Page 23 of Love for a Lifetime

Man, he couldn’t even make it through one call without thinking about her. Especially after their little tumble yesterday. Once he got past the concern that she’d hit her head or he’d flattened her into a pancake, the urge to wrap her up and never let go had clouded every thought.

He’d done a decent job of keeping his hands off her for most of his life, but one touch only fueled the fire. She’d fit perfectly against him, snapping into place like two pieces of a puzzle.

He’d been so caught up in the feel of her against him that he’d completely forgotten to continue his questioning about how he’d ended up as Anna’s wedding date. Now, it was a little too late to go back and ask for answers.

It wasn’t as if he could back out on Anna. He was a man of his word, even if he’d agreed to something under duress.

Enough about his wedding date woes. Barry was in the middle of a crisis, and Dawson needed to figure out a way to help.

Barry straightened his shoulders and let out a deep exhale. “I’d sure appreciate that.”

“I’ll check in with you later,” Dawson said as he headed back toward his cruiser.

Officer Freeman was sitting in the driver’s seat of her car with her head down, probably jotting down notes on the call. Dawson rapped his knuckles against the window, and she lowered it.

“What’s up, Keller?”

Dawson propped against her door. “You see that Michigan and Washington game last night?”

Jennifer perked up at the mention of one of her favorite teams. “What a nail-biter.”

“I don’t think I sat down the entire time.”

Dawson’s phone dinged in his pocket, and he pulled it out. There was a video from Olivia.

His pulse picked up speed. No matter what he was doing, she had the power to drop-kick him in the chest.

He opened the video and watched as Henry, Hudson, and Henderson jumped on the small trampoline he’d put up in the goat pen last week. The kids took turns hopping and jerking their little legs to the sides like snowboarders catching air.

“Look at this!” Dawson turned the phone around so Jennifer could see.

She watched for a moment before giving a single chuckle. “Those goats have about as much energy as you do.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Dawson said as he typed up a response to Olivia.

Dawson: Can I get a video of you on the trampoline now?

Her response made his grin spread even wider.

Chicken Tender: Not a chance.

Dawson and Jennifer’s radios chirped to life, alerting them of a domestic disturbance a few miles away.

Jennifer grabbed her radio from her shoulder. “Officer 415 en route.”

Dawson pocketed his phone and followed suit, associating himself with the call. “Looks like it’s go time again.”

Jennifer didn’t look over at Dawson as she started her vehicle. “How much you wanna bet it’s the Howards?”

The Howards were trouble. They were either a menace to society or assaulting each other. There was a good chance the call was leading them to the Howards, judging by the address. “I’d take that bet, but I’m not a fan of losing.”

Dawson ran through a series of silent prayers as he drove closer to the Howards’ property. Jennifer was right, and they parked side-by-side in front of the old house.

“Can we get a premise history on 51 Shades Creek?” Dawson asked as he stepped out of his vehicle.

Nancy from dispatch rattled off a series of recent calls to the residence. None of them were chump change.

Dawson and Jennifer walked up to the single-level, brown house. A rusted, blue pickup truck was parked under a lean-to, and the pressboard front door was slightly ajar. A splintered hole was busted through the bottom half.

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