She shoves at his shoulders, trying to extricate herself to no avail. “Dallas… I’m going to be late.”
I chuckle. This house is filled with people who make me laugh.
“You’ll drive straight there, call me as soon as you’re inside the building, and stay put until I get there.”
“Yes, Master,” she sasses.
He lifts a brow. “There’s still time for me to take you over my knees.”
I continue into the room and sit across from the desk to watch the rest of this show.
Arianna pats her stomach. “You should probably stop spanking me in my condition.”
Dallas grabs her hips, lifts her off her feet, and kisses his wife’s stomach before setting her on the floor. “There is no medical reason why I can’t spank you throughout your pregnancy, naughty girl. If you have concerns, we’ll ask Kinsley at your appointment next week.”
Arianna gasps. “We are not talking to Kinsley about you spanking me. I’d be mortified.”
He laughs. “You don’t think she knows how naughty you are?” he teases.
Arianna squirms in his arms. “I don’t think she knows how overbearing you are.”
He chuckles before kissing her and turning her around. “Be safe, naughty wife.”
She hurries from the room.
Dallas stares after her like a lovesick puppy, and for once, I understand the look. I suspect I now have a similar permanent expression.
I clear my throat.
He jerks his gaze from the empty doorway to me and leans back. “Don’t smirk at me. You’re one of us now. How’s Melody?”
“She’s working. I think she’s in her zone and blocking out what happened yesterday to remain sane.”
“I get it.” He points at the monitor on his desk. “I’ve been through the footage three times. She even texted me earlier this morning with the exact date that the package should have been delivered. It was not. I can only see the mailwoman putting a few envelopes in her box. So it never made it that far, which means no one from town stole anything out of her box. It wasn’t there to be stolen.”
I frown. “Wait… Did you say mailwoman?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Melody says the mailman in town is just that. A man. Jessop. The sheriff spoke highly of him.”
Dallas rubs his chin. “You’re right. I forgot about that.” He leans forward and jiggles his mouse.
I round the desk to his side and lean over. Sure enough, a woman pulls up to Melody’s house that day and puts a few envelopes in the box. “Maybe he was sick that day,” I suggest. “I’m sure he has people who fill in for him.”
“I’m sure you’re right, but the coincidence is worth looking into.”
“Yes. I’ll make a visit to the post office and perhaps the sheriff this morning.” I shove off the desk and head for the door. I don’t want to bother Melody, so I send her a quick text to say that I’m going out for a few hours. I add a double-heart emoji like the lovesick sap I am.
I chuckle when she responds with a single heart that explodes across my screen.
I’m on my way to the post office when I get a call from Sheriff Johnston, so I connect to the call through my car speakers. “This is Brody.”
“Hey, this is Mark Johnston. Sorry to bother you. I was going to call Melody Thorne when I realized I did not get her number yesterday.”
“I’m actually on my way into town now. I’ll stop by your office first. About five minutes.”
“Sounds good.”
