How to Land Her Lawman

by Teresa Southwick

  “Yes, he is. He’s a great kid.” There was grandfatherly pride in his voice, but there was something flat in the tone.

  Will glanced over to the passenger seat and saw the look of resignation on his dad’s face. He should have known the man wouldn’t miss the way Will had deliberately changed the subject. There was no point in taking the idea any further. He would be going back to Chicago at the end of the summer.

  That was just the way it was.

  Chapter Four

  In her kitchen, April peeked out her sliding glass door with its great view of Will’s house across the alley. She knew he ran every morning and she did, too. In spite of Kim’s dire prediction that she and Will were bound to run into each other, so far it hadn’t happened. That was about to change. She hadn’t seen him since he’d helped with the teenage photo shoot and that had been a couple days ago. The time had come to give her game a kick in the pants.

  It was Sunday, the one day of the week that she didn’t open the shop until afternoon. But she got up a little earlier than usual, put on her running clothes, stretched out and now watched the Fletchers’ back door. If he didn’t show soon she’d have to do her run solo and think of another way to get this flirtation show on the road. Then an ego-deflating thought hit her.

  What if he just didn’t like her at all?

  Before she had a chance to blow that out of proportion his rear door opened. It was him, and he leaned back inside for a moment. This was her chance.

  She left the house and hurried up the sidewalk until reaching the alley, then pretended not to see Will, who stopped at the edge of the grass behind her.

  “April?”

  She glanced over her shoulder. “Hey, Will. Morning.”

  He caught up with her and fell into step. “Mind if I tag along?”

  “Nope.” It took effort not to look smug.

  “How far do you go?”

  “About six miles. Up Deer Springs to Spruce. Around the elementary school, down Elkhorn Road and back.”

  “Works for me.”

  She glanced over at him in his running shorts and snub gray T-shirt with the bold black letters CPD written on it. The wide shoulders and broad chest were pretty impressive and that was darned annoying. Why couldn’t he be fat? Would it kill him to have male-pattern baldness setting in? But she wasn’t that lucky. He was even better looking than when she’d loved him.

  “Try to keep up,” she said and increased her speed.

  Will stayed right with her and it was easy for him because his legs were muscular and so much longer than hers. If he wanted to, he could leave her in the dust. But he didn’t, so it wasn’t a stretch to assume he didn’t mind her company. She would go with that working theory.

  “How’s your dad?” She happened to look over at him and saw his mouth pull tight. “What’s wrong?”

  “He’s fine.” With the baseball hat and aviator sunglasses it was impossible to read his expression. “Had a checkup the other day and doc says he’s the poster boy for how to recover from a heart attack.”

  “Oh, good. You scared me there for a minute.” That was a relief. Hank Fletcher was the father she’d never had. “It’s just that you had a weird look on your face and I went to the bad place.”

  “Sorry. Didn’t mean to send you there. Dad passed everything with flying colors. Doc even said if he keeps up the good work he’ll get the green light to go back to the job at the end of summer.”

  “That’s great.” Then she noticed the muscle in his jaw flex and wondered what he was leaving out. “So why do you look like someone disconnected the siren on your cop car?”

  He met her gaze and one corner of his mouth quirked up. “Because someone disconnected the siren on my cop car.”

  “Okay. Roger that. You don’t want to talk about it.”

  April remembered a time when he told her everything, but obviously things had changed. It shouldn’t bother her that he no longer confided in her. The fact that it did even a little was evidence that getting closure was the right way to go.

  For about a mile they ran without talking. Then Will broke the silence. “How’s business?”

  “Good. Summer tourist traffic in the shop is up significantly from last year. Plus weddings keep me busy. ’Tis the season for them.”

  “Are you taking the pictures when my sister gets married?”

  “Of course.”

  “But you’re her best friend. Who’s going to be her maid of honor?” Will asked.

  “I don’t think she’s having one.” She and Kim had sort of danced around this. If her friend had chosen someone else April would know. “I’m doing the bridal shower and everything the MOH is supposed to do before the actual ceremony. I’ll just be too busy commemorating the important moments for posterity to actually take part in the important moments.”

  As they finished the loop around Blackwater Lake Elementary and headed back, Will asked, “Does it ever bother you to miss out on stuff because you’re documenting memories?”

  “I love what I do.” If she missed out it wasn’t because of taking pictures. People left her. Her father did before she ever knew him. Her mom died. Will... He found someone else.

  “Now you’re the one with a weird look on your face.”

  As their feet hit the asphalt in a rhythmic sound she glanced over, annoyed again. This time because he still knew her well enough to know when something bothered her.

  “I have cramps,” she said.

  “Do you want to slow down? Walk the rest of the way?”

  “No.” She kicked up her speed again, enough that it kept them from talking.

  April had done this route so many times she knew to start slowing down at the intersection of Deer Springs and Spruce. By the time they got back she was walking and stopped at the edge of her grass to stretch her muscles so she didn’t really get cramps. Instead of saying goodbye, Will did his postrun stretching alongside her.

  Again she couldn’t help noticing how masculine he looked, his T-shirt showing darker spots around his neck and arms from the sweat. And, doggone it, that was sexy. If any health-care professional had checked her heart rate right then she could blame it on the run, but that would be a lie. The spike had nothing to do with exercise and everything to do with the Fletcher effect. It wasn’t cause for alarm, just appreciation for a good-looking man. But it was still more evidence that she needed to ratchet up this flirtation in order to put him in her past where he belonged.

  “Do you want a bottle of water?”

  Will straightened slowly, clearly checking out her legs as he did. She was wearing a stretchy pink shirt over her sports bra and black spandex capris that fit her like a second skin. And she’d give anything to know if he liked what he saw. Darn sunglasses.

  “I can throw in a cup of coffee,” she offered, “and a muffin baked fresh this morning.”

  “Blueberry? Like you used to make?” There was a husky quality to his voice that amped up the sexy factor.

  “Yes. Did that sweeten the pot?”

  “Not really. You had me at water.” He grinned. “But I wouldn’t say no to a muffin.”

  That was why she’d made them. He’d always raved about her baking. If the spandex hadn’t worked, muffins were her fallback strategy. The way to a man’s heart through his stomach and all that.

  “Come on in.”

  He followed her into the house, where she grabbed two bottles of water from the refrigerator, then handed one to him. He twisted the top off, then drank deeply, again one of those profoundly masculine movements that made her heart skip.

  This was where she got it in a big way that the last time she’d kissed a guy had been longer ago than she could recall. The resulting knot of yearning wasn’t a flaw in the plan, she told herself with a confidence that took so
me work.

  “I’ll turn on the coffee.”

  “Can I help?” He sat on one of the high stools at the bar separating kitchen and family rooms.

  “No. Thanks.”

  Water and coffee grounds were ready to go; she only had to flip the switch. As soon as she did a sizzling sound started and almost instantly the rich coffee aroma filled the room.

  “You’ve made some changes since the last time I was here,” he commented.

  “Yeah.” She looked around the kitchen. This place was where she’d spent her teenage years. Now it was part of her inheritance, although she’d give it up in a heartbeat to have her mother back. “I updated the cupboards and changed the countertops to granite. Along with the house, my mom left me a little money and after I got the shop up and running there was enough left to do a few things.”

  “It looks good.”

  “I like it.” She reached up into one of the cupboards and pulled out two mugs—one that said I Don’t Do Mornings and the other sporting the Seattle city skyline, including Space Needle.

  “Have you been to the Pacific Northwest?” he asked.

  “Yeah. I went with a friend.”

  “Anyone I know?”

  “Don’t think so. Joe moved here after you left for Chicago.” She poured coffee in the Seattle mug and handed it to him. “Do you still take it black?”

  “Yup. Do you still drink yours the sissy way?”

  “Of course. Cream and sugar.” She smiled at the memory of how he used to tease her about this. “But these days it’s nonfat and sugar substitute.”

  “Why?”

  “A girl has to watch her figure.”

  “Some girls maybe, but not you. Guys will do that for you.” Maybe it was wishful thinking but it sounded like there was a slight edge to his voice. “What does Joe do?”

  “Construction. While he was here.” She handed him a paper plate with a muffin on it.

  “Does that mean he’s gone?” He folded the cupcake paper down and took a bite of muffin.

  “Yeah. He went back to Seattle. It’s where he’s from. We went there to visit his family.”

  “Do you keep in touch?” Definitely an edgy sarcasm in his tone.

  “No.” She poured cream in her coffee, then took the container and put it back in the refrigerator. When she turned back, she caught him staring at her butt and legs. And if her feminine instincts weren’t completely rusted out, she was pretty sure he approved of what he saw. “There was no point. Long-distance relationships don’t work.”

  “April—”

  She held up a hand. “That wasn’t a dig at you. Really, Will. It’s just the truth.”

  He looked at her over the rim of his mug as he took a sip. “Okay.” Then he glanced at his watch. “I have to get going. On duty in a little while.”

  “I guess peacekeeping is a seven-day-a-week job,” she said.

  “’Fraid so.” He stood. “Thanks for the coffee and muffin. We’ll have to do this again sometime.”

  “I’d like that.” She walked him to the door. “Bye, Will.”

  “See you.”

  She watched him walk over to his house and remembered the approval on his face when he’d checked her out. A glow radiated through her and it wasn’t just about the fact that her revenge plan was back on track.

  No, this was about the fact that Will wasn’t completely neutral where she was concerned. It was personally satisfying and she looked forward to more.

  * * *

  “I swear Luke and I are going to Vegas for a quickie wedding.” Kim plopped herself down on the couch in the family room.

  Will picked up the remote and muted the sound of the baseball game on TV. He’d only turned it on to keep himself from thinking about April. It wasn’t working very well. The memory of her in those tight black running pants had his mind on things it had no business being on. The White Sox could wait. His sister, on the other hand, was on the verge of a meltdown if not already there.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Everything.” She threw up her hands dramatically.

  “Where’s Dad?”

  “At the movies with Tim. You’re it, big brother. There’s no one else here to deal with me. I don’t need a big wedding. A small backyard barbecue would be perfect, don’t you think? Or even something at the park. Easy peasy.”

  “You know you want a big wedding,” Will reminded her.

  “Why? What was I thinking?”

  “That you’ve never been married before and you’re only doing this once, so it’s going to be a blowout affair.”

  “That’s a direct quote, isn’t it?” she asked.

  “Yup.” He looked at her beside him. “You said it the night before Dad had his surgery.”

  “Talk is cheap. Making a grand pronouncement is a lot easier than taking the steps to make it happen.”

  “Talk is cheap. But I can’t help if you don’t spit it out, Kimmie. What specifically is making you freak out?”

  Tears welled in her blue eyes. “I got a call from the bridal shop. My dress is back-ordered and might not arrive in time.”

  “So pick out another dress.” When big, fat tears started rolling down her cheeks, he knew that was the wrong thing to say. “Hey, come here.”

  She slid over and leaned her head on his shoulder. “It’s just...I w-wanted that dress.”

  “And it might be fine. Back-ordered isn’t a definite not going to happen. But maybe you can pick out a runner-up just in case?”

  “That’s way too sensible.” She sniffled and probably rubbed her runny nose on his T-shirt. “I just wanted to be bridezilla for a day. Throw a tantrum.”

  “And it was a beauty, sis. Way to be an overachiever.” He put his arm around her shoulders and tucked her against him. “The thing is, I can guarantee that no one, including your groom, will know that any dress you wear is not your first choice.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Because you’d look beautiful in a burlap sack.”

  “Aw. That’s sweet.” She sniffled again and looked at him. “Makes me feel bad about blowing my nose on your shirt.”

  “It’s yours now.”

  She smiled as intended. “How do you know Luke won’t know it’s a second-best dress?”

  “Because guys don’t care about that stuff. He’d be happy if you walked down the aisle naked.” He winced. “I can’t believe I just said that to my sister.”

  “It’s okay. I took it in the spirit and all that. It’s not a news flash that guys are pigs.”

  “That’s harsh. We just have an acute appreciation for the female form.”

  “Right.” She rubbed at an imaginary spot on the leg of her jeans. “Speaking of female forms, I saw you and April go running the other day and you went in her house when the two of you got back.”

  Will had forgotten how life was in a small town. Everyone watched what was going on and talked about it. At least Kim was talking to him and not someone at the Grizzly Bear Diner, which was ground zero for rumor spreading.

  “So,” he said narrowing his gaze on her, “your summer job while you’re not teaching high school is doing covert surveillance for the CIA?”

  “There are times when teaching teens feels like doing covert surveillance. It’s not easy to stay one step ahead of those kids.” There was a sly look in her eyes. “Speaking of steps, we were talking about you and April running together. What’s up with that?”

  “She runs. I run.” He was having a little trouble concentrating after his naked woman remark, except April was the woman he was picturing naked. Okay, so he was a pig. He was a guy. He could own that. Because April had looked pretty spectacular in those tight black pants she’d worn. That spandex stuff hugged every curve an
d left little to the imagination, just enough that he wanted to take them off her and see everything. But that was pretty stupid, right? The two of them had their shot and he blew it. “I saw her in the alley before she started her run, so we went together.”

  His sister said something that sounded like, “Good for her,” but Will couldn’t be sure. “Afterwards she invited me in for coffee and a muffin.”

  “Is that what you crazy kids are calling it now?” There was a suggestive note in Kim’s voice.

  “There is no ‘it.’ We’re friends. I guess.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “I don’t know.” Will dragged his fingers through his hair. “It’s just— When I made the decision to come back to Blackwater Lake for the summer, I knew I’d see her. When you suggested I make sure the first time was private, I knew you were right. And—”

  “What?”

  “I was ready for it. I was prepared to deal with her anger. Possibly resentment. Hostility. Even hurt. I was braced for attitude whatever form it would take. That’s something I’m trained to handle. After all, I’m Chicago PD.”

  Kim’s forehead wrinkled. “What’s your point?”

  “My point is that I wasn’t prepared for her to be friendly. She was a little resentful that first time I went over to her shop. But since then she’s been—”

  “What?”

  “I don’t know. So sweet my teeth are getting cavities.”

  “You’ve seen her a lot, then?” Kim looked like she was working hard at acting innocent.

  “She brought over a casserole. Then asked for my help taking pictures of the graduating seniors passing the power torch to the incoming class. Before you say anything, I was working crowd control.”

  “Making sure no one had sex,” she clarified.

  He nodded. “We got a drink after. Her idea. Then we did our run together and had coffee.”

  “I still don’t get the problem.” Kim didn’t look puzzled as much as a little self-satisfied. “It’s all peace and serenity with your ex-girlfriend. Most guys would be ecstatic. Why are you complaining?”

  “I’m not. Just the opposite.”