Fracture

by Aliyah Burke

  “I immediately put in to transfer home to Cottonwood Falls. That entire year had been nothing but death and ugliness. I went in to help people and was spending more time escorting mothers down to identify their children. Or fathers. But, I’d managed to control it until that day. That little girl, so innocent, with her whole life ahead of her, was my point of no return. My lieutenant spoke with Sheriff Tanner and got me in the department. I’ve been back here ever since.”

  “And you don’t plan on leaving again?”

  “No. I love it here. Amazing how much more is open to you when not living under the roof of Victor Boshay. I’ve made friends and have a nice life here. There’s a lot to do, and the crime is, overall, petty things. That, to me, is a blessing.”

  He reached for her and drew her to lie against his chest. Her bottle joined his on the table as she used him as a pillow. Chase wrapped his arms around her, keeping her tight to his body. For the first time since he’d arrived in Cottonwood Falls and had become involved with the woman on him, he felt a deeper connection spreading over him and covering them both.

  She gave a little sigh that tugged at his heartstrings before she snuggled closer. When she fell asleep, he carefully sat and rose, carrying her back to his bedroom. He laid her on the mattress and stared down at her, brushing some of her hair away from her face.

  What am I getting into here? What can I possibly offer her?

  He left her there and locked up the house, swiping her bag on the way back to where she continued to sleep. Lights off, Chase climbed back into bed, glad that she’d come out to him. He hadn’t been sure she would. Sure, she’d changed, but allowing people over here to see her car in his drive was something totally different than fucking him in the privacy of her own home.

  He woke when she began climbing from bed. “Do you have to work today?”

  “No,” she said, sitting back on the mattress.

  “Then, where are you going?”

  “I didn’t want to impose on you any longer.”

  He tugged her back in bed. “You’re not imposing. Stay the day with me.”

  “All day?”

  “You have something planned?”

  “No, did you?”

  “There’s the day of the memorial to the Macon brothers, Braxx and Tate Bragg. The Ocmulgee Adventure Race is today. Care to join me?” He tangled his fingers in her hair. “Then, there’s also the Moonlight Miles 5k run.”

  “That sounds like fun. Yes.”

  He rolled her beneath him. “Wonderful. We’ll leave just as soon as I say good morning to you properly.”

  Her smile was blinding. “I’ll expect you do to do it over and over until I’m satisfied.”

  “Bet on it,” he vowed, taking possession of her mouth.

  Later on that morning, they waved to Mrs. Candace as they took off on the Indian Chieftain and headed to Macon for a day together away from Cottonwood Falls. That night, they got a hotel and spent the night, driving back the following day.

  After he kissed her goodbye, his phone rang. Walking up to his front door, he answered, “Yeah?”

  “Chase, been looking for you, man. The job came through.” A guy he’d served with—Dante.

  “Really?”

  “Absolutely. They called me yesterday, but I couldn’t get in touch with you. They want to meet you before it’s all official, though. Can you get to Atlanta by the day after tomorrow?”

  “Shoot me the address, and I’ll be there.”

  “Hang on, let me do it right now. Okay, there you go. I’ll see you in two days.”

  “Thanks, Dante.”

  “Hey, we’re brothers; it’s what we do for one another. See you soon.”

  He ended the call and looked at the address, committing it to memory. As he packed his bag, he thought about Vicki. Then, he shook his head. He couldn’t hold up his life because of her and what she may or may not feel for him.

  He tossed the bag in the back of the truck and walked over to Mrs. Candace’s. She sat on the porch, rocking in her chair.

  “You’re leaving.”

  “Job opportunity.”

  “Take the bike.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t. It’s yours.”

  “I’m not getting on that thing again.”

  “Jason wouldn’t have wanted me to have it.”

  She rose and walked to him. “He shouldn’t have gotten tangled up in the mess he did then. It’s mine now, and I want you to have it. Take it. If you want the truck later, come back and return it to me. I love you, Chase Ellery.” She kissed his cheek. “Don’t be such a stranger, and I hope you tell Ms. Boshay you’re leaving.” She retreated inside her house.

  He moved his bag to the bike and secured it. He loved her, as well. Starting the engine, he stared at the house briefly before moving toward the road. He hadn’t any clue where Vicki would be right now, so he went to the station. She wasn’t there, and Tim told him where she was out patrolling. So, Chase tracked her down out there.

  In a parking lot, he faced the back of her car as she sat in the other direction. “What’s up?” she asked.

  “I’m leaving for Atlanta.”

  “Okay. When are you coming back?”

  “Not sure if I am. It’s a job opportunity.”

  Her gaze grew distant. “Good for you. See you later, Mr. Ellery.” With that, she drove off. Chase watched her until the car wasn’t visible any longer.

  What’d I expect her to do, beg me to stay? In the space of a second, she wiped away any intimacy between us and reduced me to Mr. Ellery.

  He got on the road toward Atlanta but couldn’t drop the image of her expression before she’d managed to control it. Hurt. Pain. Sorrow.

  Chapter Five

  Vicki blinked and crossed her arms. “I’m sorry, could you repeat that please?”

  The woman across the desk from her gave her a kind smile. “I said you’re pregnant.” She laced her fingers as she rested them upon the calendar. “I take it this is a bit of a surprise?”

  Vicki struggled to breathe. “You could say that.”

  “If you don’t mind me asking, is that why you’re here instead of with your regular doctor?”

  “Let’s just say small towns are notorious for not keeping its secrets.”

  “I understand.” She reclined and toyed with the edge of the file before her. “I’ll send you with vitamins. Will you be doing your pre-natal checkups here?”

  “As long as I can keep it hidden, yes.”

  The woman barely blinked. “Okay. You have the card and my direct number if you need anything.”

  The rest of her visit flew by in a blur. Pregnant. The word tumbled through her mind uncomfortably, much akin to sneakers in a dryer. Thumping and rattling.

  On her way back to Cottonwood Falls, Vicki veered off to a restaurant along the interstate. Claiming a booth in a quiet section, she ordered a hot tea and a bowlful of banana pudding. Outside, a summer storm rolled in, streaking the window she stared out with rivulets of rain.

  What am I going to do as a mother? Do I tell Chase? What if he doesn’t want anything to do with the baby?

  The pudding was satiny and went down easily. The mint tea—a nice addition, as well—soothed her nerves, but only slightly. Thunder boomed, and she took deep breaths. Wrapping her hands around the mug, she was grateful for the heat, for it pushed away her chill.

  She placed her phone on the table and chewed on her lower lip. Should I call him?

  Accepting a refill of tea, she leaned back and returned her hand to the warm porcelain. Jags of lightning pierced the dark clouds, creating a beautiful display. She allowed it to consume her, distract her. She hadn’t a clue of what to do next.

  Finished with her pudding, Vicki got one more tea to go, paid her bill, and wandered to her car, unmindful of the rain that fell. The ride home, she ignored her music for the most part, and she just did the trip on automatic.

  “I’ll need a bigger place,” she said once she
made it inside her one bedroom. She stared at her reflection. “I’m keeping my baby.” Turning sideways, she stuffed a pillow under her shirt, trying to envision what she would look like further down the road.

  Nervous and scared of the unknown, Vicki stripped before drawing on the shirt Chase had left at her place. His masculine scent surrounded her and allowed her to envision being held in his arms. That he protected her.

  Curled up to a pillow, she eventually drifted off to sleep. Even then, in her dreams, Chase maintained a watchful eye over her. She woke before her alarm and didn’t even pretend to sleep longer. She rolled out of bed and drew on her running clothes.

  After stretching, she stepped outside and breathed deeply. The fresh air filled her lungs, revitalizing her, as a small smile tipped up her lips. While she worked any shift, she loved her early mornings. If she happened to be on shift and available, she would pull up to the falls to just enjoy the time of day and the rush of water and the other sounds of nature that went along with it.

  She began at a slow jog, allowing her body to settle in. After her seven miles, she returned home for a hot shower. Buttoning up her uniform, she walked to the kitchen. Her breakfast of wheat toast, orange juice, and yogurt with fruit went down smoothly. She made a mental note to check the information the doctor sent home with her. Yesterday, it had been a bit much for her, and stuff hadn’t sunk in.

  Keeping an eye on the time, she strapped on her utility belt after washing the dishes she’d dirtied. Soft music played as she headed to work. Her mind hadn’t finished processing the news just yet.

  Tim sat on her desk when she entered the station. He toasted her with a cup of coffee. She grinned and tossed her bag beside him on the top.

  “Don’t you look like the cat who ate the canary,” she said.

  “I’ve been calling you.”

  She sat and rocked back. “Sorry, I had some things to take care of yesterday and called it an early night since I didn’t feel the best.”

  “I asked,” he said with a grin.

  It took her mind a moment before she understood the implications of what he meant. She jerked forward, grasping his arm. “And?”

  His grin was instantaneous. “Yes.”

  Vicki squealed and hugged him. “I’m so happy for you. When’s the date?”

  Tim was one of the few people who’d welcomed her here as a cop on the force. He’d been partnered with her and hadn’t minded so long as she did her job, he’d said, he could care less if she was a woman.

  “We’re doing it next weekend. Friday, really, and just at the Justice of the Peace.”

  “No, just. This is so wonderful, Tim. I’m so happy for the both of you.”

  “We want you there. With Chase, if he can make it.”

  A pang pierced her. “I’ll call him and see.”

  “Cheryl would like you to stand up with her.” He shrugged. “You know she doesn’t have many friends here.”

  His fiancée worked at the library and had cerebral palsy. Unfortunately, a lot of folks had no wish to be friends with her. Vicki had no problem with her and had actually spent a good number of evenings together with Cheryl. Usually nights that Tim worked over.

  “I would be honored. I’ll call her tomorrow, and we’ll figure something out for dresses and all that.”

  “Great. I’m going home to catch some shut eye.”

  “And the coffee?”

  He slid it toward her. “I was ready to bribe you if need be.”

  “No need,” she replied with a smile. “But I will gladly take this.” She beckoned beaming when he released it to her. “Fixed how I want it?”

  “Of course. I know better than to bribe you with something you don’t want.”

  She inhaled and purred. “Go home now.”

  He walked away, leaving her alone with the aromatic brew. While working on some paperwork, she drank it. To her left, her phone taunted her.

  Call him.

  She tossed away her empty cup and lifted the phone. Entering her unlock code, she scrolled down to his number and pressed the call button.

  “Hello?”

  His deep voice did things to her insides, which explained why she sat here in the police station knocked up by this man. The potency drenching that one word did the same thing to her panties. She squirmed on the seat.

  “Chase?”

  “Yes, Vicki. What’s up?”

  She cut her gaze to her boss’s office, grateful the door was still shut. “Are you planning on heading back to Cottonwood Falls anytime soon?”

  “You need me?”

  She had to bite back the affirmative that nearly slid free. “Tim is getting married this weekend and asked if you’d like to come with me. Friday, actually.”

  The muffled voices she’d heard vanished, and it was just silence. “What time?”

  “I’ll have to check with him later today. I wanted to know if you would be free first.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  She cleared her throat and shook her head like he could see her. “Nothing.”

  “I’ll be there, Vicki. For you.”

  Relief spread through her. “Thank you.”

  “After, we need to talk.”

  Thinking about the unborn baby growing in her womb, she said, “Yes, I believe we do. I’ll see you on Friday.”

  “Yes. I have to go.”

  “Bye, Chase.” She hung up before she could moon over his voice any longer or wish for a farewell that wasn’t going to be coming.

  Laying her palm over her belly, she took a deep breath. “Keep your fingers crossed this goes well on Friday, little one.” I have a feeling I’m going to need all the luck I can get.

  ☼

  The air blew over his face as he rode the bike down the interstate. Chase missed Vicki. He’d been gone to Atlanta for his job for a month and could say with all certainty he missed her. They hadn’t talked a lot but had had comfortable silences.

  The lazy mornings where they’d just laid in bed, in each other’s arms, meant more to him than she could ever know. That’s when he’d felt a connection with her. Not that he hadn’t other times, but then, she’d been the most honest, he believed. Those sleepy days were wonderful memories that he held tightly.

  He wove around a slower car and continued on. There had been something in her voice that had him saying yes, even though he hadn’t been sure he would be able to pull it off. In that moment, he’d known he’d find a way to make it there. Never believing a day would come when a Boshay, much less Vicki, would have asked him to come to her would have arrived, he had no intention of letting her down.

  He’d sent her a message saying he would meet her at the courthouse. He checked the time and asked for a bit more speed from the machine. The roads weren’t all that busy yet, for which he was grateful. He slowed as he left the interstate and did so even more as he entered Cottonwood Falls.

  Chase parked in front of the courthouse and swung his leg off the bike. He shoved a hand through his hair and strode to the steps.

  “Chase.”

  He paused and turned. His breath left him in a whoosh. Vicki hurried along the sidewalk toward him. Holy shit. The strapless turquoise dress had a pink ribbon waistband. Her long tan toned legs spilled from the bottom, and the heels only added to the picture. Her blonde hair had been braided and wound around her head except for two tendrils on either side of her face, giving her a soft and sultry appearance.

  “Damn,” he muttered as she slowed to a stop by him. “You’re beautiful.”

  She flushed. “Thank you. You’re wearing the hell out of that tuxedo.”

  He offered her his arm. “Shall we?”

  There was a moment’s hesitation before she nodded. “Let’s.”

  He offered her his arm and kissed her when she slipped her arm through his. Her taste rocked him, and he almost forgot they stood by the courthouse steps out in public. Instead, he wrested his libido back under control and walked up the stairs with her.r />
  “I just have to slip into the bathroom and take this final item to Cheryl,” she said as they walked across the floor, her shoes clicking.

  “I’ll see you in there.”

  She made her way toward the bathroom, and he watched her move. Confident. Sexy. His idea of the perfect woman.

  The small ceremony was simple, but there was no denying the love between the couple. Chase stood with her as they listened to the vows. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. Vicki paid total attention to the words being spoken between the new couple.

  After it was over and they kissed, she showed them the cake she’d had made for them. Along with the man of the cloth, they enjoyed some cake and took pictures.

  Tim hugged her, and Chase listened to their conversation.

  “Are you sure you don’t mind?” Tim asked.

  “Please. This is your wedding night. I’ve got your shifts covered.”

  “What about your weekend?”

  “I’m not the newlywed. Go on, take your bride, and do all those things I know y’all’ve been doing. Just as a legal couple now.” She grinned and hugged him.

  After one to Cheryl, the small gathering broke up. Vicki left the rest of the cake for those working in the building, and Chase escorted her back outside.

  “Thank you for coming,” she said as they neared the steps.

  “You’re welcome. When do you have time to talk?”

  “I can talk for a little bit now, but I have to take his shift, so I’m on duty in two hours.”

  “Have your uniform in your car?”

  “I do.”

  “Come to my house.”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  She pulled in his drive about five minutes after he’d arrived. He was over talking to Mrs. Candace when she drove in. With a kiss to the older woman, he walked back to his place.

  “Good to see you again, Ms. Boshay,” Candace called out as Vicki exited the car.

  “You as well, Mrs. Mallery.”

  “You’re looking beautiful in that dress.”

  She smiled. “Thank you. We were at a wedding.”

  “Good, maybe he’ll get some ideas and settle down here.” A pointed look before she went back inside her home.