Star-Crossed Curves: BBW Erotic Romance Boxed Set

by Carolina Moon

  “I appreciate this, Ronnie,” Tate said.

  “Heard about the fire, Sheriff,” Ronnie said, closing the door and locking it securely. “Anything I can do to help.”

  I handed him the two boxes of cookies. “Just my way of saying thank you,” I told him.

  “You’re more than welcome, ma’am,” Ronnie said and then waved his arm indicating the empty store. “Now, let’s get to it. Dinner’s waiting at my house.”

  Being the only people in the big store was eerie. At first, Frankie and I just hung together. Finally, we loosened up, grabbed a cart and headed for the toy section. The first few items he put in the cart, he looked to see if I approved. When I gave him the go ahead, he took charge of the situation picking out several toys appropriate for each of his brothers. He had no idea what to buy for his baby sister so I helped him with that.

  When we caught up with Tate, he had Frankie try on several warm jackets until they decided which one fit best. While they were doing that, I chose a beautiful purple hat, scarf and gloves set for Frankie’s mom.

  Then I noticed Ronnie looking at his watch,

  “We’d better go,” I whispered.

  We hurried to the counter where we ended up writing down the item number, the amount and cost of everything and then I handed him the bakery credit card. He just stood there looking at it.

  “I have no way to run this through,” he said.

  “Okay, let’s write down all the pertinent information and you can ring it up tomorrow,” I told him.

  “That’s very dangerous,” he warned.

  “I realize that but this is an odd situation. Besides, the sheriff is right here with me. If something goes wrong, he’ll know who to arrest,” I said, sweetly.

  Chapter Eleven

  The snow covered street in front of The Sweet Bakery was lined with vehicles.

  “What the hell,” Tate muttered as he carefully maneuvered past them on the opposite of the street until we reached the front door.

  I’d never seen anything like this in my entire life. Throngs of people were outside in the snow visiting, talking laughing. People were coming and going as if it was some busy work day, carrying bundles of clothing and trays of food.

  “What the hell,” Tate said a little louder as we just sat there watching.

  “Let’s get the toys inside,” Frankie said, excitement glittering in his eyes. He was practically jumping up and down.

  I laughed. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

  We climbed out of the Jeep and Tate popped open the back. Frankie held up his arms and Tate loaded him up with toys. “Take these to your brothers,” he said, pulling Frankie’s new cap down over his ears.

  I held out my arms and Tate loaded them with purchases as well but not so many as Frankie. As I stood there in the cold, I realized I was as excited as Frankie.

  “Be careful,” Tate added when he reached inside for the last few items.

  I turned and ran headlong into Martin.

  “Here, let me carry these,” he said, taking them from me.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “Pretty lady like you shouldn’t be carrying stuff,” he added. “Let’s go inside and join the party.”

  Behind me the Jeep door closed with an angry thud that made me jump. I glanced back to see Tate glaring at Martin over my head. Confused, I turned from the two men and led the way through the crowd to the shop.

  Tate was probably going to see Isabella after his shift ended and I was going home to an empty house. Why did he care if Martin was being his usual flirty self? I’d probably need a ride home unless some magical fairy had dug my car out of the snow bank that was up past the windows the last time I’d looked. And Martin might be a flirt but he would give me a ride home. I was sure of it.

  Before I could ask, though, we were greeted by more people than I had ever imagined lived in the area. The men shook my hand and then Tate’s, wishing us a Merry Christmas and thanking us for helping out Frankie’s family. I was hugged by ladies and children and had never felt so much a part of a community in my life.

  Just as I reached the door, Frankie and a huge group of children ranging from Frankie’s age on down, came rushing outside.

  “We’re going to build a snow man for every shop along the street,” he announced.

  “Well, you’ll have plenty of snow,” I told them. “But I think I’m out of scarves and hats and carrots,” I told them.

  “And coal,” Pete reminded me. “Two eyes made out of coal.”

  “We’ll make do,” Frankie said and they were off laughing and running and sliding up the sidewalk.

  Inside the bakery was pure bedlam. There was food on every available surface from several huge turkeys to pies and cakes. Adults talked quietly among themselves while the smaller children played on the floor near the fireplace.

  Also, near the fireplace sat Frankie’s mom holding the baby. She was already surrounded by packages and stacks of clothing for the family. Martin took the packages straight to her and she shook her head in bewilderment. When Tate did the same, the woman looked up at me with tears shimmering in her eyes.

  “Merry Christmas,” Ida Mae said from right beside me.

  I jumped in surprise. “Merry Christmas to you, too.” And then instinctively, I put my arm around her shoulders.

  Lacey came up on the other side and I put my arm around her as well.

  “Photo op,” Martin shouted, pulled out his cell and started snapping pictures of the three of us.

  That led into a whole new thing with everyone taking pictures to commemorate the occasion. I tried to visit with everyone in the room and lost track of Tate for a while. Then I spotted him talking to Lucas and some of the other men. At one point, I saw him talking on his cell and then he left. Was he going to see Isabella?

  Suddenly, my heart lurched. Panicked, I scanned the room. I’d never seen the woman but I was sure I would know it if I did. Taking a deep breath, I relaxed somewhat knowing that she wasn’t here. And, God, I hoped she didn’t show up. That was the last thing I needed.

  As the afternoon turned into evening, the day turned grayer and grayer. Frankie’s uncle came in a big SUV and picked up the family. I helped Frankie’s mom pick out of the enormous mound of clothing, what she would need for a few days, and volunteered to store the rest here at the bakery until they got settled somewhere.

  “I don’t know how we’re going to thank you for your kindness,” she said to me.

  “It wasn’t just me,” I said to her. “I think the whole county was here today.”

  She laughed, almost a sound of relief. “You never know how many friends you have until…”

  “Until tragedy strikes,” I finished and laughed as well.

  I was holding the baby while she put on her coat and saw Martin coming toward me.

  “You look mighty pretty holding that baby,” he said with a wink and pulled out his phone to take another picture.

  Suddenly, Tate came out of nowhere and pushed his arm down forcefully. His voice was hard and commanding. “We’ve had enough pictures taken today. You still have the blade on the front of your truck. Why don’t you give this family an escort out of town? I’m sure they would appreciate it.”

  Martin opened his mouth as if to argue but finally squared his shoulders, nodded at us and left.

  “I think we’ve got everything cleaned up,” Ida Mae announced from the doorway into the kitchen. “Lucas is taking us home.”

  I handed the baby over, shot Tate a questioning glance and then headed in her direction. Why had he acted that way? Martin meant no harm.

  “Thank you so much for coming out today,” I said, hugging the two ladies warmly. “I don’t know what we would have done without you.”

  “We wouldn’t have wanted it any other way,” Lacey reassured me.

  “Now, you’re taking tomorrow off, right,” Ida Mae asked, giving me a stern look

  Behind her, Lucas was nodding.

  “Okay,
I’ll stay home tomorrow. I’m probably going to have to catch my breath from the last two days,” I told them.

  “Did something else happen?” Ida Mae asked.

  “I’ll tell you about it tomorrow,” I promised.

  “The next day,” Lacey corrected me.

  Now my employees were telling me not to come to work.

  “Right. The day after tomorrow, I’ll fill you in. Let’s just say it’s been an exciting Christmas.”

  “How are you going to get home?” Lucas asked suddenly. “Your little car is completely buried.”

  “I don’t know,” I answered. Getting home was the furthest thing from my thoughts right at that moment.

  “There’s no room in my truck this trip but I could come back and get you,” Lucas offered.

  Before I could answer Tate cut in. “I’ll see that she gets home safely before I go off duty – if she can wait about an hour or so.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff,” Lucas said, reaching between Lacey and Ida Mae to shake his hand. “Don’t let anything happen to our boss. We like this one a whole lot more than the old one and we want to keep her.”

  Everyone laughed at that and I was very aware that Tate had a hand on my shoulder.

  When the trio headed for the door, Tate went with them to make sure Ida Mae and Lacey made it to Lucas’s truck safely.

  Aware of the sudden silence, I turned back to the coffee shop. It looked like nothing had ever happened there that day except business as usual. The floor was swept clean, the tables were returned to their original positions and flames were burning low in the fireplace. But the tragedy that had befallen Frankie’s family had actually brought this community together in a way I had never experienced before. They had demonstrated the true meaning of Christmas and I had seen it with my own eyes…and I’d been a part of it.

  I was still turning these thoughts over in my mind when Tate returned.

  “Get your things,” he said quietly. “I’m going off duty in a little bit and I want to get you home.”

  And home was exactly where I wanted to be. The excitement of the day was over and I had never been so tired in my life. I went around checking on everything just like I did every night that I worked. And as usual, everything was right where it should be, buttoned up safe and sound. The storage room was packed with the donations made to Frankie’s family and I smiled when I saw that.

  I wanted to show this to Tate and hurried back through the kitchen and out to the front of the bakery to get him. He was on his cell again, talking quietly, looking out into the snowy night.

  He was probably talking to Isabella, probably firming up their plans for the evening…for the night. Fighting feelings of disappointment, I went to the back and took my time putting on my coat and hat and getting my purse. Had it just been that morning that he had kissed me so thoroughly? I had almost made a fool of myself with him.

  One of my New Year’s resolutions was going to be spending some time on myself and finding out why I seemed to be attracted to men who were involved with someone else. There had to be a name for that and a cure. I was determined to find it.

  How was I to know that my Christmas Day had a few more surprises in store for me?

  Chapter Twelve

  Once all the lights were out and I had locked up securely, I let Tate lead me toward his Jeep. The wind was howling blowing snow so hard I could barely see. Once inside the warm vehicle, I buckled myself in and sat quietly.

  Tate climbed in behind the wheel, put the Jeep in gear and slowly rolled down the street. The streets in town had seen a lot of traffic that day so they weren’t too bad, but once we got out on the highway, things got considerably worse. And it seemed like the snow was coming down even faster than before as we traveled slowly toward my little house.

  More than once we skidded on patches of the black ice and I was glad Tate was such an experienced driver. I would never have been able to maneuver my way home through this. I kept quiet, not wanting to interrupt his concentration.

  The dangerous curve loomed just ahead and I held my breath. If we made it through that, we would be okay. I was gripping the armrest so hard my knuckles hurt and as we entered the curve.

  The Jeep began to slide.

  The last thing I saw before I closed my eyes was Tate’s big hands fighting the wheel.

  It seemed like we were spinning in space. I heard tires screaming. I heard a thump or two and my seatbelt was the only thing that kept me in that seat. And even then I was thrown against Tate a couple of times.

  Then there was nothing for a few seconds. I’d always heard that it was a bad sign when you heard nothing.

  Finally, with one sickening crunch the Jeep came to a stop.

  “Lexi,” Tate said. His voice was quiet and controlled.

  When I didn’t respond, he said my name again, a little more urgently this time.

  I opened my eyes and found myself right on top of Tate looking directly into his handsome face. We were tipped crazily to one side, the headlights shooting a crooked path of light through the trees. I tried to move away from him and found that impossible.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, touching my cheek with his fingertips.

  “I think so,” I said, trying to move again. The vehicle protested loudly with my movement and I froze.

  “Listen, we’re kind of tipped over,” he began.

  “You think?”

  “Okay, we are tipped over to the side pretty badly. I can’t get out but I don’t want you in this vehicle if it decides to slide deeper into the woods or go over even further.”

  “And just how am I supposed to get out?”

  He nodded toward the passenger door. “That way. Push it open and jump out away from the vehicle as far as you can.

  “And then what?”

  “Get to your house and call for help. There’s no cell service down in this dip,” he explained.

  I took a deep breath. “What if I make it tip the other way by moving around?”

  “You won’t. It’s too far this way and my weight is against the door.” Tate took a deep breath. “Lexi, I just want you out of here in case something bad happens.”

  I unbuckled my seat belt and most of my weight was immediately on Tate. The Jeep shuddered and groaned.

  “Get the door open,” he instructed, holding me with strong, sure hands.

  Fear threatened to overtake me as I pushed the heavy door open. I was immediately assaulted by pouring snow and frigid howling wind.

  “Get it open as wide as you can and then turn around so that your back is to me.” His voice was firm and steady, all cop now.

  I struggled with the door, pushing it wide against the wind and finally, felt as if it was going to stay in place. It was difficult to maneuver myself so that I was off of him but I finally managed to get my butt on the edge of the seat, my feet hanging out of the door.

  “Now jump out and as far away as you can,” he said.

  I had no idea how far I had to jump. It was pitch dark except where his headlights made crazy paths through the trees ahead. And with every move I made, the Jeep creaked and groaned. What if it fell on me? What if I broke my leg in the fall? What if…?

  “Jump,” Tate barked, startling me into movement.

  I flung myself out into the darkness. It seemed like forever before I landed in the deep snow on my hands and knees. Looking behind me I could see the undercarriage of the Jeep, feel heat from the exhaust.

  “Lexi,” Tate shouted from inside the Jeep.

  Still on my hands and knees, I scrambled away from the vehicle, at last realizing how dangerous the situation could have been.

  “Lexi,” Tate shouted again.

  “Here,” I squeaked. God, it was cold and I was shaking from head to toe from that as much as the fear that had seized me. “I’m okay.”

  “Lexi. Damn it woman, answer me.” This was an order, a command tinged with fear.

  “I’m okay,” I answered louder this time.

>   He finally heard me but not before he landed on his hands and knees on the ground right below me. When I realized he was out as well and fighting his way through the snow to higher ground, I grabbed his jacket and pulled him to where I was sitting.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he muttered once he caught his breath.

  On our hands and knees, digging, climbing, clawing and helping each other, we climbed the bank to the roadway. When we finally stood up, both of us were covered with snow and I had lost my hat somewhere along the way. It was completely silent, completely dark and I felt strangely disoriented.

  “Lexi, I’m so sorry about this,” Tate began. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  I nodded dumbly and I didn’t think I had ever been so cold in my life.

  “We’re going to have to walk to your house,” he explained.

  Again I nodded and let him take my hand, leading me further out onto the roadway.

  Tate walked in front of me to block some of the snow and wind and then told me to hold onto him. “If I go too fast, tell me,” he said over his shoulder.

  “Okay,” was all I could muster.

  We began to walk. The snow was deep and wet and heavy and within just a few minutes, my legs were burning with the effort. He must have felt me pulling on him because he slowed down somewhat. Still, it seemed like we walked for hours before the porch light of my house came into view.

  “Look, Lexi, we’re almost there,” Tate said.

  “I see it,” I whispered. My lips were frozen, my eyelashes so crusted with snow I could barely open them. I could hardly put one foot in front of the other.

  “Here, baby, let me carry you,” Tate said when we reached the driveway.

  Before I could respond, he swept me off of my feet and I felt myself being carried easily toward my porch.

  “Tate, no, put me down,” I protested weakly. “I’m too heavy.” But I was too tired to put up much of a fight.

  He snorted, held me that much tighter and I finally gave in.

  Once I was safely on the porch, he opened the storm door and turned to me. Our eyes met, both of us realizing what had happened at the same time. My keys were in my purse which was in the Jeep.