Page 18 of Claimed by the Lawman

She stared up at him, her chest full of emotion. “I’m finding that girl I want to be again.”

“It shouldn’t be something you have to search for, sweetheart. It should just find you.”

Her cell buzzed from the counter and she jumped, giggling at her hypersensitivity. She would have ignored the intrusion, but he took a wide step back. “You better get that.”

Reluctantly, she picked the phone up and pressed it to her ear. “Hello?...Mildred?...Yes…it’s okay…he’s here.” She handed the cell to him and mouthed, “You need a phone.”

With a tight jaw and lit eyes, he took the phone. “Yeah…is that right? I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

She accepted the phone back. “Duty calling?”

He nodded sharply. “Always.”

“Now how does it work that a lawman doesn’t have his own cell phone?”

“I had one until a biker stomped on it when I was trying to break up a bar fight. I kind of like the peace and quiet.”

“Thanks for the dance, cowboy. It’s nice to know some things don’t change.” She smiled.

“I better go break up an issue over at the Callahan’s. Those two are at it again.” He started for the door.

“What about your clothes? You go like that and you might break up a few things.”

“I have an extra shirt and jeans in my truck. I’ll grab my other clothes later.” He slipped his feet into his boots, grabbed his hat and shoved it on his head, and slung his belt over one shoulder. He headed to the door and stopped, looking back at her with a toe-curling smile. “By the way, you never did beat me at darts. I let you win. There never was anything better than watching you jump up and down in excitement.”

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