by Lacey Wolfe
“What can I do for you?” she asked.
“I wanted to follow up on your report from yesterday. I stopped by the store, but you weren’t there so I thought I’d try here.” His gaze trailed over her entire body, and she hated that her nipples puckered.
“Nothing new to report.”
“Did you happen to think of anything else that’s recently happened that might have been strange and could possibly be related?”
She shook her head.
“If you do, call and let us know. Your case is our top priority at the moment.”
“Will do.” She started to shut the door, hoping he’d get the hint and leave.
“Wait, Ava, can we talk a moment?”
“Isn’t that what we’re doing?” Her tone laced with sarcasm.
“Can I come in?” he asked.
She shrugged and then stepped aside. “Make it quick. I’m working from home today.”
“Are you upset about what happened the other night?”
“Wouldn’t you be?” She took a seat on the couch and picked up her coffee.
“I want you to know I’m sorry and I was wrong.” Seth took a seat next to her.
“Wrong about what?” This might be good. Men never admitted when they were wrong.
“I’m fine with the store you’re opening. I think it’s going to be a great addition to our town.”
Did she hear him right? Did he just tell her he was fine with Bare Necessities?
“I guess I got too caught up with what people were going to think and didn’t even stop to see what the town thought. I haven’t met a person yet who didn’t want the store to open. No one signed the petition.”
“Except you and whoever busted my window.”
“Well, you can mark me off that list, which only leaves one person who is against it. I promise you that we’re doing everything we can to find out who it is.”
“Unless you threw the rock.”
Seth started to laugh. “Me? Ava, you can’t possibly think I did it.”
She took a long sip of coffee.
“You’re kidding?” He looked shocked.
“The thought crossed my mind.”
Seth took her cup and placed it on the table. He then took both her hands and cradled them in his. “I know I was a jerk, but I want you here. And I’d like to explore what I think we have between us.”
Before Ava could object, the man’s heavenly lips touched hers again, and all thoughts vanished. All she could do now was feel and, man, did it feel amazing. Her eyes immediately closed, and she swore she saw sparks behind her eyelids.
She relaxed her body against his, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, pushing her back against the plush pillows, and positioned himself above her. His body was heavy but in a good way.
Seth broke the kiss, and his lips started a trail down her neck to her collarbone and then landed at her cleavage. Her breathing picked up in anticipation. Was she ready to go this far with him? Was he even trying to go that far with her? Shut up! She was getting too ahead on the situation.
His mouth found its way back to hers, and one of his hands played with the bottom of her cami, slowly letting his fingers creep underneath. Just the simple touch of his palm on her stomach sent shivers through her. She wanted more. She couldn’t believe it when she found herself waiting for his hand to go under her top and find its way to her breasts. To have him squeeze and caress them.
She let out a loud moan as her fantasies took off.
“You’re so responsive. I love it,” he whispered.
“I can’t help it.”
“Do you want to continue this?” he asked.
She had no idea. Part of her wanted to know where this would go, but the other part told her not to get involved. “I don’t know.”
“Ava, I have no problem waiting, but I have to kiss you again.”
Before she could speak, the passion from his kiss ignited again, and all thoughts were gone. She had never been kissed this thoroughly or this well, for that matter. She was used to sloppy and wet kisses, but when Seth kissed her, he gave just enough and didn’t leave her needing a rag when it was over.
The kiss was over way too soon. Before she was ready, he sat up and pulled her along with him. Now that they were no longer attached, she had a moment to assess what was going on and what she was doing. She was making out with Seth… who, until five minutes ago, she’d thought hated her. Now he was telling her differently. What a day.
A weird beep sounded through the room, and then she heard Seth cuss. He picked up his walkie-talkie from his hip and began speaking cop codes she didn’t understand. She could tell he was getting ready to leave.
“Unfortunately, I’ve got to go. Duty calls. But I want to take you out tonight for dinner, and I promise not to call you a nut job this time. Would you like that?”
“I really don’t know.”
“What do you mean?”
“Seth, I’m confused. I need some time,” she said.
“Why are you confused?”
“One moment, you act like you like me. Then you act like a psycho cop, coming to my store, making demands of me not working at night. Then you tell me you will do anything to make sure I don’t stay in town, and then somehow we make it back around to you like me. I’ve put up with a lot of bullshit in my life from men, and I just don’t have it in me to do it again.”
“If you come to dinner, I will explain myself and why I get the way I do.”
She let out a sigh.
“At least think about it. I’ll call you later and see what you decided.”
She nodded as he stood up and straightened his uniform. He then leaned forward and kissed her again. Even though it was just a peck—a long one—her stomach still filled with butterflies. Once it ended, he turned and left, leaving her wondering what the heck was going on.
Chapter Nine
Seth finished up some paperwork, and then he was going to call Ava and beg her to go to dinner. He wasn’t sure what had caused his sudden change of heart or his urge to accept the way he felt about her. Perhaps it was the constant jealousy of how men looked at her when he knew she was meant to be his. The way she smiled at him always heated him up, and ever since he’d kissed her, he knew he was walking on a thin line around her when it came to his heart. Ava held that power as to which way he fell.
He had tried texting his sister earlier since she was Ava’s current assistant, but his sister wouldn’t give him an inch on anything. Kimberly had told him things were strictly professional between the two and they didn’t discuss him. How could they not talk about him? He was what they had in common, wasn’t he?
Cody popped his head in the door. “We have an issue, sir.”
“What’s going on?” He motioned for Cody to come in.
“We just got a call. It appears Ava’s store was a target again.”
Again? “What do you mean? What happened?”
“Someone spray-painted the boards that were put up to fix the window. It says something like, I told you to get out of my town.”
That wasn’t good. Who else besides him had asked her to leave? Then it hit him. She was going to think it was him. She hadn’t mentioned anyone else, and he certainly didn’t know of anyone else … yet.
“Shit, this isn’t good. Has Ms. Miller been called?”
“Not yet. I didn’t want to step on your toes in case you wanted to be the one to call.”
“Go ahead and call. I’m heading down there, so I’m sure I’ll see her there.” He stood and quickly brushed past Cody to head to his patrol car.
Seth wanted to get over there before her to see what he could find. Someone didn’t want her here, and he worried they were trying to pin it on him, which was why he didn’t call her. He didn’t have it in him to tell her, when there was someone out there making him look bad. Surely there would be a clue somewhere that would point him in the right direction.
It didn’t take him long to get from the st
ation to the other end of Maple Street. A group of people was already forming, looking at the damage. He pushed his way through and then stopped, studying the display. Sure enough, right there in giant capital letters, it said just as Cody had told him: I told you to get out of my town.
“Sheriff, any idea who did this?” an older lady asked.
“I wish I did. We are looking into it,” he responded.
“It’s such a shame someone would do this. She’s a nice girl.”
“I agree. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get a better look.”
He crouched down by the window, looking for a print of a shoe or anything that might tell him something. His gaze slowly crept up as he stood, studying the walls, trim, and glass. Surely somewhere on here there was a fingerprint, and that fingerprint was going to tell him just who did this.
Over his walkie-talkie, he called his investigator to find out how far away he was. Seth needed a crew here soon to search for evidence before the wind blew anything away. He stood back and glanced up at the sky. The clouds were puffy, and the sun was lost behind them. He knew Brookfield, and the first dusting of snow would come soon.
A car door slammed behind him, and the sound of heels clicked hurriedly across pavement. He turned slowly to see Ava, who radiated anger.
“Who did this?” she demanded.
“I’m doing everything I can to find out. We are going to catch the person. I’m really sorry.”
“Wait, what does it say?” She walked closer and read it aloud before spinning back to look at him with rage in her eyes. “Did you do this?”
He knew he had that coming. He’d already prepared himself for it. “I know how this looks, but come on, Ava. Deep down, you know I didn’t do this.”
“Do I, Seth?” Her voice rose. “So far, you are the only person in this town who has wanted me to leave. No one else has told me to leave.” She pointed at the graffiti.
He whispered, “I think someone is trying to make it look like me.”
Before the conversation could go any further, his crew showed up, and he had to excuse himself.
* * *
Ava sat back and watched as Seth spoke with several other uniformed people. When she’d arrived, he’d been the first here besides a few bystanders. The first to look around and possibly get rid of any evidence pointing to him. He had to be the one who’d done this.
Maybe that’s why he’d had the change of heart and was suddenly all about getting to know her. Well, that wasn’t going to work. Perhaps the town sheriff of Brookfield was corrupt. That would make sense, being a small town and all. She certainly wasn’t going to sit by and let him get away with it.
Glancing around, she looked for Cody. He’d always been overly friendly and helpful. Maybe she should tell him her suspicions. She spotted Claire and Kimberly together chatting. She was going to have to let Kimberly go most likely. For all she knew, she was giving Seth inside information … if he was, in fact, the one doing this.
Finally, she spotted Cody. His gaze met hers, and she motioned him toward her car. By the time she got there, he was walking up to join her.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“I have to say this quickly. I suspect Seth might be up to this.”
Cody’s flirty smile faded, and a look of concern replaced it. “The sheriff?”
She nodded. “He is the only one who has wanted me out of this place. No one else has told me as the graffiti plainly says.”
“Ma’am, the sheriff would never do anything like this.”
“Then why was he the first one here?” Ava crossed her arms.
“Because this is his town, and he loves this place. I’m sure he wanted to get down here and see it himself before people started dusting for fingerprints, snapping pictures, and so on.”
“I’m not one hundred percent convinced.”
“Well, I have to ask. Do you want him listed as a suspect for us to look into?”
Biting her bottom lip, she nodded.
Cody raked his hands through his hair. “Wow, okay. I’ll make a call.”
“Thank you.”
Cody handed her his card and told her to call him if she needed to talk and then headed to where the rest of the officers were. Had she done the right thing, or had she just made a horrible mistake? Was she even thinking rationally? For some reason, she had a feeling she just did something bad.
Chapter Ten
A few days had passed since the incident at Bare Necessities. Ava had been a lot more cautious and watched everyone around while she was working. Right now, all she mainly had was paperwork, but soon items would start arriving and the fun would really begin.
Ava would much rather be working from home but was too afraid to leave her store. She’d started going home for a few hours in the evening and then coming back to work more when most of the town was asleep. At this rate, she’d be opening shop ahead of schedule. If she was at the store almost twenty-four seven, whoever was up to no good would surely show their cowardly face at some point.
Feeling fatigued, she started another pot of coffee. The long hours were catching up with her. After prepping the coffee, she heard her phone beep, alerting her that a text had been received. Who was texting her at this time?
Hope all is well. I’ve been thinking of you.
It was John. Knowing she shouldn’t, she did it anyway and responded.
Things are good, and I was glad to see from your e-mail you’re doing well, too.
Laying the phone down, she went to shut the lights off up front and then came back to her office. The last thing she wanted was for Seth to see she was here and flip out on her. She hadn’t seen him in a few days. Anytime anyone contacted her about the case, it was usually Cody. She hated to admit she missed Seth. It was crazy. It had only been a few days, but it seemed like, since she’d arrived in town, he’d been in her life every day, and now nothing. Of course, he’d had to kiss her. She craved the feeling of his lips on her again.
She let out a loud sigh as she entered her office. Her phone was blinking, letting her know John must have responded.
I would love to see you sometime. I meant everything I wrote.
She was sure he did, but she was not going back down that road again. What she and John had had was good in the beginning, but he was an alcoholic, and they weren’t right for one another. The last thing he needed was her right now. At the moment, John just needed to get his life in order and worry about all the other details later.
I know you did. Take care of yourself. You deserve happiness.
That was it, the last contact with him. Normally, she was a cut-and-dry sort of person. Once it was over, it was over, and she never contacted them again. But she knew John must be in a hard place, most likely looking for someone to reach out and tell him what he was doing was worth it. He had to find that in himself, or he never would find true happiness. Ava snickered. That was what she was telling herself these days also.
* * *
Seth stepped out of the meeting—a very late meeting and not one he was expecting at all. He was shocked. What just happened had been a total curveball … or was it? He knew she’d thought it was him but didn’t imagine it would go this far. Talk about a one-hitter. Worst of all, he’d been told to stay away from her altogether. Yes, that was going to be the hardest part.
How could Ava really think he did the damage to her store? He’d apologized and told her he wanted her here. He’d even expressed he wanted to explore what was between them, only for her to go behind his back and have him taken off the case. Now he couldn’t even talk to her about it. He’d been told it would be his badge if he contacted her.
In his office, he grabbed his phone and keys and decided to get out of here. A cold beer was waiting for him when he arrived home. After that one beer, he was climbing into bed and hoping, when he woke, this was all a dream.
* * *
Ava’s phone rang. Dropping the pen she was writing with, she picked up her phone, ho
ping it wasn’t John. It was a local number. “Hello.”
“Ava, it’s Cody.”
“What’s up?”
“I just wanted to contact you and let you know the sheriff has been removed from your case and is not allowed to contact you.”
Oh, God, Seth must be pissed. Maybe it was a good thing he couldn’t contact her. “I didn’t mean for all that to happen.”
“If you suspect he might have done it, then the department can’t have him around here possibly getting rid of evidence. I will say, on a personal note, I don’t believe he did, but I had to follow up on your request,” he explained.
“I guess you did. Thanks for letting me know.” She hung up, feeling a pit of guilt in her stomach.
The other day, she had been angry. Even then, after she had done it, she knew it’d been a mistake telling Cody she suspected Seth. But why wouldn’t she? Seth had been the only one who had wanted her to leave. Although, seeing how much his officers stood behind him told her that they knew he didn’t. Now she was just a crazy psycho lady thinking Seth was some kind of monster. Brookfield was really going to hate her, not only for her store but for doing this to the man they all stood behind. Everyone loved Seth. Not a single bad thing was ever said about him … except by her.
Seth couldn’t contact her, but could she contact him? Only one way to find out. Tossing everything she needed into her purse, she was off to find Seth. First, she had to text Kimberly and find out where he lived.
* * *
Taking the very last sip of beer, Seth wished he didn’t have to work tomorrow. Otherwise, he just might go for a second one, but he had to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, even if he didn’t want to.
He switched the TV off then headed to his bedroom. Although his mind still buzzed with the day’s discoveries, the beer managed to lull him asleep easily enough. That is, until some loud noise jerked him awake. Pulling the covers back, he swore he heard someone knocking on his front door. The clock said it was almost midnight, so surely he was hearing things.
Knock, knock.
There it was again. Groaning, he decided to see who the moron was bothering him. Sometimes being the sheriff sucked. People thought they could come over anytime and share their business. On the other hand, midnight was awfully late for someone to be out.