Her Second Chance Family

by Christine Scott

  And collided with the solid form of a male body.

  Startled, Maggie blinked in surprise, an apology on the tip of her tongue. The words died as she looked up into a pair of familiar blue eyes.

  For the first time in years, the closeness of a man did not scare her. Instead, her discomfort was of a much more confusing nature. Awareness buffeted her senses as she stared at Jason Gallagher’s amused face.

  “Sorry...” they chorused.

  Maggie’s cheeks flushed.

  They tried again.

  “I didn’t see...”

  “I wasn’t looking...”

  They stopped, studied each other warily. One second passed, then two...and they burst into a tensian-easing round of laughter.

  Jason wasn’t in uniform this evening. He wore a pair of blue jeans that molded his long, muscular legs and a navy blue polo shirt that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders. He looked relaxed and far too handsome.

  Maggie drew in a steadying breath and inhaled the spicy scent of his cologne. She felt light-headed, and her stomach churned with another shot of awareness.

  “Where’s Kevin?” Jason asked.

  Maggie pointed to the ferris wheel. “With friends, going on the rides.”

  Jason nodded. “I’m sure he’s having a good time.”

  A silence fell between them. Maggie struggled to fill the gap. “You’re not working tonight?”

  “Not officially,” he said with a smile, his even white teeth flashing against his tanned skin. “I’m just keeping an eye on the party goers. Making sure everything stays peaceful.”

  “I’m glad you’ve got the night off,” she said without thinking. When he turned a questioning gaze on her, she felt the heat rise on her face. She stammered an excuse. “You’ve been so busy lately. I mean, I haven’t seen you...” She cleared her throat. “Kevin was wondering when he’d play ball with you.”

  Maggie averted her gaze as the heat of embarrassment swept her body. Although she’d wondered about his absence these past few days, the last thing she wanted was for Jason to think she was keeping tabs on his comings and goings.

  “I’ve been out of town, Maggie,” he said quietly, as though he’d read her mind. “There was a district meeting in St. Louis I had to attend.”

  Unwanted relief poured through her. He hadn’t been avoiding her. She hazarded a glance at him and saw the somber set of his face. “It’s okay. You don’t have to explain.”

  “I know I don’t have to explain, but I wanted to. After all, I did promise Kevin I’d help him with baseball. I don’t want to give him—” he paused, searching her face “—or anyone else the wrong idea.”

  Maggie didn’t answer. She couldn’t. A blanket of confusing awareness had settled over her. A silence, thick with the promise of friendship—and, perhaps, something more—lengthened between them. Strains of music from the band playing a slow, country tune filled the air. Loud voices of party goers sounded close. A roulette wheel clackety-clacked nearby. Yet Maggie barely heard the noise. All she could hear was the pounding of her heart.

  To her relief, Officer Stan Wilson, dressed in uniform blues, approached them. With a smile of recognition for Maggie, he said, “Sorry to bother you, Chief. But I thought I’d better let you know we’ve got a group of teenagers over there—” he motioned toward the far side of the playground “—we caught sneaking in bottles of long-neck beer.”

  Jason sighed, nodded. He shot Maggie an apologetic glance. “I’d better go.”

  The moment had become too intimate. She’d been given a reprieve. Maggie tried not to let her relief show. “Of course. You’ve got a job to do.”

  He raised a brow, his expression hopeful. “Maybe I’ll see you later.”

  “Maybe.” Maggie shrugged, trying her best to appear indifferent.

  Jason’s expression shifted, his disappointment obvious. With a silent nod goodbye, he turned and weaved his way through the crowd. Maggie had no problem following his progress; he stood a head taller than most of the crowd. He moved with a grace and ease that was unusual for a man his size. Even with a distance between them, she could still feel the powerful effect of his presence.

  Slowly Maggie released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Then she willed her racing heart to slow. She wasn’t sure what troubled her most—the fact that there was something different about their relationship, that more than a friendship was growing between them.

  Or that she welcomed the change.

  The boys were sixteen and seventeen, still wet behind the ears. But they had the swaggering bravado of men much older. They seemed amused by their predicament, cracking jokes about being caught with the beer. Not seeming to understand they’d just broken the law.

  Jason shook his head. He really didn’t need this trouble tonight. His patience with the group of rowdies growing thin, he turned to Stan Wilson and said, “Load ’em up and take ’em to the jail.”

  “To the jail?” Stan raised a brow in surprise.

  “They broke the law, didn’t they, Officer Wilson?”

  “Well, yeah, but...” Stan leaned close, his tone confiding. He pointed at a dark-haired boy wearing a pair of tight blue jeans and sporting several rings in his right ear. The boy looked city slick, street smart. He seemed out of place in a small town like Wyndchester. “That’s Sammy Bosworth over there. His daddy’s a big-shot lawyer. His momma practically runs every social function in town. They’ll be raising a real stink if we arrest their son.”

  “I don’t care whose son it is. Those kids think this is a joke. I think it’s time we sobered them up. Don’t you agree?”

  A glint of admiration flickered in Stan’s eyes. “Yes, sir, I certainly do.” He stood taller, adjusting his gun belt around his slim hips. With a pleased smile, he nodded at the group of officers waiting nearby. “We’ll take care of it right now, Chief.”

  Jason watched his officer’s departure with a frowning gaze. Bosworth. The familiar name played in his mind. Brokenhearted Stan Wilson was in love with Joe Bosworth’s fiancé. What were the chances that Joe and Sammy Bosworth were related?

  Jason clenched his jaw in frustration. In a town this size? The chances were too good.

  The boys—not without shouts of protest and a sprinkling of macho obscenities at the arresting officers—were placed in nearby patrol cars. Leaving the boys in the capable hands of his officers, Jason returned to the carnival.

  He felt drawn to the ferris wheel. A burr of disappointment latched onto him when he didn’t see Maggie in the spot where he’d left her. Perhaps it was for the best, he told himself, as he searched the grounds. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t seem to find a way around her skittishness.

  He’d seen the relief in her eyes when Officer Wilson had joined them. He wasn’t blind to the fact that she was uncomfortable being alone with him. But knowing what he did now, that her late husband had been abusive, he wondered if it was only him or all men who scared her.

  He hoped for the latter.

  Because if it was true, and if he was patient enough, someday he just might have a chance at breaking through Maggie’s protective shell.

  He spotted her on the makeshift dance floor.

  Jason stopped and watched as Kevin and Maggie attempted a dance on the blacktop playground. Not surprisingly Kevin was as awkward at dancing as he was at throwing a baseball. He was all thumbs and left feet. Attempting a two-step, he stomped on his mother’s toes more times than not.

  But Maggie didn’t seem to mind. The melodic sound of her laughter carried across the night air. He’d never seen her look more relaxed or more beautiful. For her son, she smiled without reserve. Her green eyes twinkled with excitement Her face shone with an inner light, one only love could bring. Jason felt a pang of envy and wondered what it would be like to be on the receiving end of such a look.

  Then, in the middle of the dance, as though she’d felt the heat of his gaze, her smile melted. She glanced up, her troubled ey
es searching the crowd.

  And she found him.

  Across the dance floor, their gazes met and held. Jason felt spellbound. He couldn’t look away. Unreasonably he feared that if he did, she’d disappear into the night and he’d never see her again.

  Maggie was the first to avert her gaze, returning her attention to her son.

  When the dance ended, Jason hurriedly made his way to the pair, determined not to let her slip away. Maggie looked startled, her eyes widening when she spotted him. Kevin’s back was to him when he approached. With the exaggerated politeness of a suitor, he tapped Kevin on the shoulder.

  Kevin spun around. His face lit up with a bright smile when he recognized him. “Mr. Gallagher, you came!”

  Jason smiled. “Evening, Kevin. Are you having a good time?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “That’s great,” he said, glancing at Maggie. She’d edged a step away, poised on the brink of fleeing. Before she could escape, he cleared his throat, feeling as tonguetied and awkward as a schoolboy. “Kevin, if you don’t mind, I’d like to steal your dance partner for a whirl around the dance floor.”

  Jason heard the sharp inhalation of Maggie’s breath. She shook her head, opening her mouth to give what clearly would be a refusal.

  But not before Kevin, his unwitting conspirator, gave his instant approval. “Sure, Mr. Gallagher. You can dance with my mom all you want.”

  “Why, thank you, Kevin.” He turned his attention to the boy’s mother. Smiling encouragingly, he sought her consent. “Maggie?”

  Looking as though she’d like to say no, Maggie bit her lower lip and shrugged in answer.

  Not proud of himself, Jason took that as a yes.

  His eyes dancing with excitement, Kevin raced across the blacktop, joining a group of boys who were watching from the bales of straw that surrounded the dance floor. A round of giggles and the fingers pointed in their direction told Jason that he and Maggie were the fodder for the young gossips. Kevin didn’t seem to mind. His smile only seemed to grow wider in response.

  Grinning with amusement, Jason looked at Maggie. She wasn’t smiling. Her cool expression and frosty gaze said it all. She was not pleased with the situation.

  The band began to play. Music swelled softly into the spring night air. The dance was to be a slow one.

  Not giving Maggie a chance to change her mind, Jason pulled her into his arms. Keeping a respectful distance, yet holding her close enough to feel the heat of her body, Jason twirled her onto the dance floor.

  Her reaction was immediate. She stitffened in the circle of his arms.

  Swearing under his breath, Jason wondered if he’d made a mistake. Maybe he’d pushed her too hard, too fast. He never did know the meaning of doing anything slow.

  Believing he could take on the responsibility of solving the world’s problems had always been a fault of his. Fool that he was, he thought he could charm Maggie’s fears away with a simple dance. He should have realized that it would take more time to heal her wounds.

  “A lot of people here tonight,” he said, searching for a way to break the ice.

  She nodded, averting her gaze, looking anywhere but into his eyes.

  Jason suppressed the urged to sigh. Doggedly he tried again. “I guess you know quite of few of the townspeople through the diner.”

  “I suppose,” she said, her voice quiet, almost grudging in tone.

  Encouraged, he gave a sheepish grin. “I’ve been in town more than three weeks and I’m still having trouble learning everybody’s names, let alone their backgrounds.”

  “It takes time,” she said, still not smiling.

  Another awkward silence.

  Jason was going through his own personal hell. Dancing with Maggie, holding her close, was a dream come true. Each time he inhaled, her sweet scent of powder and spring flowers filled his nostrils. Her skin felt smooth and warm. In his arms, she felt so delicate. When their bodies touched, she felt so soft where he was hard. Slowly, but surely, awareness heated the blood in his veins. Jason gritted his teeth. It took all his willpower to keep his body from having an ill-timed reaction.

  “Chief Gallagher, this is a surprise.” An older woman’s voice sounded nearby, startling him out of his lustful thoughts.

  Mildred McKinney and Henry Turnball smiled as they sidled up next to him and Maggie on the dance floor. The trashing of Mrs. McKinney’s backyard had been one of the first calls he’d made here in Wyndchester. Henry Tumball’s dog had been the culprit. Once on opposing ends of a complaint, the pair now appeared as though they’d made their peace with each other.

  Jason smiled. “Mrs. McKinney, how are you this evening?”

  “Oh, I’m just fine. I don’t know when I’ve had such a good time,” she said, glancing at her partner and smiling girlishly. “It’s been years since I had a chance to kick my heels on a dance floor.”

  “Dancing keeps a body young,” Henry said, giving her a mischievous wink.

  “Stop that now, Henry. Or the chief here will have to lock you up for indecent behavior.”

  The couple giggled, looking much younger than their seventy-some years. Picking up the step, Henry directed his partner in a new direction. They waved their goodbyes as they waltzed away.

  Maggie watched their departure with bemused interest. “They seem like such a nice couple. So happy. Even after all these years.”

  “Um...well, the truth is, I think they just started dating. You see, Mrs. McKinney’s a widow. Mr. Turnball is her neighbor.” Jason chuckled. “Officer Wilson and I, we sort of had a hand in playing matchmaker for the two.”

  She lifted a brow in surprise. “You did?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “I like long stories,” she said, the first encouraging words she’d said all night. An unexpected smile touched her lips. “Especially when they have a happy ending.”

  “Then I think you’ll like this one,” he said.

  His gaze never left her face as he told her the details of the rottweiler caper. Their bodies drifted closer. Her laughter echoed in his ears, stirring awareness deep inside him. Little by little Maggie relaxed in his arms.

  Jason, on the other hand, felt as though he were about to spontaneously combust from the combined heat of their bodies. His heart hammered in his chest. His muscles tightened in a vain effort for self-control. And contrary to his best intentions, his body reacted to Maggie’s closeness in a most indiscreet manner, sending blood and heat to points southward. He gave a silent moan, feeling anything but relaxed.

  Adding to his discomfort, one song turned to two, then a set of three...and Jason felt the sensual tension build inside him.

  Maggie was a beautiful, desirable woman. He wanted her more than he’d wanted any other woman. He wasn’t afraid to admit these feelings. For the first time he indulged himself. He pulled her closer, letting her know the strength of his attraction.

  And Maggie did not seem afraid.

  Instead, she gave a contented sigh, settling her soft, warm body against his. In a show of complete trust, she placed her head on his shoulder and let her eyes drift shut.

  Jason drew in a deep breath, raising his eyes to the heavens. Maggie, Maggie, Maggie, if only you knew what sweet misery you’re putting me through.

  Too soon the music ended.

  In the corner of the dance floor, where shadows lengthened and the crowd wasn’t so thick, they remained tangled in each other’s arms. Reluctantly Maggie lifted her head and looked up at him.

  Jason couldn’t find the strength to let her go.

  They stared at each, the seconds passing slowly.

  She drew in a deep breath. And he felt the warm fullness of her breasts press against his chest.

  “Maggie...” he said, the word a mere whisper.

  Her lips parted, but she did not answer.

  He leaned closer, his mouth just a hairbreadth away from hers. Until he saw the look in her eyes, the uncertainty mixed with the want. And he knew
he’d gone far enough for one night. Gathering all his strength, he forced himself to pull away.

  Myriad emotions clouded Maggie’s eyes. She took an unsteady step backward, looking lost and confused.

  He wanted to reach out and reassure her, to tell her just how much he needed her. Instead, he smiled and said, “Thank you for the dance, Maggie.”

  She smiled back. It looked forced. “You’re welcome, Jason.”

  Slowly he became aware of their surroundings. The band was tuning up for another song. Couples were beginning to crowd the floor for another round of dancing. Excited voices and laughter sounded much too close, reminding him they weren’t alone.

  With one last reluctant glance, Jason nodded his goodbye and turned away to continue his unofficial patrol of the festivities, allowing himself a modicum of hope in the disappointment he saw reflected in Maggie’s eyes.

  Chapter 7

  Jason wasn’t normally a paranoid man.

  On the Monday morning after the Spring Carnival, however, he walked into the offices of the police department to a flurry of curious stares, whispered conversations and snickers of amusement from his staff. A hush fell on the group when he stopped to look around the room. Eyes were averted. Guilty expressions and a sudden interest in work told him his imagination hadn’t been working overtime.

  He had been the topic of the department’s conversation.

  Unlike his fellow lawmen, Officer Ray Schmitz felt no need for discretion. He acted as the office spokesman. “Say, Chief, where’d you learn how to dance so good?”

  Jason narrowed a glance at the officer who’d asked the question. He was a big man, with blond hair cut in a crewcut. Jason knew him to be competent policeman and a hard worker, who could be counted on to handle an emergency call with a levelheaded efficiency. At the moment, however, he had his feet propped lazily on his desk and a goofy smile pasted on his square, lantern-jawed face.

  Behind him stood the officers from the evening shift, ready to pass on the reins of duty. Nearby, the morning crew awaited their daily briefing. At Officer Schmitz’s question, there was an uncomfortable shuffling of feet and an attack of coughs to hide the guffaws. Mixed in between were a few brave souls who didn’t bother to hide their grins.