Page 9 of Saved By the Sergeant

Gizmo runs across the floor to sit at her feet. I study her profile, and wonder why on earth I told her about Baghdad. I’ve known her for less than eight hours, yet I’ve shared something I rarely talk about with her.

“I heated some water for tea. Would you like a cup?” She slides a plate in front of me.

“If you add whiskey to it, yes.” I scoop a forkful of the cobbler into my mouth. “This is fantastic.”

“I’m glad you like it.” She takes two mugs from the mug rack. “Where do you keep the whiskey?”

“Pantry.” I jab my fork in the air. “Right through there.”

“I can’t believe you have a pantry.”

My blood heats as I watch the sway of her hips. “Men can’t have pantries?” My heart pounds as a wave of lust hits me. I can’t remember the last time I was with a woman. Six months?Seven months? A year? But this woman is off limits. She’s running from something and it sure as hell isn’t going to end up being me, too. Maybe I’m going to have to take Clyde up on his offer.

“Of course, men can have pantries. Don’t be such a nudge. It’s just…” She looks around the kitchen. “This place is so amazing. Do you design houses for a living?”

“Nope.” I put my fork down to wait for her. “I’m retired.”

She puts the bottle of whiskey on the table and grabs two cups of tea. “What’s retirement like? I’m jealous.”

“It’s heaven.”

Geneva pours whiskey into her tea, then slides the bottle my way. “I’ve never had whiskey in tea before. Is it good?”

“Whiskey is good in everything,” I assure her before adding a spoonful of sugar to my drink.

She picks up her cup and abruptly sets it down before she tastes it. “I have something to say.” She looks at me for a long moment, her brows knitting together, creating a deep furrow.

“Say whatever’s on your mind.”

“Don’t you think all of this is weird?” She pouts. “Here we are having dinner in the middle of a snowstorm like we’re not strangers. Like all of this is normal.”

“Sweetheart, we’re not strangers. We took care of that in the truck.”

“But…” She throws her hands up in the air. “… we are. Don’t get me wrong, I truly appreciate you letting me stay here because my only option would’ve been to sleep in my car. But aren’t you still mad at me for what I did? Don’t you want to pay me back? I nearly blinded you.”

That’s when it hits me. She’s not scared to be with me because we just met. She’s terrified I will punish her. Someone has done a number on this girl.

“I’m not that kind of man, Geneva. I say what I mean, and I do what I say. I give you my word.” I put a hand over my heart. “I will never harm you, retaliate, or lie to you. And as long as you’re here with me, God help anyone else who does.”

Her head tips to the side while she studies me. “You’re serious.”

“A thousand percent.” I hold up my mug. “Let’s make a toast.”

“All right.” She raises her cup.

“Here’s to new friends, good food, and thawing out from the blizzard. May warmth, laughter, and lots of happy be in our future. Bottoms up!”

“Lots of happy,” Geneva giggles. “You do remember that’s the name of the perfume?”

A strange warmth drifts through my chest at the sound of her easy laughter… and it’s not from the whiskey. “Trust me, for as long as I live, I’ll never forget it.”

“It really is a nice cologne,” she laughs.

“Maybe they should consider readvertising it as something that smells heavenly but is lethal.” I shove more peach cobbler into my mouth. “I think you should give more thought to opening a restaurant.”

“I toyed with the idea a long time ago.” she shrugs. “Getting a loan to open a new business isn’t easy.”

“Sweetheart, you might not need to get a loan.”

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