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“Thank you,” she whispers.
I tuck a lock of blonde hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering on her cheek. “You don’t have to thank me, my little runaway. I’m here for you.”
Her eyes meet mine, and for a brief moment, all the pain and fear that she has endured flicker in her gaze. My protective instincts surge with a deep desire to shield her from harm or hardship.
“I know,” she replies softly, her voice wavering with emotion. “But it means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
Taking a deep breath, Amalie exits the car and lets herself into her motel room. I lean against the car as I wait, but she's back within a minute. I take her sole bag and put it in the small trunk.
“I’ll see you at the house?”
I nod. “I won’t be long, I promise.” I tug her into my arms and kiss her hard, my mouth hungry on hers. It's a brief kiss because I don't trust myself not to back her up against the car and ravish her in public, but the need to touch her is overwhelming.
“See you soon,” I say gruffly, forcing myself to release her and step away.
Her lips open slightly, and her eyes widen a little. Then her lips spread with happiness, and she nods. “Okay, see you soon.”
“Oh, what’s your phone number? In case I need to call you?” I ask as she opens her car door.
“Um, I don’t have one. I left it behind in Chicago.” She looks away, suddenly embarrassed. “I didn’t know if my father could track me with it.”
“That was smart. I have an old phone or two at home. I’ll pick up a new SIM card for you.”
“Great, yeah, that would be good.”
I watch as she pulls away before I start my cruiser and set my phone in the cradle on the dash. I’ve ignored it most of the day, but then I see the sheriff’s personal number light up my screen as I approach the grocery store.
I accept the call, pulling into the parking lot and turning off the car as I do so. “Afternoon, boss. How are you?”
“I’m good, Lucas. More importantly, how are you? There’s a rumor going around that you got married this morning?” Sheriff Turner says, getting straight to the point as he always does. He doesn't mince his words, but he's a good man who takes his responsibilities to his residents seriously, something I admire and respect.
“That wouldn’t be a rumor, Sheriff. It’s true.” I reply, knowing I'm going to catch a lot of shit from my fellow officers, even if my private life is none of their fucking business. But it's the sacrifice of living in a small, close-knit town.
“I see. Congratulations, son. You deserve some happiness. Didn't even know there was someone special. Who's the lucky lady?"
"Her name's Amalie. We haven't known each other long, but when you know, you know."
"Damn straight," Sheriff Turner agrees enthusiastically. "I met my Laura and married her within a week. Been together for thirty years, every one of them blessed because of her. Wouldn’t have got through losing Liam without her."
Sheriff Turner is big, brawny, and blunt, but he's a fucking marshmallow when it comes to his wife and makes no secret of his adoration for her.Sadly, they lost their son, Liam, to a motorcycle accident in his late teens. A loss like that could tear some couples apart, but Sheriff Turner and Laura got through it together—not that the loss of a child ever goes away.
"You'll have paperwork to file tomorrow to add Amalie to your insurance and other things," the sheriff continues. "Unless you want a couple of days off to enjoy your new bride?”
“I'd appreciate that, Sheriff, if you can spare me,” I say, automatically scanning the parking lot. Being aware of my surroundings and any potential danger is ingrained in me.
“No problem. Collins will love the extra hours. You know she has a baby coming and will be on leave soon, so you’ll make up the time then.”
“Thanks, Sheriff.”
“Congrats, Lucas,” he says again. "I hope you both have many happy years together. I’ll see you in a couple of days.”
The sheriff ends the call abruptly. I shake my head, amused at how he still refuses to say goodbye to anyone.
Ten minutes later, I leave the grocery store with the ingredients for tonight's meal.
I have a new wife to get home to, and I can’t wait to see her again.
Chapter Ten
