by Sharon Kay
The microwave beeped when it finished. At the same time, Becca’s phone rang. Shane. Thank goodness. “Hello?”
“Hey.” His deep voice rumbled, relaxed and rugged-sounding.
Instantly, some of her nerves drained. “Are you okay?”
“Yep. Fine. We’re all done. Back at home.”
“Did, um…” She paused. “Can I ask what happened? Or is it still pending?”
“You can ask. We were called in to help locate a child who went missing from his family picnic.”
“Oh my god! Did you find him?”
“Denver did. He’s safe and sound and back with his mama.” A clinking echoed through the phone, and she guessed the dog was nearby.
“Wow, Shane, that’s wonderful.” She stared out her kitchen window at the leafy trees in her yard. He was called in to find a missing boy, and he did it in a few hours. Yet he didn’t want to be called a hero. “I’m so glad you were successful.” It sounded lame to her, but she didn’t know how else to say it. “Do you guys have to do this often?”
“No, just a few times a year. Thank goodness. Sorry I couldn’t say more earlier. We weren’t sure exactly what happened, but it turned out that he just wandered off.”
“That’s okay,” she murmured.
“Sorry I ruined our picnic,” he said. “Want to try again tomorrow?”
“Oh shoot. I got called into work. One of the weekend staffers is out of town, and they need someone to cover.” And she would happily take the overtime pay. Her savings account was saving her butt, but wouldn’t last forever.
“All right. Maybe next weekend?”
“Definitely.”
“Sounds good. I’ll talk to you during the week.”
“Okay. Night.”
“Night, Becca.”
She pulled the phone from her ear and watched the call end. The screen went back to her generic forest picture.
How was Shane not fighting off women left and right? Hot, single, a cop, an army man, and survivor of a terrorist bomb—if Redemption County had a most eligible bachelor, he had to be it. And of all the women around, he wanted to spend time with her.
Why?
Yeah, Marcy repeatedly told Becca she was hot. But it was kind of like when parents tell their children they’re cute. Of course she thinks that. She’s my friend.
And Becca carried the most baggage of anyone she knew. She scooped a bite of lasagna. Maybe she should stop overthinking it.
She carried her dinner and phone to the table and set them down. She turned, about to grab herself a glass of red wine, when her phone rang again. This time, it was Marcy. “Hey,” Becca said.
“Oh my god. I’m texting you a screen shot of this picture that’s going around Facebook. I’m sure it’s your cop.”
“Um, picture?” Becca stopped halfway between the counter and table.
“Becca, you have to see this. I’m sending it now. Wait. Hang on, I’ll try to send it without hanging up on you.”
Becca’s phone chimed quietly. “I got it. I’ll put you on speaker and look. Should I be worried?”
“No worries, just oh my god…”
Becca opened the text message thread she had with Marcy. Wow.
It was Shane, all right, striding through a thickly-wooded forest, with Denver at his side. He was heart-stoppingly handsome, like always, but that wasn’t the kicker.
Held in one brawny arm was a child. Becca couldn’t tell how old the child was, but it didn’t really matter because in Shane’s arms, she imagined any kid would seem extra small. Tousled blond hair stuck up in the back, and his chubby fist clutched Shane’s shirt pocket. His other arm wrapped as far as it could around Shane’s bicep, and his face was tilted up to gaze at his rescuer. Calm. Safe. Curious.
Shane looked utterly comfortable toting a child. His eyes were cast down as if he was taking extra care where he stepped, considering his precious cargo.
“Oh my god,” Becca breathed.
“It’s him, isn’t it? There’s no name on it.”
“Yeah. It’s him.” Becca could only stare. This is what he’d done today. This beautiful little boy was safe because Shane and his dog were such a good team they could search the whole darn forest and find a little kid.
“This has had, like, five hundred shares already. People are saying good job and shit, congrats to the police department, yadda yadda. But women are also posting they wish he would rescue them.”
“Who posted this originally?” Becca couldn’t imagine the county police posting it. It would seem more likely that they would issue a statement, maybe not even that.
“Um, let me see… a newspaper. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.”
“Oh.” That made sense, she guessed.
“All I can say is damn. If you asked God to create a hot cop, this is who you’d get.”
“Yeah.”
“So this was what he was doing today, I take it?”
Becca had texted Marcy about Shane canceling their date due to work. “Yeah. Funny thing is he just called me before you did. Told me they’re back at home and everything worked out.”
“I’ll say it did. Hang onto him.”
She wanted to. The whole thing felt surreal still, like the beginning of something that might be magical, but was too new to wrap her head around. Becca stared at the image in her hand. As heart-tugging as it was, she had a hunch Shane wouldn’t like it circulating on social media. So far, he had seemed to want to downplay anything amazing he had done. “I don’t know if he’s seen this photo yet. I’m gonna call him.”
“Okay. I honestly just saw it, but it’s been out there for a bit.”
“Got it. Thanks, I’ll talk to you soon.”
Becca dialed Shane, deciding to just call instead of texting the photo first. Better to preempt the thing with the little background she had. She knew how it sucked to be blindsided, whether it was something big or small.
“Hey, Becca. Long time no talk.”
“Ha, I know.”
“What’s going on?”
She drew a breath, unsure how to phrase it. “Um, there’s a photo going around social media…”
He must have detected the unease in her voice because his tone shifted from laid back to wary. “What kind of photo?”
“It’s, um, you. From today. I-In the woods.”
“What?” Anger radiated from his voice.
“I, um, I’m sorry. I mean, it’s a good picture. Just… I don’t know if you’ll like it.” Crap, she was saying this all wrong. “M-Marcy just saw it and texted it to me. I can send it to you.”
“Send it.”
“Okay, hang on. I’m pulling it up… sending now.”
She watched as the photo bubble in their text thread said Delivered and then switched to Read.
“Fucking shit!” Shane yelled. And then an immediate, “Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Becca said quietly. “I-I just thought you should see it. I didn’t know if you had yet.”
“No, I hadn’t. Goddamn reporters. This photo is unauthorized. Fucking vultures.”
Becca thought about telling him about the congratulatory messages that Marcy had mentioned, but then decided to keep her mouth shut.
“I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news,” she murmured.
He let out an angry sigh. “It’s not your fault, and thank you for letting me know.” Footsteps echoed in the background as if he were pacing. “We were heading back, still pretty far from the picnic area and the kid’s family. This reporter was hiding behind a tree. I’m still not sure how she found us. I told her to put her phone away, but she must have taken this before we spotted her.”
Becca just listened.
“Anyone can post a picture of me and Denver. I don’t like it, but I may not have any say in it. But this ki
d is a minor. Permission should have been obtained from the parents before this could be posted.” He blew out a breath. “I need to let you go. I gotta let the sheriff know and also see if the attorneys can get this taken down.”
“Okay.” She sat at her table, next to her dinner that was going to need warming up. “Um, I just want you to know that I’m proud of you.” She forced the words out, not sure if he would want to hear that from her. But she was proud, and she was going to take the risk and say so. “This picture… it kinda sums up your day. For me. This image, it’s like your assignment and the result, all in one frame.”
At first, there was silence. Then his voice, softer now, rumbled in her ear. “Thanks, Becca. Truly. For sayin’ that, for sending this, and for understanding about today.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, wishing she could hug him. “I know you don’t want this attention. I wish I could help with that.”
“You already have.” Warmth rolled through the phone. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
She wasn’t sure how she’d helped, but she’d take it. “Okay. Night.”
“Night.”
Again, she watched the minutes at the top of the screen stop ticking as he ended the call. Unable to resist, she went back to the photo. The child’s plump fist obscured his name badge, so that was one thing in Shane’s favor.
It was cheesy to remember that old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words…yet she could look at this one for hours. Shane epitomized strength and protection. Add Denver, and there was the element of being good with animals and able to control a huge, intelligent dog.
And then there was him. Full lower lip and square jaw, thick brown hair, and those immense shoulders. Memories of their first kiss rushed back. Those lips had made her tingle all over, and he hadn’t even gotten below her neck.
Anticipation fired through her. A week until she got to see him again? It couldn’t go by fast enough.
Chapter 14
On Tuesday afternoon, Shane and Denver were halfway through a routine sweep of the third floor of Redemption County’s elegant old courthouse. The end of one marble-floored hall held an enormous suite of rooms. The sign above the entrance proclaimed it the Office of the Treasurer.
Shane and Denver did their rounds every day, methodically checking each door and stairwell with laser precision. But now, working that hallway, Shane felt the unwelcome tug of anger.
Or maybe he did welcome it, if only to get angry for Becca.
What the fuck was Hatcher’s deal? Shane sure as hell wasn’t going to seek him out, but sooner or later, they would end up face to face. And the awkwardness that had begun on Becca’s driveway would continue, unless the guy could explain himself. Though there wasn’t much explanation for being a dick.
Three people, two women and one man, hurried out of the treasurer’s office, all on cell phones and all clutching papers or folders. Behind them strolled Hatcher himself. Speak of the damn devil.
He wore an impeccable navy suit and red tie. He tucked his phone into a pocket and glanced up, meeting Shane’s gaze.
“Officer Marlow.” He walked over to Shane, who kept Denver on a tight lead at his thigh. “How are you this fine day?” He shot a glance to his trio of helpers, who had stopped a short distance away. “Hold up, team.”
Shane gave a polite, barely-there nod. “Hatcher.” Some of the elected officials went by their titles, some by first or last names. Hatcher was lucky they were in public so he got his name instead of asshole.
“Amazing work this weekend, finding that boy. It was all over the news.” Hatcher spoke loudly, deliberately, a smile in place. “As if you weren’t already the hometown hero. You just cemented that status. We’re lucky to have you here in our county.”
“Just doing our jobs.” Shane scowled at the mention of the publicity.
“Doing it exceptionally well, I’d say. You’re the golden boy around here. So…” Hatcher’s tone softened to a level meant for one on one. “How interesting, running into you at Becca’s house.”
Shane had no patience for pleasantries. “That’s one word for it.”
The man’s shrewd dark eyes assessed Shane. “How well do you know her?”
Well enough to know how sweet she tastes. And that she’s on a different plane of existence from a piece of shit like you. Shane fought to rein in the irritation that rose with every word from Hatcher’s mouth. “Well enough.”
“You’re almost untouchable. You know that, right?” Hatcher studied him like a hawk. “Of course you do. You’re a smart man.”
Shane’s hand tightened on Denver’s lead. “You got a point?”
“Getting involved with someone like Becca. Not sure that’s a smart move.”
The only move Shane wanted to make was punching Hatcher’s smug face. “Your. Point,” he growled. There was no way he would let a douche like him insult Becca.
“Did she not tell you what she did?” Hatcher’s brows went up, and his expression turned almost gleeful, like he was going to get to spill a secret.
“She told me.”
“I see.” Hatcher’s demeanor became conspiratorial. “Well, thank god she’s not trying to hide it. I mean, who does that? She didn’t have to take the money. Didn’t need it. It wasn’t like anyone had a gun to her head.” He folded his arms. “But she’s messed up. Unstable. Unpredictable.”
What. The. Fuck. “That’s subjective.”
“Maybe so, but I know her.” He laid a hand over his heart. “She and I were engaged. I know her very well. I understand her mental state better than most.”
Shane glared, hating the reminder of how much Becca had trusted this man and how clearly he had kicked her to the curb. “Sounds like it was a rough year.”
Hatcher scoffed. “Oh, sure. She tried to blame her actions on losing people. But the pregnancies were so early, it’s like they didn’t even happen. She wasn’t showing, and we hadn’t told people. Her mom? Okay, I kinda get that, but how does that lead a person to steal?” He shook his head. “Not buying it.”
The condescension in his voice made Shane’s anger multiply. And despite Denver’s calming presence at his side, Shane couldn’t stand in the same air space as this asshole and not throw a punch. Hatcher was too smug, too rude, too uncaring to the woman he was supposed to have loved. “We’re done here.”
“Just think about it, Marlow. She’s an embezzler. You’re… you. You wanna get involved with a woman who steals?” He shrugged. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Don’t need your warning or advice.” Shane leaned in close and summoned all the calm he could, speaking slow and deliberately. “Her world turned upside down. Good thing I already know what that’s like.”
Hatcher’s eyes narrowed as Shane tugged Denver’s lead and started to push past him. Goddamn asshole. But like any of the suits here, he quickly pasted on a smile and stepped toward his minions. “Again, we’re lucky to have you and Denver here.”
Yeah, right. How in the world had Becca looked at this guy and thought he was marriage material? Fine, people change. Still…
Shane led Denver into the suite Hatcher had exited. They didn’t go into the individual offices, but did a quick sweep of the cubicles and public areas that housed all the workers in the department of the treasury.
As they completed their pass of the office and headed back to the hallway, Shane worked to tamp down his irritation. He forced his mind into logical patterns, because Hatcher wasn’t worth space in his brain. But Shane would have excess energy tonight and would either need to run, shoot, or—
His radio crackled with an urgent voice. “Marlow, pick up.”
Recognizing one of the deputies from the front entrance security, Shane grabbed his radio. “I’m here.”
“We need you at the front. Now.”
“On our way.” No need to quest
ion the urgency of the man’s voice or words. Shane hooked the radio back on his belt. “Come on, boy.” He turned and launched into a jog with Denver at this side. The few people in this section of the courthouse gaped and gave them a wide berth.
Shane and Denver moved through the hall to the central stairwell and down. As they ran past the shoe shine guy in the central rotunda, five more deputies came from the other direction. They all headed to the commotion at the front entrance. Shouts of “Police!” and worried gasps of civilians echoed off the marble and wood with nothing to diffuse the sound.
Two deputies had one man on the ground. A second man was trying to avoid getting tackled. He darted back and forth on the opposite side of a length of security rope.
Shit. Upon closer inspection, they were young, maybe twenty. The five deputies ran to designated positions in the lobby, some herding citizens away from the chaos.
A senior deputy strode to Shane. “See that perp?” He jerked a thumb to the guy trying to avoid—“Ah, shit.”
The dude pulled a hunting knife from his jacket and brandished it at the nearest officer. Behind Shane, clicks echoed as several 9mms trained on the guy.
“Hold fire,” the senior deputy, Brant, growled. He turned to Shane. “He wanted to get that into a courtroom. When he didn’t make it through security, his buddy tried to run past.”
“Want Denver on him?” Shane asked.
“I want you to threaten to put Denver on him,” Brant said. “This punk looks like if the wind blows the wrong way, he’ll cry for his momma.”
Shane nodded. He and Brant stood in the center of the large entrance area, and the kid stood, defiant and obviously nervous, at one end, backed against the huge windows. Shane and Denver moved three steps closer. “Hey.”
The kid’s attention jerked to him as if seeing him for the first time. His eyes dropped to Denver and widened.
“Drop the knife,” Shane called.
The dude’s wild gaze darted back to Shane. He didn’t let go of his blade.
“Drop it, or I’m releasing my dog.”
Murmurs came from the people behind a line of cops at Shane’s back. The guy swallowed hard. His knife hand started to tremble. The cop nearest him inched closer.