A Sheriff's Star, page 16
The thought came unbidden and startled her with a rush of longing, but she continued her retelling. “The nurse stormed from the room and moments later someone placed Hannah in my arms.” Tears began to roll freely from Tess’s eyes. “She was so tiny. Five pounds and twelve ounces. She blinked those big eyes at me, and her little rosebud mouth worked like she was ready to eat. A different nurse, a sweet one, helped me untie my gown and settle her against my breast. I only got a few minutes with her before they took her to the NICU. They did an echocardiogram and several other tests.”
“So they knew from the beginning that she had a heart condition?”
“Yes. She was born with a congenital heart defect. I’ve always known she’d have open heart surgery at some point. They thought she’d need surgery before her first birthday, but we’ve been able to hold it off longer than they first predicted. She’s done really well for the most part.”
“I’m sure it has something to do with the wonderful care you give her.”
“It hasn’t been me alone. She’s had lots of great therapists for speech, physical therapy, feeding therapy and several others. I need to find new therapists, and I’ve already been looking into schools.”
“In Houston?”
“Yes.”
“When is her surgery?”
“January. I’ll find out the exact date when I take her for an appointment in Houston a few days after Thanksgiving. I know the surgery is necessary, and I’ve had her whole life to prepare myself for it, but it scares the hell out of me. I dread the day they have to...cut open her chest. They’ll have to stop my baby’s heart in order to fix it.”
Anson cupped her cheek and kissed her briefly. “You won’t be alone this time. I’ll be there for you and for Hannah at the hospital. I’ll hold your hand through the whole thing. Or, if it suits you better, I’ll be your punching bag.”
“Punching bag?”
He shrugged and rubbed his thumb along her lower lip. “You know how sometimes when things get tough and all you want to do is hit something? If need be, I’ll stand there and let you give me your best shot. Open my arms and let you fire away your fears and frustrations.”
“That’s quite an offer.” She swung her feet to the floor and stood in front of him. “What if I want you to open your arms to me right now?”
Anson rose to his feet, long arms swept wide. An equally broad and very sexy smile spread across his chiseled face. “Fire away, honey.”
They stood a breath apart. She took a second to admire him, then closed the distance and splayed both hands on his chest, recognizing the passion and tenderness that made this man unique. For the first time in her life, a man looked at her as if she’d hung the moon.
Locked in his embrace, their lips met in a fast hard kiss, screaming with the attraction they’d both been feeling since the day they’d met. His hands slid down to cup her hips then farther still to lift her up until she wrapped her legs around his waist.
With trembling hands, she wrestled off his T-shirt, anxious to touch his skin and feel him with nothing between them. “I’m in your custody. Take me to bed, Chief,” she whispered against his ear, then nibbled his earlobe.
He shivered and moaned as he turned and headed down the short hallway. “You’ve got me under your spell, fairy princess.” He paused at Hannah’s door, peeked in, and a tender smile curved one corner of his lips before he continued down the hall.
Tess’s heart opened to him even further. It might have been that he only wanted to make sure she was asleep and wouldn’t interrupt them, but she thought it was more than that. More like he needed to make sure Hannah was safe before he could relax. Like he thought of her first, as a real father should do. She nuzzled her face against the warm column of his neck, inhaling his spicy scent.
He used his foot to close her bedroom door behind them.
Their desire shifted to a tender but still-urgent tension. His lust-filled blue eyes stared down at her, and she pushed his shirt from his broad shoulders, then kissed the pounding pulse point on his neck.
They were naked in seconds, but made love slowly, taking the time to appreciate every kiss. Every touch.
An hour later, they lay tangled together in happy contentment.
* * *
“Can I stay and hold you all night?” he whispered.
“I’d like that.” I’ll need this memory to take with me when...
Suddenly, she wanted to find a way to stay in Oak Hollow.
Chapter Thirteen
The town square bustled with lunchtime activity and early holiday shoppers. Pumpkins and fall leaf garlands remained, but the rest of the Halloween decorations had disappeared with the goblins and ghosts. Tess tilted her face to the sun as she walked back to the museum after inquiring about special needs programs at the elementary school. She’d instantly liked the early childhood teacher, Ms. Blake, but she’d keep that to herself for now. At least she knew the available options.
Just in case.
The savory aroma of food overlaid the earthy musk of fallen leaves blowing on the cool breeze. Her stomach grumbled, but she didn’t stop to eat. She picked up her pace instead, wanting to get back to the museum before Anson got there with the lunch he’d promised.
An older gentleman walked past and tipped his cowboy hat. “Afternoon, ma’am.”
“Good afternoon.” She kept walking, then caught the reflection of her smiling face in a store window. It was an odd feeling to be away from Hannah and calm at the same time. Built-in childcare was a benefit Tess hadn’t expected when accepting the job in Oak Hollow. Not just because it gave her uninterrupted hours to work, but because it gave Hannah time with new people who cared about her. Having her child with people she trusted was a rare comfort.
She continued her short walk and hummed the song, “Keeper of the Stars.”
Tess entered the museum, waved at the electrician and headed for the back room. There was a display case that needed to be prepped before it could be restained. It wasn’t exactly part of her job description, but it was something she enjoyed doing. She turned on the radio, found a piece of sandpaper and worked while she waited for Anson.
A smile lifted the corners of her mouth, and for once, she didn’t allow herself to worry about what-ifs or start envisioning the worst. She’d made the decision to allow herself some long-overdue, guilt-free fun. A bit of time to be a woman as well as a mother.
* * *
Anson shifted the bag of food and tray of drinks to open the museum door. Tess wasn’t in sight, but he saw one of the local electricians. “Afternoon, Jim.”
“Hey, Anson. What are you up to?”
“I brought lunch for Tess. Is she here?”
“Back room.” Jim glanced at his watch. “Glad you came in. I’m supposed to meet my wife at the Acorn in fifteen minutes.”
Anson followed the sound of country music coming from one of the back rooms and located the woman from his fantasies. The temptress was on her knees with a sanding block in one hand. He leaned against the doorframe and watched as she shifted, braced herself on her free hand, and sanded the old wood with steady strokes. Her tongue was caught between her teeth in concentration, and her butt swayed enticingly to the beat of the song.
He was going to need to adjust the fit of his pants at any moment. “I hope you’re hungry.” Because I’m ravenous.
She remained on her knees but glanced over her shoulder and shot him a sexy smile. “I’m starving.”
He put the food and drinks on top of a desk, then pulled her to her feet and kissed her but kept it light and playful. Unfortunately, there was no door on the room, so sneaking in an afternoon quickie wasn’t an option. He stepped away and pulled out two burgers and fries. “I have to work late tonight. I’m covering the end of a shift for another officer. It’s his first anniversary and I told him he should take his wife out and not put it off till the weekend.”
“That was nice, and rather romantic of you. How late is your shift?”
“Eleven.”
“Need me to return the favor and bring supper to you later?”
“As much as I’d love the company, there’s a big thunderstorm coming in this evening, and I don’t want you and the little one out in the weather.”
“Guess we’ll just have to settle for a little stolen time right now.” She hooked a finger in between the buttons of his uniform shirt and pulled him closer. “Kiss me again. Kiss me like you mean it.”
He obligingly cupped the back of her head for a longer, deeper exploration than their hello kiss. Someone cleared their throat and they pulled apart.
One of the carpenters shifted from foot to foot and tried to keep the smile off his face. “Sorry to interrupt, but my boss is on the phone and needs to know what kind of wood you want ordered for that case we’re building along the back wall.” He held out his cell phone to Tess.
It took her a moment longer to shake off her embarrassment, find her voice and take the phone. “Thanks.”
* * *
Soft spatters of rain tapped against the bedroom window as she read Hannah a bedtime story. By the time they’d finished two books and her daughter’s eyes fluttered closed, lightning brightened the night sky, quickly followed by deep rumbles of thunder you could feel in your bones. Tess had always loved thunderstorms, especially falling asleep to the sound of rain rapping softly on the roof, but she couldn’t sleep yet.
Her thoughts kept drifting back to the stories Nan shared when they’d pulled out her wedding dress. She wanted to hear more about Nan’s life, especially her love story with Anson’s grandfather. Writing a novel was Tess’s secret dream, and her fingers itched to get on the keyboard and turn Nan’s words into scenes that stirred emotions and came to life. It would make a wonderful book, but it wasn’t her story to tell.
With a glass of wine, she settled on the couch with her laptop. If nothing else, she could write about his grandparents’ wedding and display it in the museum beside her dress. It would be fun to write the happy parts, but sadness kept tugging on Tess’s heart. Her glimpses into Nan’s love story gave her an idea of why she’d struggled to recover after her stroke. Losing the love of her life had left a strong woman heartbroken and lonely. The pain she must have suffered after his death, no doubt still suffered, gave Tess pause about moving forward in her own romance. The friends with benefits arrangement she’d envisioned with Anson was evolving into more, and no matter how much she resisted...
I’m falling in love.
She set aside her laptop and paced the room, her pulse keeping tempo with the rapidly falling rain. He was definitely attracted to her, but he hadn’t expressed long-term thoughts or feelings. Nan believed she and Hannah were what Anson needed. Was there a chance they could build a life in this town? Together?
Could he ever love me? Truly love me and Hannah and not want to leave us?
A sharp pain in her palm made her realize she clutched Hannah’s new metal star badge as if it held the answers. She lifted it to stare at the shiny surface.
“Should I wish upon a star?”
Lightning flashed and thunder boomed so close that the windows rattled, and the electricity blinked out. Tess froze in place and clutched both hands and the badge against her leaping heart. “That must be a sign, but I don’t know what it means.”
She made her way down the hallway to Hannah’s room, but her daughter still slept soundly. Light shone in the windows and she walked closer to peer into the night. Only her house had gone dark.
Tess rummaged in what she’d labeled the kitchen junk drawer, found the flashlight and made her way to the closet in the hallway where she’d seen the breaker box. Two of the switches had tripped and she flicked them back to the on position. A small spark made her jump, but the lights did not come back on.
“Crap.” She jerked her cell phone from the pocket of her robe, hit Anson’s number and started speaking as soon as he answered. “The electricity went out. Does this happen often?”
“I’m driving home now, but all the houses I’m passing have porch lights on.”
“I think it’s only my house. Two breakers were tripped, but when I flipped them back on nothing happened, except a little spark.”
“A spark!” His voice held a note of panic. “Is there smoke? Are you still beside the breaker box?”
“No smoke. I’m right in front of it.” She moved the beam of her light all around the metal box just to make sure.
“I’m just around the corner. Don’t take your eyes off of it, and if you see or smell anything grab Hannah and get out of the house.”
“Now you’re scaring me. I was just calling to see if this happens often and you had a trick for fixing it.”
The roar of his diesel truck announced his arrival. “I’m here. I’m coming in.” The phone line went dead. He didn’t knock, just used his key. “Tess?”
“Right here.” She waved the flashlight, the beam of the light signaling her location in the hallway.
The heat of his body enveloped her as he pressed close to look over her shoulder. Another kind of spark instantly kindled at her core. “I’m afraid to touch it again.”
“I’m glad you didn’t,” he said. “I’ll call the electrician tomorrow. It’s probably time to get the old wiring replaced.”
“But I need electricity in case Hannah needs a breathing treatment in the night.”
“You’ll come home with me. You and Hannah can stay with us for as long as you need.”
“Will Nan be okay with that?”
“You know she will. Go pack what you need for the night and we can come back for the rest tomorrow in the daylight. I’m going to inspect this box a bit more.”
She quickly threw a few items into a duffel bag, then followed Anson into her daughter’s room. He scooped Hannah up and cuddled her against one shoulder.
Hannah opened her eyes and smiled. “My chief.”
“Go back to sleep, little one. I’ve got you.”
Tess tucked her daughter’s favorite blankie around her and pressed a lingering kiss on Anson’s lips, her heart fluttering behind her rib cage.
The rain had stopped, and the night air was cold and damp as they walked next door. Anson went straight up the stairs to one of the guest rooms. Tess pulled back the covers and he settled Hannah onto the mattress.
She tucked the blanket under her daughter’s chin, kissed her forehead, both cheeks and the tip of her nose. “Sweet dreams, beautiful girl.”
He took her hand as they walked from the room, his sly grin hinting at what he wanted to do next.
“Your grandmother might find it inappropriate for us to sleep together under her roof and make you stay downstairs where she can keep an eye on your virtue.” Tess knew this wasn’t true, but it was fun to tease him.
He chuckled softly and pulled her into a hug. “She knows I’m already ruined. Let’s go downstairs and see if she’s awake and tell her what’s going on.”
They found her in bed watching an old black-and-white movie. “Hey, Nan. You’re up late,” he said.
“I heard you come in and thought there was more than one set of feet going up the stairs.”
Tess sat on the foot of her bed. “Sorry we woke you. The electricity is out at my house.”
“We’ll have company for a while.” Anson put a hand on Tess’s shoulder. “I’m going to get an electrician to check out the old wiring in my house. I’ll probably need to have the whole thing rewired for safety. And until then, Tess and Hannah are going to be staying with us.”
“Of course.” The wrinkles around her eyes and mouth deepened with her smile. “Make yourself at home, dear.”
“Thank you. I’ll make sure we aren’t too much bother.”
“It will be an absolute pleasure to have a house full of people once again.”
“Guess I’m boring,” Anson said.
“You’re not boring. It will just be nice to have a little one running around this big old house. It’ll remind me of my own children and grandchildren when they were young.” She smiled sweetly, but mischief and scheming gleamed in her eyes. “Anson was the rowdiest one of the whole bunch.”
Tess wrapped an arm around his waist. “I would love to hear tales of his childhood mischief.”
“I see how it’s going to be. The two of you ladies ganging up on me.”
“I’ll tell you the first story over breakfast,” Nan said. “It’s late. You two go get some rest.”
They rose and bid her good-night. Back upstairs, they stopped in front of the room where Hannah slept.
“Anson, I can’t leave Hannah to sleep alone. I’m worried she’ll wake up and not know where she is.”
“I understand, but it’s going to be even harder to have you this close and not in my bed.”
She untucked his uniform shirt and slid her palms across his flat stomach then up to tease his nipples. “I suppose I could come for a quick visit.”
He shivered and moaned. “I like the way you think, honey.”
* * *
The next morning, Anson propped his back against the doorframe and admired Tess as she washed breakfast dishes, hips swaying to the song playing on the kitchen radio. “Is there anything special you want to do for your birthday on Friday?”
She glanced over her shoulder with narrowed eyes. “How’d you know it’s my birthday? Have you been using your detective skills?”
“Full FBI background check.”
She dropped the sponge and spun around. “What?”
“Kidding.” He chuckled, then crossed the room and braced his hands on each side of her hips, trapping her against the counter. “Your birth date is on the lease for the house.”
“Oh yeah.” She slid her still-damp hands into his back pockets. “I don’t have anything special in mind.”
