Chapter 20 – Chris
I’m furious that Braggart got out on a personal bond. I can’t believe he just walked right out of that courthouse a free man.
“That’s my cue,” I tell Jennie as I grab my keys and phone. “Time to serve Braggart with the restraining order.”
“Wait, can you drive? What about your arm?”
She’s right. I won’t be able to shift gears with my right arm in a sling. “Help me take this off. I’ll put it on when I get back.”
After she helps me out of the sling, she says, “Be careful,” as she walks me to the door. She cups my face and leans up to kiss me. “Come home as soon as you can. I’ll be waiting for you.”
Home. I really like the sound of that. “You can count on it.”
I head home first to pack a suitcase. While I’m there, I change into my uniform. I’m going to pay a visit to Braggart in my official capacity as sheriff. Then I stop at the station to collect my badge, duty belt, and firearm.
Jace stops by my office as I’m gearing up and says, “I thought you were taking some time off because of your shoulder.”
“No time for that. I’m off to serve Braggart with an RO.”
“Then let me grab my hat. I’m coming with you, boss. I’ll drive.”
Jace drives me to the Braggart ranch and parks in the circular drive. Marguerite answers when I knock on the front door.
“Is he here?” I ask her.
“I’m sorry, but no, sénior. He’s in jail.”
“He was released half an hour ago. He’s a free man.”
Her neutral expression changes instantly into a frown. “I see.”
“I’ll be waiting for him right here. I have words to say to him.”
She nods as she closes the door.
Jace and I wait in the cruiser until an unfamiliar black Mercedes pulls into the drive about twenty minutes later. I spot two men in the front seat. One is likely Braggart. The other one is probably his lawyer.
The car comes to a stop near the front walk. The doors open, and two men step out. One is Braggart, with a shit-eating grin on his face. The other is a pretentious dude in an expensive suit. I guess I was right on both accounts.
Braggart heads right for me on unsteady legs, his arms open wide.
“Look who it is, Jeff!” Dave must have stopped at a bar on his way home.
Clearly, he’s drunk. “It’s my good buddy Sheriff Nelson, here to welcome me home.
” He gives me a smarmy smile—one I’m tempted to knock off his face.
“Are you here to congratulate me on my release? I told you they wouldn’t hold me long. ”
“I hate to disappoint you, Dave, but no. I’m here to give you this.” I hold out the notice.
He takes it from me. “What’s this?”
“You’ve been served, Braggart, very conveniently in front of a witness, no less.
” I eye his attorney for emphasis. “This afternoon, a judge approved a temporary restraining order against you. You’re not to step foot within five hundred feet of Jennie, her home, or her place of business.
And there’s a no-contact provision. If you violate this order, I’ll gladly arrest your ass.
The official hearing is scheduled for two weeks from today. Don’t miss it.”
Braggart laughs. “You think a piece of paper is going to keep me away from my wife?”
My blood burns like acid. “She’s not your wife, Dave.”
“She was. That’s a helluva lot more than you can say.” God, he loves throwing that in my face. “Hell, you couldn’t even get her to go out with you.”
“Stay away from her, Braggart. This is your last warning.”
His expression goes ice cold. “I’d like to see you stop me.”
“All right, that’s enough,” the attorney says as he steps between the two of us. The man looks me in the eye. “You’ve served the notice, Sheriff. I think it’s best that you leave now. Please stop antagonizing my client. He’s had a rough twenty-four hours.”
“He has?” God, I want to wring both their necks. Instead, I smile, doff my hat, and say, “Have a nice evening, gentlemen.”
I have no desire to be around Braggart a second longer than I have to, so I walk away, Jace following.
When we get back into the cruiser, I text Jennie to let her know Braggart has been served.
I tell her I’m on my way back to the courthouse to hand in my sworn statement that I served the notice to Braggart.
It’ll be official this afternoon. Jennie has a restraining order.
* * *
When I finally get home—to Jennie’s house, I mean—she’s waiting for me at the door. She lets me in and wraps me in her arms.
I could definitely get used to being greeted like this.
She pulls a key out of her pocket and drops it in my hand.
“What’s this?” I ask.
“A key to my house. Since you’ll be staying here a while, you’ll need a key.”
I pull out my keychain and add hers. “Thank you. Does this mean we’re going steady?” It was supposed to be a joke, but as soon as the words are out of my mouth, I realize I mean it.
She seems to realize it, too. Her eyes widen as the weight of my words sink in.
“Sorry,” I say, chuckling, hoping to let her off the hook. “I didn’t mean that literally. It’s way too soon, right?”
But she’s not laughing. “Chris, we’ve been dancing around each other for years.”
“Yeah, but—” God, I don’t want her to think I’m rushing her for a commitment or anything. We’ve hardly started dating. “It was—”
“Please don’t say it was just a joke.”
I grow serious. “No, it’s not a joke. It’s just probably too soon for you, right?”
She glances away a moment, as if to collect herself, then she turns her gaze back to me. “I don’t think it’s too soon. I’ve waited years for you.”
I cup one side of her face with my good hand. “I don’t want to rush you. You need time to think about it.”
She laughs nervously. “I think we’re well past the thinking stage, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I guess so.” I love you. I want to say it so badly, but I don’t want to put her on the spot.
I’m shocked when she beats me to it. “I love you, Chris Nelson. I don’t need time to think it over. If you want me, I’m yours.”
“If I want—are you crazy, woman! Of course, I want you!”
Granny waves from the kitchen table, where she’s eating spaghetti with marinara sauce and garlic bread. “If you two are done canoodling, come eat dinner before it gets cold.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say as I take off my hat. I start to unbuckle my duty belt. “Is there somewhere safe I can hang this?”
Jennie nods. “My bedroom closet.” And while I’m off to do that, I hear her say, “We’re coming, Granny.”
* * *
After we eat, the three of us hang out in the living room on the sofa watching an episode of Little House on the Prairie. The funny thing is, I remember watching this show here at Jennie’s house when we were kids. The déjà vu I’m feeling right now is pretty intense.
A little after seven, Jennie helps Rosie with a bath and gets her dressed for bed. Once Rosie’s tucked in, Jennie returns to the living room and snuggles beside me on the sofa.
“It’s funny how the tables have turned,” she says. “When I came to live here, she and Grandpa took care of me like I was their own child. Now, it’s my turn to take care of Granny. Life comes around full circle, doesn’t it?”
She pauses a moment, deep in thought, before she adds, “You know, if you want a life with me, that includes Granny. I plan to take care of her for the rest of her life, whether that’s one year or a decade.”
I bring her hand to my lips and kiss it.
“I’m all in, Jen. Rosie was more of a mother to me when I was growing up than Kitty ever was.
Rosie was the one who patched my boo-boos.
She was the one who helped me with my homework.
She’s the one who baked me a birthday cake every single year, without fail.
She did more for me than my own mother ever did. ”
Jennie has tears in her eyes at this point. My chest tightens, and there’s a knot in my throat. I love this woman, and I want to be part of her life. “I love you, Jennie. I always have. All I’ve ever wanted is to be part of your family.”
She stands, takes my hand, and pulls me to my feet. “The condoms are in my top nightstand drawer just waiting to be used.”
I smile, feeling like a kid whose dream has come true. “You don’t need to tell me twice.”
* * *
This time, it’s going to be different. There’s nothing to stop us, nothing to come between us. We love each other, and we both know it.
I feel like I’m getting the biggest do-over in my life.
We step into her bedroom and close the door quietly behind us.
“Help me take the sling off.” I want both of my arms functioning for this, both of my hands available to touch her and hold her. To make love to her with all my heart and soul and body.
She makes a face that says, Are you sure this is a good idea? “Dr. Talbott said—”
“Hey.” I press a finger to her lips. “Trust me, Dr. Talbott would be okay with me ditching the sling to have sex with you.”
She laughs. “Really? Is this some kind of guy code thing?”
“Yes, it is. Now help me, please.”
“I’m going on record saying I think it’s a bad idea.” But still, she helps me release the buckle and allow the sling to fall away.
I gingerly flex my right arm, slowly moving it, rotating it, wincing a bit. I extend my arm slowly and then retract it. It’s stiff and more than a bit sore, but not enough to change my mind. “See? It’s all good.”
“Do you want to know what my fantasy is?” she asks.
My mind goes blank as my dick grows hard as a pike and starts throbbing. All my blood is rushing south, and I feel lightheaded. “Tell me. Please.”
She grins. “How about I show you instead?”