Page 132 of Winter Vows

Staring at his partially bared chest, she murmured something that was probably incomprehensible. Finally she tugged her gaze away and looked into eyes dancing with amusement.

“Never seen a male body up close before?” he teased.

“Most of the ones I see are under twelve. Trust me, it’s not the same.”

“Speaking of that, you aren’t planning to go back to work today, are you?”

“I was thinking about going in later. Why?”

“What about Bobby?”

“Hank’s invited him out to the ranch after day camp today to play with Jamey. I figured he’d rather do that than stay here with me.”

“Are you okay with that?”

“I’ll have to be sometime.”

“Sometimeis not necessarily today,” he pointed out.

“Dylan, I have to do this my own way.”

He appeared to bristle a bit at that. “Well, of course you do, but I was just worried.”

“No need for you to worry,” she insisted. “Not anymore.”

He leveled a look straight at her. “That’s like asking me not to breathe. I’m the oldest of five. Worrying is what I do best.” He grinned ruefully. “It always drove Trish, Jeb and the others crazy, too. I can’t get over it, though, so you might as well get used to it.”

“Then add me to the list of those who find it annoying, but endearing,” Kelsey told him, then stood on tiptoe to press a kiss to his cheek to take the sting out of her words. “Thanks for caring.”

Having someone concerned about her well-being, challenging her independence at every turn, was going to take a whole lot of getting used to. But seeing the flare of heat in Dylan’s eyes, feeling the responding warmth steal through her, she knew it was also going to be worth it.

That peck on the cheek was the best Dylan got from Kelsey before he took off, but in some ways it was better than the most passionate kisses they had shared. There was a lighthearted teasing about it, an underlying affection that he couldn’t mistake. It was exactly what he intended to build on...as soon as he had his own life settled.

First he drove by the sheriff’s office to check in with Justin and assure himself that Paul wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

“Listen, there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about,” Justin said, gesturing toward the chair opposite his desk.

Dylan studied him worriedly as he sat. “You’re not still agitating about me coming after Paul yesterday and almost busting into that meeting you had staked out, are you?”

“No more than you’re still ticked that I stopped you,” Justin retorted.

“Okay, let’s call it a draw. What’s on your mind?”

“I could use another man around here, someone with real experience and good instincts. Interested?”

“I’m a private investigator. What makes you think I’d want to become a sheriff’s deputy?”

“Call me crazy, but I got the distinct impression you were interested in a certain baby doc who’s new in town. Am I wrong?”

Dylan hesitated, then shook his head. “You’re not wrong.”

“What do you intend to do about it?”

“I’m not real sure that’s any of your business.” Justin scowled. “Kelsey’s like family. That makes it my business. You can either answer to me or answer to Grandpa Harlan. Believe me, I’m the better bet. He tends to get real pushy.”

Dylan actually appreciated the strength of that particular bond. He knew from his own experience with his brothers and his sister that that kind of protectiveness ran deep. Hadn’t he explained that very concept to Kelsey the night before?

“I have some things to work out,” he finally admitted. “Then I intend to come back here and see how things go from there.”

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