by Jamie Hill
Doug jumped back in. “He’s just itching to go back and look for it. All his stuff was packed and loaded into a storage unit, which we’re sure is being watched by the mob. It’s pure and simple fear of death that’s kept him here, and not running back to LA to get that flash drive.”
Christine shook her head. “If it was so important, why didn’t he take it with him?”
Jordan shrugged. “I think he was too busy pissing his pants after what he witnessed. It was pretty gruesome. Only after he was safe and he had time to think about it did he remember the manuscript and the flash drive.”
“Must be some great book.”
Doug shrugged. “He thinks it is. It’s a conspiracy theory thriller that has something to do with DNA—he described it as Assassin’s Creed meets Jurassic Park.”
“Oh lord!” Christine exchanged glanced with Jordan.
“You’re telling me. And it’s all he wants to talk about. Yawn. Bores me to tears.”
“But he’s so enthusiastic about it,” Doug chuckled. “How can you rain on his parade?”
“How can you leave me to deal with him alone? All the way to Los Angeles, no less. Traitor.”
“Hey, I seem to recall someone breaking her ankle and leaving me to take on a crazy family who was being stalked by not one but two mobsters.”
“Um, that worked out pretty well for you, I’d say.” She looked at Christine. “You’re welcome for me breaking my ankle, by the way. Set the wheels of this great love story into motion.”
She blinked. “Did he just call my family ‘crazy’?”
Doug leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “Yes I did. That’s why I fit in so well. And who knows, maybe Jordan’s trip with Charlie will result in a love match, too. Never say never.”
Jordan made a face and turned her focus back to the baby. “Your daddy is so silly. Get used to hearing that, Av. I’ll be telling it to you constantly.”
Christine looked at Doug. “She nicknamed our daughter.”
Closing his eyes, he nodded. “We knew she would.”
Jordan pulled one tiny hand from the blanket. “Are these nails too small to paint?”
* * * *
Jordan sipped a latte as she entered her office building the next morning. After a quick word with Martina, the receptionist, she punched her code and entered the secure area.
Her desk faced Doug’s, and she glanced at his space before tossing her purse in her bottom drawer. A framed photo of him and a very pregnant Christine sat on the corner of his desktop. The most recent school photo of Ethan was grouped with Peyton’s senior picture. When Doug returned, a shot or two of Avery would be added to the mix. His first day back, without a doubt. Doug was anal in some ways, but she found his long-awaited happiness endearing.
“You see the baby yet?” Her boss approached from behind.
Jordan turned to face Chief Evan Rhodes. Ten years older than her, he’d gone prematurely silver at an early age. She’d always thought the shock of thick, shiny hair made him look distinguished. For certain, his unwavering character made him the best boss either she or Doug ever had. “Yes I did. She’s a beauty. He mama and daddy are over the moon, of course.”
“Naturally. The wife wants to see her, but I suggested we give them a week or so to get adjusted.”
“Grandparents are coming from Chicago this weekend, but they won’t stay. Peyton has school.”
“How’s she doing? All situated in college?”
“So I gather. They’re just one big happy family over there.” She settled into her chair and poked at the lid of her drink to widen the opening. “I know why Doug’s happy. He doesn’t have to deal with Charlie Archer.”
Rhodes chuckled. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s his main focus right now.”
“It’s mine, anyway. You realize I’m happy to have someone to think about besides slimy Willy E. from Atlanta. But Archer? Please. Couldn’t Ben take this case?”
He shook his head. “Sorry. Ben’s tied up with two different witnesses right now.”
She winced hopefully. “Olivia?”
“I am not pawning Arthur off on our newest marshal. You have a rapport with the man.”
“She’s been here a year,” Jordan muttered. “Besides, Doug has the rapport with the man. They talk video games and dinosaurs and stuff. Me, not so much.”
“Believe me, I understand. You’ll need a male marshal when you head out to LA anyway, so I’m working on bringing in some temporary help while Doug’s away. I’ll keep you posted.”
Jordan frowned. “Do not request Sneed from Kansas City. I’m serious, boss. He’s five foot nothin’ and when he stands in front of me, I swear he talking to my tits.”
With a hint of a smile, Rhodes turned away. “Since I know how much you enjoy that, he was my first choice. Sorry to tell you he’s tied up at the moment. I’m working on someone else. Never fear.”
“The only time I ‘fear’ is when you say ‘never fear’,” she grumbled.
The door opened as the other two marshals in her office reported to work. Ben Markham and Olivia Newman chatted and laughed as they entered.
“Good morning,” she commented, and they all made small talk as her coworkers took their seats at the two desks behind her.
Rhodes had the only private office, next to the conference room which they all used, and the break room. From his area he stuck his head out and said, “I’ve requested a number of case files from storage. The clerk is going to dig them out, but we need to run upstairs and get them. May I ask for a volunteer from the audience, please?”
Jordan crossed her legs and rubbed one foot. “Ouch. Broken ankle last year, it’s really acting up today.”
Ben worked an arm up and down. “Gunshot wound to the shoulder. Intermittent pain will probably be with me for the rest of my life.”
Olivia tucked her long blonde hair behind one ear and sighed. Standing, she pointed at Jordan as she walked by. “You were climbing on rocks, for fun, no less.” She shook a finger at Ben. “And you were protecting Doug.”
He grinned. “I was protecting Christine. I landed on Doug. There was blood everywhere. What a mess. I still have nightmares.”
Rolling her eyes, she told their boss, “I’ll go.”
Rhodes smiled. “Clerk says there’s donuts up there. I’ll take a glazed. Don’t bring back anything for our fallen compadres. Wouldn’t want to take a chance on them reinjuring old wounds.”
“Hey!” Jordan and Ben said in unison.
“You got it.” Olivia cast disparaging glances at them as she left.
A couple hours later, after Jordan had eaten the donut that Olivia brought her anyway, she glanced up to see their chief escorting a man into the office. Something familiar about him, she swiveled her chair to get a better look. Tall and slender, with spiky light brown hair, he sported a familiar, sexy little cleft in the middle of his chin.
She panicked. Rhodes wouldn’t have. He couldn’t have. No. He. Did. Not.
Pushing away from her desk, she hurried to the break room before either of them spotted her. With her back against the wall, she fumbled in her pocket for her phone and texted Doug.
He’s here. OMG!
Realizing she was being cryptic, she added,
Pierce. Then, Nick Pierce is here.
She waited. And waited. Damn it! Doug always had his phone on him. Unless he was sleeping. Maybe the baby was keeping them up at night. Damn it!
Ben entered the room and refilled his coffee cup.
“Ben! I need you to run interference for me. Go out there and distract Rhodes and that other man. I just need to grab my purse and get out of here.”
He looked at her like she was insane. “What are you talking about? I’ve got a meeting in ten minutes.” With an apologetic shrug, he walked out.
Her phone vibrated and she glanced at the screen. Doug had texted her back.
No freaking way! Wish I was there to run interference for you.
Jordan t
hought she might cry.
Me too, she typed back. I don’t know what to do.
He replied, I have a few thoughts, but can’t put them in writing. Might be used against me in a trial.
She smiled and typed, No shit. A moment of hesitation, then she added, I’m scared.
His reply was instantaneous. Want me to come in? Go hide somewhere and I’ll be there as soon as I can.
Jordan brushed a tear from her cheek. Love you for saying that, but no thanks. Not going to hide. She inhaled deeply to bolster herself, then blew out the breath. Thank you. Go kiss that baby. Talk soon. She pocketed her phone.
A mirror hung on the opposite wall and she moved in front of it to check her makeup. Nothing had smeared, thankfully. Before she could decide what to do next, a voice from the past sounded behind her.
“Beautiful as ever, Jo.”
* * * *
He could tell the moment she became aware of him. She froze, her gaze searching the mirror for his reflection.
Nick Pierce smiled. She truly was as beautiful as he remembered. Time hadn’t etched a line into her gorgeous face, nor changed her nicely stacked hourglass figure. Thick brown hair cascaded in waves, well past her shoulders. Stunning. “Long time, no see. Love the new gold highlights.”
She turned to face him. “What the hell happened to you? You’ve aged twenty years and I know it hasn’t been that long. More like, what? Ten or twelve?”
He played along. She knew damn good and well how long it’d been. “It’s been six, Jo. Guess I should cut out the heavy drug use, smoking and drinking if I look that bad.”
“Maybe you should if it’s only been six years. You could pass for a sixty-five or seventy-year-old man.”
He took a step closer to her. “I’d be thrilled to have this much stamina at age seventy.”
She rolled her eyes. “TMI, you arrogant ass. Too much information.”
He waggled his brows. “Oh, I see where your mind went. I was talking about work stamina, the ability to do my job well.”
A faint pink blush tinted her cheeks. “Whatever. Why are you here, Nick? Just stopping in to say hello, I hope.”
Grinning, he shook his head. “Not getting rid of me that easily. No, Evan invited me back to team up with you while your partner’s on leave. You’ve got me for the whole month, including our trip to sunny Los Angeles.”
“No way.” She appeared less than pleased.
“Yes indeed. Please, you don’t have to thank me. I’m just doing what any dedicated marshal would do.”
For a moment he thought her head might explode. She started to say something but stammered, and then she didn’t look like she knew what to say.
Nick decided to give her a break and cut through the tension. “Seriously, Jo. Evan thought it’d be easier to bring back someone who knew the area and most of the people. I just happened to be available. It wasn’t such a bad idea, was it?”
Her gaze seared into him and for a moment he considered taking a step back.
She frowned and he decided his instincts had probably been correct. Estimating the length of her arm, he moved just out of striking range. “Jo, I—”
“Don’t call me ‘Jo’,” she snapped. “Nobody calls me that. And as for you filling in here? It’s the flipping worst idea I’ve heard since bacon-flavored Twinkies. The chief’s going to get an earful about this. If I was you, I wouldn’t unpack my bags.” She brushed past him, their arms touching.
Spinning around, Nick clutched her bicep. “Have it your way, Jordan. But as far as my being here—”
Her eyes blazed as she jerked away. “If I had it my way, you wouldn’t have gone to St. Louis, you asshole. You’d be someplace a lot warmer.”
He tried not to smile, but seeing the old spark in her come to life made that damn near impossible. “Oh yeah? Where would I be, Dallas?”
“Go to hell, Nick.” Jordan stomped from the room.
Laughing, he called after her, “I didn’t bring the right clothes for that trip!”
She didn’t reply, just marched directly into Evan’s office and slammed the door.
Nick followed her out and sat at the desk he knew to be Doug’s. When he was a marshal there, Doug was partners with another fellow who’d since transferred out. Jordan and Doug had hit it off from the beginning. He wasn’t surprised they partnered up after he left.
He studied the photos on Doug’s desk. Pretty wife, cute enough kids. He’d never been much on children, but other peoples were mostly okay.
Nick glanced at Jordan’s desk and didn’t see any pictures at all.
A pretty, blonde-haired woman with a badge on her belt approached the desk. “Hello.”
“Hey.” He smiled. “Nick Pierce. I’m a marshal from the St. Louis field office, filling in while Doug’s on leave.”
She extended her hand. “Good to meet you, Nick. Olivia Newman. So, do you know Doug?”
“Used to. I was here six or so years ago. Knew Evan, Doug, and Jordan from those days.”
“Nice. I’m sure they’re glad to have you. I know Ben and I are. My partner, Ben Markham, is in a meeting right now. You’ll meet him soon.”
“You bet.” He glanced up as Jordan exited the chief’s office. Evan followed her out.
“Olivia, I see you’ve met Nick. He’ll be taking over for Doug this month.”
She nodded. “I was just telling him how glad we are to have him. Jordan hates to fly solo.”
Nick smiled at his old partner. “Jordan has always hated to fly solo.”
Jordan went to her own desk. “There are some things I hate worse than that.”
He didn’t touch the comment, and could tell by the look on her face that Olivia wasn’t going to, either. The shapely blonde said, “So where are you staying, Nick? Do you have family around here?”
“Not anymore. Evan’s given me the keys to one of the safe houses. Should do me just fine.”
She nodded. “There won’t be much in the way of groceries. What do you say we all go to lunch and get acquainted? I could help you shop later.”
“I don’t cook, so I won’t need to shop. But lunch sounds good if everyone agrees.” He looked pointedly at Jordan.
She wouldn’t meet his gaze. “I can’t make it, but you all go ahead.”
The chief stepped forward. “I’m sure you can rearrange your schedule for one meal to welcome Nick. I’ll even spring for the tab. It’ll be good for the morale of the team.”
Jordan appeared pained to do so, but nodded assent.
“Great. We’ll go about noon, then.” He returned to his office.
“Great,” Olivia echoed, and smiled at Nick before heading to the break room.
He tilted his head and watched her backside as she went. “Nice….marshal.”
Jordan’s eyes flashed. “She’s twenty-five, Nick. Leave her alone.”
Chuckling, he raised his hands. “What? I just said she was nice.”
“I heard what you said. Jackass.”
“Go ahead. Get it all out of your system now. Once we’re on the road to LA, you’re going to have to be nice to me.”
“I don’t have to do anything, you egotistical boor.”
“Oh, so Evan’s going to find you a new marshal to partner up with?”
She didn’t meet his gaze. “No. I’m stuck with you.”
“Ah, so you do have to do a few things. That’s good, I wouldn’t want you get too full of yourself.” He reached for the framed photos in front of him, stacked them up, and opened a drawer.
“What are you doing?” Jordan’s eyes flashed again.
“Stashing these away for now. I wouldn’t want to break anything. You know I can get rather—zealous—at times.”
Jordan bit her lip.
Nick wondered if she remembered the time they’d made love on these very desktops, all those years ago. It was a night he’d never forget. Judging from the frown lines creasing her forehead, she hadn’t forgotten either. He rubbed a hand across t
he top of the desk. “Good memories.”
She jumped up. “Good riddance to bad memories is more like it.” Jordan stomped out of the room.
He smiled. She remembered.
About the Author
Jamie Hill was born and raised in a beautiful, mid-sized town in Midwest, USA. At various times she wanted to be a veterinarian, teacher, cheerleader, TV star or a famous singer. The one thing she always wanted to be was a writer. Starting at about age ten, she penned romance as she envisioned it in one spiral notebook after another.
When she’s not working at the day job she loves, Jamie enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and watching movies (the scarier the better!) In her ‘spare time’ she can often be found writing, editing, or doing something more mundane like housework. After that, she’s probably taking a nap. She loves to hear from readers, so feel free to drop her a line.
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Note from the Publisher
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