Page 105 of Break My Fall

“Chief, we got the road cleared, but Glenda got three calls within five minutes of each other. All three are up near the Neeson County line. All three called to report a loud noise. One said it sounded like an explosion. One said it sounded like a sonic boom from a military aircraft. And one said he thought it was another landslide. Given what we just saw, my vote is door number three.”

“I agree.”

“Want me to check it out?”

“Not alone.”

“Brick can come with. Glenda is staying at the office to field any calls.”

“She doesn’t typically work on Saturday. Why is she staying?”

Donovan’s voice dropped in volume. “I got the feeling she didn’t want to discuss it, but she broke up with that guy she’s been seeing in Boone.”

Gray bumped his head on the wall. “She only dated him for a few months.”

“I guess she thought it was serious.”

“And he didn’t.”

“Not serious enough. Cassie says he cheated on her.”

All Gray’s protective instincts kicked in. His men would be feeling the same way. “Make sure it’s clear that no one is to take matters into their own hands.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Okay, you and Brick check it out. Let me know. The ceremony starts in forty-five minutes. Don’t call me unless it’s an emergency.”

“Got it.”

Gray slid the phone into his pocket. “You heard all that?”

Meredith nodded. “I feel bad for Glenda, but she needs to make better choices. I wish she and Brick would get together.”

Gray shook his head. “No. Nope. Bad idea. Office romances are complicated at best, and nuclear-level explosive at worst. Maybe we can find her someone local.”

“Yeah, like Brick.”

“I like Brick.” Gray tried to picture the officer with the young woman who kept them all organized and was surprised when the image worked. “Huh.”

“Told you.” Meredith was smug. “I have matchmaking skills. I know things.”

“If they didn’t work together, I’d be all for it. As it is? Please, no.”

Meredith laughed as she walked away from him to change. Lydia had invited her to join her and her bridesmaids in the room they’d converted into their dressing chamber. He didn’t like having Meredith out of sight, but she should be safe with the bride.

He changed his own clothes in record time and returned to his self-appointed station outside the bridal area. Ten minutes later, Meredith put him out of his misery.

She breezed out of the room in a navy dress. The long-sleeved top was some kind of squishy material. Velvet maybe? And it fit tight to her body from the neck to her waist. The skirt material was something shimmery and hit her at mid-calf. On her feet were two barely-there high heels that matched the color of her skin. She was glorious. “I know you can’t help it, but it’s bad form to upstage the bride.” He brushed a lock of hair from her shoulder.

Meredith’s smile was warm and inviting. “Trust me. No one can upstage her. Not today. She’s radiant.”

“You like her.”

“I do. I want her to make it. She and the groom have a toughroad ahead. They know they need to break some generational curses, and I believe they can do it.”

Thirty minutes later, as Gray sat beside Meredith and watched the couple marry, he hoped she was right.

He also hoped that whatever was happening that had someone blowing up his phone wouldn’t mar the beauty of this day.

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