Behind the Badge

by Renee Harless

  “Mmhmm,” she said in the mom-tone she had mastered when disciplining Abel. Turning her attention back to her son, she said, “Well, I guess it’s a good thing that I love the house and I think it’s the perfect fit for us.”

  Abel screamed and shouted in joy, earning a few howls from Ace in return.

  “But,” Shelly interrupted his celebration, “we’ll have to talk about the obedience classes. I’m sure Ace needs to keep the distractions to a minimum.”

  “But,” he began to stutter, but as she turned her gaze lethal. “Yes, ma’am,” Abel replied dutifully.

  “Man, you’ll have to teach me that one. I bet I could get someone to piss their pants with that look.”

  “Sorry, it’s a mom only secret.”

  “Well, if you were serious about the rental, I have the paperwork up at the main house. We can get it signed and come to an agreement on the rental fee, though honestly, it’s whatever you’re comfortable with. The cabin was just sitting empty on the property and it has its own utilities you can cover.”

  “Yes, please. It really is wonderful.”

  “If you want to follow me, I have everything in my kitchen. You’ll be able to see Abel playing in the yard from the window.”

  Nodding, she followed him across the large two-acre yard, making sure Abel knew to play a little closer to the house. They made small talk. She learned that he had lived in the town for about five years but moved into the house two years ago.

  She was surprised to find the house more modern than it appeared from the outside. Dark-stained wooden planks ran the length of the house and complimented the creamy white walls. She imagined that his work life was full of chaos and mayhem, so that when he came home, he wanted a place that relaxed him.

  “You’re place is lovely.”

  “Thank you. I had some help from my mom decorating, but I’m happy with it. Over here are the papers.” He gestured to a large table with a small stack of papers and when they drew closer, he pulled out a chair for her to sit.

  “Thanks.”

  The rental agreement was straightforward and they negotiated a rental rate that she was happy with, even though he insisted that she could just cover the utilities. She didn’t want to be a charity case, especially not to him.

  Once she finished signing her name, Shelly glanced toward the window and smiled. Her son was having the time of his life outside in the large yard.

  “He seems to be enjoying himself.”

  “Yeah, he loves the outdoors.”

  “Did you. . .um. . .did you want to see the rest of the house?”

  Could she be alone with him in his house? She knew that Abel would be fine in the yard, but did she trust herself? Her head and heart seemed to be battling a war against each other and Shelly felt like her soul was the one that was going to lose out.

  Taking a deep breath, she turned her gaze in his direction. “Yes, I’d love to see more.”

  And as he took her around the upper floor to see the upstairs bedrooms and the loft that had been turned into an office, Shelly found herself loving his house almost if not more than she loved the cabin. Luckily he seemed to be keeping his distance as he gave the tour, no more bodies brushing against each other as they had earlier.

  And she couldn’t figure out why that disappointed her so much.

  Chapter Five

  Preston had been working endlessly since the Monday he showed Shelly the cabin. The summer tourist season was brutal. Not just an increase of people in his town to keep an eye on, but due to the wineries and breweries, there was a boost in drunk driving charges. He and Alexis had found themselves writing more tickets for DUIs this season than any year prior. He considered that he would have to request a budget increase to add another deputy or two if things continued this way.

  A soft knock on his door brought his attention away from his computer, where he was running a search on a man he pulled over the night before. Something about the tourist didn’t sit right, and when he ran the plates, they came up under a completely different name, but hadn’t been listed as stolen.

  “Hey, Sheriff, I was wondering if you ran into anyone last night by the name of Damon Durcett?” Jackie asked. Word traveled fast in his town, but usually not for newcomers or people passing through.

  “Yeah, I was running his paperwork now.”

  “Oh, great,” she said with an overenthusiastic smile. “One of his family members reached out to see if we knew his whereabouts. He didn’t arrive home this morning.”

  “Well, you can let them know that he wasn’t arrested, so his location is unknown.”

  “Oh, okay,” she replied, sounding a bit frustrated.

  “Something wrong, Jackie?”

  “No, no. I just hate when we have to play the middle man, you know?”

  “I agree. Have there been any other calls today?”

  “No, sir. Though, I didn’t want to mention anything, but I figured you ought to know. The Lady Busy Bees are concerned that you’re wearing yourself thin.”

  He knew Jackie wasn’t a member of the elusive gossip group of Carson compiled with the older generation of local women, though he supposed maybe she was trying to vie for a spot. But he wasn’t sure why they had been keeping tabs on him, unless it was to make sure he stayed away from their coveted girls. Add that to the reasons he should stay away from Shelly. She was automatically grouped in that category as a friend of the Connelly sisters.

  “Well, tell them I send thanks for their concern. I was hoping to send a budget increase to the mayor requesting more help. Actually, the paperwork is complete if you could fax it over to his office. It’s there on the top of that stack,” he gestured, then returned his attention to the computer with a man that didn’t seem to fit the description listed.

  Preston didn’t listen for Jackie to leave, simply assumed that she completed the task he requested, so when he heard a subtle cough a few moments later, he jumped in alarm in his chair.

  Looking around the monitor, Preston was surprised to see a smiling Shelly and Abel with an annoyed Jackie.

  “Sorry, sir. I told them you were busy.”

  “No, it’s fine,” he told his assistant as he stood from his chair and moved around the desk. In the corner, Ace finally woke from his nap and scurried over to his new best friend. “Thanks for showing them back, Jackie. You can take your lunch now if you’d like.”

  “Yes, sir. Can I get you anything?”

  “Actually,” Shelly chimed in. “We were hoping you’d join us.”

  “Sure, that sounds nice.” He watched as Jackie turned and left the office, stopping in the break room along the way back to her desk.

  Preston leaned against the door jamb when they were alone and asked Shelly, “Is that what really brought you by?”

  “I’ve had my fill of peanut butter and jelly this week. I figured it was time to venture out to town now that I have the cabin all set up. Plus, Abel has been begging to see you.”

  “Really?” he asked, glancing down at the boy playing on the floor with the dog.

  “Yeah, and I wanted to stop by the fabric store.”

  “Alright, well, if you don’t mind hanging around for thirty minutes or so for Jackie to get back, I can join you.”

  Quietly he showed her to a set of chairs against his office wall, and he could see he surprised Shelly as he took the seat next to her. The man he was researching would be there when he returned from lunch, but he’d only have Shelly alone for a short time.

  As they sat quietly for a few minutes, he broke the silence and asked if they had any trouble getting everything moved into the cabin. When Shelly had signed the rental agreement, she had explained that she hired movers out of Asheville to move the items from Cassidy’s garage.

  He missed what she was saying as she gestured wildly with a smile. Preston was drawn to her wide smile and excited eyes, finding himself leaning closer to her with each word spoken. She hypnotized him.

  “Preston, are you alr
ight?” she asked and he realized that he must have been staring at her.

  “Yes, sorry. I was thinking about someone that I pulled over yesterday. But don’t worry about it.”

  From outside the office, he heard the alarm of the door ping as someone walked through. Alexis called out that she was in for the afternoon, which allowed Preston to leave with Shelly.

  They stood in unison, which caused them both to laugh, something he realized he didn’t do often enough. It sounded rusty even to his own ears. Abel asked if they could bring the puppy, but Preston suggested leaving him with Alexis to keep her company and the boy nodded his approval, rushing out to the front area with Ace following closely.

  Turning slightly toward Shelly, he realized how close they were in the tight confined space of his office.

  “Ready?” he managed to ask in a hoarse, gravelly voice, unable to pry his eyes from Shelly’s.

  With the way she licked her lips, drawing his attention to the plump flesh, Preston realized that she was as entranced as him.

  “For what?” she questioned.

  Unable to refrain himself any longer, his attraction for her bursting at the seams, Preston reached out and cupped her face with his left hand, his right hand grasping her waist. With a gentle tug, he pulled her toward him, and her body moved without hesitation.

  “For this,” he said just before his lips captured hers.

  ***

  Shelly must be living a dream. Preston, the man she had dreamt of the last three nights, the man that seemed to have her body under his spell, the man that was a cop, was kissing her. Not just kissing her, he was rearranging everything she thought she knew about seduction. His mouth was an undiscovered tool that only he could wield to perfection. And when she gasped for air at the surprise from the feeling of his lips pressed against hers, he unleashed an instrument that almost brought her to her knees. His tongue brushed up against hers and Shelly felt her body grow limp in his arms. She had never felt so fully possessed by a kiss before, never felt so lost into herself to where she could feel every nerve ending firing. It was both exciting and terrifying.

  “Wow!” a childish scream of elation sounded through the building. Preston pulled his lips away from hers, but their bodies were still pressed firmly against each other.

  “Wow is right, kid,” he said in awe, lustful eyes gazing down into hers as if seeing her for the first time.

  Her moment of desire was quickly squashed by the sound of her child, which caused fear to rise at a rapid pace.

  “Preston,” she warned as she took a step back, his hands dropping from her body and face. “That shouldn’t have happened.”

  “What do you mean?” he asked, the square jaw ticking as he cocked his head. “From what I could tell, you seemed to enjoy it as much as I had.”

  “I did, but. . .what I mean is. . .we can’t do this.” Shelly’s hands moved back and forth between their two bodies. “I don’t need a complication in my life. I have my son to think about.”

  “And I would be that. A complication,” he stated matter-of-factly.

  “No, what I mean is. . .” she tried to backpedal, but could tell that she was failing miserably.

  “It’s okay, Shelly. It was just an innocent kiss. I’m sorry I instigated it. It won’t happen again.”

  His temperament had changed, but no one else would notice unless they had been locked in his embrace as she had been.

  “Did you still want me to join you for lunch? I understand if you’d rather I decline.”

  “No, please, join us. Abel has been asking about you all day. I think he wants to learn more about what you do. He has a bit of hero-worship.”

  “He’s a great kid. I’ll answer whatever I can.”

  Together they strode out to the front where Alexis sat behind a desk with Abel as they practiced commands with Ace. He made sure to keep a reasonable distance between the two of them, but it wasn’t just physical. He had pulled away before the tether was even joined, and that was her doing.

  It wasn’t that she didn’t want to finish what they had started, but she knew pursuing anything with Preston would overshadow the new life she had worked so hard for. Her past relationships after DeShaun had been quick and easy, nothing serious between either party. But with Preston, she knew she’d fall fast and hard. She didn’t even need the kiss to tell her that. She could feel it in the way her body responded to him the first time they met.

  Together they walked down the sidewalk to Angie’s diner, a food staple in Carson. Shelly was amazed at how many people stopped to speak with Preston or offer a wave. Never once did he rush them through conversation. He was genuinely curious and interested in everything they said and apologized to Shelly after each conversation.

  Abel was thrilled with the attention, as the three-block trek took about the same time it would have in New York - significantly too long. Her son found a way to add something to every chat, even if it was to ask Preston his own questions.

  By the time they got a table and gave their order, Shelly’s stomach was grumbling loudly enough that Preston noticed from across the table. He apologized again that he had kept them too long.

  “Please don’t apologize. I think it’s wonderful that everyone wants to talk with you. What does it feel like to be so revered in the community?” she inquired.

  “I’m not revered, not after what happened with Sydney. They’re just nice to make a good impression on you.”

  “What do you mean? What happened with Sydney?” Shelly was truly curious. Cassidy hadn’t disclosed anything about Preston or her sister and wondered what could have happened to make him seem so cynical about the people who had stopped to chat with him.

  Edith, the waitress, strolled to their table before she could receive an answer and began placing a burger and salad in front of Shelly, and as her stomach rumbled again, her questions were quickly forgotten.

  Preston and Shelly ate mostly in silence as they listen to Abel chatter on about a movie he had watched that morning. Every few minutes, he would ask Preston what he would have done if he had been in the super hero’s position. Shelly wasn’t sure how she would have answered, but whatever Sheriff Savage said seemed to appease her son.

  “Do you think I could be an officer when I get older? I get in trouble sometimes and I know that it isn’t good,” Abel said as he took one final slurp of his milkshake.

  “Well,” Preston began, as he folded his arms on the table and looked sincerely toward her son. “I think most little kids have good days and bad days, but that doesn’t always make you a bad person. If you listen to your mom, practice good manners, and try your hardest to be a good boy, then you’re on the right track to be a good cop.”

  “Is it scary?”

  “It can be. You know, before I came here, I used to work with the FBI, and I saw things I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. But there is also a lot of good, and that makes it worth it.

  The people of this town rely on me to keep them safe and it’s a vow that I take very seriously. Some days can be slow and tedious, but you know what?” he asked, Abel in rapture as he waits for Preston to divulge an officer secret. “Those days are the good days. It’s when I’m busy with accidents or bad guys that I remember the tough days.”

  “Woah,” her son whispered in complete awe. “Mom!” he shouted, spinning his bottom on the vinyl-covered bench seat. “I want to be a real-life superhero like Sheriff Savage.”

  Shelly wanted to recoil at her son’s exclamation. She didn’t want him close to danger or ever have to fear making the right choice. That was the most challenging part of being a mother, knowing when to keep him safe or let him learn. But as his eyes filled with wonderment, she knew that she had to bite her tongue and believe in his dream.

  “Well, let’s make sure you do all of the things Sheriff Savage said and I’m sure you’ll get there.”

  Turning back to look at Preston, who was busy reaching for the check while she was distracted, Abel said, “
Yeah, and when I’m a Sheriff like you, I can get a puppy and have my very own Ace.”

  “Sure, kiddo. It’s a good idea to wait until you know that you can handle the responsibility.”

  Lunch ended too quickly for Abel, who pouted when she said they didn’t need to return to the police headquarters. Inside she was frowning as well, but for a completely different reason. She wanted to turn back time to relive the kiss she shared with Preston earlier. But for now she’d have to rely on her memory of the moment.

  “Maybe we’ll see you later?” she asked, knowing the man was busier than anyone she knew.

  “Yeah!” Abel chimed in. “We could play ball with Ace.”

  “I should be around; just knock on the back door. It’s Alexis’ shift tonight. I’ll see y’all later, then.”

  She watched as he walked in the opposite direction and her heart skipped a beat when he glanced over his shoulder to toss a wave in their direction. God, she had it bad and she needed to squelch it as soon as possible.

  Abel seemed just as attached as she didn’t want to be, and that was something she hadn’t even considered. He hadn’t ever had a father figure of sorts to look up to. Preston fit that mold to a T. She didn’t want her son to be hurt more than he had as a child watching his birth father come and go as he pleased. No child deserved that. But his heart was going to break if Preston ended up being no better than any of the other men in her life.

  Chapter Six

  Alexis seemed just as surprised as he had when he agreed to leave on time that evening. He had exited his office at precisely 5:00 p.m. and not a second later. She had questioned what he was doing and if he had plans. He vehemently denied anything she said, but she still seemed skeptical. Either way, he was out the door on time as he had promised, with Ace sniffing the ground behind him.

  Glancing out the back window of his home as he set a bowl of food out for Ace, he noticed Shelly’s silver car parked at the end of the pathway. As he stood, he saw how dingy his pants were after a fight with the printer's ink and losing marvelously. He hoped that they wouldn’t notice his arrival right away.