned her world upside down. Why couldn’t people just understand that not everyone needed to talk about their feelings?

  Fingers touched her shoulder and she spun around, coming face to face with the receptionist. “Ms. Winslow, Dr. Forester will see you now.”

  Several people had turned to watch her. She wondered if they too wanted to break free?

  “Ms. Winslow?”

  Oh, phooey. Brooke had no other choice but to let go of the handle to freedom and follow the receptionist. Part way down the hall Brooke heard sniffling coming from a room to the right. She caught a glimpse of a woman with her head bowed and her shoulders shaking. Brooke’s breath hitched and she clenched her hands into fists. Crying happened a lot here. But not for her—not anymore. After three years, the tears had dried up. Too bad the memories were as fresh as newly picked blueberries.

  “How are you today, Ms. Winslow?” the receptionist asked as she motioned for them to continue on their way.

  The question came more as a distraction than civil conversation. “Peachy.”

  If the other woman picked up on any sarcasm in the answer, she didn’t let on.

  They stopped at the last doorway, Dr. Forester’s office—a forty-something, attractive blonde who always dressed in impeccable pant suits. She had also recently divorced her husband of ten years. They had no children and a mansion with lots of bedrooms and a tennis court. Brooke only knew this because she’d overheard the receptionist and a nurse discussing the details when they thought they were alone. Usually Brooke passed on eavesdropping, but it did break up the monotony of sitting in the lobby and staring at a watercolor.

  On the threshold into the room, she hesitated. It wasn’t that she disliked Dr. Forester or her help, but what could be done? The past was over and the pain had embedded itself deep inside of Brooke’s bone marrow. Not even a therapist could rid her of the heartache, the memories, and the knowledge that she couldn’t save Jessie.

  Many times in the last year, Brooke had picked up the phone to cancel her appointments, but then she’d hang up. Dr. Forester had become a crutch for Brooke.

  “Brooke, come in.” Dr. Forester stood up from behind her desk and smoothed her black jacket. Brooke couldn’t remember ever seeing the elegant woman unruffled or wrinkled. Her clothes were pressed and spotless. Her makeup had been applied with a detailed hand, hiding any physical flaws that she might have. She had to have at least one, but up until now, Brooke ha
dn’t found it. Even the desk was tidy and clean.

  Brooke crossed the room, aware of her own disheveled appearance. Before leaving the house she’d thrown on a T-shirt and jeans and pulled her hair up into a messy bun. If she cared, she would have gone for the right side of her closet where her nicer things were hung, but the problem was, she didn’t.

  Sitting in the comfortable flowered chair next to the window that overlooked downtown Atlanta, she had to admit that she liked the view…and the overstuffed chair that gave her a cushiony hug. It was the highlight of her visits to her therapist. She placed her purse on the table.

  Dr. Forester took the chair across from Brooke, her handy notepad and pen sitting on the coffee table between them, probably from her last client who she’d needled through their problems for answers. Brooke reminded herself that she needed to stay open to help, but there came a point when Dr. Forester would have to come to the conclusion, just as Brooke had, that some things just couldn’t be fixed. Instead, they had to be buried instead. She had the shovel and the spot for burial, but it just didn’t seem possible to start digging. Not yet.

  “Good morning, Brooke.” Dr. Forester smiled and picked up her notebook, clicking the pen exactly three times, as always. Brooke guessed it was a form of energy release, or maybe a habit.

  “Good morning.” Brooke smiled in return.

  “How are you? Are you sleeping any better?”

  Brooke crossed her legs, gearing herself up for reflecting on her issues and her messy emotions. “I’m now sleeping four hours straight so definitely an improvement.”

  “Are you still taking the pills I prescribed?” Her blue eyes seemed to drill straight through Brooke.

  “Not for a long time. I didn’t like how they made me feel.” Honesty was the best policy, but it probably wouldn’t settle well with Dr. Forester.

  Although she was always careful not to show her displeasure in her body language, Dr. Forester actually had several wrinkles appear around her eyes. She leaned forward and met Brooke’s gaze. “I understand you don’t want to take medication, but you have to be willing to try. It’s been three years, Brooke. The accident…you must stop feeling guilty that you lived and they didn’t. Remember, the accident was investigated and the driver of the other vehicle ran a red light. You could have easily died too.”