“Can you believe the nerve of her,” Maddy muttered. “She doesn’t have a clue how obnoxious she comes across. And I know what she really wants.”
“What’s that?” Emma asked.
“Remember what I told you before? About the kiss?”
“Huh? What kiss?”
“I told you about it at Brad’s house the night we had dinner there. The tradition is that the hunk gets to kiss the first woman to dunk him.”
“Oh!” Marla’s cut to the front of the line now took on greater meaning. “She means to get that kiss from Brad?”
“You got it, sister. But I really don’t think you have anything to worry about. Marla always sucked at softball.”
Emma had to agree with Maddy’s assessment when Marla gave the ball an awkward toss that landed in the grass well short of its target.
“See? She throws like a girl.”
Emma laughed. “That shouldn’t be an insult.”
“Well, it is.”
Marla’s next toss nearly hit Warren who stood well away from the tank. Brad looked relaxed on the seat, probably realizing he would stay dry as long as the mayor was throwing.
The third ball took him by surprise. Marla gave it a good toss and it actually hit the target, but not with enough force to send Brad into the tank.
Marla shrugged good-naturedly, but Emma saw from the glitter in her eyes she had really wanted to nail it.
Bert Morales was up next and while he threw with more consistency than Marla, the target was small and Brad stayed out of the water. Next up was a little girl of about ten who managed to hit the target but again without the force necessary to trigger the mechanism.
Then it was Emma’s turn. Brad flashed her a broad grin. “Hey, baby. This water is damned cold so you’re going to be nice, right?”
Emma returned his smile, set a pitcher’s stance, wound up, and hurled the ball. It hit the target and Brad hit the water. Someone yelled, “Get ready to pucker up, young lady!”
To the sound of Maddy’s cheering and the clapping of the crowd, Emma handed the extra two balls over to Warren. “My job here is done,” she said smugly.
Brad stood up in the tank, water streaming as he climbed back on the platform. He’d managed to keep his head out of the water but was soaked from chest down. “I’ll pay you back, Emmaline,” he called out to her.
Smiling sweetly at him she said, “Now, now. The police chief shouldn’t make threats.”
His laugh reached her before he turned his attention to his sister. “Remember when I beat up that bully when you were in seventh grade, Maddy. You owe me.”
“You’re such a big brother, Brad. And I’ve more than paid you back with coffee from the café. But don’t worry, you’re safe from me. I’ve got other fish to fry or, in this case, dunk.”
Maddy was next in line, but she allowed others to take their turns until Brad’s time in the tank was up. He’d managed to stay out of the water for the rest of his shift but with the steady breeze Emma could see he was getting chilled. When he climbed down from the tank, Logan prepared to climb up. Brad walked off to a curtained enclosure behind the tank while Warren handed Maddy her three balls in exchange for her ticket.
Logan eyed Maddy as she tossed a ball up, then caught it. “Still an ace with the ball, Blondie?”
“Yep. Prepare for your weekly bath, big guy.” There was just a little mean in Maddy’s smile.
“Come on, now. I’m doing this for the police department. For my good friend, Brad. And these are borrowed shorts.” He apparently hadn’t found a shirt to borrow because he climbed up onto the platform shirtless. Strong muscles bunched and stretched as he heaved himself up, a tattoo of a snake coiled on one shoulder. With his black hair combed back from his forehead he had the look of a bad boy.
At Maddy’s determined expression he called out, “Give it the best you got, darlin’. It’s been a while since high school softball. You might have lost your edge.”
“You’re going down.” Maddy’s first ball flew hard toward the target but sailed just over it.
Emma watched in fascination at Maddy’s concentration. She had no doubt that Logan would end up in the water. The next ball clipped the top edge of the target without triggering the mechanism.
“Last shot, Blondie. I think I’m starting to burn just sitting out here in the sun.” Logan shifted in his seat, making himself comfortable while Maddy wound up for another throw. This one nailed it and Logan splashed into the tank.
Emma expected the cold water to cut some of the bravado. But he stood, water glistening on his chest, a wolfish smile on his face. “Well, I guess that means a kiss. Me and Madison Gallagher.”
Maddy glowered. “In your dreams, buster. That little part of the program has been suspended.” She turned to Warren, digging a ticket out of her pocket. “Give me my next three.”
Emma saw Logan’s eyes narrow. “Take it easy, Gallagher. I think it’s someone else’s turn.”
“Nope,” Maddy responded, “still mine.”
Brad came out of the changing area in his jeans and a denim shirt and walked over to stand beside Emma. He put an arm around her shoulders, and they watched the match between Logan and Maddy.
Maddy nailed it and when Logan had climbed once again to the platform she used her third ticket and sent another ball smacking into the target.
Not taking her eyes off the drama in front of her, Emma asked, “What happened between those two? I thought sparks flying was a fiction writer’s exaggeration but I swear those two could start a fire.”
“They did have a fire going once. Maddy was still in high school. But Logan left the mountains and she never forgave him.”
One thing about small towns, Emma realized, was that the connections went long and deep. It wasn’t hard to figure out that despite her anger over what had happened years ago, Maddy still had feelings for Logan Ross.
Logan was back on the seat, but this time he sat forward, giving Maddy a determined look.
“Had enough, Logan?” She called out. “Want to give up? Are you cold? I still have one more ticket, but I’ll understand if you can’t take anymore.”
Water was streaming from his hair and he ran his fingers through it, pushing it back off his forehead. “Take another shot, Madison. But remember there’ll be pay back.”
Maddy took her next throw and Logan hit the water once again. The crowd that had grown to watch the contest hooted and cheered.
Her turn up, Maddy gave the remaining balls to Warren while Logan climbed out of the tank. Turning, she gave a bow to the crowd. Someone called out, “I bet the kiss he gives you is going to be smokin’!”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you all but that little tradition ended after the dunking of the first hunk.”
Interested eyes turned toward her and Brad and Emma could feel her cheeks warm.
“Go on, Brad, let’s see it!” an older man called.
He smiled down at her and then, tipping up her chin, slanted his lips across hers in a very thorough kiss.
Applause broke out when they broke apart and Emma was glad for the distraction of a determined-looking Logan climbing down from the dunk tank. “I think things are really going to heat up now,” she murmured.
They watched as Logan, water dripping from his shorts and beaded on his chest, strode up behind Maddy. He tapped her on the shoulder and when she turned, he slid an arm around her waist. It seemed Logan knew Maddy’s default response, because when she drew back a fist he grabbed her hand and pulled it behind her back. She opened her mouth to protest and he fused his lips to hers. The crowd cheered and the kiss grew hot enough to raise steam.
Brad shook his head. “I always knew it wasn’t over between them.”
“Yeah,” Emma agreed. “I can see that.”
Logan finally released Maddy who looked shaken. Her clothes were damp all along her front where she’d been held tightly against him. She stood staring, unmoving, even as he cupped her face in his hands
and kissed her again.
She broke off the kiss, stepping back with her arms crossed defensively in front of her. Emma could hear the strain in her voice. “No, Logan. Not again.” With that she turned and fled.
Chapter Nine
Emma stepped back and caught the infield blooper on a bounce before hurling the ball to second on the forced run. At the bottom of the ninth with the score tied, the trash talk was coarse and the competition hot. It didn’t matter that this was small-town softball, bragging rights were at stake.
The next ball, hit by Monica on the police force, sailed deep into left where Logan snagged it to retire the side. Emma watched with amusement when Caroline in centerfield patted Logan’s butt as they jogged off the field.
When they got to the bench, Brad grinned and handed Emma a bat. “You’re up, slugger.”
She hadn’t felt this kind of pressure since high school. She stepped up to the plate, eyeing the pitcher whose elaborate windup showcased a deadly fastball. She thought the pitcher was getting tired so Emma decided to wait her out. The strategy worked and she took the walk.
The next two batters, Maddy and then Logan, both struck out swinging, though Emma did manage to steal second. Then Brad came to the plate and Emma held her breath. He was so dang sexy. Having ditched the denim shirt, he wore a white T-shirt that bore a grass stain on one shoulder. Sleeves strained against powerful biceps as he took a practice swing. The pitcher wound up and Brad swung mightily at the first pitch, but missed for strike one.
George Van Horn, the city councilman who’d sided with the developers, played first base and upped the trash talk. “The chief wants to bring his girl home, folks,” he called out. “Don’t worry Brad, I’ll take her home if you strike out.”
Spectators in the stands laughed but Emma didn’t let him break her concentration. When the next pitch came in where Brad wanted it he swung all out, hitting the ball with a loud crack. Emma streaked around third, looking over her shoulder to see the ball sail far into homerun territory. She crossed home plate, turning around to cheer Brad home.
He raced down the home stretch to the cheers of the crowd and when he crossed home plate he grabbed Emma around the waist, hoisting her high. His lips captured hers as the rest of the team surged onto the field. She couldn’t fight the giddy feeling when he twirled her around to the hoots and backslaps of their team. She held the emotion tightly to her, knowing the beautiful day, the fantasy day where Brad was hers, would soon end.
Dusk had fallen when the picnic and baseball gear were finally packed into assorted vehicles. Emma closed the hatch on her Toyota after stowing her camp chair and the container for her fruit salad.
“I’ll follow you back to make sure everything is okay at the cabins.” Brad’s truck was parked next to her little car. He stood in the waning light, still in his T-shirt despite the dropping temperature.
“You don’t need to do that, Brad. I’m fine on my own.” She knew she had to start the separation now. For her own sanity she couldn’t let the dream continue. She had no future with Bradley Gallagher and the intensity of her attraction to him terrified her. She had to pull back or her emotions would be so overwhelmed when the final break came she wouldn’t survive; she would simply die of a broken heart.
Brad opened his mouth to respond but before he could, a male voice called out, “Hey Chief! Britt and Ralphie are getting into it over by the picnic tables!”
Brad acknowledged the man with a wave, then narrowed his eyes at Emma. “You may be fine on your own, Emmaline, but you’re better with me. I’m better with you. Think about it.”
Before she could respond he took off at a trot.
By the time Emma pulled in front of her cabin night had fallen. Her porch light glowed yellow to welcome her. The little cabin had the feel of home now, just like Hangman’s Loss was beginning to feel like her town. The Founders’ Day picnic had been fun, but with all the drama and gossip a small community would have. You had to take the good with the bad.
Balancing her fruit salad container with some leftover barbecue Trish had insisted she take, Emma pushed open her cabin door. She flipped on the light, then sucked in a breath as her eyes took in the chaotic scene. The room was in utter disarray. Papers lay scattered across the floor, desk drawers had been pulled out, their contents strewn about. It looked like a hatchet or ax had been used to hack at the check-in counter and to destroy a chair. Heart in her throat, Emma took a step back. What if they were still here? What if whoever had caused this destruction was in her back room, waiting with a hatchet?
Hastily, she set her containers on the floor and backed out the doorway, pivoting to race back to her car. She pulled open the door, slid into the seat, and jammed down the locks. Keeping a wary eye on the cabin, she fumbled in her pocket for her cell phone. She found Brad’s number and pressed call.
Emma heard the ringing on Brad’s end. “Pick up, pick up.” Scanning the trees and other cabins, she uttered the mantra, “Please don’t go to voice mail, please don’t go to voice mail.”
“Emmaline.”
Thank God. “Brad, someone broke into my cabin.”
“Are you inside? Get out.”
His voice was strong and steady, and Emma took a deep breath, her eyes focused on the light shining from her cabin. “No. I locked myself in my car. I don’t know if anyone is still in there.”
“Drive over to my place while I check it out.”
A thought flashed across Emma’s mind. “Wait. What if Dory and Adrian came back? What if someone broke into their cabin? If someone’s there?”
“Emma, listen to me. Drive over to my house. I’ll make sure Dory and Adrian are okay. I’m in my truck now, I can be there in five minutes.”
“I need to check on them. What if they’re hurt?”
“No, Emma—”
Brad realized she had disconnected. Swearing ripely, he hit the accelerator. When he turned onto Emma’s road he saw her car. He slowed his truck and a quick scan showed him her car was empty so he sped past toward Dory’s cabin. Killing the headlights, he eased his truck to a stop and got out. Strapping on his belt he paused briefly to communicate with dispatch, then crept into the trees to make his way to the front of Dory’s cabin. He immediately noticed Dory’s car was absent from the parking spot next to the porch.
The sharp crack of a twig had him whirling, Glock palmed into his hand.
“Brad, it’s me.”
Emma materialized from behind a clump of boulders. Brad holstered his weapon and moved to wrap an arm around her shoulders and bring her into cover next to him. He bit back the scathing reprimand for not staying put, for putting herself in danger. He could yell at her later. “What have you seen?”
“Dory and Adrian aren’t here. I don’t think they’ve come back from the picnic yet. I looked in the window. It doesn’t look like anything in their cabin has been disturbed.”
“Good. Now you stay put and I’ll check out your cabin.” Brad was moving away when he felt Emma’s grip tighten on his arm.
“Wait! Wait for backup.”
“Whoever messed with your place is long gone. But I’m just making sure. Stay, Emmaline. I mean it. A patrol car will be here any second.”
Brad moved toward Emma’s cabin. He glanced back to verify that indeed she was staying put. His gun pointed down, he eased in through the open front door. He conducted a quick, thorough search of the building and found it empty. The window in the kitchen door had been shattered, allowing the intruder to reach in to unlock the door.
He stepped onto the porch when a patrol car pulled up into the driveway. Warren got out and approached Brad. Together they walked in and scrutinized the scene. The destruction was contained to the front office where files had been tossed around the room, chairs overturned and a telephone cord ripped from the wall. Beyond the debris, the fresh gouges caused by a hatchet told of the intruder’s rage. “Warren, photograph everything. I’ll get Emmaline in here to see if anything is missing. Dust fo
r prints.”
“Sure thing, Chief.” With Warren whistling as he went out to the patrol car to retrieve his gear, Brad followed him and radioed in their status. He saw Emma in the shadows across the parking area and went to intercept her.
“Come on in, Emmaline. Whoever did this has cleared out.”
When he offered his hand, Emma gripped it tightly and walked with him toward her cabin. Experience had taught him that victims went through fairly predictable stages when confronted with the reality of a crime committed against them. When they stepped into the room, he expected a shocked reaction, maybe even tears, but catching the silver glitter in her eyes he realized she was far beyond shock. Anger simmered just beneath the surface.
Emma surveyed the damage. This felt personal. Someone was trying to get at her, to drive her away, to destroy her dreams. The business her grandfather had created, had built up for all those years lay under siege. Scowling, she turned to Brad. “It’s Singleton. That smarmy, slick-talking worm thinks he can scare me away. Go arrest him.”
Brad raised an eyebrow. “Sure thing, honey. I’ll throw him in the pokey, maybe rough him up a little on the way in since we don’t want to stand on anything like law and procedure.”
“He did it. You know he did. He wants me scared so I’ll sell. But there’s no way in hell I’ll give up.”
“Glad to hear it. I’d be pissed if you did.” Emma fumed but felt comforted when he rested warm hands on her shoulders. “Listen, Emmaline. I will investigate this and do it right. I’ll question Singleton and if he’s our man, I’ll arrest him. But it won’t do any good to get ahead of ourselves. He’s not the only one with motive.”
“What do you mean? Who else has motive?”
When he only shook his head, Emma growled. “Don’t make me hurt you. Who else would do this?”
He gave her shoulders a squeeze before dropping his hands. “Sorry, sweetheart. You’ll have to let me deal with this.”
A Need to Protect Page 11