Wonders Never Cease (Harlequin Super Romance)
Page 27
BY THE TIME the last of the loose ends was tied up, Jill and Czar were both sound asleep in the back of the Blazer. Ben had confiscated half a dozen blankets from Jimmy and the other units that had arrived on the scene and had ordered Jill to stay put.
For once, she obeyed his command, but he didn’t count on it becoming a regular habit. And that was okay, too. He liked her feisty.
Amos put a hand on Ben’s shoulder and gave it a supportive squeeze. “You really earned your keep tonight, son. You and Czar. This could have turned out ugly.”
Ben’s stomach turned over. He knew better than anyone just how close it had been.
“Is the bastard going to live?” Ben asked, more out of habit than any true concern. Ben was just glad he’d been in the right place at the right time to put a bullet in the bastard’s chest before he could do any more damage.
“Looks that way. The medics said his left lung had collapsed, but the wound wasn’t life threatening.”
Ben took his gun from his waistband and held it out to Amos. “You’ll want this until the report gets cleared, right?”
Amos chuckled. “The report is clear. Crystal clear. And since Jimmy’s on his way to arrest our esteemed mayor, I don’t think we’ll catch any flack about procedure.”
Ben had caught bits and pieces of the Martins’ confession from some of the other officers. The whole story would come out soon, but it sounded as though Peter and Clarice had cut a deal in exchange for the names and dollar figures in a bribery scandal that would rock the community of Bullion to the core.
The roar of a large white van pulling away caught Ben’s attention. “Anybody figure out how Channel 47 got here so fast?”
Amos chuckled. “Talk about irony. Peter had scheduled a news conference to promote Excelsior Estates. I guess they were listening to a scanner and heard what was going down.”
Ben shook his head. “A media person’s dream—fire trucks, police cars, ambulance, helicopter.” He looked at Jill. She slept in a childlike pose with one arm flung across Czar. “Jill would have loved the excitement.”
Amos jostled his shoulder. “She’ll get her chance. I heard one of the Sentinel reporters tell that photographer— Jamal Whatshisname—that Jill was a shoe-in for Will’s job.”
Ben gave his boss a wry look. “Wonderful.”
Amos shrugged. “A job’s a job. You just have to make sure you never let it get in the way of family.” He sighed wearily. “Speaking of which, I’m going home to my wife.”
Ben watched the older man walk away. Words of wisdom, he thought. It had taken two near misses for the truth to finally sink in, but Ben got the message. Nothing in the world was more important to him than Jill, and he planned to make sure she knew it.
He crawled into the back of the Blazer, taking care not to jostle Jill. Czar lifted his head and looked at him. Ben ran the tip of his finger down the dog’s long muzzle. “Go back to sleep.”
Jill sighed and stretched. She opened her eyes. The moon had finally risen and it bathed the natural amphitheater in pale light. The smoked side windows gave the vehicle’s interior a cozy feeling. “Hi,” she said, turning on her side. “Are you all done? Can we go home now?”
“Yes.” But which home? Mine or yours?
“Good,” she said, then added, “Can we pick up Frank on the way? He was terribly put out not to be included last night.”
Ben bit down on a smile. “Yes.” He dropped down on one elbow and leaned close to give her a kiss.
Jill snuggled closer. She seemed relaxed and receptive, but Ben could tell something was on her mind.
She swallowed, then asked, “Can we call your parents and let them know you’re okay? With that camera crew here, they might be upset.”
Ben let out the breath he’d been holding. He probably owed this one to the Time God.
“Yes,” he said, pressing a kiss to her lips.
She smiled and looped her arms around his neck. Their kiss answered every question but one.
“Will you marry me?” Ben asked, his whisper hoarse with emotion.
Jill pulled back enough to look into his eyes. Her mouth curved in a smile of such joy Ben felt it all the way to his toes.
“Yes.”
Ben’s eyes filled with moisture. “That’s all? Just yes?”
She laced her fingers behind his head and whispered, “Jill’s Rule Number One—When love is the answer, you don’t need words.”
EPILOGUE
AMOS TILTED BACK his head and looked at the pinkish-tinged clouds floating overhead. Perfect weather for a wedding, he thought. Maybe Jill bribed the Weather God.
In the past six months, Amos had gotten to know Jill Martin well. They’d even started collaborating on a book—a mystery novel with a very heroic dog in it. And Amos liked everything about Jill—including her parents. Nils and Mattie had purchased their daughter’s home and were frequent visitors to Bullion, between their many adventurous jaunts. Mattie had even talked Amos into booking a cruise for his thirty-second wedding anniversary.
All this love and romance was getting to him—he was almost looking forward to the trip. Especially since Ben had taken over the department so Amos could fill in as acting mayor. It wasn’t an ideal situation, but the fallout from the Land Barons debacle had local politicians on their best behavior. The disgraced Bud Francis was still in seclusion, but his wife was talking about running for the post next year.
The gentle serenade of the harp had almost lulled Amos to sleep when his wife cued him with an elbow to the ribs. He stumbled to his feet and looked toward the jungle gym where the bride was beginning her walk. While Ben had lobbied for a quick trip to Reno, Jill had insisted on Founder’s Park. “It’s where we met.”
Ben had laughed—he did that a lot these days. “Are you going to wear the bite suit instead of a wedding dress?” he’d teased.
“You’ll see,” she had promised.
Amos smiled as he took in Jill’s lovely gown of satin and lace. A warm ivory color, it complemented her long red hair, which was capped with a crown of flowers and flowing ribbons.
The matron of honor and her two rambunctious, rose petal–dispensing toddlers had already arrived at the flower-festooned gazebo. When Jill reached her husband-to-be’s side, she rose up and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
As the minister began to speak, Amos glanced around at the many guests. Jill’s friends and co-workers, of course. Most of the Bullion P.D. had turned out as well. A tanned, attractive woman Amos hadn’t been able to place at first sat two rows over, her arm linked with a distinguished-looking Hispanic gentleman. Dorry Fishbank.
He looked across the aisle at Ben’s family. Amos understood the elder Jacobs had been undergoing treatment for cancer. Although thin and pale, the man carried himself with the same pride and grace as his son.
The vows were simple but heartfelt. And when it was time for the blessing of the rings, the best man stepped forward—tail wagging. Two simple gold bands were attached to Czar’s collar with ribbons.
Ben petted his old friend lightly as he removed the ring. When it was Jill’s turn, she leaned down and whispered something in Czar’s ear. Amos swore he could almost see the dog beam, and there was no doubt in Amos’s mind that man’s best friend knew true love when he saw it.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-4072-8
WONDERS NEVER CEASE
Copyright © 2002 by Debra Salonen.
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