I’ve got it covered, Miss Mallory. Your two in-home visits canceled so you’re free for the afternoon. Go pick up your boy’s birthday cake. You ask me, you’re a saint inviting your late husband’s first wife to the party. Don’t you think she’s a saint, Chief?” Ruby Lee asked as she helped Mallory roll up the blue exercise mats.
The older woman cast him a knowing glance over her shoulder when he didn’t respond right away. Gabe had walked in on Mallory leading a seniors yoga class in a pair of purple leggings and a tight, long-sleeved T-shirt. Right now, she was bent at the waist rolling up the mat, giving him a view of her backside.
A backside that he’d very much enjoyed having pressed snug against him five mornings ago. He’d also had his hand on that backside later that same morning, ensuring that every fantasy he’d had of Mallory Maitland felt like it might come true for a brief moment in time. Until five boys had stood on the threshold of his bedroom and destroyed his hopes and dreams. She was back on the twins’ hit list.
“I used to think she was a saint until I found out she was stealing you out from under my nose, Ruby.”
“It wasn’t me,” Mallory protested, straightening to turn with the mat in her hands. He wasn’t disappointed. The view from the front was equally delectable, and tempting. She grinned. “Although, if I’m being completely honest, I would’ve tried to steal her from you if I had to.”
“Oh, don’t you go blaming Miss Mallory, Chief. I needed a change of scenery. My job at the station was bad for my waistline, and my heart. Like the rest of the seniors in town, I’m eating right, getting my exercise, and socializing, too, thanks to Miss Mallory. Tell you the truth, I’d work here for free.”
“I don’t think a lack of socializing has ever been your problem, Ruby. But I’ve got a big one now. Who am I supposed to get to take your place?”
“I sent you a long list of candidates, Chief. But if you want my advice, I’d go with Dot’s daughter-in-law. She’s a nice gal, and it would go a ways in mending fences with Dot. She’s blaming you for her being on the outs with Owen.”
He shoved his fingers through his hair. “I seriously cannot win with that woman.”
“You can if you’d listen to me,” Ruby said as she followed behind Mallory to put the mats away. “The chief’s just like you, Miss Mallory. He needs a break. I remember what it’s like raising young uns on your own. Didn’t always have Charlie in my life, you know. It’s not easy being a single parent. You two go have some fun. Get some of your Christmas shopping done.”
He waited at the entrance while Mallory took care of a last-minute phone call, and he checked in at the station. He’d worked two double shifts earlier in the week so he decided he could afford to take an extra-long lunch.
Having Oliver and Brooks living next door had come in handy. Ainsley hadn’t been able to babysit, and Mallory’s boys had pitched in. Mallory had offered, but after catching them kissing in his bed Sunday morning, Dylan and Cody had vetoed that option.
They’d quickly forgotten about her saving their baby brother. It didn’t help that said baby brother was busy planning Gabe and Mallory’s wedding.
Gabe leaned against the wall, watching her hurry toward him. The twins might not be her number-one fans, but he was. He’d never forget how she’d made him feel that night. She’d taken away his worries and fears with her confidence, reassuring smile, and three little words: I’ve got this.
Over the past few years, he’d gotten used to doing things on his own. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed having a partner, someone to share the bad times, the scary times, and the good times with, until that night.
“Hey, what’s going on? Why do you look so serious all of a sudden?” she asked.
He looked around, then reached for her, looping his arms around her waist. “I missed you this week. I hardly got to see you.”
“I missed you too,” she said, leaning into him, her palm on his chest. “But we did do three in-home visits together.”
“We did, but I didn’t have you to myself. I had to share you with three old guys who made no bones about wanting me gone.”
She laughed. “You usually have to share me with five not-so-old guys. Two, sometimes four, who want me gone.”
He grimaced. “I’m sorry Dylan and Cody have been such jerks this week.”
“It’s okay. I know where it’s coming from. Oliver and Brooks weren’t much better, although it had nothing to do with you and me. They got over their disgust that we were making out pretty quick. I’ve been told I’ve made things worse between Oliver and Dirk with how I acted at the tree farm.” She wrinkled her nose. “Sometimes I feel like I can’t do anything right.”
“Welcome to the club.” He opened the door for her. “So what will it be: Christmas shopping or do you want to grab a coffee at the bakery?”
She inhaled deeply of the crisp mountain air and smiled, tilting her face up to the sun. She looked relaxed and happy. She was finally sleeping through the night. She credited tapping for breaking the cycle, while he credited his magic hands.
“The benefit of working right off Main Street is I’ve gotten a good start on my shopping. I just need to pick up Oliver’s birthday cake. Then, if you’re up for it, I’d love to go for a walk. It’s a beautiful day.”
He glanced around the parking lot before leaning in to kiss her. Anytime he was around her, he wanted his hands or his mouth on her. He didn’t remember being this way with Lauren, but he was older now, he’d experienced unimaginable loss, and he knew how fleeting and precious these moments could be. “You’re beautiful,” he said against her lips.
“So are you.” She smiled and playfully nipped his bottom lip as he went to pull away.
Something came over him in that moment, and he took her by the hand. Later, he’d wish he’d taken the time to think it through. But right then, all he wanted was to be as close as humanly possible to this woman. He needed her like he needed air. “I’ve got an even better way for us to spend the afternoon.”
“Really? What?”
“A picnic.”
She laughed. “Okay, it’s a beautiful day, but it’s also cold and there’s still snow on the ground.”
“Who said we’re having our picnic outside?”
“Oh, I like it. We’re going to have a picnic in your cute car.” She grinned up at him and beeped the lock on her keys.
He laughed and opened the driver’s-side door for her. “No, we’re going to have a picnic in bed. The only thing you have to decide is which bed, yours or mine. I’ll stop by Sweet Basil and grab our lunch and a bottle of wine while you’re picking up Oliver’s cake.”
Her flushed cheeks and dilated pupils indicated she wanted him as much as he wanted her. And then he noticed her fingers go to her ear.
He smiled, taking her hand in his. “It doesn’t have to be anything more than a picnic. We can have it in my cute car or we can have it at a picnic table down by the rapids or we can have it by the fire in my living room. I’m just happy to spend time with you, Doc. Anywhere. Anytime.”
“I liked your first suggestion. And we’ve slept together in your bed, so why don’t we try mine?”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She moved the zipper on his jacket up and down, staring at her hand as she did. “I just don’t want you to get your expectations up. It’s been a long time.”
“Same. But that kiss we shared Sunday morning, it exceeded all of my expectations, Doc. So I’m not too worried about it. And I don’t want you to worry either. Let’s just have fun, enjoy our time together, alone and in a bed, without worrying that our kids are going to bust down the door.”
* * *
Hours later, Mallory reached for the Sweet Basil takeaway bag on the nightstand in her bedroom. “I hope you didn’t get anything that needs reheating because I don’t think I can make it to the kitchen.”
“Good thing I got us sandwiches and salads, then.” He frowned. “Where did my phone go?”
“I don’t know. You put it on the nightstand, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, right beside…” He got out of bed and looked behind the nightstand, moving the drapes to see if it had fallen behind them. It had. He bent over and grabbed his phone, staring at what looked to be twenty messages on the screen.
Only moments ago, he’d been thinking this was it, one of the best afternoons of his life, a memory he’d cherish. Now, staring at his screen, his worst fear had come to life. He’d been thinking with his dick, and he’d put his boys at risk. He’d let his feelings for Mallory cloud his judgment. His desire for her made him selfish. He’d promised himself his kids would always come first, and because he’d broken that vow and put his own wants and needs before theirs, he was going to lose them.
“What is it?” She searched his face. “Gabe, you’re scaring me.”
“The school called. Three times. Volume’s messed up on my phone. Dylan got in a fight and needed stitches. When they couldn’t reach me, they called Karl and Diane. They’re my emergency contacts.”
“Oh, Gabe, no.” She covered her mouth.
“It gets better,” he said as he grabbed his pants off the floor. “They’re at my place. Have been for ten minutes. They’ve figured out where I am.”
“They don’t have to know you’re here. You can say you were having problems with your SUV, and that you’re using another car from the station. You can sneak out, and I’ll meet you down the road and drive you to work.”
“According to Diane’s latest text, they’ve called the station, and they’ve called the senior center. Ruby told them we’d left hours ago to get some Christmas shopping done.”
“So we’ll say that’s where we were. That we just got back, and you were helping me unload my parcels.” She leaned over the bed to search for her clothes.
He didn’t want to hurt her, but she had to know how messed up this was. How they never should’ve let what they felt for each other put everything else on the line. The kids were going to be hurt by this. Hers and his.
He sat on the edge of the bed, and unable to resist touching her one last time, he smoothed his hand down her hair and her back. Then he leaned in and kissed her shoulder. The kids weren’t the only ones who were going to be hurt. “Doc, the reason Dylan got in a fight was because the kids were teasing him about us getting married.”
She sat up, holding the comforter to her chest. “What? I don’t understand.”
“After the boys caught us kissing in bed Sunday morning, Teddy started planning our wedding. He asked me if I wanted to wear a black tux or a white one.” He laughed, then shook his head. “I know. Leave it to Teddy. Anyway, I thought I’d nipped it in the bud. But apparently I didn’t do a very good job.”
He took her hand and looked her in the eyes, needing to do a better job of making her understand than he had Teddy. “Doc, this isn’t going to work. As much as I wish it could, it isn’t.”
She gave him a tight smile and nodded. “I know. I just wish there was something I could do. I feel responsible. I’d die if you lose the boys because of this. It’s not fair. It’s not fair that you don’t get to have a life.” She shook her head. “Diane probably wouldn’t mind if you had a life with anyone else but me. This is all my fault.”
“Stop. This isn’t on you. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without you these past couple of weeks. But I was kidding myself. We both were.” He stood up and put on his shirt. “I really hate to do this, Doc. But the kids won’t be able to come to Oliver’s birthday party tonight. There’s no way I’ll get rid of Diane and Karl now, and I can’t rock the boat until I’ve talked to someone about my rights.” He’d gotten busy and put off looking for a lawyer.
“But, Gabe, he’s turning sixteen. He wants the boys to come. I don’t have anyone else to invite. The few friends he’s made won’t come for fear of upsetting Dirk.”
“You’re right. Don’t worry. I’ll figure something out. I won’t be able to come. I wish I could but it’ll just give Diane more ammunition, and Dylan is more likely to come if I don’t. I’ll make it up to Oliver. If it’s okay with you, I’ll pick him up early one day next week, and we can work on the car. Maybe we’ll take it out on the road.”
“He’d absolutely love that. Thank you.” She looked out the window that faced onto the snow-covered backyard. “We went from making love in the middle of the afternoon to this. I can’t believe it.”
He crouched in front of her, taking her hands in his. “You have to know that, if it was just me, if I didn’t have the boys to think about, I’d want to be with you. That might not sound like a very big deal but, after I lost Lauren, I didn’t think I’d ever want to be with another woman. I didn’t think I could, and then you came along. I wish…” He looked away.
She placed her hand on the side of his face, stroking his cheek with her thumb. “I know. Me too.” Someone pounded on her front door, and she let her hand drop to her side. “You better go.”
He straightened, leaning in to brush his lips across the top of her head. “Bye, Doc,” he said, then headed for the door. Ready to give whoever was on the other side of it hell. Diane had probably sent Karl over to drag him from Mallory’s bed. The thought didn’t ease his anger, and he nearly took off his officer’s head.
She grimaced. “Sorry, Chief, but we’ve been trying to reach you for the past half hour. Mrs. Rollins said we’d find you here.”
He glanced at his place to see Diane standing on his front porch with her arms crossed. There was lots he wanted to say to her, none of it good, but instead he focused on his officer. “What’s up?”
“We got a call from Kayla McPherson. She says she has reason to believe Mrs. Maitland”—she glanced into the house—“the first one, I mean. She’s been kidnapped.”