Page 100 of Just This Once

His eyebrows bounced up once. “Is that so?”

My jaw set. “Yes.” I had never been more certain of anything in my entire life. “Now, if we’re talking about the beginning, when we first met, I didn’t know Emily was your daughter—stepdaughter?” I looked to my mentor for help, but he only nodded for me to continue. “When I did find out, I want you to know that I took that information very seriously. I had no intention of continuing a relationship with her at that point.”

A chuckle filled the office. “And why the hell not?”

I blinked. “Oh, I—I guess I figured you would have an opinion about that...”

Chief Martin smiled. “I do, as any father would, but I also have faith in my daughter’s ability to make her own decisions regarding her personal life.”

I let out a humorless laugh. “Yeah, but, come on.” I gestured at myself. “You know our type.”

“And what type is that, William?”

So he wasn’t going to make this easy after all.

I sat straighter in the chair. “Adrenaline junkies. Spouses who work long hours and chase the thrill. Cheaters. People not worth sticking around for.” Giving voice to my deep-rooted fears was draining. That last one wasdefinitelyconsidered more personal than a widely acknowledged trait of our profession.

The chair creaked as Chief sighed and sat backward with a shake of his head. “We do have a reputation.” He sighed again and continued: “But I’ve learned that any reputation can be wrong. Being a firefighter or cop or any position of power, for that matter, doesn’t make you a cheater. It only gives you more opportunities to do what you would have done anyway. Are you really going to sit there and tell me Lee Sullivan is going to step out on his woman? That Amanda Gates isn’t the fiercest, most loyal mother you know?” His face twisted. “Give me a break.”

I thought over the examples he provided. He was absolutely correct—Lee would never dream of cheating on Annie Crane, and I’d witnessed firsthand what it looked like when Amanda went into full-on mama bear mode.

“Maybe it’s me,” I finally admitted, unable to look my friend and mentor in the eye. “I love her, but she’s going to leave. It’s probably for the best, because I know I’m not worthy of a woman like her, but it hurts like hell, sir.”

“You’re a good man, William.” His voice was low and stern, and his words set my chest on fire. “Am I disappointed that you didn’t trust me enough to have a conversation with me, instead of sneaking around? Of course.”

Shame burned across my neck and down my spine. “I’m sorry, I—I was afraid.”

“Don’t even mention it.” His smile was back, and humor danced in his eyes.

“That’s it?” I was used to my own father holding things over our heads foryearsafter any perceived slight. It felt wrong for Chief Martin to simply state his peace and move on.

“If you agree that, moving forward, we trust each other enough to have the hard conversations, then yes.”

A swell of emotion nearly stole my voice. I didn’t deserve the kindness and respect he was offering so freely. I grunted to clear my throat and stood. “Yes, sir.”

Chief Martin stood and rounded his desk. When he placed his palm in mine, he tugged me forward. Despite my height on him, his thick arms banded around me and held me in a tight embrace. My jaw flexed as I fought back tears.

He held me at arm’s length. “You’re a good man, and I never thought you for a fool, but that’s exactly what you are if you give up.”

“Thank you.” My rocky whisper left me feeling more vulnerable in his presence than I could ever recall. “I won’t.”

His hand slapped my back as he released me. “No thanks necessary. Just know that I told Emily I would dispose of your body if you ever hurt her. I kind of like you, William. Please don’t make me a murderer.”

I grinned. “I’ll do my best, sir.”

His hand slapped my shoulder. “Good enough.” He jerked his head toward the door. “Now go on and find her. Marilyn said she’s been moping around town all day.”

Excitement raced through me as a thought bloomed in my mind. I needed to move—and fast—if I was going to pull it off. I turned toward the door, but before exiting, turned again and said, “Do you think you could keep her occupied for the rest of the day? I have an idea, but I need some time.”

A conspirator’s smile twitched the corner of his mouth. “I’ll see what I can do.”

A thrill I’d never known rippled through me. If I could pull it off, I’d prove to Emily just how much she belonged in our small town.

THIRTY-NINE

EMILY

Whip

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