by C J Murphy
Harley sipped her coffee. “Oh, that’s good. Better than the swill at my office. Let’s get down to business. I came to give you the lowdown on the guy from your accident.”
“Accident my ass, he shot at me and rammed me on purpose.” Chance stopped. “Forgive my short fuse. I’m still a bit edgy. You know what it does to me to be out of the loop.”
Harley laughed and pulled a notebook out of her uniform’s breast pocket. “The guy was Dennis Cooley of Baltimore, Maryland. Small-time criminal with a rap sheet of the usual…larceny, possession, and theft of services. The guy was stealing cable and internet from his neighbor.”
“What the hell was he doing here?”
“Well, if I had to make a guess, I’d say making a delivery. With the amount of product we recovered from his vehicle, we might have a problem brewing.”
“What did the guy have?”
Harley raised an eyebrow and leaned forward. “High quality heroin.”
“Good God, we don’t need that around here. We barely have enough resources to bust the meth labs and oxycodone sales. That means some heavy hitters are moving in before the start of the busy season. Watch and see how fast our overdose calls start going through the roof.” Chance sat back and scratched at the top edge of her cast. “This thing is going to be the death of me. I damn near knocked myself out last night.”
“My daughter broke her arm a few years ago. We taped up a wire coat hanger, after she tried to get to an itch using my mother’s knitting needle.”
“By the way, how’s Meg doing at the academy?”
Harley’s grin covered her face. “Really well. Top of her class.”
“Chip off the ole block. Will she come back here or take an assignment wherever she can?”
“Meg wants to come home. In the last few years, they’ve been trying to station new troopers closer to home for retention purposes. I’d like to have her back here, so I can keep an eye on her. They won’t put her in my command for obvious reasons. Maybe Elkins.”
“You did a great job raising her as a single mother.”
“Yeah well, a few years ago, that might have been debatable. Thank God for my own mother. I’m pretty sure she kept me from killing her.”
Chance shook her head. “No, she’s a great kid. Hell, I guess she’s not a kid anymore. Meg will make an outstanding West Virginia state trooper, just like her mom.”
“Thanks, she’s made me extremely proud. Now, back to this druggie who put you out of commission. We’re doing some backtracking on his financials and trying to figure out who he was here to see. We doubt that he was here to sell on his own. We’ve got to get a handle on this before it’s out of control. It won’t be long before ski season, when we have a lot of well-off, out-of-town visitors strapping two by fours to their feet. I just wanted to tell you in person that it was a justified shooting and that’s what went into the report.”
Something ticked in Chance’s mind. She picked up the concealed weapon permit and handed it to Harley. “According to this, Leland Kurst is back in town. The address listed is his dad’s place. I called in a bit of information to the task force about an out-of-state vehicle at the Kurst’s not too long ago. Blacked out Dodge Durango with a personalized Maryland plate. I’ll have dispatch fax that license check over to your office. You know as well as I do, if they have visitors, it’s not because someone just stopped by. I’ve busted those boys so many times I’ve lost count. With Leland back in town, we might need to see if there was any connection to this Dennis Cooley from Baltimore. I’ll call over to the task force and give them a heads up so their undercover officers can start watching for any links. I’d love nothing more than to put that whole family away. They’ve done more than I can ever prosecute them for. I look at it this way, Capone went away for tax evasion.”
Harley rose from her chair and slipped her hat back on. “I’ll have my troopers keep an eye out too. Get healed up. We need you back on the road.”
Chance stood and walked her to the door. “I’ll do my best. Keep me informed. I know Taylor’s working with you, but I’d appreciate being kept in the loop.”
“You got it.”
Chance went back to her office and started pouring over the various stacks on her desk. The hours ticked by quickly. She was so engrossed, she didn’t notice Zeus get up from her side to greet a visitor.
“Good thing I’m not a bad guy. I’d have had the drop on you, Sheriff.”
Chance looked up to see the shapely figure she’d spaced out thinking about that morning. Jax stood running her hand over Zeus’s ears. Chance’s entire chest swelled with warmth. Jax was still the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen. “Trust me, my partner there knows you’re not a bad guy, or he’d have ripped your throat out. The last time Brad stepped in my office, it took all my training to bring him to heel.”
Jax walked in and sat down in the chair across from her. “How’s your first day back?”
Chance picked up her incomplete work pile, then pointed to the few things she had managed to get done. “It sucks. I have all this to go through yet.”
Jax got up and shut the door to Chance’s office. Eyebrow raised, Chance’s eyes followed Jax around the desk, before she leaned down and kissed her softly.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day. The paperwork will still be here Monday.” She looked at her watch. “It’s almost two and time for you to go home. Did you even eat?”
Chance was still reeling from the tingling in her lips. “Uh, Pen…Penny brought me back a sandwich when she and Taylor went out.”
Jax pointed to the coffee cup. “How many of those have you had?”
Chance squinted, trying to remember. “I have no idea. I think I’ve poured two, and Penny brought me the first one.”
“And I will assume you had at least one when Maggie fixed you breakfast and a travel cup on the way in? Am I right?”
Chance tried to think. “Good guess. Your point?”
“My point is, your knee was bouncing up and down so hard, you were vibrating the floor when I came in. All that caffeine and no way to burn it off in a system like yours? Recipe for disaster. So, you are going to put the pen down, follow me to your house, and we’re taking Zeus for a walk together.”
Chance sat back in her chair and consciously tried to steady her knee. “We are, are we? Do I have any say in the matter?”
“You do. You can say yes now, or two minutes from now. Either way, your choice.”
Chance’s laughter made Zeus look at her. She held up her hands in defeat. “Okay, then yes. Let me finish this one form, and we’ll head out.”
Jax opened the office door and winked at her. I’m going to go talk to Penny and get a full report on your activities for Maggie.” She looked at her watch. “You’ve got ten minutes, Sheriff. Best get pushing that pencil.”
***
Chance held the door for Jax, whose arms were laden with groceries as she stepped into the house. “We need to get those steaks marinated.”
Zeus ran in past them and jumped up on the slender young woman standing in the kitchen. “Hey boy. How’s my boy?”
Chance helped Jax set the groceries down and spoke to Kendra Fitzsimmons, her adopted sister. “You snuck out early, didn’t you?”
“Hey, I was good and stayed at school when you got hurt. That killed me. Professor Ross said it was okay for me to miss class this once.” The young girl wearing blue jeans with ripped-out knees and a maroon-and-white, archery-club polo stepped forward to stand in front of Chance.
Chance drew her into her arms and hugged her, as the girl buried her face in Chance’s shoulder. “Given that I worked with Ross on several cases, years ago, I’m not surprised, once he found out who you were coming to see. Honest kiddo, I’m okay. Now, I’d like you to meet someone, someone important to me.” Chance turned them. “This is Jax St. Claire. She’s Doc Hendricks’s niece and is taking over his practice. She’s also buying the Richards place. Jax, this is my little sister. She’s a
criminal justice major at WVU.”
Kendra stepped away from Chance’s arms and extended her hand. “Hi, Kendra Fitzsimmons. Nice to meet you, Jax.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Kendra. This whole family has told me so much about you.”
Kendra laughed. “Don’t believe everything they say. They tend to exaggerate.”
“Holding a 4.0 in a criminal justice major and a technology minor is bragworthy, Kendra. Be proud of that.” Jax came over and put a hand on Chance’s shoulder. “I don’t think this one was exaggerating when she said you were an exceptional young woman. I trust Chance’s judgment.”
“That might be your first mistake. She did manage to leave me in a store one time.”
Chance threw up her hand. “For two minutes, two minutes!”
“And I was ten!”
Jax started to laugh hard enough to make both of them look at her. “I’m sorry. Listening to you two is like listening to a conversation between me and my brother. One time, Mom made him take me on one of his movie dates. Let’s just say they went into one and sent me to another. I came out and they were gone. They were so,” she paused, her words choking to a stop.
Chance pulled her in tight and held her. “You okay?” She felt Jax relax against her and shake her head.
“Chance, they were in such a hurry to, well, get busy, they forgot all about me for twenty minutes. When he finally came back to the theater, anything I wanted was on the table if I didn’t tell Mom.”
Chance pulled her closer.
Kendra’s look of shock was comical. “And what did you ask for?”
“He had to pick me up from school every day, let me read his comic books, and take me for ice cream for a whole month.”
Kendra put her hands on her hips and let her mouth slack open. “I got robbed. All I got out of the deal was a pack of Sour Patch Kids and a milkshake from McDonald’s. I demand a redo, or I’m telling Mom.”
Chance pulled back to look at Jax. “Stop giving her ideas. I get in enough trouble with Mom without your help.”
Jax leaned up and kissed her lips. “That you do.”
“Okay you two, these groceries aren’t going to unpack themselves. And if I’m not mistaken, ‘mom squared’ will be here at seven, expecting dinner. What do you need me to do?” Kendra dug through the bags.
Chance handed her a box of rice. “How about you put this stuff away for me.”
“I can do that. It’s about all the brain power I have left.”
“By the way, how are your classes going?” Chance went over and opened a cabinet. The glass baking dish she wanted to put the steaks in was beneath two others and a stack of bowls. She started to reach up before a hand touched hers.
“Let me help the afflicted, before I have to clean up the mess you’re going to make when all your glassware hits the floor.” Kendra pulled down the baking dish and slid it toward Chance.
Chance put a hand over Kendra’s. “I promise, I’m ok, Bullseye. I wouldn’t lie to you. Jax will back me up.” She watched as her little sister teared up. “Come here.” Chance pulled her close and enveloped the young woman in her arms, allowing her the safety to cry.
Kendra wiped at the tears that hadn’t made it to Chance’s shirt yet. “You haven’t called me Bullseye since my senior year.”
Chance looked over to Jax, who stood quietly in the background. She nodded her head when Jax pointed outside. “You act like that was ten years ago. You’ll always be Bullseye to me, even if you never let another arrow or basketball fly.”
“You scared me to death. I had my car packed and was headed home. The parents were trying hard to keep me there. If it hadn’t been for Daniel’s call, I would have. He swore you were okay.”
“You trust Daniel, so trust me. I’m okay. Unfortunately, it’s an occupational hazard.” Chance led her to the table and held her hand as they sat. “I know the fear, Kendra. You and I share a set of parents because that hazard became a reality for my dad. It’s something you’ll face in your own career, if you continue to pursue law enforcement. Once they pin that badge to your chest, I suspect that Dee’s visits with Ms. Clairol still won’t be able to cover up the white hair we’re going to give her. Why do you think Mom stopped trying? Hell, it’s already happening to me, look at this.” Chance pointed to the white shock of hair near her forehead.
Kendra laughed. “I’ve seen pictures of you when were young.” She reached up and tugged the streak. “You had this in high school.”
“Well, I was imagining you back then. I always wanted a little sister. Lucky, I only had to wait thirty-nine years to get you.” Chance cupped the back of Kendra’s neck. “You okay now?”
Kendra shook her head and wiped at the remaining tears. She looked toward the deck. “So Jax, huh?”
“Yup, Jax.”
“The Jax?”
Chance nodded.
Kendra whistled low and looked outside again. “The one in the red, white, and blue bikini top in that picture with you? Damn, she’s still hot.”
“Get your eyes back in your head. Yes, she is, and she’s no cougar. Don’t even look at her like that, or I might have to ground you.”
“I’ve got my own prospects, thank you. Doesn’t mean I can’t admire a thing of beauty.”
Chance flipped her ear. “Remember, I have arrest powers. I can hold you for twenty-four hours with no bail.”
Kendra rose. “As if. Mom would ground your ass. I’m betting you’ve been chomping at the bit to go back to work. How’d you get Faith to release you?”
“That’s a story for another time.”
Kendra looked hopeful. “Over a beer?”
Chance squinted at her. “Unless someone screwed up on your birth certificate, in another year we’ll discuss it over a beer. I have no doubt you’ve already tipped a few. Hell, I can’t say I didn’t have anything before I was twenty-one, but I’m not contributing to it. Maggie would kill me. Be careful. Don’t let anything derail the path you decide on.”
Kendra shook her head. “Not a chance in hell. I’m going to be one of your deputies before you’re out of office. I’ve got three years of college left or the ‘rents will kill me. Two and a half, if I can find a way to do it. You just make sure you’re still around to pin that star on my chest, you hear me?”
“God willing, I’ll do my very best. I love ya, kiddo. Let’s get the prep work done before they get here. With or without Professor Ross’s permission, be prepared to take a grilling as to why you’re home early. Now, put those groceries away for me while I go check on Jax. That story about her brother stirred up a few things for her. He and his wife died in an accident. You remember how to make that marinade I taught you?” Kendra nodded. “Okay, make sure to run the tenderizer over the steaks before you put them in to soak. I’ll be right back.”
“Thanks, Chance.”
“Anything for you.”
Chance left Zeus with Kendra and found Jax down by the pond. She walked up and put her arms around the woman facing the water. “You’d never be able to prove that kid in there isn’t related to me by blood, she acts like I did back then. She even wanted to know if you were the woman in that picture we took together down at the riverbank.”
“Oh, did she?”
“Yup, said you were a thing of beauty and hot.”
“Optimum word, were.”
Chance turned Jax until she could kiss her. She let their lips and tongues come together until she felt Jax soften and relax in her arms. “Wrong, she said still hot. I saw her give you the once over a few times.”
“All I care about is what you think.” Jax bunched up Chance’s shirt into her fists.
“What I think is you’re an incredibly beautiful woman that I am more than glad to get a second opportunity to be with.” Chance kissed her again. “Are you okay? I know that story about Jennings made you laugh. I also know it made you choke up.”
Jax didn’t say anything for a few minutes. “Losing Jennings was like l
osing my champion. Dad never stood up to Mom. Jennings always did, when it came to me. I don’t know how many times he intervened when Mom went off on me about my choices. After he died, few people ever got who the real Jax was and was happy with her. That’s why I used to come up here and spend summers with Uncle Marty. I could get away from Mommy Dearest.”
“I remember your second summer here, when she dropped you off. She was none too pleased to meet me. Said she knew my dad and mom. She didn’t seem to like me. Hard to believe she grew up in this county.”
“I know. She almost didn’t let me come back after she talked to her spies around here. Told me to steer clear of you for reasons she wouldn’t elaborate on.”
Chance laughed. “I can tell you why. She caught me checking out your ass when you left that first year.”
Jax play slapped Chance’s belly. “You are so bad.”
“I can’t help it. I’ll freely admit that I loved both your brain and your body back then.”
Jax tilted her head and brought Chance’s lips down a bit to meet her own. “How about now? What will you admit to?”
“I’ll readily admit that you have my heart in your hand. I never stopped loving you. I’ll admit that we have a lot more to learn about our years apart and that I want nothing more than to spend time working toward a future together. I love you, Jax. I always have.” She put her fingers to Jax’s lips. “Don’t say anything now unless you plan on figuring out a way to kidnap me and cast a spell to suspend time. The moms will be here any minute, and Kendra’s spending the night.”
Jax nodded, as Chance gathered her in her arms. If Chance had her way, she’d pull the woman she loved inside her own skin. If there was one thing she knew, it was that she never intended to let Jax go, ever again.
Chapter Thirteen
JAX WALKED ARM IN arm with Chance, back up to the house. She was a little in awe. The young woman she’d fallen for so many years ago had matured into this personification of duty and honor. What was more amazing, was that this synthesis of strength and mischief was still in love with her. Jax wanted nothing more in her life. Chance hadn’t let her say the words that were right on the tip of her tongue. The next time she had the opportunity, she would return that sentiment in spades. Or hearts as it may be. With Kendra staying the night at Chance’s, Jax knew that their next assignation would have to wait. Jax was in desperate need of the one touch that still burned inside of her like a blacksmith’s furnace.
