Page 104 of Sheriff's City Girl

“I love you,” he whispered, his voice strained.

“I love you, too,” I panted in reply, tipping my head back to take his lips in a heated kiss. We stayed that way for a few long moments, but then I finally pulled away, a burning question in my brain. “I have something that I want to ask you…”

He kissed my forehead lightly as he leaned away. “What is it?”

“Well…” my voice trailed off as my mind replayed the conversation with Jess last night. “I just want to make sure that I’m moving in for the right reasons. I don’t want to move in just because it’s convenient for the baby.”

“Ah,” he nodded, his expression soft and understanding. “You don’t have to worry about me only wanting you here for the baby. Even if you weren’t pregnant, I would’ve wanted you to move in… I don’t know if it would’ve been this soon, but I’m head over heels for you—and so is Jess. I think you’re perfect for our family.”

“Okay,” I smiled, happy with the answer. I leaned forward and briefly placed a kiss on his lips, before flipping the covers back and sliding out of bed. “I need to shower before work, and Jess offered to come with me to help open the shop before school.”

Mason propped up on his elbow. “That’s impressive. I thought she was only interested in working out at the ranch.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “I don’t know, but I’m not going to turn down the help or the time with her. I love her, you know.”

His entire face softened. “You do?”

“I do, and even if something were to happen between us, I would continue to be there for her.”

“That’s admirable, Emma, and a big reason why I love you,” he said, returning the smile. “I think you’re going to be an amazing mother, and I only wish that I would’ve met you sooner.”

“We can’t change time,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “But we can enjoy the time we have now.”

“Ah, you’re feeling wise this morning,” he teased, chuckling. However, he only laughed for a few beats before drawing in a long yawn. “Oh man, I’m exhausted. By the time I got Cody settled at Lucas’s place, it was damn near morning.”

“Yeah…” My voice trailed off, recalling the words he had told me when I had just woken up. “So… What happened? Is he all right?”

Mason’s smile faded. “I don’t think the kid is all right, but I think he’ll get there. He’s just got a lot going on in his life, and I don’t think he’s ever had great parents. His mom split on them. Well, he said she disappeared, so I’m gonna look into that—not that it might amount to anything. But yeah, he just didn’t want to be at the house while Brittany was there. He said she always just wanted money.”

My heart broke for him. “That’s just downright awful.”

“I think he’s gonna try to get emancipated. He’s worried about Lucas losing the ranch because I think that’s how he’s getting by right now.”

“That’s a heavy burden for a seventeen-year-old kid to carry, Mason. There has to be something that we can do for him.”

“Well… That’s the thing,” Mason let out a defeated sigh. “I don’t know what we can do for him. He’s technically in the custody of Brittany Hudson right now, and so Lucas is gonna get in touch with his lawyer to see if he can help Cody get emancipated. He doesn’t turn eighteen for another six months.”

I shook my head as I pulled on a burgundy-colored maternity dress. “What a mess… I feel for them—all of them.”

“The fundraiser is tomorrow though, so I think that will maybe change the course of things.”

“Were you ever able to figure out anything about the cattle?”

“No. The name that they were sold under was false, and no address was given. No one could remember what they looked like either. I find the entire thing a little fishy… And I almost wonder if they wanted us to find them.”

“That’s kind of crazy… Why would they want that?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugged. “It’s something that we just have to keep working on. No more cattle have gone missing since those of Lucas’s after Graham was arrested, and I almost think that was to make a point.”

My brows furrowed. “What point?”

“I think they didn’t want Graham to get the credit for what they were doing. I mean, it’s just a theory, and I don’t know how much weight it really holds… But that’s what I’m thinking right now. I’m not sure that the cattle rustling has anything to do with all that development shit. I think it might be some sort of grudge?”

“Hmm,” I said, not sure if I agreed. “So, it would just be a coincidence that Lucas is the one being targeted, while he’s also about to lose his ranch?”

“I don’t know. Lucas owns a very large ranch—the biggest in the area—maybe they just think he’s an easy target… Maybe it’s personal. I don’t know.”

I nodded. “I guess I never really thought about that. Maybe they just want him to lose the ranch to hurt him… Maybe money isn’t involved.”

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