by Mary Leo
Jet hadn’t liked to talk about the fire much, probably because it gave him his own nightmares. One of the families he’d lived with had lost everything when their roof had caught on fire on Christmas Eve from hot ash in the fireplace. Everyone was safe in the end, but all their things, including the gifts under the tree, went up in flames. In the aftermath, Jet had lost one of his first families. They were the only ones who had filed to adopt him, but after the fire, they couldn’t afford to keep him. It had been his first real disappointment in a long line of many to come.
Never had he reflected on his life so much as he had since Lily arrived. And even now, being around her only reminded him of what her future would be like if she wasn’t his baby.
Even if she were his baby, how could he possibly be an attentive father with his particular job? If something happened to him, she’d end up in foster care. Just because Briggs was an easygoing town, with virtually no crime, didn’t mean someone couldn’t come in and put his and someone else’s life in jeopardy. Anything was possible.
“That’s some great barn,” Jet told Coco as they leisurely strolled toward it after dinner. Jet carried Lily in a sling as she slept all warm and cozy up against his chest, while little Punky followed on a red leash. It was a clear night with a full moon bright in a cloudless sky, a night without any wind to chill the already crisp air. The Teton Mountain Range loomed in the distance, reminding Jet how much he loved this valley.
“It can hold twenty-five horses, and was built to the strictest fire codes. Nothing short of cannon fire can bring it down now. I still can’t believe it sometimes. Half the town pitched in both with the supplies and with muscle thanks to Jake Scott putting out the word. He really came through for our family and I’m so proud to have him as a brother-in-law. He’s a true hero in my book.”
“In anyone’s book, to be sure.”
“That barn serves as a constant reminder of how quickly life can change in a heartbeat.”
Lily squirmed against his chest, tiny knees and elbows poking at him. “I know something about life-changing moments.”
“Unfortunately so does Lily. Whatever happens to her, I feel lucky that she was dropped off on my doorstep and I’ve been able to be part of her life.”
Almost on instinct, he took Coco’s hand in his. “I am, too. You’ve been wonderful to both of us. Thank you for that.”
They were inside the warmth of the dimly lit barn now. A few of the horses nickered and scraped the bottom of their stalls. The familiar smells that Jet actually liked filled his head with some good memories and some not-so-good memories. Regardless, they made up the fabric of his life, and this night only added to it.
“My pleasure. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
He turned to her. “I only hope Lily can grow up with all the love I felt around your dinner table tonight. Your parents are a delight, and the banter between Carson, his wife, Zoe, and your sisters, Callie, Kayla and Kenzie, is a riot. Not to mention the seemingly tight friendship between their spouses. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed anything like it. Thank you for inviting me. But again, shouldn’t it have been Russ?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, away from my family. I promised Russ I wouldn’t tell anyone until after the election, even though I rarely keep anything from my family. Still, I thought I should tell you first. I broke up with Russ today.”
Jet could hardly believe what she’d just said. “Is this for good? I mean, are you sure? He might be the new mayor and you’d be, well, maybe one day, be the town’s first lady.”
Although he doubted that Russ could settle for any one woman, even someone as truly wonderful as Coco Grant. The man was a complete fool to let her go.
“It’s not a title that suits me.”
“What does suit you?”
“Doctor Coco Grant, the woman dating Sheriff Jet Wilson.”
He let out the breath he’d been holding. “Are you sure about that?”
“Been sure for a while now...that is, if you’ll consider...”
But before she could utter another word, he leaned in, raked his hands through her thick hair and kissed her, hard, wanting her to know how much he’d been wanting her since that first night they’d spent together on her bed.
Of course, Lily picked that exact moment to start squirming and then let out one of her ear-shattering wails that scared some of the horses. Soon the entire barn erupted with angry whinnies that only grew louder with a crying baby.
“Let’s pick this up later,” Jet told her.
“Uh-huh,” she whispered as they held hands and quickly walked back to the house.
Chapter Nine
The very next night, despite the fact that Coco had promised Russ that she would keep their breakup a secret, Jet decided to ask Coco out on a proper date. He wasn’t planning on announcing anything to anyone, nor was he planning on kissing her in public. However, he thought the breakup was cause for a celebration away from Lily where they might get some time alone. And if anything sparked after that, they’d just have to find somewhere private to ignite that fire.
Drew was babysitting at Coco’s place where Deputy Sheriff Nash Young was planning to stop by, according to Drew, who had a crush on Nash a mile wide.
In truth, all Jet wanted was a relaxing meal that neither he nor Coco had to cook and that wouldn’t be interrupted by a needy baby...not that he in the least bit minded taking care of Lily. He found that he truly enjoyed it, but tonight was all about spending time with Coco. He even wore a suit for the occasion.
Hot Tomato, one of the oldest and the only upscale restaurant in Briggs, was owned by two generations of the Salerno family. Everyone in the family worked or helped in the restaurant, including little Mary Salerno, who couldn’t be more than ten or eleven years old. She sometimes greeted the patrons as they arrived.
Tonight was no exception. Coco and Jet had decided they would meet each other at the restaurant due to their schedules. They figured since they were already living together temporarily no one would be the wiser.
“Good evening and welcome to Hot Tomato,” Mary told Jet as he walked through the front door. Mary wore a pretty hunter green velvet dress, white tights, black patent shoes and a matching green satin bow in her long dark hair, which was neatly parted on her right side.
She reminded Jet of what Lily might look like when she was Mary’s age, and it made him wonder if he would still be a part of Lily’s life by then. Funny thing was, for the first time in his entire life, he allowed himself to hope for something that was a long way off, and it scared him.
He pushed that thought out of his head. Tonight was all about Coco and he didn’t want anything to get in the way of that. He was getting ready to enter a relationship with a woman who was unlike anyone he’d ever dated before, a woman he’d lusted over for months, a woman who was by far the kindest person he’d ever known.
For one thing, she had roots, real roots that bore down deep into Briggs, and he liked that concept. He’d grown weary of living a “temporary” life where he couldn’t or wouldn’t commit to anything or anyone for the long term. Even his position of sheriff in Briggs was subject to the pleasure or displeasure of the mayor, and if Russ won the election, Jet’s job could end on Russ’s first day.
“So nice to see you, Mary. That’s a very pretty dress.”
“Thank you, Sheriff Wilson,” Mary said with a smile. Then she held out her hand, pointing to the podium. “Right this way to check in with the hostess.”
Jet followed directions. It was still fairly early, only six thirty, so the restaurant wasn’t very busy. He was hoping for a table in the back of the restaurant where he and Coco could have some privacy.
As soon as he checked in with the hostess, Mary’s seventeen-year-old sister, with whom he exchanged quick hugs and double kisses, sh
e escorted him to the absolute perfect table where Coco was already seated.
A great big welcoming smile lit up her beautiful face, then she stood and kissed him on each check, Italian style, and he willingly reciprocated.
“I could get used to this real easy-like,” he said, wanting to pull her in closer before she backed away from his embrace.
“It’s the official Salerno greeting,” she told him, her face showing a slight blush.
“We should adopt it.”
“Done,” she said, chuckling then sitting back down in her wooden chair across from him.
It was the first he’d seen of her alone since they’d kissed the previous night. Lily had needed immediate attention after that, and they’d gone back to the house to feed her. Then they’d given Father Beau, who had also attended the dinner, a ride to St. Paul’s, and by the time they walked into Coco’s apartment, Lily needed feeding and changing again. Of course, after all the excitement, Lily wouldn’t fall back to sleep, so Jet stayed up with her until she finally drifted off around two in the morning, only to wake back up again at five.
Needless to say he was dog-tired, but nothing was going to stop this dinner.
“You look beautiful...stunning actually,” Jet told Coco, as his gaze gently caressed her lovely curves.
She’d worn a very low-cut navy blue cocktail dress that only increased his intense desire for her.
“I haven’t worn this dress since a friend’s wedding in Boise a couple of years ago. It’s a bit risqué for Briggs.”
He wanted to devour her.
“It’s perfect,” he said, knowing his voice had gone down an octave. The excitement that rushed through his body made him wonder if he was going to be able to get through this dinner without kissing her. He felt grateful they weren’t in a booth sitting side by side, but instead in chairs directly across from each other.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in an actual suit.”
“That’s because I’ve never owned one until today. Never had the need.”
“You bought a suit for me? For our date?”
“I did.” If he were the blushing kind, he knew his face would be bright red.
“Jet Wilson, you do something to amaze me almost every day.”
“I hope that’s a good thing.”
Her full lips stretched into a big smile. “A very good thing.”
Just then Mama Salerno, a short, plump, classically Old World–looking woman in her midseventies walked up to the table with an open bottle of wine and two stemmed glasses. “This is a wonderful thing to see you two in my restaurant. Tonight, the wine, she is on me.”
Mama Salerno poured two glasses, then gave each of them a hug and double kisses.
“Thank you,” both Jet and Coco said almost in unison.
Mama took a couple steps back, holding her hands together just under her ample chest. “So, tell me, how is that baby of yours? I hear she’s a little doll. You’re gonna have to bring her in so I can bless her. Nothing bad will happen once I bless her. I have the power. It’s been passed down to me through the generations. It’s the tradition in my family.” She held up a hand, waving to indicate a very long time.
“I will,” Jet told her to Coco’s surprised look. “Anything to keep her safe.”
“I always knew you was a good man,” Mama Salerno said, squeezing his shoulder. Then she gazed over at Coco. “That Russ Knightly ain’t the man for you. Trust me. I know the truth.”
Then she turned and strolled back to the kitchen.
“She’s right, you know,” Jet told Coco. “I have it from a reliable source that Mama is always spot on with her advice.”
“Oh, yeah? And who’s your source?”
“I can’t say or they’ll put a curse on me.”
“And you believe in curses?”
“Only when they benefit me.”
“And this does, I take it.”
“One hundred percent.”
Coco laughed and Jet’s entire world brightened. This night was off to a great start and it could only get better from here on out.
* * *
“ARE YOU SURE it’s okay that we’re in here?” Coco asked as she followed Jet inside the dark police station.
Coco had to admit it was perhaps the craziest place she’d ever made love...not that she had much experience with making love in crazy places. That trophy would probably have to go to her sister Kayla, who was caught kissing Wade Porter when they were budding teens inside the bull pen. Fortunately, Carson had spotted them and pulled them out before their bull was able to charge.
Jet took her hands in his and squeezed. “I’m pretty sure the sheriff said it would be fine,” he teased. He gently kissed her while unbuttoning her coat. “Your skin, it’s so soft.”
She slipped her arms out of her coat, he did the same with his, allowing both jackets to fall to the floor. “Sheriff, you say the sweetest things.”
“I’m sure I’ll have more to say, once you’re not wearing that dress,” he mumbled into her ear as he kissed around the edges of it, which caused her to feel a combination of anticipation and excitement.
She ducked away from him and began to unzip her dress. “Then maybe I should get out of this.”
He shrugged out of his suit coat, then started on his tie. “Oh, sweetheart, I can’t think of anything better.”
Her dress slipped from her, landing by their coats in a puddle of fabric, revealing the deep crimson lace lingerie ensemble she’d picked up that afternoon at Hess’s Department Store. She’d decided Jet was more of a hot red man.
“How’s this?”
She’d never been so bold in her life, and she liked how it made her feel. Powerful. Seductive. Confident. Happy.
He pulled his shirt off over his head, revealing muscles she’d seen before but couldn’t touch. The man was ripped, with a fine dusting of hair on a gorgeous, defined chest.
“You’re driving me wild, Coco. You’re all I can think about right now.”
He swooped in and pulled her tight to him, one hand stroking and cupping her breasts, stirring feelings deep inside her. His kiss was tempting her lips as their tongues gently played the rhythm of desire, causing Coco’s knees to go weak.
“Let’s just make this easier on both of us,” he said as he picked her up and carried her to the one cell in the back of the jail.
“Am I under arrest?” she asked, playing it up, while wearing a wide grin.
“You sure are. You’re my prisoner and I’m locking you in for the night.”
“But what have I done?”
“It’s what you’re about to do,” he said, his voice deep and raspy. His eyes had gone almost black, and his skin seemed hot against hers.
He laid her down on the bed in the corner, the bed with the bright blue quilt that the Ladies of Blue Spuds had made last year to perk up the jail. There was even a matching pillowcase. She knew this because she’d contributed a couple squares for the cause. Little had she known that she’d be making love on that very quilt with the sheriff who, at the time, thought the quilt was silly.
She chuckled, warmed by how fast Jet was trying to ditch the rest of his clothes. “But, Sheriff, I’m a good girl.”
He quirked his mouth into a smile and quickly slipped out of his dress shoes, pants and briefs, then eased on top of her. Slowly he ran his hands up the sides of her body, then back down again, slipping his thumbs under the corners of her panties. Within moments they were off, along with her bra. She felt free, desired and full of passion for this complicated man.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said, his hands skimming her body, as if he was exploring every nuance. “I’m so lucky to be here, like this, with you.” She arched into his touch, an
d he gently suckled each breast, caressing her and loving on her.
Her hands roamed over his body, stopping on his manhood until his moans filled her ears with his passion for her.
“Sheriff Wilson, I do believe you’ve captured my heart.”
“Doctor Grant, you’ve had mine since the first day we met.”
“But you were giving me a ticket when we first met.”
“I know.”
Then his lips came down on hers again, and this time the sensations were too much for her. Emotions ripped through her body as he made it his own, taking her to places she never thought possible.
When he slipped on protection and carefully entered her, she ran her hands up and down his strong back, feeling every muscle as he moved inside her. Feeling him on top of her, inside her, only heightened her ecstasy until they both fell over the edge together in a flurry of delicious whispers that wrapped her in his love.
* * *
JET OPENED HIS eyes sometime in the middle of the night, and realized they were both still in the jail cell. Drew would be waiting for them, or at the very least worried about where they’d gotten to.
But first, he had to take a moment to gaze over at Coco, who was fast asleep next to him. She looked even more beautiful when she slept, a pert nose, and beautiful full lips. He gently ran his thumb over her lips. They felt like silk.
She instantly opened her eyes and smiled. Then she turned on her back, exposing those gorgeous breasts of hers, stretching with her arms above her head. He couldn’t help himself, he had to taste those breasts again, causing her to giggle.
“Breasts are sensitive, you know. You can’t just go kissing them without a chain reaction,” she quipped.
He stopped and perched himself up on one elbow so he could stare at her. “What kind of chain reaction?”
“The best kind.”
“What if I touched them and caressed each nipple between my fingers?”
She slid down under the covers, letting out a breath. “Only if you want more of what happened last night.”
