Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Tanner kept one hand on the wheel and the other loose on the gearshift as he drove Junie into town the next morning. Junie sat beside him in that soft yellow sundress that always made his chest do strange things, answering his questions with short, polite replies.
“So you’re testing a new muffin recipe today?”
“Yeah, I always get bored making the same muffins over and over. Besides, got to add to the menu every once in a while, to keep the customers interested.” A long sigh followed her answer, along with looking out the window a lot.
Something was off. She kept her hands folded tight in her lap instead of reaching for his.
Part of him wanted to pull over, haul her into his lap, and ask what was spinning through that pretty head of hers.
Later, maybe they could discuss it, but right now, he stayed locked on the problem he meant to fix today.
Preston had already been warned once. Clearly, that wasn’t enough.
He pulled up in front of Bread & Batter and cut the engine. The familiar striped awning looked peaceful in the early morning light, but it also looked very vulnerable. Not anymore.
Junie had put her hand on the door and started to open it.
“Stay right there, baby,” he said, in a tone that made it clear it wasn’t a suggestion.
Rounding the front of the truck, he grabbed the handle and opened her door.
Junie started to slide down, but he caught her waist with both hands, lifting her the rest of the way so her feet barely touched the sidewalk.
Her soft curves pressed against him for a brief second, and the warmth of her body sent a fresh wave of awareness rolling through him.
It reminded him that she was the real deal for him.
“Keys.” He held out his hand and kept the other arm around her as they walked to the bakery door.
She handed them over without a word. He unlocked the door, then gently nudged her to the side. “Wait right here, Cupcake. Don’t move until I check everything out.”
Before she could argue, he stepped inside.
The bell above the door gave its familiar jingle as he moved through the front of the shop, announcing to anyone who might be waiting inside that someone else had arrived.
Still, special care was taken so that his boots were quiet on the floor while his eyes swept every corner—behind the display cases, under the counters, into the small office.
He pushed through the swinging door into the kitchen, checked the walk-in cooler, then tested the heavy back door. Locked tight. Nothing was out of place. The whole building sat silent and empty, exactly as it should be.
Only then did he feel comfortable letting Junie come in.
He walked back to the front. Junie still stood exactly where he’d left her, fingers twisting the strap of her purse.
“Nobody’s here,” he told her. “Back door’s locked solid too.”
“That’s good, though I don’t know who’d break into a bakery.”
“Not all the sweet treats are in your display case, babygirl.” He cupped her cheek, thumb brushing lightly over her soft skin. “There’s no such thing as being too careful. Not when it comes to you.”
Questions hovered behind her eyes, but he didn’t give her time to ask them. “I’ve got to head out for a bit. Lock this door behind me and keep it locked until Poppy gets here. Understand, babygirl? No exceptions.”
Junie nodded. “Yes, Daddy.”
She seemed happy enough, but the quiet in her still tugged at him.
He settled both hands on her hips and pulled her flush against him.
Her body melted into his so perfectly it made his breath catch.
He rested his forehead against hers, breathing in the faint vanilla and sugar that always clung to her.
“You’re quiet this morning,” he murmured. “Is anything wrong?”
She shook her head quickly. “No, Daddy.”
“Anything we did last night bother you?”
Her cheeks flushed that pretty shade of pink he loved so much. She bit her lip, eyes dropping to his chest for a second before lifting again. “I loved every minute of last night, Daddy. I promise.”
What had he ever done to deserve this woman?
Tilting her chin up, he kissed her, slow at first, then deeper, pouring everything he felt into it. A soft sigh puffed from her lips as she clutched his shirt, twisting her hands into it hard and tight. It was tempting to stay right there and forget about the rest of his morning plans.
Scooping her up, carrying her straight back to that tiny office, and filling her tight little pussy with his cock again struck him as a much better way to spend the morning than what he had planned.
His hands flexed on her hips, already imagining the way she’d gasp and cling to him as he sank deep, stretching her, claiming her all over again.
Business before pleasure, however, especially when that business was concerned with keeping Junie safe. He pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against hers again. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Where are you going?” she asked, voice barely above a whisper.
“Just running a few errands.” He gave her hips a gentle squeeze. “You be a good girl for me until I get back.”
A shy little smile touched her lips. “Yes, Daddy.”
Those two words slammed into his chest every single time, stealing his breath and filling him with that deep, possessive ache. He kissed the top of her head, then forced himself to step outside.
“Tell me again, Cupcake. What are you going to do if Preston comes by here today?”
“Call you, Daddy.”
“That’s my girl.”
The door clicked shut behind him. He waited on the sidewalk, arms crossed, until he heard the deadbolt slide home and saw her small wave through the glass.
Only then did he turn toward his truck. There were things that needed to be done. Jaw set tight, he put the truck in gear.
Time to make sure Preston Lassiter finally understood exactly who Junie belonged to. First stop, the courthouse.
Tanner didn’t break his stride when he entered the squat, red brick building.
He pushed through the doors and headed straight for the county clerk’s office.
Marlene Stewart, the county clerk since the West had been won, looked up from her desk the moment he stepped in, her familiar smile widening and reflecting in her eyes behind no-nonsense glasses.
“Well, if it isn’t Tanner Daniels. You’re my first customer. What brings you in so early?”
He leaned one forearm on the tall counter and gave her his best slow grin. “Morning, Marlene. That new haircut looks mighty fine on you. Makes those silver streaks in your hair shine like moonlight on the river. You don’t look a day over twenty-five.”
“Oh, you!” she said, slapping his forearm. Her cheeks pinkened up just a touch. “Flattery will get you just about everywhere. Now what’s this about?”
Tanner’s voice changed from friendly to serious. “I need to file a temporary restraining order for my Little girl, Junie Morgan.”
“About time. Glaciers move faster than you, boy. But I hate to hear that about Junie. She’s precious.”
Something they could agree on. “Yes, ma’am, she is. The problem is, Preston Lassiter’s been harassing her. Won’t take no for an answer, no matter how many times she tells him she’s not interested.”
Marlene’s fingers paused on the keyboard. She leaned in a fraction, eyes sharpening with interest. “Harassing her how, exactly?”
“He keeps sending gifts to the bakery and Rainbow’s Edge.
At first, they were harmless enough, but lately, they’ve gotten…
inappropriate. Real personal. He showed up yesterday carrying a box and tried to push things way too far.
Junie’s too sweet to cause a scene, but it really scared her, for herself and Miss Belle. ”
At first, Marlene appeared to be shocked, then began shaking her head.
“You know, it shouldn’t surprise me. That boy’s always been trouble, you know.
” Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper even as her eyes gleamed with that familiar spark of gossip-hungry delight.
“Spoiled rich-kid syndrome. Men like him think they can get away with whatever they want, just because their last name’s on a sign outside their big, fancy office.
Like people around here care about that!
You should hear some of the stories I’ve heard… ”
Tanner gave a solemn nod of agreement.
As court clerk, Marlene wasn’t strictly supposed to divulge anyone’s court business, but Tanner was pretty sure that by lunchtime the whole county would know Preston had crossed a line with “precious Junie Morgan”.
Telling Marlene was better than putting it on the front page of the Town Crier. Of course, when Marlene got done, it might just end up there, too.
Whatever else she did, she handled paperwork with brisk efficiency even if her lips were pressed into a thin line of disapproval.
“I’ll get this temporary restraining order processed right away.
” She reached over and handed Tanner a clipboard with several papers attached.
“Fill these out and hand them back to me as quick as you can. Once I check it, you can carry it down to Judge Langford’s office.
I’ll send him a note so that he’ll be ready for you.
Once he’s looked over them, he’ll sign off on it, I’m sure. ”
Tanner filled out the complaint. Five minutes later, he handed the paperwork back to Marlene. She took the clipboard and, after another ten minutes, handed Tanner a large manila envelope.
“The judge told me to send you right on down to his office with this order. It’s the third door on the right. I sure hope this fixes things for poor Junie.”
“Don’t worry, it’ll get fixed one way or the other.”
Marlene furrowed her brow in concern. “Now, Tanner, don’t go getting yourself in trouble.”
He ignored her comment. “Thanks for this, Marlene. You’re the best.”
“Now, how would you know?” she retorted with a laugh. “Has Roger been talking?”
“You know your Daddy wouldn’t tell any tales about you,” Tanner said with a wink.
He hid his satisfied smile as he took the forms and headed down the hall toward the judge’s office.
It was always nice to have friends at the courthouse who understood the type of relationship he and Junie were forming.
Tanner spotted the polished brass nameplate on the door—Judge Everett Langford—exactly where Marlene had said it would be. Not his favorite judge. Tanner would never forget the things he’d said about Kip when Trace had brought her to get their marriage license.
Trace had shut the man down with his words.
If Judge Langford made the mistake of saying something inappropriate about Junie, it would be hard for Tanner not to let his fists do the talking.
But he couldn’t help Junie from inside a jail cell, so that option was off the table.
Praying for patience and self-control, he rapped his knuckles twice, firm and quick on the door.
A booming voice called out from inside, “Enter.”
The judge was already standing when Tanner stepped in.
He stood tall, though his hair was a mite thinner than the last time they’d met.
He looked every bit the respected man of the law, but Tanner had heard enough stories to know there had once been a rascal hiding behind those sharp eyes, maybe still was.
“Tanner Daniels,” Judge Langford said, crossing the room to offer a firm handshake and a wide grin. “Good to see you, son. How are Trace and Kip doing these days? I still remember officiating their wedding—fine couple, those two.”
“They’re doing really well, Judge. Kip’s keeping Trace on his toes, as usual.”
“Judge is what I do, Tanner. Call me Rhett.” The judge chuckled, a deep rolling sound that filled the office.
They traded a few more pleasantries about the ranch and the weather before Judge Langford settled back behind his big oak desk, motioning for Tanner to take a seat.
“Let me take a look at that order.” Tanner handed him the envelope.
“So this restraining order is for the protection of that pretty little baker of yours, eh?” Rhett had taken out his glasses and was looking over the papers.
“Yep,” Tanner said.
“Fair enough,” Rhett said, his booming voice turning all business. “Now, about this filing. You say Preston Lassiter has been stalking her… can you tell me exactly what’s been going on?”
Tanner reviewed the gifts and unwanted phone calls. When he got to the chastity belt, the judge raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Did you say chastity belt?”
Tanner nodded. “I did.”
Judge Langford started shaking his head. “I’ve heard talk about that guy before, but this? This is something else.”
Tanner felt some of the tension ease from his shoulders. Rhett was clearly unhappy.
The judge picked up his pen and began scribbling on the papers.
“Consider it done. I’ll have the sheriff serve this before lunch.
This is in effect for a month. There will be a hearing in the interim to decide it to extend it or not.
Until then, if Lassiter doesn’t honor it, you just report it to the sheriff.
And, Tanner…” Rhett looked up, his expression serious but not unkind.
“You keep your head on straight. Off the record, that boy’s father has bought him out of several situations that he should have already been in jail for, so I’ll be surprised if he pays any attention to this.
” He waved the papers in the air. “Don’t let him lure you into doing anything that might get you into my court. ”
Tanner gave a short shrug. “Since we’re talking off the record. This restraining order was the right thing to do. But when it comes to protecting Junie, I don’t take anything off the table.”
Rhett gave Tanner an understanding nod. “Protect what’s yours, son. That’s what good men do.”
Tanner stood and shook the judge’s hand again. “Thank you, Rhett, and do you mind if I take it to Sam?”
Langford put the signed order back in the envelope and handed it to Tanner with a smile. “Be my guest.”
As he left the office, the weight of the signed restraining order felt solid in his hand. Two more errands, and he could get back to his Junie.