The Sheriff's Plus One (The Kincaids)

by Marquita Valentine

  “Ugg,” she groaned as she moved to the living room, cutting on lamps. “Should have asked that.” She stopped in the middle of the living room. “Text him, duh.”

  Molly: What did you mean by more?

  She didn’t expect an answer, at least not right away. He was driving. Heck, he might not want to answer. Maybe more just meant physically together, like each other’s benefit while they waited around for the one.

  Oh Lord. She had to stop. Her imagination was going places she didn’t want to visit. She was worth more than being his friends with temporary benefits. She wanted someone who treated her like she was his forever.

  Archer: I want whatever you want, but I hope it’s what I want. I want you, Molly

  She wanted… she needed to talk to Cora. Except Archer was on his way to Cora’s to trade vehicles with her. That meant she’d probably have to wait until tomorrow and she’d already sent that stupid text to him.

  Why did she always leap before she looked when it came to relationships?

  Because she was cursed, and there were no two ways about it.

  “We need to talk,” Archer said by way of greeting to Cora. He shut the car door behind him, then leaned against it.

  She gave him a look, then nodded. “I’m glad you’ve finally come to your senses.”

  There was no way he’d share his conversation with Molly. If she wanted to ask Cora for advice, she was welcome to it. “Please stop setting Molly up on blind dates. Her confidence is getting beaten down pretty badly.”

  Cora’s brows furrowed. “You don’t want her to date anyone?”

  Not if that man wasn’t him he didn’t. “You’re not listening to me. Molly’s confidence is at zero. Another blind date or even a bad date will do her in. She needs a win, a chance to pick out her own guy without you or your aunts' interference.”

  “I wasn’t trying to hurt her confidence. Elton was very excited to go out with Molly.” She cocked her head to one side. “Although he’s very self-centered and thinks he’s the best at everything.”

  “How in the heck would that help her confidence?”

  “She’d call him out on it. Duh.” Cora rolled her eyes. “I thought Elton would be an easy win for Molly. I mean, she left the date early, on her terms, instead of listening to him to drone on.”

  “Again, how is that a win?” He pushed away from her car, his shoes barely making a sound against the concrete floor of the massive garage. “I know you mean well, but I’m asking, no I’m telling you to stop. For Molly’s sake.”

  “Not for yours.”

  He flattened his lips. “Do you really think I’m that kind of guy?”

  Cora smiled. “Nope, which is why you two are perfect for—

  “Not another word, Woodhouse. Molly and I get together on our timeline not whatever one your family cooked up for us.”

  “Us, huh?” She wriggled her brows. “I really like the sound of that. I think Molly would too. When do you plan on telling her?”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  “It wouldn’t have to be my business if you’d actually do something,” she huffed. “I swear, why does everyone have to make things more difficult when it comes to relationships?”

  “You mean like the imaginary one you have with Graves.”

  Her pinks reddened. “At least I go for it when he’s in town.”

  “You deserve better, Cora. Graves is decent enough but if he were interested, he would have shown it by now.”

  “I think you need to go over what you just said to me real slow in your head, because based on that, there’s no hope for you or Molly.” She whirled, her skirt flaring slightly as she tossed a, “Thanks for picking Molly up,” over her shoulder.

  “You’re welcome.” He didn’t bother correcting her assumption that he hadn’t finally made his moved (second move, if he counted their New Year’s Eve kiss) to let Molly know what he was thinking. Except for this time, he also used his words. Besides, he was a hundred percent sure that Molly would be talking to Cora tonight, and sharing everything. He didn’t mind because he’d meant what he said to both of them: He’d wait on Molly and he wanted Cora to stop setting Molly up in the meantime.

  The thing was, even if he wasn’t interested in more with Molly, he would have still told Cora to knock the blind dates off. Molly looked devastated. She sounded worse, and he couldn’t take it. She deserved happiness. She deserved better than what she’d gotten in the past.

  And damn it, so did he.

  He drove home in relative silence, the radio turned down so low he could barely make out what song was playing. A small, insistent part of him wanted to drive to Molly’s house and ask if she’d made up her mind yet, but the rational, noncrazy side of him won out. He parked his truck and trudged inside, each step heavy.

  Normally, he wasn’t the type to worry about the things he couldn’t control. Normally, he wasn’t waiting on one of his best friends to decide if she wanted to be more than friends with him. Maybe he should have phrased that better? There were probably a dozen ways he could have said what he meant, but he should have gone with the truth: I want you to be mine and mine alone.

  Or maybe he’d said exactly the right thing, at the right time. Molly could decide to say no. She could decide that she valued their friendship too much to risk it.

  Man, this was worse than running for office. People straight up knew how they would vote in Star Falls and told you to your face, even if you weren’t asking.

  Archer grinned. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Chapter 7

  It had been over a week since Molly had last spoken to Archer about their car conversation. Sure, they’d talked about everything else: the weather, their families, his sister’s 13th birthday party, and well, life.

  She felt the tiniest bit guilty for stringing him along, which she totally was not doing. She didn’t want to rush things and make the wrong decision, which would ultimately lead to their friendship imploding.

  Taking calculated risks, especially in business, was perfectly acceptable, but every time she’d taken a risk with a new guy, she’d gotten burned. At times, so badly that her heart felt like it would never recover from the wounds.

  Only this was Archer. She knew him, knew that he was a good guy no matter what kind of relationship he was in with another person.

  She sighed thickly.

  “I swear, if you sigh like that one more time without elaborating, I will throw my ice cream at you and you know how I feel about tossing ice cream at people.”

  Molly stuck her tongue out at Cora. They were eating a quick lunch that Cora had brought to the shop for them to share before Banner Kincaid’s 13th birthday tea party started. She had about three hours before a gaggle of preteen and newly teenage girls crowded into Sweet + Tea, but the prep work was done; the space decorated to perfection, and all Molly literally had to do was direct things when it started.

  “If you must know, I’m still thinking about Archer.”

  “His butt?” Cora nodded even though Molly hadn’t answered. “It does look mighty fine in a uniform.”

  “Yes, but that’s not what I was thinking about.” Except now that was exactly what she was thinking about. He didn’t look too bad in board shorts either, or jeans… or his luck grey sweats he wore during rec league basketball.

  “His arms.”

  “What—No.” Those were exceptionally nice, too. Especially when he flexed them.

  “Mouth?”

  She considered his mouth, and then shook herself out of it. “Oh my gosh—no! Stop distracting me. I was thinking about the words that came out of his mouth not too long ago.”

  Cora wrinkled her nose. “You are no fun.”

  “We can talk about his body later, but right now, I need to make a decision. He’s been very patient, and he deserves an answer.”

  Cora looked at her expectantly but didn’t say anything.

  “Nothing from you.”

  Cora sm
iled.

  “You literally have an opinion on if I should date Archer?” Molly asked, tilting her head to one side.

  Cora wriggled in her seat. “Nope.”

  “You are a liar, Cora Woodhouse.”

  “I am a good friend who will not try to dissuade or persuade you.”

  “Aw. That’s so sweet—"

  “At this time,” Cora added.

  Molly narrowed her eyes. “Uh-huh. When do you plan to persuade or dissuade me?”

  “Depends on what you decide.”

  “Fine.” Molly threw her hands in the air. “I’m conflicted. Still. I realize that may sound dumb, but I don’t want to ruin the one healthy and amazing relationship I have with a man for the possibility of a happily ever after.”

  “That doesn’t dumb. You sound mature. Cautious. However—"

  “I knew there would be a however,” Molly grumbled, but in her heart she knew Cora wanted the best for her.

  “The fact that you already have a healthy and amazing, long term relationship with Archer is a rock-solid foundation for a happily ever after. Just my opinion.” Cora began to clean up the small mess they made. “I say take a chance on him, with rules in place. Maybe a trial period and you can cancel anytime.”

  “He’s not a Netflix subscription.”

  “You know what I mean. Take it day by day… see if it feels natural or weird to be more than just friends with him.”

  “It doesn’t feel weird to be kissed by him.”

  Cora dropped the plastic plate into the picnic basket she’d brought with her, her jaw going slack at the same time. “He kissed you.”

  Molly nodded, her heart fluttering and her cheeks heating. “And it was… amazing.”

  Her best friend’s eyes widened. “When did this happen? I need details.”

  “The first or the second time it happened?”

  “Y’all have kissed twice,” Cora all but screeched at her. “I can’t believe you’d keep the first one from me. I assume the second time was recent.”

  “Last week, actually. The first was on New Year’s when we went to the bar and you dared me to kiss a stranger at midnight.”

  “Archer’s not a stranger.”

  “I’d planned on kissing Travis.”

  Cora smiled dreamily. “I bet Archer swooped in and shoved Travis out of the way, then swept you up in a foot-popping kiss, too.”

  “Kinda, but not really. Travis went for drinks. Archer kissed me at midnight.”

  “Even better.” Cora pressed her hand against her heart. “I wish you’d told me about this sooner.”

  “Why? Nothing came of it and not long after that, we both were in serious relationships.”

  “With the wrong people,” Cora pointed out, and Molly frowned. “Not that either of you knew that at the time.”

  “This time, however, neither of us is with anyone but each other, Molly replied. “Well, we’re each other’s plus one.”

  “If it were me, I’d make it official.” Cora started packing up again. “It’s the perfect situation—friends to lovers.”

  “You read too many romance novels.”

  “You read too few.”

  Molly went behind the counter to grab a clean rag and some cleaner to spray on the table. “I don’t have time to read.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. That’s what they all say until they pick up the right book.” Cora’s hazel eyes twinkled. “I could recommend a few.”

  “Text them to me.”

  “Anyway, back to Archer before you distract me. I think you should take a chance on him. Believe in the strength of the relationship you already have with him to be able to withstand anything.”

  Molly’s heart twisted, and she just had to blurt out the truth to her bestie. “I don’t know what I’d do if Archer turns out to be someone I used to know because things go sideways. There’s never been a time when I didn’t have him in my life.”

  “Look, I can’t decide for you, but I can tell you if I were in your shoes, and I’d give anything to be in your shoes—not because it’s Archer either, I’d say yes.” Cora finished packing up her things and hugged her quickly. “I’d stay but you have work, and Daddy is feeling under the weather.”

  Cora’s dad was always under the weather. He was a certifiable hypochondriac—God love him, and Cora took it upon herself to care for him, ever since her momma left. It was a well-known fact, yet at the same time, a well-kept secret by the entire town.

  “Tell Mr. Woodhouse I said to feel better.” She grabbed the container of homemade sugar cookies she’d made this morning, just for him. “This might help.”

  Cora took the package. “You know it will. He’ll protest at first, say it’s not good for his constitution, but I’ll make a hot toddy for him and then all bets are off. He can’t resist your desserts.”

  “Let me know if I can bring by more.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Cora lingered at the front door. “Let me know what you decide.”

  “You’ll be the second one to know.”

  “Before Archer?”

  Molly lightly smacked her palm against her forehead, then sprayed the table down. “No, you goose, after Archer.”

  “Oooh, you’re not counting yourself in this.” Cora winked. “Gotcha. Love ya. Mean it. Byeeee.”

  Banner’s party was almost over by the time Archer stopped by. He had two missions—the first to wish his little sister a happy birthday and the second to get an answer from Molly. Yes, he’d promised to give her time to think, so he wouldn’t push her. However, he hoped that his physical presence in civilian clothes would prompt her to say something.

  As soon as he walked inside Sweet + Tea, Banner screamed his name and rushed for him. He caught her up in a hug and swung her around.

  “Momma said you were coming by, but I’d almost given up hope, bro,” Banner said as he set her on her feet.

  “I made a promise. I kept my promise.” He couldn’t help but notice that Molly was close enough to hear him. “You can always count on me to do the right thing.” He meant it, too, but he also felt Molly needed a reminder. He wasn’t like the guys she dated before and she sure as hell wasn’t like Liz.

  If he never saw Liz again, it would be too soon. Although, he did feel bad for her parents. They were good people, decent and hardworking, and hadn’t deserved the drama she caused or the cost of a wedding that never happened.

  Banner grinned up at him, her ocean colored eyes crinkling at the corners. “Thank you for the concert tickets. Molly said she’d take me because Momma said that kind of caterwauling hurt her ears. Do you think you could go too? I’ll invite a friend and then you and Molly can be dates.”

  Molly moved close enough to join their conversation. “If you don’t want to go, or can’t go, I’ll take Cora with me.”

  “Not Gunnar?”

  Molly started laughing while Banner groaned. “Gunnar isn’t Molly’s boyfriend, Archie. You are.”

  Archer sliced his gaze to Molly. She didn’t look too upset by his sister’s pronouncement. In fact, she didn’t look upset at all. “I think that decision is up to Molly.”

  Banner shook her head, held up a hand and then each finger, one by one. “First, you two go everywhere together. You eat dinner together. Momma said that Molly went with you to the movies and to The Mansion. Y’all always smile and laugh when you’re together. That means your boyfriend and girlfriend.”

  “Can’t argue with that logic,” Molly said, shocking Archer in the best way possible. “You’re right, Banner. Your brother is my boyfriend.”

  “I knew it.” Banner clapped her hands together. “Gunnar owes me big time.”

  Archer rubbed his jaw. “How’s that?”

  “He bet me fifty bucks that you guys weren’t boyfriend and girlfriend.”

  Molly arched a dark blonde brow. “Did he?”

  Archer held up his hands. “I had nothing to do with it.”

  “I know you didn’t,” Molly assured him. “Like B
anner said, you always keep your promise.”

  “Banner,” one of her friends called out. “Come open my present.”

  Banner skipped over to her friends and Archer stepped closer to Molly. “I guess then since I’m your boyfriend, that I can do this.” He took her hand in his and threaded his fingers with hers. “What do you think about that?”

  She smiled. “I think my boyfriend deserves a kiss.” Then she kissed him quickly on the cheek, even as her cheeks turned pink. He hoped not from embarrassment, but rather with happiness.

  “Can your boyfriend take you out tonight—on a real date. Not to a work function—although, I’d like for you to keep coming to those too as my plus one.”

  She nodded. “I’d love that. You can pick me up at six.”

  “Do you think Banner would notice if I left?”

  “No, but your momma would.”

  “Crap. Yeah, I almost forgot to say hello. I blame that on you and your boyfriend talk.” Molly rolled her eyes and let go of his hand, pushing him toward his momma with her free hand. “She’s going to be very happy when I tell her about us.”

  “Cora will be over the moon.”

  “I don’t want to jinx this or assume, but just to be sure, you’re my girl now.” It sounded a little bit silly, but for the life of him, he didn’t care. He was too full of happiness at being wanted by the one woman who had never let him down.

  “Yup, and you’re my guy.” Molly’s green eyes sparkled as she smiled at him. “I want to tell the world.”

  “Just tell Gunnar; he’ll let everyone know.” With a wink, he left Molly and joined his mother on the other side of the room. “Momma.”

  “I hear congratulations are in order,” she said.

  Now it was Archer’s turn for his cheeks to heat. “I didn’t ask her to marry me.”

  “Not yet. But I suspect you’ll get around to it soon. I’ve always said short engagement, long marriages.”

  He gave her a look. “That is the first time I’ve ever heard you say that.”

  She patted his cheek. “You haven’t been listening close enough.”