Page 8 of Seized by the Lawman

Melly remembered how hard her mother had taken her father’s death. The happy ranch had turned sad, but Melly had found solace hanging out with the hands while her mother came to work less and less until she passed away a mere two years later.

The day her father and stepmother had moved onto the ranch was a memory that lay inside Melly’s mind like a bruise that was taking years to heal. At first the bruise had been fresh and ugly. She’d yelled at her father, told him she didn’t want him on the ranch, but eventually things had improved. Her stepmother had been a lifesaver, reaching out to Melly and showing her affection and love, and eventually they grew close. Those months when her father was away on secret trips had been easier with Patty there. And then when he’d retired from the military and took on another “important” position, he’d only traded in one uniform for another that required the same amount of dedication. When Patty died, Melly was heartbroken for the second time in her life.

A tear slid down her cheek and she swiped it away.

She loved her father and although she didn’t tell him enough because they’d allowed their disagreements to fester, she hoped living back at home now they could enjoy each other’s company again. Maybe even ride horses and fish together like they used to when she was little. Melly realized she hadn’t always been the easiest to get along with, but neither had he…

Hearing familiar footsteps, looked up just as her father appeared in the doorway. He looked much younger than his number age, sixty-three, although here lately she’d noticed the wrinkles around his silver-blue eyes were deeper. Tall and broad shouldered, he took care of himself. Always had. It was necessary in his career when he faced bad guys day in and day out. However, what stuck out to her now was his tight jaw, thin lips, and a look she’d always related to irritation. Her instincts were working overtime. Maybe, but she had learned each of his facial expressions over the years. When dealing with a man who didn’t speak about his emotions, she had to rely on his expressions and body language to get a good idea what he was feeling. Patty and Melly used to rate her father’s moods by his expressions and would laugh because they knew him so well.

Gage scratched his temple, something he did when he was deep in thought. This was heading south and she hadn’t even opened her mouth yet.

Melly stood up and he gave her a tight hug—a little tighter than normal. “How was the move?” he asked.

“I didn’t have much to move.”

“You should have asked, and I would have helped.” He took a step back, looking down at her with an inquisitive gaze. “But you didn’t want me to know.”

“Dad, I hired a moving service. I didn’t lift one finger.” She smiled. “And I told you months ago that I was moving back after I took care of business.”

“You look thin. Tired. Have you been eating?”

Just as she’d suspected. She couldn’t hide anything from him. “I had a cold. I’m fine now. How about you? You look like you’ve lost a few pounds too.” If she took the spotlight off herself and placed it on him, maybe he’d drop the subject.

He motioned for her to walk down the hall with him. Once they were out of earshot of Claire, she asked, “Dad, why are my instincts warning me I’m not going to be happy?”

“I need you to be open-minded and listen.”

“Listen?”

He opened the door to his office and together they stepped in. Then she came to a dead stop. The chair in front of the desk was occupied. She gave her father a questioning look and he offered her a half-hearted smile that spoke eerie volumes. This reminded her of standing in line at a haunted house. Although she knew she should turn and run lie a bat out of hell, something drew her in. “Dad?”

“Remember what I asked. Stay open-minded,” he said in a lowered voice.

Melly exhaled and took another step, dread filling her from roots to toes. “I think I should—”

The man then stood and her heart dropped into her stomach. The very man that had haunted every sleeping hour, and everything in between, stood before her. Excitement rolled through her and she took a small step, smiling, but then apprehension set off like fireworks. Why was Nixon Cade, her one-night stand, the father of her unborn child, in her father’s office? This couldn’t be good, not good at all…

How did her father find out?

Who was she kidding? He had eyes and ears everywhere.

“Dad, I can explain.”

~~~**~~~

Carson patted his daughter’s shoulder. She looked pale as she mumbled something about an “explanation”.

Nix clenched his hands into fists, preparing himself for the outrage that was about to come.

“Melly, meet Nixon Cade. He’s Bo Cade’s son. You remember Bo, don’t you?” Carson asked. “I think you’ve met him a couple of times.”

“A-a few times, yes,” she sputtered.

Nix stared at the beautiful woman who’d occupied his thoughts for four long months. Could it be possible that she was lovelier than he remembered? Although she was staring back at him as if he’d grown horns and red skin, it didn’t take away from her jaw-dropping beauty. She looked about as shocked as he was when he’d realized she was the boss’s daughter.

Was it a coincidence that Nix had received a call from her right before Carson had asked to see him? Not much of the type to declare anything fate, yet Nix wanted to believe in something more than just the here and now. After all, he’d felt something pretty damn special the night he’d spent with the lush beauty.

A grin tugged at his mouth as her frown grew deeper. He remembered how hot and responsive she’d been that night and how he’d woke up wanting more only to find an empty bed. He’d had one night stands before, some women he couldn’t remember their names, and although it made him look like a dick, most of those women he was glad they hadn’t expected breakfast or a second round. That made his life simpler, not settling down or worrying about making someone else happy. Yet, why Melly was different he couldn’t quite explain. Sure, the sex had been hotter, but there was something else…

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