Chapter 11
“Jack?” Callie said, under her breath, relief warring with anxiety. Somewhere deep inside, her traitorous body was also glad to be near him again. “What are you doing here?”
“Don’t freak out, Callie, I’m in disguise. Plus, none of these people know who I am and the place is packed. One more costumed dad won’t be amiss among the crowd.”
She couldn’t argue but she still worried. Always worried about Jack. Anxiety, along with guilt, were companions she lived with daily. Things would be different if he hadn’t taken up with her. He might still be undercover or maybe he would have gotten enough evidence on Victor to put him away for good by now. Falling for Jack may have ruined everything.
Except now she had Jonathan and she’d never regret him, or the nights that had led to his conception. It had been a little slice of heaven, and she’d never felt so happy and loved.
“Nice costume.” Jack’s now exposed lips curled into a grin as his eyes roamed down her torso, lingering on her breasts pushed out by the tight top.
She pulled up the drooping sleeves. Why did she let Heather talk her into this costume? But she’d needed to match with Jonathan somehow. Maybe a horse costume would have been a better choice. Not as revealing and figure hugging.
“You, too.” She eyed Jack closer now. Faded jeans hugged his lean hips and showed off his trim waist. A plaid button-down shirt smoothed across his firm chest which was partially covered by a long, tan duster jacket. A cowboy hat, bandanna, and even well-worn cowboy boots completed the ensemble.
Her eyes flicked around the crowded room again. No one seemed to be paying any attention to them. She took a step closer to him, though it was a dangerous thing to do. Proximity and Jack were a combustible combination.
“What are you doing here?” she repeated, her voice husky and low. He’d always liked when she spoke that way in the bedroom. Would he remember it now?
His eyes flared with desire. Yeah, he remembered. Turning to glance at Jonathan, his wide shoulders rose and fell and when he looked back at her, his emotions were under control.
“Jonathan asked me if I could come see his costume when we Skyped last week. I couldn’t let him down. He was so excited about being a cowboy.”
She narrowed her eyes as she gazed at his apparel. “Seems like Jonathan isn’t the only one excited about being a cowboy.”
He pushed aside the edge of his duster, looking down at the star pinned on his chest. “Not any old cowboy, Calico, I’m the sheriff.”
She chuckled at the pride in his tone, reminiscent of Jonathan showing Madison his costume. Some boys never grew up.
“And here I thought with the bandanna covering your face, you might have just robbed a bank.”
“Nah, trying to keep the dust out while riding on the trail of a nefarious outlaw.”
“And did you find anything out aboutournefarious outlaw from the numbers I gave you?”
Jonathan finished his game, looked around the room and spotting her, galloped in their direction. Jack nodded then knelt on one knee. “I’ll tell you later.”
“Hi, towboy.” Jonathan chirped, looking up at his father. “I towboy, too.”
“I can see that, pal,” Jack said, then pushed back his hat, further revealing his face.
Jonathan’s eyes opened wide, his face radiating love. Callie’s heart squeezed tight, wishing for so much more than they could have right now.
“Dahdee.” Jonathan began to jump up and down but Jack settled him swiftly.
“Not too loud, pal. Daddy’s in disguise and I’m looking to round up the bad guys.”
Jack showed him the badge on his chest. “See, I’m the sheriff. But I need a deputy to help me. Think you could help me round up the bad guys and put them in the hoosegow?”
“Hoosetow?” Jonathan’s face wrinkled in confusion.
“It’s jail where the sheriff puts bad guys.” Jack pulled out another star from inside his coat and pinned it to Jonathan’s vest. “You ready to help me?”
Jonathan nodded vigorously.
“Hey, pal, remember I’m the sheriff. That’s what you need to call me. Can you do that?”
Jonathan’s eyes sparkled with mischief. They were so like his father’s it stole Callie’s breath away. Too many times she’d seen that look right before he’d scoop her up and kiss her senseless. Then they’d remove each other’s clothes and explore every inch of exposed skin. She wanted him to do it now.
