by Jo McNally
“Okay, Sam. We’ll recap with Terry and his DEA team in the morning. This gives a lot more weight to his theory that Gallant Lake has become a waypoint between New York and their expansion into Albany.”
He ended the call and stared out the windshield. He almost forgot Mack was there until she spoke.
“Something bad happened.” She didn’t state it as a question.
“Yes.”
“Have there been casualties?”
He huffed out a humorless laugh. “Have there been casualties? Christ, Mack, do you have any idea how many OD calls I get these days? It feels more common than traffic stops. In Gallant Lake! And I just missed a chance to stop it.” His teeth ground together as he turned the key and pulled back onto the road. “For llamas.”
“Dan, you’re off duty until tonight. It’s a Wednesday afternoon. Even cops get to have lives once in a while.”
“I was on call. I should have made sure I could actually receive a call, don’t you think? I told you it was a dead zone, but no, you had to see the baby llama.” He was being an ass. He knew it. But that mother and her kids...
Mack recoiled, but her voice stayed calm. Steely calm.
“I know you’re upset. But this is not my fault. It’s not yours, either. It’s not feasible to be on call every hour of every day. You’ll have another chance to get them...”
“Yeah? You’re an expert on how often law enforcement gets a chance to shut down a drug highway, huh? That’s great. What would you suggest we do next, boss?” He turned onto the main road, driving past Halcyon and the resort. He was baiting her, looking for a fight. And she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction, sitting there in silence.
He parked behind her place, his fingers tight on the wheel. She didn’t leave the truck. He didn’t say anything. Knowing he was acting like a jerk didn’t make it any easier to stop. He scrubbed his hands down his face.
“I think I’d better just go home tonight, Mack. I clearly won’t be good company.”
“Dan...no. Come upstairs. Tell me what happened. Let’s—”
“No. That’s not what I need.” He had a feeling it was exactly what he needed, but it wouldn’t help him figure out how to break this drug case. And that had to be his focus now. He glanced at Mack. He couldn’t afford to be sidetracked. The town was depending on him.
Mack shook her head, but she reached for the door handle. “You’re wrong. But you’re too stubborn to listen, so...fine. When you’re ready to talk, I’m here.” The door opened, and she looked back over her shoulder. “For what it’s worth, today was great until you got that call.”
His chest went hollow. “Don’t you get it, Mack? That’s my life. There will always be a call that ruins a fun day. I am always going to have half my mind on my job at any given moment. And I won’t be able to talk to you about most of it. I won’t want you to know. I won’t want to answer the questions. I won’t want to bring the crap I see into your world. But that’s what you get with me. The people of this town rely on me, and you have no idea what that...” His words caught in his throat. He was so damn tired. Her hand touched his, and he froze, closing his eyes. “Don’t.”
He wanted to follow her up to her bed and bury himself in her. Let go of everything weighing on him. But he couldn’t do that. He had a responsibility, and today, he’d dropped the ball. That couldn’t happen again.
Mack waited for a moment, then muttered something and pulled her hand away.
“You know, you complain about feeling like a cartoon character with the whole Sheriff Dan thing, but here you are, acting like you really are some kind of superhero. But you’re not. And the sooner you realize that, the happier you’ll be.” And she was gone.
He couldn’t fault what she’d said. But his priority in life wasn’t being happy. It was...
His tires spun on the way out of the parking lot. Damned if he knew what it was anymore.
* * *
People hadn’t been kidding when they told Mack the Travis Foundation charity weekend was a really big deal. Not only did it raise tons of money for the foundation to help veterans, but it was also a boon to Gallant Lake. Mack couldn’t believe the swanky crowd strolling the sidewalks on Friday afternoon. Athletes—many of them clients of Mel Brannigan’s agent husband, Shane. Hollywood faces recruited by the cousin who ran the event, Bree Caldwell—a former reality-TV star turned North Carolina farm wife. Dad had warned Mack to be stocked and ready for crowds, and she was glad she’d listened. He also told her to make sure she had lots of top-shelf stuff, and she’d been selling it.
She should be happy. Hell, she should be ecstatic. Her dad was wheeling his scooter around the store and smiling ear to ear as he made recommendations to customers. He loved being in the store, and she suspected he was loving it so much because he didn’t have to be there. She hadn’t realized how much pressure he’d been feeling the past few years trying to keep the store going while she and Ryan figured out what the heck they wanted to do with their lives. So now Dad was having a great time and the store was doing hot business. Why wasn’t she happy?
Dan hadn’t been back to her place since their argument on Wednesday. She wasn’t sure if she could really call it an argument, since Dan seemed to be carrying on the whole thing on his own. He’d wanted to fight, but she wasn’t going to be a part of him beating himself up. And she sure wasn’t going to take the blame for whatever it was that went wrong while she and Dan had—horrors!—been having fun on his day off.
He’d said he liked coming to her to forget what he dealt with on his job. But what if he couldn’t ever really forget? If he’d never be able to share more with her than his need to forget? What was there for her in a relationship that revolved around Dan basically using her as a release valve?
To be fair, it wasn’t like he ghosted her completely. He’d texted, explaining he was on surveillance with the task force when he wasn’t on shift. She knew he was trying to make up for what happened Wednesday by working nonstop. He couldn’t keep going like this. But she didn’t bother pointing that out. He’d rewired himself from Danger Dan to Sheriff Dan, and he seemed determined that there was no middle ground between the two.
Because she loved him, she was willing to give him a little more time to figure things out. She’d been through it herself after her divorce, finding the sweet spot between People-Pleaser Mackenzie and Free-Spirited Mackie. Dan had helped her with that. So she’d return the favor. If he’d let her.
“Mack! Oh, good, you’re here!” Mel rushed into the store, waving at Dad. “Hi, Carl!” She turned back to Mack. “I have a double-malt scotch emergency.”
“Well, there’s something I never thought I’d hear from my pregnant, alcoholic friend.”
Mel barked out a quick laugh. “One of the resort guests is being fitted by Luis for a gown for tomorrow’s gala. Her husband is running out of patience, and she’s afraid he’ll tell her to just wear the dress she already has. She doesn’t want that to happen, and considering the cost of the dress she’s looking at, Luis and I don’t want it to happen, either.” She paused for a breath. “She says hubby loves top-shelf double malt. Got any that might impress him enough to soothe his grumbling?”
Mack turned for the counter, but her dad beat her to it, handing Mel a bottle.
“This’ll keep him happy,” he said.
“You’re a lifesaver, Carl!” Mel clutched the bottle to her chest. “How much...?”
“A lot.” Mack’s dad winked. “But you can catch up with us later. That’s what neighbors are for.”
Mel turned to go but paused as she passed Mack. “Your dad’s the best. You and Dan are coming to the gala tomorrow, right?”
“I... I’m not sure.” She and Dan were supposed to be going together, but she wasn’t sure where they stood after this week.
Mel came to a full stop. “What happened?”
; Mack glanced back at her father, but he’d moved to the back of the store, out of earshot. “Dan’s really busy this week...”
Mel waved her hand. “He’ll be there—his daughter’s a model. And even if he’s on call, you should be there for Chloe. All she talks about is how you and she both love purple. In fact...” Mel looked Mack up and down. “Stop by the shop later. Luis has a dress that would be perfect for you with a little nip and tuck here and there.”
“That’s sweet, but I can’t afford a Luis Alvarez gown, Mel.” Luis Alvarez was Mel’s best friend and business partner. He was also a well-known fashion designer. He maintained a fashion studio above her boutique that was usually appointment only, but he and his husband, Tim, were in town all week for the big event.
Mel reached for the door, distracted and on the fly again. “Don’t be silly. It’s a loaner. You can be one of our models. My cousins are all modeling dresses, too. They do it every year.” She winked over her shoulder as she left. “And it’s got purple in it. You’ll be Chloe’s hero!”
Mack was pretty sure she’d never worn a purple couture dress in Connecticut. She couldn’t help smiling. If it was something the old Mack wouldn’t have done, then it was something the new Mack should embrace. And what better way to knock Dan’s socks off than showing up in an Alvarez Designs creation?
Chapter Seventeen
Mack paced nervously as she waited for Dan to pick her up Saturday night. She had no idea where they stood. The weight of the heavily sequined gown gave her some comfort. Between the shapewear she wore under it and the way the gown hugged her body, it was like wearing her very own ThunderShirt, like the snug ones dogs wore to comfort them during storms. The bold colors gave her a jolt of confidence, too—swirls of deep purple, turquoise and white. The off-the-shoulder design was simple and formfitting, with a thigh-high side slit and a plunging neckline.
Luis Alvarez had made a few adjustments to accommodate her ample cleavage, and Mel had shown her how to tape those babies up and secure and then how to tape the dress to her skin to avoid any nip slips. She felt strapped in and ready for battle.
She opened the door almost as soon as Dan knocked, and they stared at each other in silence. Dan was in a tux. A tux. And the man, who wore a uniform like it was his second skin, was doing the same with this tuxedo. He looked as cool and comfortable as he did in his cargo shorts and T-shirt out in the fishing boat. And just as delicious. But after the past week, she didn’t feel she could jump into his arms and tell him so. So she waited, chin held high, tummy pulled in, hand on her hip as if she was just waiting for him to fall to his knees before her. It was all an act, of course, as she tried to suppress her fear that things were worse between them than she’d thought.
He let out a low whistle as his gaze traveled up her body. When his eyes met hers, there was a welcome and familiar heat there, and his mouth slid into a slanted grin. Danger Dan was back.
“Damn, Mack. You look...” He gestured at the dress. “...amazing. I mean, you’re always amazing, but...hot damn. That dress looks like it was poured onto you. And this...” His gesture moved to her chest. “How are you keeping those things in there?”
The blurted-out question made her laugh, and just like that, the tension eased between them. “Don’t worry, there’s enough tape in here to keep everything in place.”
He stepped inside, and he smelled as good as he looked, all spice and pine and mountain air. The minute his fingers brushed hers, she started wondering if they really had to go to the gala. Would they be missed? Could she convince him to follow her upstairs, where she’d relocated her things to the large master bedroom this week? The master bedroom with a king-size bed?
Clearly reading her mind, Dan shook his head slowly. “As much as I want to untape you piece by piece, Chloe’s waiting for us.” His smile faded. “I know we have a lot to talk about, Mackie, but for tonight...”
“For tonight,” she finished for him, “I’m Cinderella and you’re my Prince Charming. And you have another little princess who needs you, too. The clock won’t strike midnight for hours yet, so let’s enjoy it.”
His arm slid around her waist, and he kissed her lightly. “I don’t want to mess up your makeup.” He winked. “At least not yet. But God, Mackie, it feels good to be with you right now. We both know I’ve been avoiding you, and I’m sorry. I’m just trying—”
“Hey, Prince Charming.” She cupped her hand on his cheek. “No talking until later. It’s been a hard week for both of us.” His eyes glowed with warmth and regret, and she almost bolted the door behind him so they couldn’t leave until they’d solved this problem. But Chloe was waiting. “I love you, so I’m giving you time to figure your nonsense out. For tonight, let’s just go live the fairy tale, okay?”
He tugged her in close, kissing her again, a little more passionately this time. “I’m always living a fairy tale with you, Mackie. You make me feel...well, you make me feel everything. It’s a blessing and a curse, to be honest. Maybe we can find a fairy godmother to lift the curse part, because my heart and my head are so damned tangled up right now.” He looked down at her chest pressed tight against his, so close to overflowing the confines of her dress. “This dress isn’t helping. I’m going to be watching all night to make sure that tape is really going to hold. And I’m damn sure looking forward to peeling it off later.”
“Be careful, Caveman Dan. This is a borrowed dress, and if it’s damaged, it might turn into a very expensive pumpkin.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m wondering how I’m going to get you up into my truck. Maybe I should have hired a limo.”
She managed to get into the truck just fine, thanks to that very long slit in the side of the dress and a little boost from Dan. She wasn’t sure if he did it to help, or if he just wanted a chance to put his hands on her butt. Either way worked for her.
Hell, everything worked when they were together. Maybe this week was just a speed bump for them. A blip on the story of their love. Because she did love him.
When they walked into the ballroom, it took Mack a moment to realize this was the same Gallant Lake Resort ballroom she’d been in as a girl. When she was growing up, she’d been to a few weddings and parties in this room, but it never looked anything like this. The walls and chandeliers shimmered. Thousands of tiny fairy lights strung across the ceiling made it feel like she really was in a fairy tale. Multiple French doors opened onto the wide stone veranda overlooking the lake, which was smooth as glass as the sun sank low in the sky. The round tables had floral centerpieces that cascaded down from the tops of tall glass pillars, creating the sensation when you sat down that you were sitting under an arbor of roses and lilies.
The crowd was just as spectacular as the setting. Television celebrities. Broadway stars. Athletes. CEOs. The men were in tuxes, and the women were in the most beautiful dresses Mack had ever seen. She breathed a silent thanks to Mel for providing a dress that held its own in this room.
“Dad! Mackie! You’re here!” Chloe came running at them, hugging Dan before turning to Mack. “Your dress has purple in it! We match, Mackie!”
Chloe twirled, the grape-colored organza skirt flaring out around her as she did. The skirt had glittery three-dimensional flowers scattered on it, and the top was a lighter shade of purple, with puffy sleeves of organza and lace. Mack laughed.
“We do match, but your dress is better for twirling than mine! And look at your shoes!” The flats were covered in purple crystals. “They look like something you could click together and get any wish you wanted!”
Chloe extended one leg, admiring her shoes. “Mel said I could keep the shoes. I’m going to wear them every day.”
Dan frowned. “I don’t know how practical—”
Mack cut him off. “You get to keep the magic wish shoes? That’s awesome. Isn’t it awesome, Dan?”
She gave him a pointed look. He didn
’t have to be such a Be Honest at All Times buzzkill. He apparently got the message, shaking his head with a smile.
“It is awesome. Make sure you thank Mel later. You look really pretty, sweetheart.”
Chloe beamed. “Thanks, Dad!” She turned back to Mack. “Wouldn’t it be cool if they really were magic shoes and granted wishes?”
“That would be cool.” Mack started to lean forward, then thought better of it. No sense testing the strength of that tape. She grabbed Chloe’s hand and bent her knees instead. “You know, when I was a little older than you, my friend and I found a magic wishing well just outside Gallant Lake. Have you ever heard of the wishing well up on Gilford’s Ridge?” She had no idea if it was still a legend or not. For all she knew, the old Gilford homestead on the ridge had been bulldozed and built over years ago. But Chloe jumped on the story.
“Really? A wishing well in Gallant Lake? Dad, did you know about that? Is it still there? Can we go to it?”
Dan rolled his eyes at Mack, but a mischievous grin played at the corners of his mouth. “It’s been a long time since I was up on Gilford’s Ridge, honey. And I wasn’t there for any wishing well.”
Mack blushed. She’d forgotten the abandoned farm had been a popular lovers’ lane for horny high school kids back then. Of course, she’d never been taken up there for that. She’d been a serious student. But she and Shelly had walked through the woods one summer afternoon in junior high and found the wishing well.
After a five-course dinner and a fashion show put on by real models as well as a quick walk about by volunteers like Chloe and Mack, the dancing commenced. Dan and Mack were seated with Nick West and Cassie Zetticci. The newly engaged coworkers were clearly head over heels for each other. No one could miss their affection. The furtive, heated glances. Hands held under the table. The occasional quick kiss. His hand brushing the back of her head, fingers twisting in her dark hair briefly before he sat up straighter and pretended it was accidental.
