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They will be now.
I fell asleep in Lane Daniels’ arms in my dreams, knowing that soon—very soon—it would be real.
Chapter 10
Lane
* * *
The week passed in a blur of anticipation and routine. Work. Remy. Mom. But underneath it all, a constant hum of anticipation about Friday night.
About taking Jo on a real date. Just the two of us. It had been a long time since I’d been excited about anything.
Blake Paulson’s information had come back. Three restraining orders from three different states. Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska. All from ex-girlfriends. All alleging harassment and stalking. He had two active warrants in Kansas and Nebraska, and as soon as I saw him, I could arrest him.
The most recent restraining order was only six months ago. The woman had moved out of state to get away from him.
This was exactly what I’d worried about. There was a certain segment of the male population that lived on dominating the weak, and Blake was definitely one of those. They also had huge egos. He wouldn’t give up on Jo easily.
I forwarded everything to Tom, my sheriff, then sat back in my chair. Blake had a pattern. He fixated on women, pushed boundaries and escalated until they either got restraining orders or fled.
That pattern would not happen on my watch.
I picked up my phone and called the sheriff.
“Tom? It’s Lane. Did you get the information I sent you?”
Thursday morning started with Remy asking if it was Friday yet.
“Not yet, peanut,” I said, setting another pancake on her plate.
“But tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow is Friday, yes.”
“And you’re taking Miss Jo on a date?”
“Yes.”
“Where are you going?”
I’d been thinking about that all week. “The steak place on the edge of town.”
“Miss Jo likes steak.” Remy swung her legs in her seat. “You should bring her flowers.”
“Should I?”
“Yes. Girls like flowers.” She gave me this feminine look that hinted at what a beautiful woman she would be years down the road.
I couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, ma’am.”
Julia came into the kitchen. “Remy, eat your pancakes. Lane, you’re working today?”
“Ten-hour shift. Eight to six.”
“I’ll pick up Remy from school then.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
