by Taryn Quinn
“Gina told me.”
There was a long pause. “Okay, well, if that’s the deal, I’m bowing out. I’m not looking to be the bone in your tug-o-war sex games.”
“As intriguing as that sounds, you’re not. She told me when we were having a moment.”
“Yeah, okay. Color me officially out of this situation. I wish you both luck. That’s the truth. You’ve been doing this dance with her for so long, it’s time you stop circling. If you don’t, the next guy may not be so willing to step aside.”
“I hear you. I really do.” I rubbed my temple where an ache was brewing. “I’ve been a fool, but I’m trying to fix it. So, can you not cancel that date?”
“As part of your kinky foreplay? Nah, man. I’m all for getting some the way that gets your rocks off, but I’ve gotta pass.”
I couldn’t do anything but laugh. Exhaustion had set in for sure—both physical and emotional.
“No, I want to take your place. But I want it to be a surprise.”
“So she’ll actually show up?” he asked drily.
“Something like that. But that’s where your part ends. You don’t have to appear in chainmail or anything.”
“You’re lucky that I’m a teacher and actually know what that is.”
“I’m lucky in a lot of ways lately. So, can you help me out? I’ll consider it a huge favor.”
“Hmm, getting in good with the sheriff. I could make use of that. Unless this is another way to try to off me. You seem like a wily sort.”
“You have a very suspicious nature.”
“Let’s just say I’ve had to climb out of a few bedroom windows and hide in a couple of closets. Never of my doing either. Sometimes you aren’t told the full score.”
“That’s not Gina. She was honest with you. I just didn’t step up like I should have. I’ve learned.”
“We’ll see. I don’t want to hear I played a part in hurting her. She’s a nice girl. Don’t screw up, Brooks.”
I exhaled. “I won’t. And if I do, I have a cute baby I can use as a distraction.”
“Right.” He paused. “Uh, say what? Where did you get a baby, man?”
I smiled as I climbed the stairs to check on her again. “I got lucky.”
Fourteen
“I shouldn’t do this. It’s not right.”
“Why the hell not?” Luna asked.
She was standing at my side in the triple mirror in Kinleigh & August’s Attic’s dressing room and acting as my stylist, since I wasn’t used to getting all dolled up. My most usual uniform was jeans and a top and hair in a ponytail.
Tonight, she’d swept my hair up into an updo with a few strategic ringlets tumbling to my shoulders. My makeup was tasteful, but it was more than I usually wore.
She fluffed the Christmas red skirt of my dress with its gauzy, shimmering overlay. The top was a vintage style with a sweetheart neckline that perfectly showcased the pear-shaped pink quartz necklace hanging just above my cleavage. Luna had picked it out for me from Kinleigh’s jewelry case, since she was an expert on crystals and their meanings.
Quartz was for love. I could get behind that, except not for my actual date. Which I should not even be having, but it wasn’t anything other than friends looking at lights. Was that how Caleb felt though? I didn’t know, and I didn’t want to lead him on in any way.
If I wasn’t going to be with Brooks, I wasn’t going to date, not ever again. I was prepared to let my hoohaa wilt and wither away, and I would learn to be content with self-satisfying. Many a woman lived quite happily without a man.
Even one who dispensed two orgasms without getting any for himself.
“He sent me flowers. I could barely fit them all in my apartment window,” I admitted, thinking of the trio of white orchids that had arrived from Brooks’ Greenery this morning.
They’d been in colorful pots, and each one had two spikes of orchids in full bloom. I’d put one in each of my windows, fussing to make sure they got the proper light. This afternoon, I’d read about them online, how they were the perfect plant to apologize. True, easy enough to just have his father send them, but I couldn’t help being touched.
As angry and hurt as I’d been last night at his sudden dismissal, I’d had more time to think during my sleepless night. His mom had left when he and Mason were basically babies. He’d had few female influences in his life, and I understood quite well how when he got overwhelmed, he defaulted to rigid, stoic, lawman Brooks. It was his safety setting.
And what could be more overwhelming than the past week and a half? I came from an extremely healthy—and boisterous—family background, and even I was floundering a bit with these changes. Brooks didn’t know what any of that was like. As nice as his dad and Mason were, they were all independent guys who did their own thing. Dinner at their place was quiet with the occasional quips and laughter. My family was the only experience he’d had with what it was like to have a home filled with chaos and love.
Now he had a baby and a woman when all he’d ever known was duty to his job above all else. To be caught ten seconds after going down on me by his deputy must’ve been horrifying. No wonder he’d freaked out and told me to hide, as stupid and irritating as that was.
Luna stopped arranging my dress and sighed, gripping my shoulders. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”
I didn’t even look around me to see if we were being overheard. There hadn’t been many people in the store when I came in, but I’d been here for the better part of an hour, and voices were now a steady hum in the main part of the shop.
I simply didn’t care.
“Yes.” I reached up to clutch my necklace. “And the worst thing is I think he might love me too.”
Luna narrowed her eyes. “Have you been drinking?”
I released a half laugh as I sank onto a nearby ottoman. The toes of my white boots peeked out beneath my dress and I admired them in the mirror for a moment before I motioned her closer. “We are both hopeless with this stuff.” I lowered my voice. “It’s probably a miracle the sex is so good, and we didn’t break each other’s noses or something.”
“Wait, what? What sex? You didn’t say there was sex.”
“Shh.” I didn’t mind sharing my truth, but I preferred not to take out a billboard. “Not actual sex. We didn’t get that far. But we—”
“Oh. Ohh. So, that’s what happened with Christian.”
I frowned. “You know?”
“I work on Main Street, hello.” She gestured around her. “Kinleigh’s shop is a hub for activity and tall tales. For this one, people didn’t give many details. I think because he wears a badge. Almost the same as a man of the cloth. Requires hushed, reverent voices.”
“He’s really really reverent. Like…so reverent.”
Luna’s eyes widened. “That good?”
I had to tell someone before I burst. “He was not stingy. At all.” I held up two fingers on one hand and formed a zero with fingers on my other hand. “All me.”
“You didn’t even reciprocate? You should’ve sent him flowers. I mean, yay you, but wow, that’s harsh.”
“Oh, I would’ve. Believe me. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a co—oh, hey, Mrs. Gunderson,” I said brightly as the older woman—and inveterate gossip hound—shuffled over to us.
“You did me dirty, Regina.”
“I did?”
“I asked you about that pool and you said no. I knew no Ramos girl would lie to me, so I only bet ten dollars on yes. Just in case. Macy Gideon won the whole darn thing. I think she bet 500 dollars. She can probably buy a new car now.”
I choked and Luna rubbed my back. “Who officiates these things?”
“What do you mean?”
“Someone can’t win money until the act has been done, right?”
Mrs. Gunderson rubbed her chin. “I suppose. But we all know about the lookout. We’re in the bonus round now.”
I never thought I’d be able to grin in such a situat
ion, but I did as I rose. “Nope. No deed done. We were just talking.”
“Hmpfh.” She toddled away before pivoting to look me up and down. “You look beautiful. I hope he finally seals the deal. But I’m going to get those results thrown out and up my spend.”
Luna shook her head. “This town is intense. Are there pools for getting knocked up too?”
“No, that’s a sucker’s bet for most. Since practically everyone of childbearing age gets knocked up in the Cove.”
Except me.
“Uh oh. Is that why you didn’t get the deed done? Worried about early parenthood?”
If only. “Well, if this thing works out with Jared, that’ll happen anyway. He better tell everyone else he hasn’t yet about you know who. Or maybe the whole town already knows because of what happened at the lookout point.”
“I don’t think so. I haven’t heard anyone mention the kid. Pretty sure the possibility of seeing the sheriff butt naked took precedence.”
“Heck, I haven’t even seen him naked yet. Get in line, people. How did they find out? I can’t believe Christian would spill.”
“Old Man Roy was walking Petey. He claimed he hid by a tree when Christian pulled up. He heard them talking and saw you in the passenger seat. Didn’t you get this story at the diner?”
“No. I pulled a double yesterday so I could take off tonight for the tree lighting and tomorrow for my sister’s baby shower. I didn’t have a chance to chat much all day. We were slammed with Black Friday shoppers taking a load off between rounds. We ran out of potatoes for a little while. That has never happened.”
“I’m shocked no one put you on the spot for the deets. Leave it to Mrs. Gunderson to bring up the pool.”
“Did you bet?”
Luna was looking awfully shifty. “No?”
I had to laugh. “You had insider information.”
“Exactly why I bet. I just hoped the winner would be pulled before the thing happened. And I’m going to lose soon. Especially if he takes a look at you in that dress. You’re a vision.”
“Aww. Sweet talker.” I waited for someone coming in to try on a sweater to finish up before I spoke again. “I’m going to go by Jared’s later. Bet one hundred on slept together, and I’ll clue you in when it happens.” I swallowed hard and altered my statement. “If it happens, and we’ll split the pot.”
“I’ll need proof. They already invalidated Macy’s win.”
“Do you want me to get broken up again before we’re even back together?” I asked in an undertone. “He’s the damn sheriff. I can’t mass mail a picture of his naked ass.”
“You’re the one who wanted to split the pot.”
“If we’re being bet on, why shouldn’t we benefit? It’s not like we can get them to stop betting if we say ‘please don’t.’”
“Uh, hello, you will be benefiting to the tune of two Os before you even remember to let him join the party.”
I giggled helplessly. “Mrs. Gunderson saw you with me. Your word will be good enough. Now go. I don’t even know if it’s going to happen tonight or ever.”
“Yeah, considering you’re meeting Caleb in,” she glanced at her phone, “under an hour.”
“To watch the tree lighting,” I reminded her. “Casual friends. We’ll be with the whole Beck clan. It’ll totally be PG.”
“Before you get X-rated with the sheriff?”
I took a deep breath. “We’ll see. Now go ring me out, wench.” I gave her a light shove out of the dressing room.
A few minutes later, I was on my way to meet everyone near the gazebo. It was handy being friends with people like Kinleigh who’d just let me wear my new clothes home so I didn’t have to go back to change. I had the sexy underwear thing handled courtesy of earlier shopping with Frankie and Gabby. Erica had planned to come too, but she was feeling swollen and achy so she’d passed.
Erica was carrying low, so my mom was convinced she was having a boy. My sister and Jake had wanted to be surprised, but everyone thought that surprise would arrive sooner than expected.
I gripped my purse tighter as I made my way through the dense foot traffic on the sidewalk. A light snow had started a little while ago, and the town was bustling with pre-Christmas excitement. Holiday music floated on the air as customers hurried in and out of shops. Vendors were set up in the square with all kinds of treats from flavored cocoas to roasted chestnuts to warm apple cider from Happy Acres Orchard in nearby Turnbull. Couples strolled hand in hand, smiling at everyone they passed. Kids raced around with dogs in tow while their parents followed close behind.
I smiled mistily. Happy chaos. I wanted to be spending this night with Jared and Sami and Sadie. Like a family of our own.
Then I saw him coming through the crowd, dressed all in black, something small in his arms. At his side, a familiar brown shape wiggled and pranced—until she saw me up the street and shot toward me like a furry brown bullet.
I was already laughing, my mind spinning. How had I conjured him out of thin air? What was he even doing there?
Grinning, I took a step forward, my heel catching on an icy spot. “Oh!” I exclaimed as Sadie flung herself at me bodily and sent me backward onto the ground. Pain exploded in my head for a brief shocking second.
You’re okay.
I struggled to get up, but Sadie wasn’t having that. Thinking we were playing, she leaped onto my chest and nearly killed me, her tongue doing a good imitation of a car wash while I tried to wrestle her away from my vital organs.
Dresses were great until they flew up to your waist in the middle of town while you were sprawled on the sidewalk. But hey, nice panties, so could be worse, right?
Huh, the stars were pink and pulsing. That was new. Holiday effect, maybe? I wondered how much that had cost. I didn’t realize the Cove had that big a budget.
“Baby, are you okay?”
Halfheartedly, I tried to tug my dress into place as Jared’s worried face swam into my vision from above. And aww, he was holding the cutest little reindeer with big blue eyes.
My baby. No, no, she was his.
But I yearned.
“Hey there.” I tried to lean up and slumped back down. The cold was seeping into my bones and I felt ice in inappropriate places, but I’d just stay right here. I was so tired all of a sudden.
“Bee.” Jared crouched beside my head, wrangling the dog who had nearly killed me with one arm while he held his adorable reindeer with the other. “Look at me, sweetheart.”
“Looking. Boy, are you pretty. Were your eyes always so blue?”
I swore I heard laughter. Maybe my ears were ringing. But this was a good time to come clean.
“I was going to split the money with you, I swear. But I may need a picture of your naked butt.”
And I fainted.
Fifteen
The smell of woods and lake water filtered into my senses. I tucked my nose into a hard, muscled chest dusted with the perfect amount of hair and snuggled in.
“You saved me.” I couldn’t seem to lift my eyelids, but I didn’t need to see him to know who held me. It was as if we were bouncing in the water, floating along without a care.
Well, other than hypothermia, since I was cold and wet and not in a fun way.
But his arms were so strong and supportive. He would never let me fall. Not for long. Not anymore.
He turned his face against my temple and warmth tickled my cheek, making me smile. Then my eyes popped open and focused on his damp, shattered eyes, zeroed in on my face as if he couldn’t bear to look anywhere else.
I reached up to touch his cheek and drew my wet fingers away to look at them.
“You probably won’t remember this.” His voice was so thick. “But I love you, Bee. Please don’t leave me.”
We weren’t in the lake. He crouched at my side and I was on the couch in his cheerfully decorated living room, a blanket wrapped securely around my legs. There was no baby in sight. No Sadie.
Over and over,
his words played in my head in a dizzy, disbelieving loop.
“I didn’t get the money yet,” I said weakly. “Since that requires, you know, penetration.”
He laughed so hard that his knee gave out on him. He pressed his damp face to my cleavage, on the verge of exploding out of the top of my dress.
My muddy dress, now covered with giant paw prints.
I started laughing too while I stroked his hair, shocked by the tears that burst out of my eyes like they’d lurked there all along. I couldn’t even speak as they soaked my face.
Immediately, he moved to sit behind me on the sofa, tugging me into his arms as if I weighed nothing. I turned into his chest again, the safest place in the world.
The one place I wanted to never leave.
“It’s okay. You’re okay.”
When he said it, I believed him. He wouldn’t lie to me. He might break my heart, but he’d do it honestly.
He tipped his forehead to mine. “I’ve got you, Bee,” he whispered.
We sat there for the longest time. The heat kicked on and I shivered, so he brought the blanket from my legs up to drape around my shoulders. I settled against him, so tired.
He cupped the back of my head, rubbing gently when I moaned. “Just a little knot. You’ll be just fine. I had you checked out.”
“By who?”
“You don’t remember the EMTs?”
Vague snapshots flashed in my head. Nothing I could capture for long. I had a feeling I could if I strained, but I didn’t want to yet.
“You woke while they were looking at you. I wanted you to go to the hospital, but you said no quite clearly. They said you were probably just exhausted and jarred from hitting the sidewalk. I’m to watch you in case of concussion.”
I was already drifting just from the welcome rumble of his voice.
“Just rest, baby.”
I rested. I couldn’t do anything else.
The next time I woke, he was at the other end of the couch, sleeping on the fist he’d braced on the arm of the sofa. He was still wearing his suit sans jacket. His tie was loosened and he’d undone the first couple buttons of his shirt so that crinkly dark hair peeked through.
