Page 27 of Falling for the Sheriff

"Better covered in flour, maybe," she teases, pressing a kiss to my cheek as she passes.

I carry James to the kitchen with Emma skipping ahead of us. The kitchen is my favorite room in the house. It’s warm and enviting, the honey colored wood we picked out providing a cozy ambience against the morning sun. We added on to the house when we discovered Nina was pregnant, knowing we'd need the space for family meals and eventaul nights full of homework.

The twins drag their little step stools to the counter while I gather ingredients. They're both wearing matching pajamas covered in sheriff's badges—a gift from Red that never fails to make me smile.

"Can I crack the eggs?" Emma asks hopefully.

"Remember last time?" I raise an eyebrow at her.

She giggles. "But Daddy, that's how we learn! Mommy says we have to try things to get better at them."

"Using my own wife's words against me. Smart girl." I hand her an egg and help guide her hands as she taps it against the bowl.

James is already covered in flour, somehow managing to get it in his dark hair that matches mine. Nina comes in with two steaming coffee mugs, setting one beside me before wrapping her arms around my waist from behind.

"Look at you three," she says softly. "My favorite sight in the world."

I turn to kiss her properly, earning dramatic "ewwws" from the twins. Her lips are soft and taste like coffee, and even after all these years, kissing her still sends electricity through my whole body.

"Save it for later, Sheriff," she whispers against my mouth with a wink that makes my heart race.

The youth center is flourishing under Nina's leadership. We expanded it last year to add more classrooms and programs. Ben, who ended up coming back from Denver after six months, teaches self-defense classes there now. The juvenile crime rate has dropped so dramatically that my job as sheriff is almost boring these days.

Almost.

Just last week we had to track down Mrs. Patterson's escaped goats. The twins thought it was the most exciting thing they'd ever seen, watching their daddy chase goats all over Main Street. Something I never thought I’d be doing but it beats fighting crime on the streets in the city.

"All done!" James announces proudly, showing me the bowl of what's supposed to be pancake batter but looks more like cement.

"Perfect," I tell him, even though I'll need to add a little more water and oil and remix it when he's not looking. "Who wants to add chocolate chips?"

Two little hands shoot into the air as Nina laughs. "I'm going to go get ready while you handle this sugar rush waiting to happen."

I catch her hand before she can leave. "Don't forget baby, I’m dropping the kids at Red's tonight. She's watching them so I can take my beautiful wife on a proper date."

Her eyes light up. "Is that so? Any special occasion?"

"Do I need one?" I pull her close again, speaking low enough that the twins can't hear. "Maybe I just want you all to myself for a few hours…I can whip out the handcuffs again.”

A blush spreads across her cheeks as I press myself against her ass. "Careful, Sheriff. Keep talking like that and we might not make it to dinner."

The twins are focused on counting chocolate chips, so I risk kissing her again, slower this time. Her fingers curl into my t-shirt as she kisses me back. I take the opportunity to snake my tongue past her lips, my hand sliding up her back and tangling into her hair.

“Or we might end up with another one those,” she giggles, nodding toward the twins after she pulls away.

“Just say the word and I’ll have you pregnant by the end of the night.” I murmur, playfully swatting her ass.

“We’ll see about that Sheriff. Love you," she whispers before pulling away to get dressed.

I watch her go, still amazed that this is my life. That night in my cruiser when I first kissed her feels like yesterday and a lifetime ago all at once. I wouldn't change a single moment that led us here.

"Daddy! James is eating all the chocolate chips!"

I turn back to damage control, grinning as James tries to hide the evidence on his chocolate-covered face. These are the moments I would have missed if I'd taken that job in Denver. These are the moments that make every day perfect.

Later, after pancakes are demolished and the twins are cleaned up, I find Nina in our bedroom getting ready for work. She's standing at the mirror putting on earrings, wearing a dress that has me readjusting myself just looking at her.

"You're staring," she says, meeting my eyes in the reflection.

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