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Something inside her snapped, and she dropped the scissors and comb down on her workstation with a clatter. “Why didn’t you call me? Or come by yesterday when you got back into town?”
The corner of his mouth tipped up into what someone less attuned to him might have mistaken as a smile, but she knew better than to confuse the sardonic twist of his lips for a sign of amusement. “Last time we spoke, you said you’d had your fill of Buchanans.”
She raised her hands, not sure if she planned to plead with him or strangle him, and ended up lowering them again. “Last time we spoke I didn’t know what was going on!”
“Here’s what was going on: my stepbrother had defaced your building, my father had hatched a plan to derail your campaign with a false arrest, and was attempting to keep his sinking financial ship afloat by taking bribes from the county sheriff. Under the circumstances, I can’t blame you for deciding you didn’t want any Buchanans in your life.”
He laughed and looked out the window at Main Street. “I can’t blame anyone in town for feeling that way. But that Sunday before I left for Louisville, I called Tyler to let him know I wouldn’t be at work, and why, and he made me promise to come back and finish the job when I could. I gave my word, so…here I am. They’re behind schedule at the moment, so I know at least a few people in town are glad to have me back.”
“You idiot man.” She crossed her arms over her chest to keep from putting her hands on him. “Everyone in town is glad to have you back. You’re our hero, for having the strength and courage to do the right thing, even though it meant making your father turn himself in. This town respects you, and trusts you.”
“That’s nice to hear, but I’m more interested in what you—”
“I’m not spouting nice words, Shaun. Grady just spoke to me today, on behalf of the city council. We’ve voted to establish the Bluelick Police Department and they want you as the chief of police. I’m supposed to talk you into taking the job.”
The information clearly came as a surprise, and she thought she saw a flash of interest in his expression. She pressed on. “It’s a chance to build the department from the ground up, almost literally. You’re the perfect choice. You’d be good at it.”
“I am interested, but I have certain conditions.”
Interested was good. Interested meant he might actually stick around, and if he stuck around, maybe she could figure out how to convince him to forgive her for not trusting him. Her heart beat a little harder at the prospect. “Name them. Anything. If it’s in my power, it’s yours.”
“You,” he said, and his hands cupped her face. “I want you—all of you—your hopes and dreams, your body and heart. I want a chance to prove you can trust me with everything.”
“I do.” She wrapped her fingers around his wrists and held on, trying to underscore the truth behind those two little words with her touch. “I swear I do, Shaun. I never should have doubted you. When we spoke Sunday morning, you asked me t
o calm down and let you explain. I didn’t. I jumped to conclusions because I was scared.”
His eyes darkened. He rubbed his thumb gently along her jaw. “Sweet Virginia, don’t ever be scared of me.”
“I was scared of me,” she admitted, and felt the burn of tears behind her eyes. “I was terrified because I-I’d fallen in love with you. I hadn’t meant to, didn’t particularly want to—”
He cut her off with a kiss. Simply pulled her in, covered her mouth with his and stripped all her defenses away until she melted against him.
“I love you, too,” he said against her lips, then eased back and gave her a firm look completely at odds with the tender words. “But I refuse to keep our relationship off the radar. No more sneaking around. I don’t care if it causes a scandal. We take this thing out in the open. That’s non-negotiable.”
She wanted to shout “yes” at the top of her lungs. From the rooftop. From the bell tower at Bluelick Baptist, but a movement outside her shop window snagged her attention. She turned back to him, smiling. “Um…consider it a done deal.” Then she swiveled the chair so they faced the front of the shop. Ms. Van Hendler waved at them from the other side of the window.
“Mark my words, sugar, before the sun goes down tonight the whole county’s going to know Virginia Boca gave Shaun Buchanan a really bad haircut in exchange for a really good kiss. I hope you’re prepared to find yourself at the center of another local scandal.”
He smiled and lowered his mouth to hers, stopping just before their lips touched. “One kiss hardly qualifies as a scandal. Let’s give ’em something to talk about.”
Epilogue
Shaun stood at the front of a crowd of people, with Mendelssohn ringing in his ears, and watched Melody Merritt-Bradley bounce her newborn on her hip. Tyler Longfoot stood next to him, his attention locked on Ellie Longfoot positioned beside Melody in a similar rose-colored dress, cooing at the baby. Josh Bradley held the spot beside Tyler, and Shaun could feel the fire chief’s enthrallment with his baby boy from this far away. Would he be that far gone over his own kid someday?
Before he could give the question much thought, the congregation of Bluelick Baptist stood and turned to face the other end of the aisle. An angel in white stood there, next to a man Shaun recognized as Mr. Boca, and somebody sucked all the oxygen out of the room.
He scanned the front pews and wished his father could have been there, but the white collar prison where Tom owed another eighteen months didn’t allow for weekend weddings. His mother, however, waved from the first pew and hugged her husband’s arm. All good there.
His attention drifted back to the aisle, where Virginia and her father drew near. She looked so perfect and remote beneath the filmy white veil, his head got a bit light. A hand landed on his shoulder, squeezed, and he realized Tyler had read his mind. Not all that surprising, considering Tyler had been in Shaun’s shoes not too long ago. Still, he appreciated the solidarity.
A long wolf whistle sounded from somewhere in the line of men to his left. The congregation giggled at Junior’s outburst, and the last bit of fog cleared from his head. He concentrated on Virginia, who stepped into the empty spot beside him in front of the altar.
Reverend Carlson asked, “Who gives this woman away?”
Mr. Boca murmured, “Her mother and I,” kissed his daughter, and retreated to the front pew beside a suntanned, fifty-something version of Ginny.
He turned to the woman standing beside him. She still looked untouchable in her white dress and veil, but sparkling green eyes met his and she winked. His lips wanted to curve and he schooled them into a serious line. He dropped his eyes to the bouquet she held in front of her. A cascade of white flowers tumbled over her hands, but a dark spot in the opulence caught his eye. He looked closer, and realized she’d tucked a blush brush into the bouquet. He glanced up to her face and caught her sly smile and raised brow.
