C.P.

“You’ll excuse me gentleman, the air of oppression is a little thick right now, I’m sure I have a bake sale I need to see to.”

“You’ll excuse me gentleman, the air of oppression is a little thick right now, I’m sure I have a bake sale I need to see to.”

“Ok, Sheriff, Jennifer Stewart.”

“Just Jack.”

“Sorry?”

“No, Sheriff, just Jack.” I smiled at his offer.

“Ok, Just Jack.” I didn’t think it was possible, but his smile got even bigger. Oh, man that smile was dangerous to women at large.

“Jack wants to talk with you.” Ben chuckled.

“Umm, I’m pretty sure he does, but I’m pretty sure I don’t want to talk to him, so I’ll just be going now, night all.”

Before I could ask why she was asking for me, my blood ran cold when I heard Jenn scream, then plead over the dispatch speaker, “He’s outside, please call Jack, please, please, please.” I didn’t hesitate when I heard her scared voice. “Phil, call Grady, tell him I’m en route and ten minutes out from her location.”

Jenn didn’t think twice; she threw herself at me, and wrapped her arms around my neck, then started to cry. I took a step back as her head buried in my neck, and I’ll be damned if that didn’t wash right over me and settle warm in my gut, as the word “Mine” rang in my head. I didn’t hesitate; I wrapped my arms around her and buried my face to her ear and whispered.

“I got you, Baby.”

“Move to Breckenridge?”

“Um, yeah, I was sure you were going to lynch me after that phone call from Ben.” Jack’s face broke into a smile, and he chuckled. He was a rugged, sexy man, but when he smiled, dazzling.

“I’m not speaking to you right now.” She shouted in the phone.

“Jesus you’re stubborn.”

“I’d respond to that, except I’m not speaking to you right now.”

“I’d rather you shot me now than deal with the Sheriff,” for some reason came from my mouth. I may not know Jack well, but I’m pretty sure the lecture I was going to get, on top of being arrested, would be worse than when I told my parents I was pregnant at eighteen.

“Here you talk to him, tell him I’m not a pain in the ass, I’m stubborn, and not to bother coming by tonight ‘cause I’ll be busy packing for Breckenridge.” Chad took the phone from me with a confused look, put it to his ear, said “Hello,” and then winced.