Detective Partners (35 page)

"I'll be here," Nicole said.

"I love you."

"I love you too," she replied.

Galen closed his phone and returned it to his pocket.

"How may I help you?" the sales clerk asked as Galen and Olivia approached the counter.

"I'd like to look at your engagement rings," Galen answered.

"Please, come with me." He led them to the other side of the room, where he showed them a display case full of rings. "If you don't see anything you like let me know. We have more to choose from." Just then, the phone rang. "Please, excuse me."

"They're all so beautiful," Olivia mumbled. "I don't quite know where to start."

Galen scanned the sparkling diamond rings, looking for the perfect one. None of them spoke to him. He just couldn't imagine Nicole wearing any of them. "I don't want anything that's too big or too flashy."

"I agree," she said. "I think Nicole would prefer something with a more classic appearance."

"We'll just keep looking," he said. "Let me know if you get tired and need to sit down."

"I'm fine, dear," Olivia assured him.

"You wouldn't-"

"Sorry about that," the clerk said, coming back. "I'm the only one in the shop today. Do you see anything you like?"

"They're all beautiful," Galen said, "but not really what I'm looking for. I want something that's not quite so overwhelming."

The clerk bent down for a minute and came back up with a velvet-lined case. He placed it on the counter in front of them. "I think you will find these more your taste."

Galen's eyes swept over the rings. One in particular caught his attention and he asked to see it. The clerk handed it to him and he examined it closely. A smile slowly graced his mouth along with a feeling of rightness. He had found the perfect ring. "Do you have this in a size five?"

"Let me check." The clerk disappeared into the back of the store.

"It's perfect," Olivia murmured.

"I just hope she'll like it."

Olivia squeezed her sons arm affectionately. "She'll love it."

"Let's just hope they have it in her size," Galen said.

"I have a feeling they will."

The clerk reappeared with a ring box in his hand, a few minutes later. "You're in luck. We had one left in your fiancée's size."

"I'll take it," Galen said.

Her heart pounding in her chest Nicole slowly raised the lid. A gasp escaped her and her eyes grew wide. Nestled on a bed of velvet was the most exquisite ring she had ever seen. The ring had a white gold band and a square cut diamond. On both sides of the diamond, there were smaller diamonds. With a trembling hand, she gently touched the ring. "Galen," she croaked. Swallowing hard, she looked at him. "It's - it's beautiful."

"It was the last one left in your size." He took the ring from her and reached for her hand. Carefully he slipped the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit. "Now it's official."

"Not yet." Nicole pulled him to her. "We have to seal it with a kiss." She kissed him, lingering for several seconds before pulling away. "Now it's official."

They settled back against the couch cushion and Galen wrapped an arm around her. "I hope you know that we're not having a long engagement."

She snuggled against his side and smirked at him. "Well let's just skip the engagement altogether and get married tomorrow."

"Why don't we?" He caressed her cheek. "By this time tomorrow night we could be husband and wife."

Nicole stared at him for a moment before she spoke. "You're serious."

"I am." Galen moved the hair back from her face. "We could get our license in the morning and be married by sun down. Did you want a big wedding?"

"No," she whispered. "You know I don't like to make a big fuss about things. I want something small and intimate." She sighed. "I would love to marry you now, but there's so much to do. I don't want us to rush to put things together." She laid her hand on his chest. "Give me a month. That's all I'm asking for."

Galen tugged and maneuvered Nicole until he had her where he wanted her, straddling his lap. His arms closed around her tightly and he growled softly in her ear, "One month, little one. That's all you're getting." He lowered his head and brushed his lips against her neck. Feeling her shiver, he took her face between his hands and kissed her closed mouth. He traced her lips with the tip of his tongue, silently asking her to open for him. She parted her lips and he slid his tongue inside, touching hers. Galen tilted her head slightly, deepening the kiss. She tasted like honey. Groaning, he moved his hands from her face and ran them down her sides. He slid his hands under her shirt and found her warm skin felt like silk. She stiffened up. He pulled his mouth away. "I'm sorry," he said huskily. "I lost my head for a moment. I-"

"
Shh
." Nicole reached behind her and grasped his hand. She brought it to her mouth and pressed a kiss to his knuckles. "You just startled me. That's all." She skimmed her fingertips over his stubble. "Stay the night with me." She nuzzled his jaw, inhaling the scent of his cologne. "I don't know if I can sleep without your arms around me. You've spoiled me."

"Sweetheart."
Galen lifted her off his lap and settled her beside him. "I want to stay. Believe me, I do, but I don't think it's a good idea. We both know Judas is keeping an eye on us. If I stayed it would only make him angrier."

She arched an eyebrow. "You didn't seem worried about making him angry when you asked me to stop talking to him, but you're right. If you stayed it would make him furious."

"I'll leave Charlie with you." He smiled crookedly. "I know it won't be the same, but at least you won't be alone."

"I hope he likes to cuddle."

Galen grinned. "If he's anything like me he does."

After Galen left, Nicole let Charlie out into the back yard to do his business. Once he came back in, she locked up, set the alarm, and headed to the bedroom. She took a quick shower and brushed her teeth. When she emerged from the bathroom, she found Charlie waiting for her. She set the alarm clock and got into bed. The dog crawled up the bed and flopped down beside her. She turned out the light and draped an arm over his small body. "You're not him, but you'll do for now." She closed her eyes. "Good night, Charlie."

Chapter 35

The weeks flew by and before Nicole knew it, it was the night before the wedding. Everything was in place for the big day. After weeks of planning and running their selves ragged Nicole and Galen could finally relax. They were relaxing over dinner at their favorite restaurant, after a long day at the station. While they stole food from each other's plates they discussed the case they were working on, a double homicide at a convenience store.

"I have a feeling Erica Hill is hiding something," Nicole said, wiping her hands on a napkin. "She seemed uncomfortable when I was questioning her."

"If she's hiding anything we'll find out." Galen snatched a mushroom from her plate and popped it into his mouth. He chewed and swallowed. "I think
we
-"

At that moment, Nicole's cell phone rang. She took it out of her pocket, flipped it open, and pushed the talk button. "Goodwin."

"Are you busy?" Parker asked.

"No, sir," she answered. "I can talk."

"A letter arrived for you," he said. "It's from Judas."

"I see." Nicole rubbed her forehead. "Will you please read it to me?"

"No need to," Parker said. "I sent a copy to your phone."

"Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome," he muttered. "I'll see you at the church tomorrow. Good night, Goodwin."

"Good night." Nicole ended the call and brought up her email. She quickly opened the attachment Parker sent her. "Judas wrote me a letter. Strauss emailed me a copy."

"Read it aloud," Galen said coolly.

"'
Good Evening, Nicole,

I trust you are well. It has been a while since I last wrote a letter to you. I would prefer to speak with you over the phone, but you have put a halt to that line of communication. I am not angry with you for refusing to speak with me. I was harsh with you when we last spoke. I pray you will forgive me for being cross. I think of you as a friend and would hate to lose our friendship.

Tomorrow is an important day for you. You will stand before God and bind yourself to Detective Maxwell for life. I want to be happy for you. I have spent much time in prayer with the Lord, pleading with him to change my heart, but no amount of praying has worked. I feel that you are making a grave mistake by marrying him. He is not good enough for you and I fear that he will
only end up causing you pain. Please, before you step inside the church, search your heart. Ask yourself if he is truly the one for you. May God shine upon you in all that you
do.

Judas'"

"I thought he liked you."

"I guess he had a change of heart," Galen said coldly. "I do have to agree with him about one thing. I'm not good enough for you."

"Don't say that." Nicole reached for his hand. "It's not true. Don't let Judas put doubts in your head. I love you and I am going to marry you tomorrow. Nothing and no one is going to stop me. Now finish your dinner."

"I've lost my appetite."

"So have I." She grabbed her purse. "Let's get out of here."

Galen paid the bill and they left the restaurant.

"Well here we are." Galen switched off the ignition and turned his head to look at Nicole. "This is our last night of being apart." He took her hand and kissed her soft skin. "I wish you were coming home with me."

"I wish I was too." Nicole glanced toward Olivia's house. "If your Mom didn't believe in that whole
it's
bad luck to see the bride before the wedding thing, I would be sleeping with you tonight and not with Charlie." She sighed. "The dog snores."

He grinned. "I know he does."

She removed her seatbelt. "I should go in. Your Mom's probably waiting for me."

"Not yet." Galen released his seatbelt and moved closer to her. He cupped her cheek with his hand and kissed her on the mouth. "I'm not ready to say good night yet. Stay and talk with me."

"Okay." She settled against the seat. "I can't stay long though. I need my beauty sleep."

"You could go without sleep for days and still be beautiful."

"Smooth talker." Nicole winked at him. "I like it."

Galen lovingly caressed her face. "Are you nervous about the ceremony?"

"I have a few butterflies," she admitted, "but nothing I can't handle. Don't worry, Maxwell. I won't leave you standing at the altar."

"The though never crossed my mind." He combed his fingers through her hair. The scent of her shampoo tickled his nose and he inhaled deeply.
"About tomorrow night.
If you're not ready for us to make love I'll understand. I don't want to pressure you into-"