“I wasn’t expecting you, Rhodes Wilder,” I whisper.
His eyes soften, affection and something more which I desperately want to cling to shine back at me. The rough chuckle rumbling from his chest makes me shiver.
“I wasn’t expecting you either, Helen Cowell.” He winks and my heart stutters in my chest. “But I’m not stupid enough to let you go. I’m claiming you; you’re mine.”
I lean my head on his shoulder and take a deep breath, letting his sincerity wash over me.
His.
I’d really like to be his.
I’m also fully prepared that Dad will have something to say about it once it gets back to him. It’s only a matter of time before it does.
When Rhodes slides his arm around my shoulders and tucks me even deeper against his side, I let myself get lost in the cozy feel of it.
After only a few minutes, not nearly long enough, I grumble, “I need to get back.”
When I peek up at him, he’s pouting. Pouting! The Sheriff of Loudon County is pouting.
It’s adorable as hell.
“I know,” he sullenly acquiesces.
“And you do too,” I point out as I prop my chin on his chest and look up at him. “Get through your paperwork. Protect your county. Go be the man who wears your badge with pride.”
When he kisses my forehead, my eyes slide closed. He takes a deep breath, and I do the same, committing his smokey, cedar scent to memory.
“Fine,” he whines.
As I pull away from him, his grip tightens just a little before he lets me go. We’re both disappointed as we part, but the quick, soft kiss he gives me lingers.
Walking back into work, I keep my head held high and ignore the whispers. It’s not like I’m running around with some degenerate. He’s the damn Sheriff.
Let them talk.
Surprisingly, it’s easier to get work done after seeing him. Right as we’re getting ready to close up, Kelly slips into the office, her eyes focused on me and I sit up straighter.
Kelly is a nice woman. She’s been my dad’s secretary for years and has always treated Jessi and I with kindness. There was more than oncewhen she would help with girl related things when I asked her, but there was always a professional wall between us which I understood and appreciated.
“If you have a moment,” Kelly’s voice is apologetic, “Mayor Cowell would like a word with you.”
Dread coils in my stomach and I already know. I know he’s going to make a stink, totally ignoring how I’m a 30-year-old adult and he hasn’t had a say in my day-to-day life for a very long time.
For good reason.
And even when I was a child, he didn’t have much to say. Granted, I didn’t give him any reason to worry. Or get involved.
It was easier for everyone that way.
“Of course, Kelly,” my bright voice lets the woman who is wringing her hands off the hook.
The grateful look she shoots me is more than enough. I grab my purse and don’t look at anyone until I enter my dad’s office, without knocking, and closing the door behind me.
Interestingly enough, every step I took didn’t feel like I was approaching the gallows. Huh; I thought for sure it would.
Dad’s eyes are confused when he looks up at me and then the closed door. I have never walked into his office without knocking, but he summoned me. What did he really expect?
“Helen,” his voice holds a note of disappointment which has me narrowing my eyes.
