“The baby died.” He didn’t make it a question. He
knew by the torment in her eyes.
“Yes. He shot her, saying she didn’t need to be in
the system.” She placed the bottle between her legs. “It was my
breaking point. I think I would have shot him without problem if
someone else hadn’t. The amount of rage I felt toward him eclipsed
anything I’ve ever experienced.”
Chase put his bottle on the table and waited for her
to continue.
“I immediately put in to transfer home to Cottonwood
Falls. That entire year had been nothing but death and ugliness. I
went in to help people and was spending more time escorting mothers
down to identify their children. Or fathers. But, I’d managed to
control it until that day. That little girl, so innocent, with her
whole life ahead of her, was my point of no return. My lieutenant
spoke with Sheriff Tanner and got me in the department. I’ve been
back here ever since.”
“And you don’t plan on leaving again?”
“No. I love it here. Amazing how much more is open
to you when not living under the roof of Victor Boshay. I’ve made
friends and have a nice life here. There’s a lot to do, and the
crime is, overall, petty things. That, to me, is a blessing.”
He reached for her and drew her to lie against his
chest. Her bottle joined his on the table as she used him as a
pillow. Chase wrapped his arms around her, keeping her tight to his
body. For the first time since he’d arrived in Cottonwood Falls and
had become involved with the woman on him, he felt a deeper
connection spreading over him and covering them both.
She gave a little sigh that tugged at his
heartstrings before she snuggled closer. When she fell asleep, he
carefully sat and rose, carrying her back to his bedroom. He laid
her on the mattress and stared down at her, brushing some of her
hair away from her face.
What am I getting into here? What can I possibly
offer her?
He left her there and locked up the house, swiping
her bag on the way back to where she continued to sleep. Lights
off, Chase climbed back into bed, glad that she’d come out to him.
He hadn’t been sure she would. Sure, she’d changed, but allowing
people over here to see her car in his drive was something totally
different than fucking him in the privacy of her own home.
He woke when she began climbing from bed. “Do you
have to work today?”
“No,” she said, sitting back on the mattress.
“Then, where are you going?”
“I didn’t want to impose on you any longer.”
He tugged her back in bed. “You’re not imposing.
Stay the day with me.”
“All day?”
“You have something planned?”
“No, did you?”
“There’s the day of the memorial to the Macon
brothers, Braxx and Tate Bragg. The Ocmulgee Adventure Race is
today. Care to join me?” He tangled his fingers in her hair. “Then,
there’s also the Moonlight Miles 5k run.”
“That sounds like fun. Yes.”
He rolled her beneath him. “Wonderful. We’ll leave
just as soon as I say good morning to you properly.”
Her smile was blinding. “I’ll expect you do to do it
over and over until I’m satisfied.”
“Bet on it,” he vowed, taking possession of her
mouth.
Later on that morning, they waved to Mrs. Candace as
they took off on the Indian Chieftain and headed to Macon for a day
together away from Cottonwood Falls. That night, they got a hotel
and spent the night, driving back the following day.
After he kissed her goodbye, his phone rang. Walking
up to his front door, he answered, “Yeah?”
“Chase, been looking for you, man. The job came
through.” A guy he’d served with—Dante.
“
Really?”
“Absolutely. They called me yesterday, but I
couldn’t get in touch with you. They want to meet you before it’s
all official, though. Can you get to Atlanta by the day after
tomorrow?”
“Shoot me the address, and I’ll be there.”
“Hang on, let me do it right now. Okay, there you
go. I’ll see you in two days.”
“Thanks, Dante.”
“Hey, we’re brothers; it’s what we do for one
another. See you soon.”
He ended the call and looked at the address,
committing it to memory. As he packed his bag, he thought about
Vicki. Then, he shook his head. He couldn’t hold up his life
because of her and what she may or may not feel for him.
He tossed the bag in the back of the truck and
walked over to Mrs. Candace’s. She sat on the porch, rocking in her
chair.
“You’re leaving.”
“Job opportunity.”
“Take the bike.”
He shook his head. “I can’t. It’s yours.”
“I’m not getting on that thing again.”
“Jason wouldn’t have wanted me to have it.”
She rose and walked to him. “He shouldn’t have
gotten tangled up in the mess he did then. It’s mine now, and I
want you to have it. Take it. If you want the truck later, come
back and return it to me. I love you, Chase Ellery.” She kissed his
cheek. “Don’t be such a stranger, and I hope you tell Ms. Boshay
you’re leaving.” She retreated inside her house.
He moved his bag to the bike and secured it. He
loved her, as well. Starting the engine, he stared at the house
briefly before moving toward the road. He hadn’t any clue where
Vicki would be right now, so he went to the station. She wasn’t
there, and Tim told him where she was out patrolling. So, Chase
tracked her down out there.
In a parking lot, he faced the back of her car as
she sat in the other direction. “What’s up?” she asked.
“I’m leaving for Atlanta.”
“Okay. When are you coming back?”
“Not sure if I am. It’s a job opportunity.”
Her gaze grew distant. “Good for you. See you later,
Mr. Ellery.” With that, she drove off. Chase watched her until the
car wasn’t visible any longer.
What’d I expect her to do, beg me to stay? In the
space of a second, she wiped away any intimacy between us and
reduced me to Mr. Ellery.
He got on the road toward Atlanta but couldn’t drop
the image of her expression before she’d managed to control it.
Hurt. Pain. Sorrow.
Vicki blinked and crossed her arms. “I’m sorry,
could you repeat that please?”
The woman across the desk from her gave her a kind
smile. “I said you’re pregnant.” She laced her fingers as she
rested them upon the calendar. “I take it this is a bit of a
surprise?”
Vicki struggled to breathe. “You could say
that.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, is that why you’re
here instead of with your regular doctor?”
“Let’s just say small towns are notorious for not
keeping its secrets.”
“I understand.” She reclined and toyed with the edge
of the file before her. “I’ll send you with vitamins. Will you be
doing your pre-natal checkups here?”
“As long as I can keep it hidden, yes.”
The woman barely blinked. “Okay. You have the card
and my direct number if you need anything.”
The rest of her visit flew by in a blur. Pregnant.
The word tumbled through her mind uncomfortably, much akin to
sneakers in a dryer. Thumping and rattling.
On her way back to Cottonwood Falls, Vicki veered
off to a restaurant along the interstate. Claiming a booth in a
quiet section, she ordered a hot tea and a bowlful of banana
pudding. Outside, a summer storm rolled in, streaking the window
she stared out with rivulets of rain.
What am I going to do as a mother? Do I tell Chase?
What if he doesn’t want anything to do with the baby?
The pudding was satiny and went down easily. The
mint tea—a nice addition, as well—soothed her nerves, but only
slightly. Thunder boomed, and she took deep breaths. Wrapping her
hands around the mug, she was grateful for the heat, for it pushed
away her chill.
She placed her phone on the table and chewed on her
lower lip.
Should I call him?
Accepting a refill of tea, she leaned back and
returned her hand to the warm porcelain. Jags of lightning pierced
the dark clouds, creating a beautiful display. She allowed it to
consume her, distract her. She hadn’t a clue of what to do
next.
Finished with her pudding, Vicki got one more tea to
go, paid her bill, and wandered to her car, unmindful of the rain
that fell. The ride home, she ignored her music for the most part,
and she just did the trip on automatic.
“I’ll need a bigger place,” she said once she made
it inside her one bedroom. She stared at her reflection. “I’m
keeping my baby.” Turning sideways, she stuffed a pillow under her
shirt, trying to envision what she would look like further down the
road.
Nervous and scared of the unknown, Vicki stripped
before drawing on the shirt Chase had left at her place. His
masculine scent surrounded her and allowed her to envision being
held in his arms. That he protected her.
Curled up to a pillow, she eventually drifted off to
sleep. Even then, in her dreams, Chase maintained a watchful eye
over her. She woke before her alarm and didn’t even pretend to
sleep longer. She rolled out of bed and drew on her running
clothes.
After stretching, she stepped outside and breathed
deeply. The fresh air filled her lungs, revitalizing her, as a
small smile tipped up her lips. While she worked any shift, she
loved her early mornings. If she happened to be on shift and
available, she would pull up to the falls to just enjoy the time of
day and the rush of water and the other sounds of nature that went
along with it.
She began at a slow jog, allowing her body to settle
in. After her seven miles, she returned home for a hot shower.
Buttoning up her uniform, she walked to the kitchen. Her breakfast
of wheat toast, orange juice, and yogurt with fruit went down
smoothly. She made a mental note to check the information the
doctor sent home with her. Yesterday, it had been a bit much for
her, and stuff hadn’t sunk in.
Keeping an eye on the time, she strapped on her
utility belt after washing the dishes she’d dirtied. Soft music
played as she headed to work. Her mind hadn’t finished processing
the news just yet.
Tim sat on her desk when she entered the station. He
toasted her with a cup of coffee. She grinned and tossed her bag
beside him on the top.
“Don’t you look like the cat who ate the canary,”
she said.
“I’ve been calling you.”
She sat and rocked back. “Sorry, I had some things
to take care of yesterday and called it an early night since I
didn’t feel the best.”
“I asked,” he said with a grin.
It took her mind a moment before she understood the
implications of what he meant. She jerked forward, grasping his
arm. “And?”
His grin was instantaneous. “Yes.”
Vicki squealed and hugged him. “I’m so happy for
you. When’s the date?”
Tim was one of the few people who’d welcomed her
here as a cop on the force. He’d been partnered with her and hadn’t
minded so long as she did her job, he’d said, he could care less if
she was a woman.
“We’re doing it next weekend. Friday, really, and
just at the Justice of the Peace.”
“No, just. This is so wonderful, Tim. I’m so happy
for the both of you.”
“We want you there. With Chase, if he can make
it.”
A pang pierced her. “I’ll call him and see.”
“Cheryl would like you to stand up with her.” He
shrugged. “You know she doesn’t have many friends here.”
His fiancée worked at the library and had cerebral
palsy. Unfortunately, a lot of folks had no wish to be friends with
her. Vicki had no problem with her and had actually spent a good
number of evenings together with Cheryl. Usually nights that Tim
worked over.
“I would be honored. I’ll call her tomorrow, and
we’ll figure something out for dresses and all that.”
“Great. I’m going home to catch some shut eye.”
“And the coffee?”
He slid it toward her. “I was ready to bribe you if
need be.”
“No need,” she replied with a smile. “But I will
gladly take this.” She beckoned beaming when he released it to her.
“Fixed how I want it?”
“Of course. I know better than to bribe you with
something you don’t want.”
She inhaled and purred. “Go home now.”
He walked away, leaving her alone with the aromatic
brew. While working on some paperwork, she drank it. To her left,
her phone taunted her.
Call him.
She tossed away her empty cup and lifted the phone.
Entering her unlock code, she scrolled down to his number and
pressed the call button.
“Hello?”
His deep voice did things to her insides, which
explained why she sat here in the police station knocked up by this
man. The potency drenching that one word did the same thing to her
panties. She squirmed on the seat.
“Chase?”
“Yes, Vicki. What’s up?”
She cut her gaze to her boss’s office, grateful the
door was still shut. “Are you planning on heading back to
Cottonwood Falls anytime soon?”
“You need me?”
She had to bite back the affirmative that nearly
slid free. “Tim is getting married this weekend and asked if you’d
like to come with me. Friday, actually.”
The muffled voices she’d heard vanished, and it was
just silence. “What time?”
“I’ll have to check with him later today. I wanted
to know if you would be free first.”
“What’s wrong?”
She cleared her throat and shook her head like he
could see her. “Nothing.”
“I’ll be there, Vicki. For you.”
Relief spread through her. “Thank you.”
“After, we need to talk.”
Thinking about the unborn baby growing in her womb,
she said, “Yes, I believe we do. I’ll see you on Friday.”
“Yes. I have to go.”
“Bye, Chase.” She hung up before she could moon over
his voice any longer or wish for a farewell that wasn’t going to be
coming.
Laying her palm over her belly, she took a deep
breath. “Keep your fingers crossed this goes well on Friday, little
one.”
I have a feeling I’m going to need all the luck I can
get.