Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Jesse
A year ago, who would have thought a willowy blonde called to Rodeo Ralph’s to stop a potential brawl would get me to admit how much I still resented my father’s maneuvers against our family?
“If your father was to die tomorrow, Kensington, how bitter will you be if you don’t resolve what lies between you? ”
That was before she slid off the bar stool and sauntered away from me and back to her cruiser.
Now, even at the celebration of life following my father’s funeral, I can’t drag my attention away from her. She’s stalwart in her duties, poised and ready to strike if need be.
Scarlet Marsden, the woman I can’t keep out of my thoughts even on this somber occasion, stands to the side of the crowd.
Her blond hair is pulled into a tight braid that should have pinched her features, but instead only sharpens them into the kind of beauty that makes me lose sleep every time I know she’s on duty.
It sparks a primordial injustice to know she’s placing her body in front of mine to protect it. Because she’s Scarlet, I know I can’t wrap her up in cotton wool and drag her to safety.
She’s many things to many people—deputy sheriff, mother, and friend. I’ve held even more titles in her life—her daughter’s riding instructor and lover.
Still, even as far away as it is, her presence makes my insides calm. In her cool professionalism, I find my burden easing. I take comfort in knowing that behind her glasses, her blue-green eyes continuously scan the crowd.
After that initial meeting at Rodeo Ralph’s, she reached out to me when she saw a flyer about horseback riding lessons. “For my daughter, Rosie.”
In less time than it took me to have her sign the paperwork, I’d tumbled head over heels for her adorable little girl.
It didn’t take much more for me to fall for Scarlet.
The spark between us is explosive—anyone within a half mile should feel it.
My heart aches for her much the way a novice falls off a horse—suddenly, painfully, and with absolutely no warning.
Every time I see her, she knocks the breath from my chest.
Today is no exception.
Despite the crowd at the post-funeral gathering, I can still hear the occasional click of a camera lens. My hands curl into fists over the intrusion. We’d hired Hudson Investigations to provide additional security to keep the vultures at bay, but I guess this was too good for them to resist.
Scarlet warned me when I snuck away from her bed last night. “They’ll come for the story, but I’ll make sure they don’t ruin your final goodbye.”
I gave her a quick kiss on the lips before racing to my truck, parked safely in the alley, and zipping home in time to get ready.
It was risky to go to her, but it was worth it.
My lips curve just seeing her, knowing a few hours ago, she was wild in my arms. Scarlet makes my heart beat differently; she’s my endgame.
The other half of myself I’ve been searching for.
Even if I haven’t had the chance to tell her how much she means to me.
Loving Scarlet in the shadows hasn’t been easy, but I’ve been trying to protect her, Rosie, us. I didn’t want to expose what we were building to the circus of rumors and intrusive social media hounds panting for a story. Certain I must be broadcasting what I’m feeling to the world, I look away.
Still, I panic because she’s never asked for anything more. An insidious voice inside me taunts, What if she doesn’t feel the same way about you? Mentally I refute the idea.
I can’t live without her now or ever.
Feeling a tug on our silent connection, my head swivels back in her direction. Her expression hardly flickers, not here. Still, the tiny quirk of her brow fills me with warmth and strength. And damn if it doesn’t make me want to say everything I’ve been holding back.
Despite all my internal warnings to stay away, I find myself heading in her direction, all while chatting with locals who stop me to swap stories about my father. When I finally reach her, I shouldn’t be surprised the first words out of her mouth are meant only for me. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re a terrible liar, Jesse.”
That pulls a ghost of a smile out of me. “An inherited trait, I guess.”
She lowers her shades and her exquisite eyes peer into mine. Her words surprise me since we’re in a public place. “I’m here if you need anything. You know that, right?”
“I do.” I love you.
Sliding her shades back into place, her lips twitch—a heady concession while she’s working. I murmur, “I’ll be over tonight.”
“What about your family?”
“They’ll never notice I’m gone.”
She hums. “You have your key.”
I nod, my throat aching with need for her and with sorrow—needing to release it with the person who convinced me to make amends.
Her. Scarlet. My everything.
She lingers for a few more minutes before her radio buzzes. “Excuse me.”
I watch as she saunters away—braid swaying gently as her hips move.
Just that simple, the weight in my chest shifts again, settling into something I can no longer ignore.
If losing my father has taught me anything, it’s that time runs out.
There’s no slowing down for fear or regret.
Nor for what-ifs, certainly not for a man too scared to reach for what he wants.
I watch her go and make myself a promise. Soon, I’m going to tell Scarlet exactly how I feel.
Very soon.