AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Luke chuckled in a totally unamused way, and a chorus of boos and four-letter words rumbled from the crowd at Sally’s back. Evidently, the term the sheriff had used was familiar, and not in a good way, to the sailors on the grounds. Even Cowboy stalked closer, growling low. Garrett called him off with a quiet command.
“Don’tevertouch her again, Connors, or you’ll have more than a busted nose. If it was up to me, I’d haul your ass through the court system for what you did to her, but I won’t do that to Jen. She’smydaughter now, and no one is going to hurt her. Are we clear on that?” He shoved the sheriff another step closer to the parking area and his vehicle.
“Fuck you,” Connors sputtered through the blood that covered the lower half of his face.
Luke’s fist flexed as though he was finding it difficult not to punch the guy again. “Enjoy your last few days on the job, Sheriff. I’m making it my personal mission to see you don’t keep it for much longer.”
Wait a minute.Did Luke just say Jen washisdaughter? A quick glance at the girl confirmed an ear-to-ear grin. Was he planning on a future with them despite his reticence to speak the words? Shamelessly, she admitted to herself she’d take him any way he came.
Connors glared at Luke but pivoted and almost trotted to his car. As soon as he got it in gear, he hit the gas, throwing up a screen of dust as he flipped off Luke. Beside her, Travis swore under his breath, shaking his head as he headed for the chow line. The hum of conversation picked back up, along with the clink of serving spoons on pans and bowls of food, as though the confrontation had been an everyday occurrence for most of those present.
Luke turned slowly and regarded her. His sexy grin was a tad weak, as though he wasn’t quite sure how she’d react. “Sorry, sunshine. I probably didn’t handle that very well.” He shrugged, brushing a stray lock of hair out of his eyes. “I went a little crazy when I saw his hands on you.”
Sally felt his words to her core. She loved him so much at that moment, her chest ached. Striding to him, she slipped her arms around his waist and smiled up at him. “You did just fine, sailor.”
Relief invaded his expression as he wrapped his arms around her, and the beating of his heart was balm to her soul. Yet one thing remained. “I have to talk to Jen. Connors said things. You said things. I don’t know how much she heard.” Under the circumstances, Jen was sure to be confused about who her father was.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to her with you.” Luke’s earnest eyes pierced her heart.
“Are you two looking for someone?” Matt set Jen on the ground in front of them, and she immediately flew into Luke’s arms.
He laughed as he picked her up and held her close. “Thanks, MacGyver.” Luke exchanged a solemn nod with the big man before he turned and headed for the food lines.
“That wassocool, Luke. Are you okay? Did you hurt your hand? Did you mean it when you said I was your daughter now? Did you ask her?”
“Whoa. Slow down, Jen. Your mom wants to talk to you for a minute. Okay?” Luke set her down but didn’t break eye contact immediately.
Sally’s gaze swept between the two of them. Why did she feel as though they were communicating on some alien wavelength? She brushed her suspicions aside as she knelt in front of her daughter. “Honey, I’m sorry if anything you saw or heard upset you.”
Jen looked about as far from upset as a person could, a perpetual smile glued to her lips.
“Sheriff Connors isn’t a nice man. Years ago, he did something bad that resulted in something very, very good. You were born.” Was Jen understanding any of this? Too bad there wasn’t an instruction booklet for being a single parent.
“Remember when I told you that every child has a mother and a father, even if they don’t all live together?”
“Yeah,” Jen said.
“Well, Sheriff Connors isyourfather. But because I love you so much, I’ve never allowed him around you. When you’re older, I’ll explain the reasons, and when you’re old enough, you can decide whether you want him in your life. I’m sorry you had to find out this way, sweetheart.”
Jen shrugged. “I knew, Mom.”
“What?” Sally nearly swallowed her tongue getting the word out.
Luke knelt beside them and smiled at Jen. “How did you know he was your father?”
“Last year, in school, some of the older kids teased me about it, saying I looked just like him…and saying bad stuff about Mom. She’d never talk about him…so I asked Jonathan.”
“Jonathantold you the sheriff was your father?” Sally would kill him.
“No, but he didn’t say he wasn’t either. Later, I overheard him talking to Rachel. Don’t be mad at them, Mom. They didn’t know I was listening.”
“Oh, no, sweetie. I’m not angry. I’m sorry you had to go to someone else to hear what you should have heard from me. Next time you have a question, please ask. I’ll tell you everything I know.” Sally gathered her into her arms and hugged her until the girl started to squirm.
Pulling away from her mother, Jen glanced toward Luke expectantly.
Sally heaved an exasperated sigh. “What’s up with you two?” She rose to her feet at the same time Luke did. Was that a blush coloring his whisker-roughened features?
Jen giggled and skipped a few feet away before turning back.
