Falling In Love With A Police Officer (Rich & Rugged: A Hawkins Brothers Romance Book 4)

by Ellie Hall

  “This one is for charity.”

  After studying the sign, she let go of his arm and stepped toward the booth. “I want to do it.”

  He felt chilled without her by his side. She somehow fit there.

  A volunteer explained the turkey trot to her, adding that just for participating she’d also be entered in a raffle that would be drawn later that day. Several prizes were resort related experiences and the grand prize was a trip to a tropical island. He thought of his brother Blake and the Hawkins Harbor Resort in the Caribbean.

  When Brynn returned to Owen, he felt an unexpected sense of belonging, of peace.

  “You look,” she paused, thinking, “happy.”

  He couldn’t help it. A huge smile unfurled on his lips. “I guess I am. I’m glad we came here together.”

  “Me too.”

  While watching the skiers, Brynn asked him all about his time in the Olympics until the snowboarders came down the mountain, doing flips and tricks.

  “I used to snowboard too,” he said. “Though these guys are amazing. The most I could do were the jumps.”

  “Do you still ski or snowboard? Is that what brought you back here?”

  He shook his head. “Haven’t done either in ages.”

  “What made you stop skiing?” she asked.

  “I was going to keep on, but my ex-wife, well, life happened I guess.” He wasn’t sure exactly. “It wasn’t a distinct decision. We’d met and she made herself the central part of my life. Or I let her. It was a whirlwind, looking back. We hit it off, but that was her—she had this larger than life charisma and energy. We were married shortly after. I got drawn into her, she was a force of nature, a wrecking ball, a light that burned very brightly. Then, a couple of months into the marriage, she burned out. That’s when I learned that she had bipolar disorder.” Owen stopped himself, not wanting to talk about it.

  Brynn slid closer to him on the bench where they sat, pressing her side into his and finding his hand. Her head tipped against his shoulder. Generally speaking, he didn’t want to talk about, but somehow, he felt okay doing so with her. It was a relief, getting the truth out. She didn’t judge him or shun him. She just moved closer, accepting, caring.

  After a few more minutes of her cringing every time one of the snowboarders flew into the air and then relaxing when they landed safely, they wandered over to a few of the stalls to find something to eat.

  While chowing down on baked potatoes topped with all the possible fixings, including broccoli, chili, cheese, and bacon, an announcer said they were drawing prizes for the raffle. After taking a big bite, they called her name. She hopped up from the picnic table and cheered.

  “Ah, there’s our winner now. You get two zipline tickets,” the announcer said.

  Brynn became still.

  The announcer thrust the tickets in her hand and lifted her arm, but her eyes were wide and her face pale.

  When she returned to the table he asked, “Congrats?”

  She shook her head. “Not a fan of heights. Maybe there’s someone I can give these to.” She looked around. “Wait. This is weird. Ziplining is a summer activity.”

  Owen shook his head. “Not here. They even do it in winter.”

  “I can’t.” She shook her head. “Deathly afraid of heights.” She seemed to be having a hard time taking a deep breath and her words were coming out stilted. “Why would anyone put themselves through that?”

  He smiled and lifted and lowered his eyebrows.

  She gasped. “Wait, have you done it?”

  “Many times.” He recalled him and his brothers riding the lines when they’d opened—all daredevils. “It’s safe. A bit cold, but beautiful.”

  “So the views are scenic?” She swallowed hard.

  A few of her students rushed over, congratulating her on the prize.

  “Will you tell us all about it, Mrs. Powell?” asked a little boy named Aaron.

  Her lips formed a thin line. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

  “Why’d you suddenly change your mind?” Owen asked after the kids had dispersed.

  “If I don’t, they’ll think I’m a chicken.”

  “In that case, they’ll know you’re brave.”

  She shrugged. “I have two tickets. Will this chicken have a turkey to go with her?”

  “Are you offering me the other ticket?”

  “Please?”

  He smiled and they both laughed, diffusing the tension, but he imagined it would soon be back when she saw the suspension lines over the valley.

  Chapter 9

  Brynn

  Everything about the Winter Festival was amazing from the lights, to the singing, to the delicious food, but Brynn was less than thrilled about the zipline tickets. When the kids had come over, congratulating her for winning, the image of everyone seated at the community carpet in Room Four at school after break, sharing the highlights of their vacations, slammed into her mind. Surely, one of them would ask about the ziplining trip.

  She had to do it.

  A covered golf cart took her and Owen along a steady incline to another part of the resort grounds—she hadn’t been there during the day before and didn’t realize how extensive it was. Not only were there sledding, skiing, and snowboarding trails, but snowmobile runs, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and more.

  She remained quiet during the ride, mustering up her courage, convincing herself that her fear of heights was in her head. It wasn’t real. She’d be safe.

  When the golf cart stopped, she expected to see a platform with the zipline attached. But they seemed to be in the middle of the woods. Or, more accurately, at a dead end.

  She looked to Owen for an explanation. “From here, we go on foot.”

  “Oh, so we’re hiking too? I should’ve brought different shoes.”

  “It’s along an elevated wooden deck trail that leads through the woods to the launch spot. Your feet should stay dry.” He placed his hand on the small of her back, sending tingles along her spine as he guided her toward the trailhead so she could see what he meant.

  As they entered the woods, pine boughs hung overhead and sparkled with snow. It was enchanting. The path was wide enough for them to walk side by side. She still wasn’t sure about ziplining, but already felt safe with Owen. His hand found hers as though affirming this.

  The path led to a set of stairs that zigzagged up the side of a hill.

  “When we started this phase of the resort, we’d helicopter in, but obviously, that wouldn’t be affordable for most guests. The only way up to the launch spot is up and keeping a regular trail clear in the winter is a lot of work. So my father had the ingenious idea to build these paths and staircases because they’re much easier to snow blow throughout the day.”

  “Smart man.”

  “He was. Most of the time,” Owen said the second part in a lower register.

  Through the trees, a thick cable stretched into the distance.

  “Ah, there’s Big D.”

  “The zipline has a name?” Brynn asked.

  Owen nodded as they climbed the steps.

  “Never mind the turkey trot, this is a solid workout in and of itself.” She huffed.

  Owen smiled. “My father had plans to build a ski lift to take visitors up, but—” He stopped abruptly, gripping the wooden rail and gazing toward the woods. “But he passed away.”

  “I’m sorry.” A beat passed. “I bet you miss him.”

  Owen nodded as she pulled him into a side hug. “Every day.”

  “What was he like?” Brynn asked then added, “You don’t have to tell me, but I didn’t know my father and yours sounds like he was pretty amazing so...”

  For the next twenty minutes, Brynn learned that Charles Hawkins was a man of faith and fortitude. He’d grown his family, for the second half of the boys’ lives as a single father while heading a billion-dollar business. He loved hard and played hard.

  “The last time I saw him conscious, well, before he p
assed, he was suiting up to head down the double black diamonds with Blake. The guy was approaching seventy. If I were half the man—” Owen swallowed thickly. “A storm came up. Whiteout conditions. There was an accident. We got him the best doctors, everything, but he didn’t make it.”

  Brynn squeezed his hand as they continued to walk, approaching the platform. Her heart raced in her chest, but she remained present for Owen as he told what was a tragic and difficult story.

  He fell silent as they stepped onto the platform, backed by a little hut to keep the workers warm between guests. In the other direction, a metal wire hung suspended over a vast expanse. Snowcapped trees stretched high and the mountain peaks surrounded them. It was breathtakingly beautiful. In the far distance, the main resort buildings and the town looked like the mini ceramic Christmas village one of her foster families had.

  “All this was left to us...Well—” As though changing his mind, Owen went quiet once again. The wind whistled through the open space.

  A resort employee approached them and the next fifteen minutes were spent reviewing safety measures and precautions to take while riding the zipline. Brynn paid careful attention, but her thoughts drifted to Owen and what it meant for him to be there when clearly there were a lot of emotions hidden behind his stony façade.

  “Okay, you ready?” the worker asked.

  “No.” She shook her head. “But I’m doing it anyway.”

  Originally, she wanted to set a good example of doing brave things for her students, but it was also for Owen, for herself.

  If she could overcome her fear of heights, what else could she do? Could she overcome her fear of intimacy? Relationships? Could Owen? Could they break down their walls? If she could do this big thing, what other hurdles could she cross? Mountains she could scale? Ziplines could she—?

  With a little nudge, she was flying, sailing, speeding across open space. She was practically in the clouds, soaring like a bird. Like a pegicorn—Harper would like that. The view was spectacular, surrounded by snowy mountains and natural beauty, but the feeling, it was like nothing she’d ever experienced. She realized she wasn’t afraid of heights or falling. She was afraid of freedom.

  Because being free meant she had to let go of the past, let go of her anger at her body for not being able to conceive, let go of her sadness at losing her husband, let go, let go, let go, and let God fully into her heart and trust His plans.

  As she neared the other platform she whooped.

  Her feet made soft contact with the ground. She turned, watching Owen approach with a smile on his face.

  When he landed, he said, “You keep surprising me, Brynn.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You look ecstatic. Are you sure that you’re afraid of heights?”

  She shook her head and then stretched her arms into the air and took a deep breath. “That was amazing. I feel free.” She hooted and it echoed off the mountains.

  His arms looped around her. His head tilted and she met his eyes.

  The question was there.

  Her answer was on her lips.

  His was in his dark eyes.

  She leaned in.

  He pulled her close.

  Then their lips crashed together.

  His mouth against hers was surprisingly warm even though his nose and cheeks were cold. Neither one of them had hesitated as they moved together in a kiss that felt as big as the surrounding mountains. It was as though they’d each held back weeks of desire and channeled it into that moment.

  His arms were strong around her, holding her fast, but like while on the zipline, it was like she was floating, suspended above reality. Never had she experienced something so expansive. It was like her old world was left behind, discarded as she flew over the treetops. She met the new version of herself there with Owen, in his arms, with his lips pressed against hers.

  When they parted, the kiss left her gasping and grasping for a hold on anything solid, certain. There was him. There was her. But everything else was shiny, new, sparkling in the sunlight like the snow.

  They started along the wooden trail.

  Had that really happened? Had she had a major life epiphany while on the zipline? Had she and Owen really kissed? Did she imagine it despite the mild burn on her cheeks from his rough stubble, the warmth on her lips from his, and the hammering of her pulse?

  Their eyes met. Gazes locked. Then he smiled and she was sure. It had happened. Really. Truly.

  She had been afraid of heights but hadn’t fallen as she’d feared. But in a way she had. She’d fallen for Owen. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “Huh?” Owen asked.

  “Just words of gratitude. To you for encouraging me, for being here. For God, for—” She let out a breath. “For all of this.” She gestured around them and between them.

  Owen rubbed his hands together, his eyes sparkling. “Ready for more?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You won tickets for the deluxe package. There are four more to go.”

  “Four more what?” she asked, confused.

  “Ziplines.”

  The old her would’ve balked. Instead, she said took his hand in hers and said, “Let’s do it.”

  For the next several hours, they went by snowmobile to various sites, crossed suspended bridges, followed trails, and cruised high above the valley. The views were breathtaking but none as powerful or life-changing as that first ride on the zipline.

  When they finally returned to the base of the mountain, they went inside a cabin where there were refreshments waiting and complimentary photographs of the experience as they whizzed through the forest.

  Brynn helped herself to hot chocolate. It was as delicious as the one from the Beanery.

  “Hey, turkey, check out your face on this one.” Owen pointed to a photograph arrayed among several of her looking very serious as she zipped along the metal cable.

  In the one he indicated, her expression was serene, almost blissful.

  “I’ve seen that look on your face before,” he said.

  “When was that?”

  “That first night when I stopped by the farmhouse. You’d just taken a bite of pumpkin cinnamon roll.”

  She smirked, recalling what she’d actually been thinking about. Maybe Owen was the key to her freedom—letting him into her life and allowing him to open her heart.

  She flipped the photo over. “This was on the Big D zipline. Figures. It was amazing. I felt free. Still do.”

  “How about on the others? Blake’s Brow, Rocky Mountain, Tripp’s Triumph?”

  “Wait, aren’t those your brother’s names?”

  He explained that they’d each named a peak. “Granted, we weren’t that high up on the actual peaks, but Dad thought it would be a nice idea to name the ziplines after the peaks.”

  “I’m glad I got over my fear of heights. That was amazing. Is there one named after you?”

  He nodded.

  “Owen’s Apex, and most days, it feels like I’m still climbing.”

  She exhaled through her nose. “Why’s that?”

  “Sometimes, it’s like I can’t get a good look at my life.”

  “Are you unhappy?”

  “No. I guess a better way to put it would be uncertain. Am I doing the right thing?” He raked his hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m telling you this.”

  She locked her gaze on him. The new Brynn wasn’t going to let him retreat. “Because that’s what we do.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I guess I can’t speak for both of us, but I know how I feel about you. You’ve become a good friend and I think I needed one. Well, there’s Phoebe, but she and I don’t have this.” Her finger wagged between them.

  “What’s this?”

  “An emotional connection.”

  He leaned away as though afraid the word had what the kids in her class would call cooties.

  She scooted closer. “I wa
nted a friend and maybe more. I think—”

  He cut her off. “I just had a great idea.”

  Shaken by his abrupt interruption, she remained quiet, waiting to hear what he had to say.

  “During the duration of the Winter Festival, we’ll set up a bake sale booth for the classroom, heck, for the school. That way, you can pay yourself back for all of those groceries and raise funds for, oh, I don’t know. More construction paper, supplies, activities. You name it.”

  Where a moment before she’d dimmed at him cutting off the moment they shared and then at the thought of helping out the class, she momentarily brightened. “That’s a fantastic idea. How will we pay for the baked goods though?” The question came out like a defeat. It wasn’t only because she’d already thought of a bake sale, but she didn’t think she’d be able to get the volume of donations or sales to make it profitable. Her tone also dropped because she felt crestfallen. She’d mustered up the courage to tell Owen how she felt and had been thrown off by his outburst of excitement. Had he sensed what she was going to say and stopped her? Was his interruption another way to retreat from talking about their feelings or getting serious?

  Brynn’s cocoa went cold while he went on his phone and sent a text—probably to the resort chef. The table of refreshments in front of them, likely the inspiration for Owen’s bake sale idea, went untouched.

  “Donations can come from parents and the head chef at the resort, who’d do anything for Harper.”

  They talked some more about the idea as the sun dipped toward the mountains. She forced herself to remain chipper. But her voice felt flat, her body limp. Maybe the adrenalin from the zipline ride was wearing off.

  “Are you getting hungry for dinner?” Owen asked.

  “After all of this talk about a bake sale? You bet.” She willed her voice not to crack. The wings she’d worn while racing along the zipline suddenly disappeared. She felt defeated, derailed.

  “I know just the place,” he said with a smile and oblivious to her thoughts.

  Her fear of heights was gone, but it was replaced with something else. What if he rejected her? Maybe he had.

  They were at the base of the mountain and trekked along a lantern-lit path to a clearing with a helicopter pad in the center. The chopper sat silent, but the running lights were on.