It was humbling and terrifying.
She couldn’t imagine being the recipient of that again, yet she now knew it was coming and what to expect. She wanted to collapse in the grass. But frankly, she was scared of the weapon that was lolling her tongue at her. “Respect your animal” he’d told them, and she understood why. She didn’t even realize that Wesson had walked up to her until she felt a pat on the shoulder.
“Good job, Princess. You can skip the leash since you have shown control. Now, praise her for following orders and let’s move on.”
Shocked, Cindy’s mouth dropped open and she just stared at him in disbelief as he casually walked away like nothing had happened. As he glanced over his shoulder at where she stood, she saw a rush of pride, sadness and regret in his eyes. He turned away from her and she felt a burning in her heart. Rage, fear, accomplishment and a sense of longing as she stared at his back. She was proud of herself and able to handle what he tossed her way. She also wanted to jump into his arms and celebrate. This feeling surprised her, as did the intensity of it. Hands trembling, she dug a baby carrot out of her pocket. She found herself hesitating before kneeling down to give it to Duchess. She had a newfound respect for her partner and her instructor.
Gathering up her gear, Cindy prepared to head to her house to nurse her shaken nerves and put some ice on her arm. She was sincerely glad that there had been padding, because those canine teeth were pretty sharp. Her forearm was riddled with several spots that the pressure had been too much for her delicate skin, leaving tiny purple circles in several places.
“Let’s go home, Duchess. Mommy needs some ice cream and you can have a pupsicle, okay? You did good scaring the poo out of me, sweetie,” she crooned as Duchess wagged her tail happily.
“Pupsicles aren’t good for her.” She heard Wesson’s voice from behind her. Flinging the pack onto her back, she glared at him, bracing herself for the next attack or confrontation. The last two weeks since that moment at the gun range, they had been avoiding each other. Oil and water, fire and ice.
“Well, honestly?” Cindy lashed out, turning on Wesson. “This puppy-mommy could use a big whopping beer right about now instead of ice cream! But since I don’t drink, and Duchess sure doesn’t, it will have to do!”
“No. She can’t,” Wesson smirked knowingly. She saw his expression change as he suddenly dropped the bad boy act, looking concerned. “You okay?”
“Not really. Would I be out of line if I said that you pulling that stunt nearly made me have to change my panties?” she said shakily with a tired smile. “My hands are still shaking.”
“I’m sorry about that, but you questioned me in front of the others and that can get someone hurt or killed. I’m glad you have that bond with Duchess. But if it wasn’t there, and you couldn’t calm her down, you might have gotten hurt if she’d have moved from your arm to any other place.”
“Would you have let her do that? I mean, you did sic her on me – you know?” Cindy watched him flinch as she stated the truth. The fact that she had to ask and his expression both spoke volumes. They were leery of each other. She didn’t trust him, and he felt badly about it.
“That was to teach you both a lesson.”
“The lesson was learned, Mad-dog. The lesson was well learned today.” His black eyes watched her, and she almost felt like he regretted his actions earlier.
“My name is Enoch, not Mad-dog. That was a nickname I earned in Iraq.”
“Because you are insane?” she snapped angrily, pulling her backpack out of the locker she’d been assigned. Forcefully stuffing a few dog toys that belonged to Duchess inside, she saw that the Malinois sat between them watching. She looked almost as torn as Cindy felt as she looked between the two of them as they talked. Little traitor, she thought for a brief second and realized that she was confused. In her little world, the two people she knew best were fighting. That must be so hard on her.
“Not insane, I promise,” he said with a sad smile.
“You sure? Cause that was nuts earlier.”
“You need to keep a healthy respect for your animal…”
“Oh, it’s there!” Cindy interrupted quickly and saw the flash in his eyes again. He felt bad about it – and she was glad! He’d scared her, and it felt akin to betrayal at that very moment.
“… and realize that if something happens, you need to be ready. Always ready. Your voice is your tool. Like earlier, you were able to command her and she listened. Others can’t do that yet and they are pretty shaken, too. Now, let me see your arm.”
“It’s fine,” she countered.
“The first time I had a dog attack me in the padding, it went through and I bled like a stuck pig. The padding was old and well worn. That sleeve was a new one, but it still hurts like the dickens. May I?” he asked quietly and took Cindy’s hand in his.
Her breath caught as the heat of his hand burned through her skin, making her quickly look up in surprise. She felt his simple touch down to her toes. Her eyes met his and she saw a look of wonder cross his face before he hid it away. Did he feel it, too? Gently, he turned over her arm and frowned as he saw the purple markings.
“Perhaps, I should buy the ice cream tonight as an apology,” he muttered, smoothing his thumb over the tender skin. The feelings that the soft touch created made her stomach clench and her heart sing. This was all so weird, so strange.
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“Officer Lance, I’m trying to ask you out.”
“Oh!”
“Does that mean yes?”
“Um, well,” Cindy said nervously, looking away. “Sure, Wesson. I was going to head home so she could have her pupsicle, but we can go somewhere instead.”
“There is a creamery downtown that has a small courtyard with doggie bags, if needed, for Duchess. They serve dog ice cream, too.”
“Doggie poo bags? You know how to win a girl over,” she said sarcastically with a shy smile. He was still holding her hand, but now his fingers were laced with hers. He stood next to her, smiling down at her upturned face as she teased him.
“I hear it’s how you win over the hardheaded girls, at least. You tease them with puppies, ice cream and doggie bags,” he said softly. It was deafening at how hard her heart was beating in her chest right now at the intimate moment between them. They were alone. It was suddenly a couple chatting, not two people on opposite sides arguing.
He slowly released her hand as she pulled back nervously. She noticed that his hand shook almost as much as hers did. Instead of saying anything or addressing it, Cindy nodded in a silent acceptance. Wesson held the door for her and then reached out to cup her elbow lightly as he walked her to her squad car. It was about as awkward as a first date could get. She realized both were anxious about it.
“Do you want me to drive or shall we both take our cars?”
“Do I need to be worried about you siccing her on me again?”
“No, I promise,” he said with a regretful smile. “In fact, if I am not a proper gentleman, you can sic her on me.”
“Is there a chance?”
“Do you want there to be?” he asked softly, looking at her curiously. She saw there was a blaze of unspoken hope in his gaze that made her soul sing. She didn’t want to be too excited about this. Everything in her said to be careful, wary, protective from being hurt.
“If I said yes right now,” she said with a wry smile, “it would be because I might enjoy seeing her bite you, instead, after that scare.” His rich laughter made her heart skip a beat as she marveled at the change in his demeanor. Gone was the harsh, mean officer that commanded respect and in his place was a man. An open, intriguing, and very desirable man.
“Tell you what, I will drive my two girls out for ice cream tonight. So maybe, if I am driving, then you won’t let her bite me for fear I might crash the car.”
“Sounds like a compromise.”
“After you, Princess.”
“It’s Officer Lanc
e, remember?” she retorted as he opened the truck door to his Dodge Ram truck. Duchess climbed inside happily, like she had been in the truck before. Cindy watched as he circled around the front of the truck quickly and hopped inside. He started up the truck and put it in reverse. Smiling at her, he pulled out onto the road. She stared at his profile as she realized he was happy to be with her. She liked that more than she cared to admit. Gone was all the turmoil she’d felt and in its place was a happiness she’d not realized was missing.
“I know, but there is something about you that reminds me of Cinderella. Maybe it’s your name or that pretty little bun on the back of your head. Do you always wear it up?” he inquired as he stared ahead out the windshield.
“Cinderella, huh? No, I do like to keep a clean house but that is where the likeness ends. I wear it up for convenience, honestly. It gets hot if my hair is down and I don’t want to cut it.”
“You can let it down if you are off duty.”
“Maybe this is a bad idea after all,” she admitted nervously. She understood why he’d set Duchess on her but still didn’t like it. A lesson was to be taught to all of them and he was clearly in command of the training. She’d confronted him and wasn’t prepared. Just like going on a date with a good-looking man: she wasn’t prepared.
“I can stop and take you back to the car,” he said politely as they pulled up to the red light. She saw the concern on his face and something else she couldn’t identify.
“No, I’m just a bit nervous. Does this count as fraternizing?”
“We work in different departments. What are you nervous about?”
“You. Me.”
“Are we a thing?” he asked with a wide smile.
“That! That is what I am nervous about. Where’d all this come from?” she blurted out, laughing. “You are never like this at class! Even down at the range, you were different. Secretive. Quiet.”
“I like you. And when a guy likes a girl, he typically asks them out. I feel bad about the bruises, too.”
“I never knew you liked me by the way you were yelling at me all the time. And that blond chick? I haven’t seen her in a while, but what was up with her?”
“I have an image to maintain,” he said with a grin. At Cindy’s frown, he amended quickly. “She has been wanting me to ask her out for a long time now. I keep telling her that I’m not interested but it doesn’t seem to stick.”
“You do a good job at maintaining that image. What’s it going to do to your tough guy image if you are dating me?”
“Guess we’ll have to see how this goes, won’t we? Dating is plural. If you want to go out again, I’d like that.” he confirmed. They rode in silence to the creamery. As if Duchess realized it, she began panting and wagging her tail forcefully when they pulled up. She was pacing in the back seat of the truck eagerly and barked.
“You remember this, don’t you, girl?” Enoch crooned, reaching over the bench seat to pet Duchess on the head.
“You’ve brought her here? I thought pupsicles were bad for her?” Cindy reminded him, using his own words. The sight of him smiling and petting Duchess warmed her heart.
“She’s my favorite,” Wesson admitted unabashedly. “You should have seen her when she was a puppy. Smart as a whip and energetic. I try not to have favorites, but she was absolutely beautiful.”
“She is gorgeous. Don’t spoil my dog.”
“No, I won’t. She was a good choice for you.”
“How’d you know?” Wesson didn’t answer her. Instead, he turned off the truck and circled around to open the door for her. He extended his hand politely to help her out. Feeling like the princess he called her, she grinned as she placed her fingertips in his hand. She felt like a lady in waiting accepting aid from a knight in a fairytale. Enoch Wesson was a perfect gentleman so far, holding the door open for her and treating her like royalty instead of a modern-day girl.
“You never answered me. How’d you know Duchess would be a good fit?”
“Miss, what will you have?” the clerk interrupted just as she wanted to hear Enoch’s answer. He was still holding her free hand while she held Duchess on a leash.
“Do you have coffee ice cream?”
“Yes.”
“I will have one scoop of coffee with marshmallow drizzle on top. Oh, and whipped cream,” Cindy ordered happily and then blushed as she realized that was not what delicate, tiny women ordered. She was a healthy woman that prided herself on being strong and feminine. If Mad-dog Wesson had a problem with her being normal or craving ice cream left and right, so be it.
“Sir?”
“I will have the same. Oh, and a puppy cup please.”
“You like coffee ice cream?” she asked curiously as she accepted her bowl of frozen happiness from the young man behind the counter. Not many people liked coffee as much as she did, and the fact that it came in ice cream form was heavenly. She figured he’d ordered the same simply because they were on a date, but the way he was eying her bowl made her realize that he might actually like it!
“I love it. It’s sweet but bitter. Sometimes there is a bunch of stuff added and you can’t appreciate the flavor of the coffee, you know? In the springtime, they will have a special batch with coffee beans and chocolate swirls. We’ll have to come back for that.”
“Does that mean you are asking me out again?” she asked as he accepted his own bowl of ice cream. The only difference between the two of them was his was sprinkled with nuts and several cherries were tossed on top.
“Absolutely. I have to get my coffee fix somehow.”
“Interesting,” she teased with a grin. “You barely know me yet here you are planning a second date. Plying me with ice cream does work, but so do scary movies and long walks.”
“Oh really?” Wesson asked, surprised. “Maybe you want me to ask you out if you are telling me what you like.”
“Perhaps. We’ll have to see. It might have been an evil ploy to put you on the wrong path.”
“You are supposed to say something nefarious and rub your hands together now. Go ahead and I will wait,” he said, taking a big bite, pointing his empty spoon at her. Cindy laughed and shook her head.
“No, no. The ice cream will melt, and Duchess has been such a good girl.” Glancing down, she saw that the dog’s soulful eyes were watching them as if she understood what they were saying.
“Even though she bit you?”
“She did exactly as she was told… by you, I might add. So, yes.” Wesson held open the back door of the ice cream shop for her that opened to a courtyard. Duchess yanked on the leash and pulled Cindy forward, causing her to stumble as she held her bowl tightly. They walked out to the small courtyard that held several colorful Adirondack chairs. She watched as Enoch grabbed two of them and pulled them off to the side.
He handed his bowl of ice cream to her and pulled back the top of the puppy cup, setting it into the grass. Duchess promptly lay between the two chairs and began gnawing on the small puppy ice cream cup. The courtyard had several other families and couples, so Cindy opted to keep the leash on Duchess to be on the safe side. There was a small Yorkie Terrier not far from where they sat that barked incessantly at Duchess to get her attention, but she would have none of it. She was concentrating on the treat that lay between her paws in the grass.
The sun was going down and the trees above them were suddenly illuminated as someone flipped a switch, turning on dozens of Christmas lights that were strung in the trees. The colorful glow against the darkening sky seemed almost ethereal and certainly romantic. Cindy realized that this was probably the most perfect date she could have imagined ever going on and it was something so simple, yet so casual.
“You didn’t eat any of mine, did you? There is a cherry missing,” he asked with a grin, holding out his hand and indicating that she should have a seat.
“No, I wouldn’t do that!” Cindy held out the offending bowl towards him, slightly miffed that he would be petty enough to count the c
herries on his ice cream. Sheesh!
“I’m teasing you,” he quickly amended, as if he could read her expression. “Relax. Dates are supposed to be fun, enjoyable.”
Cindy took a seat nearby and watched him sit down. Wesson was taller than she realized as he sprawled out in the chair, his legs stretched out in front of him. This casual side of him was enchanting and kept throwing her off as he teased her. She wasn’t used to that. No, she was used to him barking orders and snapping at people daily. Tonight, he seemed almost normal as she watched him balance the bowl on his sternum and take a large bite. He shut his eyes happily and sighed aloud.
“This is heaven.”
“It is really delicious,” she agreed, sitting back and crossing her legs. She set the bowl on the armrest and stared up at the twinkling lights above them. Taking a large bite of her own bowl, she listened to the conversations going on all around them. Soft laughs, happy voices, the aura around them was brimming with contentment.
“I’m talking about all of it. Beautiful night, great ice cream and wonderful company. It’s peaceful.”
“Yes, it is nice. Especially when you aren’t having my own dog attack me.” Cindy couldn’t resist bringing it up again. That really bothered her, and he had yet to apologize. He admitted that he’d had it done to him and that it hurt, but that still wasn’t an apology.
“Still on that?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“I am sorry you were bruised. I know you didn’t like it and I understand why. Maybe I can make it up to you tomorrow night?”
“Are you asking me out again?”
“You available on Friday and Saturday, too?”
“Stop it,” she argued, laughing as she took a bite. The smile on his face and the earnestness in his eyes was enchanting. It was like a kid getting ready to open a Christmas present. He looked so happy, so thrilled and it made her feel like she’d done the right thing accepting his offer to go out for ice cream tonight instead of being upset at the day’s events at home.
“Seriously, what about Sunday? Do you like to fish? I know Duchess does.”
Lawfully Challenged Page 4
