Six Months Later
THE SHERIFF’S UNIFORM was uncomfortable, not to mention it was made for a man, or at least someone with no hips. But to be fair, Caisey figured if that was the worst she had to complain about, small-town life couldn’t be that bad.
Was this life going to be like a new car, where it took a whopping three thousand miles before you got used to it? It’d been tempting to put the sheriff’s decal on her rust bucket, but she splurged on a brand new Jeep instead. But not black, like Gabe’s. She’d picked red, because matchy-matchy couples who dressed alike and drove the same car were just sad.
Maybe when their house was finished and they were done with marriage counseling and finally said ‘I do’, then she would be able to settle. Living at the bed and breakfast in town was too nomadic for someone who’d spent the majority of their existence in one house. Although, coffee and breakfast already hot when she walked downstairs was pretty good.
Caisey crossed Main Street to Gabe’s bookstore. It was sunny out, but still chilly. Or ‘nippy’ as Grams would have said. Caisey knew in her head that Grams was gone, but it didn’t really feel like that when she remembered. She’d expected to get hit with the loss each time, the way Jenna seemed to. But for her, the memories were solace, not pain.
The bell over the door rang. Caisey smiled, seeing Gabe attending to two old ladies who were trying not to make it obvious they were checking him out. He glanced up and relief washed over his face. Caisey strode over.
Gabe tucked her under his arm and gave her a smile. “Hey, stranger.”
The old ladies sighed and Caisey glanced at them. “Sorry girls, he’s taken.”
One gasped and the other started laughing. Caisey chuckled and looked at Gabe. She swallowed the laughter. Evidently, he didn’t think it was that funny.
Gabe rang them up, and both of the ladies complemented Caisey on what a cute couple they were before they finally left.
When the door shut, Gabe sighed and came out from behind the counter. Caisey hopped up and sat on the edge, but the detritus on her belt clanked against the surface. This whole “sheriff” thing was a work in progress. Sort of like her.
Gabe put his hands on either side of her and gave her a short kiss. Caisey pouted and he laughed. She grabbed the back of his neck and laid one on him.
When she let go he was still laughing. “You would think I didn’t just see you at breakfast.”
Caisey smiled. “That was ages ago.”
Gabe rubbed his stomach. “Yeah, but those spicy eggs Mavis makes sure stuck around.”
She laughed. “Did you hear from Nic?”
“Yeah, they’re finally heading up this weekend. We should barbeque or something when they get here.”
“Sure, we can haul your grill over to that monstrosity Nic thinks is a house.”
“Or…”
Caisey frowned. “What did you do?”
He grinned. “I might have got them a new grill as a wedding-slash-housewarming present. It’s cool. It has gas and you can use charcoal if you want and, get this, it has a smoker on the side.”
“Good. It’ll match the house.” She shook her head. “I know he grew up with money, but that thing is ridiculous. I thought our place was going to be too big when I saw the blueprints. We’ll be rattling around in there, with all those bedrooms.”
“It won’t be so empty once it’s full of kids.”
“Oh, are you going to take care of them while I’m at work?”
He laughed. “I could bring them here. No TV and plenty of stimulation.”
Caisey shrugged. “At least the old ladies in town will be coming over for a different reason.”
He studied her. She almost squirmed over what was coming, but managed to hold out until he said, “You do want kids, don’t you?”
She shrugged. “Sure I do.” In theory. She narrowed her eyes at him. “How many?”
“You’re the one who has to do that—” he motioned to her stomach, “—stuff. Why don’t you tell me?”
Caisey folded her arms. “One.”
“Five.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Three.”
Gabe grinned. “Done.”
That was when she knew she’d been played. He’d only wanted three. “Anything else?”
He nodded. “Let’s not take forever. I’m not exactly young now, but I don’t want to wait a whole lot longer and wind up being ancient by the time they graduate high school and we finally get our quiet space back.”
She hadn’t even thought of any of that. She just liked the idea of three because two would fight, so they’d need a referee. Although, with three, did one get left out? And when did he figure all this out? Caisey was still reeling from the move.
“You look freaked.”
“Me?” She huffed. “I’ve dealt with way more scary things than tiny people who poop too much and keep you up all night.”
He laughed. “Or maybe that’s the scariest thing you’ll ever do. Way scarier than being abducted by a serial killer. Uh…twice. But you won’t be alone. We’re doing this family-thing together.”
“Promise?”
Gabe touched his lips to hers. “For always.”
“I like that.”
“I’m glad.”
“Well, gotta run. You know. The sheriff can’t be seen necking with the hot-guy bookstore owner when she should be booking old men fishing without a license and the librarian for going thirty-seven in a thirty-five.” Gabe’s chest rumbled with laughter. She pushed his shoulder aside and jumped down. “I’m on ‘til seven. What are your plans for later?”
“I was going to pick up two specials after I close up and see if the sheriff has time to eat dinner with me.”
Caisey looked back at him, one hand on the door frame. “I’m pretty sure she’ll be available.”
Thank you for giving up your time to read
Target (a prequel story)
and the novel Bait.
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Thanks, again.
Lisa
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KEEP TURNING PAGES FOR AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT THE FIRST 3 CHAPTERS OF LISA PHILLIPS’ NEW SERIES!
US Marshal John Mason gains full custody of his son and is transferred to Sanctuary, a witness protection town that isn't on any map. When the town's first ever murder occurs, John's plans to reconnect with his boy are derailed by the investigation. Andra Caleri gave up her old life a long time ago, but someone wants her out of Sanctuary--to pay. As accusations fly and John uncovers a conspiracy that stretches all the way to Washington, Andra's past comes back in a true test of the mercy she received. Can John give up what he wants the most to bring the truth to light?