Chapter Four #2
When I got a full ride to play football as a tight end at the University of Tennessee, Scarlett was even more excited than I was.
She loved coming to my games, and I dubbed her my good-luck charm.
I then got an offer to play in the NFL but turned it down, and she thought I was insane.
Everyone thought I was insane, but football was never my dream.
It was a means to an end where my education was concerned.
Since high school, I've known I wanted to be in law enforcement—the person who steps in and stands up for those who can't, instead of turning my head like so many of the Aspen Hollow officers. I graduated from college and was accepted right into the Tennessee state police academy.
I never intended to come back to Aspen Hollow, but when the DA contacted our office about sending someone in undercover, to finally bring down the years of corruption on the force in Aspen Hollow, I volunteered immediately.
My parents were very wary, but I knew that it was fate to have this opportunity.
I would right the wrongs that were out of my—and so many others’—hands.
The best part of joining the Aspen Hollow force was that they didn't suspect a thing. My dad had been "one of them" and was "dearly missed”. It wasn't hard to act like I was falling in my dear old dad's footsteps.
I had only been in town just over a month, and I was already being indoctrinated into their dirty ways. Eight months in, we had enough evidence on the chief and several of the upper-ranking officers to charge them and strip them of their duties.
My efforts were praised in the DA's office and by my superiors. Due to the lack of officers to cover the town, the DA handed the responsibility over to the state police. When the question of who would be the chief came about, I volunteered.
I never planned on staying in Aspen Hollow after my assignment was over, but something felt right being back here. I was going to be able to hire new, loyal officers and rebuild the trust of the town’s citizens.
Although the people at the station welcomed me like a prodigal son returning home, the town was leery of me at first, and I don't blame them.
The older generation remembers my dad and what happened all those years ago.
They had a hard time believing I was a good cop and someone they could trust, but I've busted my ass to prove what kind of man I am.
I've made good friends since I've been back and reconnected with old ones. I was pumped when I found out that Thatcher DuVall was still in town and was the owner of the hardware shop. He's one of the people I remember from my childhood. I've also made good friends with the guys on the force.
As for the women of Aspen Falls, I've never in my life had so many home-cooked meals delivered to my house or the station. Apparently, being fresh meat had all the ladies coming out of the woodworks to meet me. Well, not all of them.
The first time I saw Jo DuVall, my neck about broke with how quickly it whipped around to check her out.
I saw her coming out of the hardware store while walking down Main Street.
She was bogged down with two fifty-pound bags of feed that she easily tossed in the back of her truck.
Thatcher was following behind with two more in his arms. That sight alone was impressive, but what really caught my eye was her laugh.
Thatcher was messing with her, and before I could come to her rescue, she had pulled serious evasive maneuvers and had Thatcher crying uncle in seconds.
Before I got to them and introduced myself, she was in her truck and driving out of town.
I was floored when I made it to Thatcher and he told me the woman was his cousin, Jo. The last time I saw her, she was a toddler and cute as a button. I was surprised I even remembered her, but I’d always wanted a little sister and had been jealous that Thatcher had his baby cousin, Jo.
Thatcher then smacked me and scolded me for checking out his cousin. I honest to God sputtered in disbelief that the badass bombshell was Jo.
Over the past year, try as I might, I haven't been able to pin Jo down. She was as slippery as a snake and always managed to sneak away before I could properly introduce myself. But that didn't stop me from finding out all I could about her from the townspeople.
Like many, Jo had gone off to college but found her way home. I was super impressed with her drive and the success she’d amassed at such a young age. Apparently, being fierce and a good business woman runs in her blood.
Thatcher said the farm has always been pretty successful, but it was Jo who had expanded and taken it to the next level. The farm is prospering, and it was Jo's idea to turn the main house into a B&B, which does so well that it's usually booked out six months in advance.
Not only is she smart and capable, but she's adored in our small town.
Jo is always willing to help those in her community, be it by supplying a pig for a town event, donating produce to the local food pantry, or giving those in need a shot at work on the farm.
If she doesn't have something that fits, she'll ask around town if anyone knows of a job that will work.
From what I've observed, Jo comes by her duty to her community honestly.
The DuVall women are involved in a little bit of everything in town.
Nana DuVall, as she insisted I call her, is very active in the women's shelter, her church, and organizing events for the local seniors to keep them active and cared for.
Lottie, Jo's mama, helps out at the school cafeteria. She is also an accomplished seamstress who offers her expertise in an after-school program and for the costumes for the spring play.
The more I've learned about Jo and seen her in action, the more I want to know her in person. Not only does she have an amazing character, but she's fucking stunning.
Jo's my type to a T, from the curly auburn hair that just touches her collarbones to the freckles sprinkling her face. Until tonight, I haven't been close enough to catch the color of her eyes, but I've been dying to know what they look like up close.
I still didn't get the best look from the firelight, but I hope to change that soon.
Her body is killer, with curves in all the right places, but muscular and lean from her years running a farm.
I about swallowed my tongue the first time I saw her strutting through town with cutoff shorts, broken-in cowboy boots, a worn Aspen Hollow High tee, and her hair in a messy bun poking out of the back of a baseball cap.
To say I've been crushing on her would be an understatement.
She's got me so wrapped up, and we hadn't even met.
Nana DuVall asked me if I liked men since she hasn't seen me in town with any of the single women.
I dodged that bullet by profusely denying any attraction to men.
I also blamed trying to get my feet under me and repair the damage the previous regime had caused.
When Thatcher told me he was tired of my grouchy ass and invited me out to the farm, I jumped on my chance to finally meet Jo. Thatcher warned me she was wary of cops and to proceed with caution.
I know I took a risk coming on strong, but there was no resisting that fire in her eyes. The way she was so free pulled me in and had me making moves I normally wouldn't dream of. Tonight, that risk won out in the best possible way.
Just thinking about having her pressed up against me has my cock raging in my jeans. Dancing with Jo was a dream. Being on the taller side, she fit me perfectly, and she moved as if she was born to dance.
I love dancing and will forever be grateful to my mom for teaching me.
It was one of the first things June and I bonded over.
I loved watching her and my pa dance in the kitchen, and was more than happy to learn how to spin her around the way he does.
Not only was it something special for the two of us, but it helped immensely with my coordination on the football field.
My mind, although momentarily distracted by sweet memories of my folks, quickly returns its focus to Jolene DuVall.
I've never heard her called by her full name, other than by her Nana.
But tonight, after she had me fighting every bit of myself not to hurry things ahead, I couldn't help letting it slide off my tongue.
Draining my beer, I scan the yard for my goofy dog. "Come on, Coop. Time for bed."
Cooper starts racing across the yard but stops on a dime, his head whipping towards the woods. I scan the area but can't see anything from where I'm at. The hair on Cooper's back is raised, but he's more curious than on alert.
I wait a minute to see how he's going to react, then whistle for him to come back inside. I shut everything off, lock the doors, and head to bed.
Thoughts of Jo plague me, making sleep hard to find. I don't know what my future holds, or what Jo wants out of her life, but I'm damn determined to find out if we'll fit together as well as I've hoped.