That’s a no. While Belle loves AJ, she’s bonded to me something fierce. Pretty sure this dog would throw herself in front of a whole swarm of wasps for me—even after getting stung and visiting the dreaded v-e-t.
“Come on. Mama’s got you.” I slip into my robe and pad out to the kitchen. My knees crack and pop for the first few steps. Six months of training for the Austin City Marathon have left me in the best shape of my life—except for my knees. They’re not pleased with me. But one more long run, and I can start my taper.
Belle limps along ahead of me. She’s barely putting any weight on her bad paw. If it’s not better by tonight, she’s going back to the vet.
At least the pain isn’t affecting her appetite. She wolfs down her breakfast in record time, then stays by my side while I make a pot of coffee for AJ and a cup of instant Cafe Vienna for myself.
The early morning light peeks over the hills, creating a scene worthy of an oil painting, but I can’t appreciate it. Not today.
Tossing and turning all night left me completely raw. Being the wife of a Ranger isn’t for the faint of heart. But he’s never refused my call before. Never canceled plans by text message. Never failed to wake me up when he got home from a stakeout.
His steady footsteps slow as he reaches the kitchen. And though my morning coffee ritual usually soothes me, tension gathers in my shoulders instead.
Yet, I pass him my mug, the rich scents of cinnamon and vanilla wafting between us.
“You’re up early,” he says quietly.
“I never sleep well when you’re on a stakeout.”
“Grace—”
His tone grates on my last, frayed nerve, but when I feel the heat of him seep into my back, I turn.
It’s the silly little habits you develop after so long together that often mean the most. AJ thinks my coffee tastes like flavored water, but we share this moment of connection almost every morning.
His arm snakes around my waist as he takes a sip of my Cafe Vienna. I can’t help but melt against him. Even when I’m angry—or hurt—his quiet strength still grounds me.
“I’ll never understand how you drink this stuff,” he says. The affection in his tone softens a fraction of my anger.
“Because it tastes like cinnamon and vanilla and everything good in this world.”
“I should have said no, darlin’. I’m sorry.”
Resting my head on his shoulder, I try to find the right words to put us back on equal footing. Or at least make him understand why I was so angry with him.
“I don’t care that you have to work this weekend, AJ. Yes, I was looking forward to a little getaway. We haven’t had much time together the past few months. But you couldn’t even call me to let me know?”
He pulls back and stares down at his boots, a flush creeping up his neck to his cheeks. “Jasper warned me you’d be mad as a wet hen.”
He’s digging himself a deeper hole with every word. I straighten my shoulders and give him my best glare. “Maybe next time you’ll listen to him. I don’t like going to bed without you. But going to bed angry because you were too much of a coward to answer the phone? That was so much worse.”
He flinches, his gaze pinned to the floor. “One more big case—maybe two—and I’ll make captain. Then I’ll be handing out the shit assignments and comin’ home on time every night.”
I choke out a laugh. “Promises, promises. You’d never ask your people to do anything you wouldn’t do yourself.”
He stiffens, his expression shuttering. As much as I want him to own up to his mistake, I can’t handle spending another minute with this still simmering between us.
Cupping the back of his neck, I pull him down to brush a kiss to his lips. “After fifteen years of marriage, I know you, AJ. This is who you are. Who you’ve always been. I don’t want or need you to change. But we work because we’re honest with one another. Always.”
His gaze softens, silver flecks glinting in his bloodshot blue eyes. After a beat, he rests his forehead against mine. “How about, ‘I’ll come home on time more often’?”
“Better.” I brush the backs of my fingers along his cheek. He hasn’t shaved. Or slept. If I had to guess, he only came home because the showers at the office have no water pressure. “You’re exhausted.”
“We waited all fucking night outside of one of the strip malls down by the river, and nothin’. Either Marvin’s CI got bad intel or they made us. Fuckers. I could have been in bed. With you. Instead, I had to hear McGrath snore every time he nodded off for more than five minutes. Harris is gonna shit a brick when he finds out we came up empty. We’ll be lucky if he doesn’t put us on traffic duty for the next month.”
“Is he expecting you right away?” Even after so many years together, when we’re this close, my nipples tighten and something flutters in my core.
The corners of his eyes crinkle, and his voice takes on a smoother tone. “I got an hour.”
