“I didn’t say anything,” Sinclair protested.
“But you thought it.”
“Well, there is that.”
This time they were weak from the shared humor, and collapsed against the counter top. Sinclair passed her a napkin, and Candy patted the moisture welling at the corner of her eyes. Happy tears.
“When’s Reece back?”
“After his shift. Soon.” She wasn’t pleased at being chauffeured, primarily because the Sheriff had decreed additional time without wheels as part of her community service—and a promise of containing her heavy foot from here on in. The glint in his eye, a promise of actual punishment should she disobey, made her want to push him, but she wasn’t that irresponsible. Not now she had a good reason to take care of herself. The thought made her smile, and Sinclair grinned back.
“I don’t suppose you’d like to stay for dinner? Craig is grilling.”
Despite the appeal of the offer, all these happy people under the same roof, she declined. “Reece dealt with Daddy today, and we need some time together, alone. We’ll have you guys over soon.”
Nodding solemnly, Sinclair indicated her understanding. “Lots of challenges ahead, for all of us.”
A deep voice from the screen door alerted them to Reece’s presence, and Candy nearly ran to let him in. He wrapped her up, and regardless of Sinclair’s presence, kissed her in a masterful and totally arousing way until her knees weakened.
Pulling away from her lips, he pressed another brief touch on her forehead while holding her close. “Hey, Sinclair. I hear you’re back for good.”
“I am. I invited you both to dinner, but we’ll do it another time.”
Reece hadn’t blinked when she told him about Sinclair’s ménage, and gave Candy every reason to believe he’d support the threesome. Not that he’d share her with another man. “For sure we’ll take a rain check. And things are good,” he addressed the last to Candy. “But I’d like to take the future Mrs. Murdoch home right now.”
They hadn’t spoken about marriage, but Candy wasn’t surprised or shocked by Reece’s claim. Oh, he’d have to work harder on a more private proposal, but she wouldn’t make him wait.
And she couldn’t wait to learn what had happened with her daddy. Tucking her hand in his, she waited until they were beside the cruiser. “Tell me how it went with my father.”
Pulling her close, he looped his free arm around her waist, and she tilted her head to watch his face. “Your daddy’s an arrogant man, darlin’. He started out trying to run roughshod over me, but he’s smart, too, and he picks his battles.”
He hesitated, and she tensed for the bad news. “I reminded him of your feelings about not wanting to have anything to do with him, and he was noncommittal.”
That shouldn’t have stung, but it did. Candy knew not to expect anything better from her father, but she supposed kids never gave up hope where their parents were concerned. “So?”
“Roslyn spoke up, and your daddy agreed with her.”
No surprise. Her step mother possessed amazing diplomatic skills. She and Roslyn had never been close, but there was no real enmity either. “What did she suggest?”
“A meeting of sorts. I think she intends for your daddy to explain himself.”
“No. There’s nothing he can say that will explain anything.”
“Candace, I’ll support you in whatever choice you make, but I want you to think on it. It doesn’t have to take place right away.”
The love and concern on his beloved features gave her pause. “I’ll think about it, but I don’t need him. You’re more than enough for me.”
Reece hugged her tight and she felt his lips press against her hair.
“I’m riding up front this time,” she whispered, as he opened up the door of the cruiser, giving Sinclair a belated wave.
“Breaks the rules, darlin’, but some of those are meant to be … interpreted differently.” The way he turned those brilliant green eyes on her, full of love and urgent desire, made her heart pound.
“Seems there’s any number of benefits to supporting one’s local Sheriff,” she teased.
A firm smack on her bottom precipitated a quick leap into the front seat as Reece held the door for her. She watched him hustle around the hood and slide inside, her heart leaping with joy and excitement. Meant to be, fated, whatever.
Good things come to those who wait.
The End
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Other Books by Allyson Young:
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