He lobs a sloppy punch at me that I easily side-step, letting his fist cut through empty air. Then I tag him with a clean right hook to the jaw.
Just one hit.
That’s all it takes and he goes down like a sack of flour, hitting the polished floor with a solid thud.
Jenna gasps. “Is he… is he unconscious?” Her shocked gaze volleys between me and the sorry excuse for a man on the floor.
We both snap our heads toward the front entrance when the bell over the door dings loudly for a third time.
“Jesus Christ on a bicycle. This wasn’t the treat I had in mind when I decided last minute to come in here.” A tall, broad-shouldered uniformed officer steps inside with a shit-eating grin on his face. His gaze sweeps the room, then lands on a knocked-out Bobby before he lets out a quiet whistle.
Recognition and relief relax Jenna’s pretty face. “Jace! Perfect timing.” She steps around her ex-husband’s body and gives the cop a quick hug.
“Hey, Jenna,” he replies, looking her over like he’s checking for injuries. “You good?”
“I’m fine. I’m beingwelltaken care of.” She glances at me with a reverent smile. “Oliver, this is Officer Jace Stevens. I worked with him and his wife, Mia, on their insurance claimlast year. It was a nasty accident on I-75 involving a jack-knifed semi-truck. They were my favorite clients to work with.” Jenna moves closer to me and gestures in my direction. “Jace, this is Oliver Jacobson. He grew up here too. You remember the Jacobsons, right?”
“The name sounds familiar.” Jace gives me a polite nod, then looks down at Bobby, who’s starting to come to with a groan. He nudges Jenna with his elbow. “This your handiwork?”
She giggles as we exchange a look. “I didn’t want to hurt my hand so I let this guy handle it for me.”
For a moment, I worry I might be getting arrested until I see Jace hold back a grin. “He came in here talking trash. Got in my face and tried to pick a fight,” I explain.
“Now why would he do that?” Jace folds his arms over his chest and widens his stance, but his tone remains relaxed and unbothered.
I answer him truthfully. “Because he fumbled the most beautiful girl in Maple Ridge and now she’s mine. Simple as that.”
The corners of Jenna’s mouth turn up as she blushes by my side.
Jace nods knowingly. “Makes sense to me.”
“I swear, he took a swing at Oliver first. He was just defending himself. And me,” she adds.
The officer doesn’t even pretend to be surprised. He just turns the full weight of his unimpressed-cop stare toward the man finally getting up off the floor.
“They’re both fucking liars, man. He got lucky with a cheap shot.”
“Bobby Jones,” Jace tsks, shaking his head. “Don’t forget I grew up here too. I know your brother and your mama and your whole damn family. You’ve been a pain in the ass for years. Guess it finally caught up with you.”
“Oh, c’mon, Jace. You can’t believe?—”
He raises his palm and cuts off Bobby’s words. “And I heard why Jenna divorced your sorry ass. No one likes a cheater. You were lucky to get her when you did.”
“This asshole attacked me for no reason!”
“Yeah… I call bullshit on that one.“ Jace snorts. “Go home, Bobby. And try not to get your ass kicked again on the way.”
Bobby glares at all of us before storming out. Jenna fights to bite back a laugh.
Officer Stevens addresses me with a more serious tone now. “Look, man. Welcome back to Maple Ridge and all, but try not to knock out any more washed-up jocks. I hate doing paperwork.” He claps a firm hand onto my shoulder, then shoots Jenna a wink.
I’m secure in my masculinity and not ashamed to admit he’s a good-looking guy. I remember now why he seemed so familiar, and it’s because half the women in town—single and married—have crushed on him for years. It’s a good thing he’s married or I might have to worry about him taking my girl.
“Alright, now that the excitement’s gone, I actuallydidhave a reason for stopping in here. I need something sweet to add to my wife’s Valentine’s gift.”
“I’ve got just what you need.” I kiss Jenna’s forehead before walking behind the counter. “I was finishing the final touches on this before fight night broke out.”
Jace quirks an eyebrow at me, and I grin.
