The Sheriff and the Mayor (9 page)

He
pulled into her driveway just as she stepped out of side door carting a large
box. She stumbled, but managed to keep from falling. Barely. He cut the engine
and flew out of his truck, heart racing.

“What
the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked brusquely as he grabbed the box
from her and then sat it down on the porch.

She
ignored his question. “What are you doing here?”

“We
need to talk.”

They
did, but suddenly he didn’t know what to say. At least she didn’t look about to
tell him to go away, which he’d been afraid she would tell him. He’d treated
her pretty bad lately. All his moaning and groaning about her being mayor. His
getting all bent out of shape and not taking her with him to the ranch like he
usually did. His burning her butt the other day.

“Yes,
we do.” She glanced down at the box filled with odds and ends of her painting
equipment. “I was just loading some things in my car.”

She
looked up at him uncertainly. “I’m going away for a few days, probably a week.”

He
could see in her troubled eyes that she expected him to be upset. He’d sunk
that low in her opinion.
Damn
.

“I
heard about it from Rachel.” He wasn’t upset, more worried about delaying their
talking matters out.

She
blinked at the quiet way he’d spoken, looking confused. “You’re right; I need
to concentrate on getting ready for the art show. And I can’t do it here. There
are too many interruptions.”

He
watched her worry her lower lip in that way she did when she was nervous. He
made her nervous. God, that hurt. He wanted to pull her to him, wanted to kiss
her, but forced himself to keep his hands to himself.

“I’ve
missed you.” True, but couldn’t he have said something better than that?

She
gave him a weak smile. “I’ve missed you, too.” She blew out a shaky breath.
“I’m so sorry, Dalton. You deserve a far better woman than me.”

He
shook his head, feeling better, yet still worried. Was she calling what they
had completely off? Was she trying to force him away? Not if he could help it!

Before
he could protest, she tipped up her chin and said boldly, “But I want you and
I’ll fight any other woman for you. Just so you know.”

Had
he heard her right? Or had he only heard what he wanted to hear? “You want me?
Even after all the crap I’ve said, all the grief I’ve given you?” He could
hardly breathe.

She
stepped in front of him, sandal-to-boot. “Yes, cowboy. I love you.”

“You’ve
said that before.” Why the hell had he said that?

“If
you still want me, I’m prepared to back up the words.” She swallowed hard, her
gaze determined. “I’m ready to marry you…to have your children.”

He’d
waited what seemed like forever to hear her say that, but only if she really
meant it. “I want all of that, sweetheart, and I’m willing to wait as long as
it takes. I don’t want to pressure you into something you’re not ready for. And
I know I’ve been pressuring the hell out of you.”

She
smiled a little bigger and her eyes grew warm. “I’d say you’ve had the patience
of a saint with me, but it wouldn’t totally be true. You’ve done a fair amount
of growling and complaining.” She reached back to cover her jeans-covered
bottom with her hands. “A bit of spanking, too.”

“No
denying any of that. And I’m real sorry about some of my behavior.”

He
cupped her face and thumbed her soft cheek. “I’m also sorry about forcing you
to give up being the mayor. I know how much it meant to you.”
Don’t say it
.
“I’ll support you if you decide to run again. I mean it.”

Tears
misted her eyes but she shook her head. “I finally realized it didn’t mean as
much to me as I’d thought. Jim will make a good mayor, even if he’s wrong about
a number of issues.” She turned her head to kiss his palm. “
You
, my big,
stubborn cowboy, mean more to me.”

Her
words smoothed away all of the pain he’d been feeling at the distance between
them, calmed him. “So when are you going to make an honest man out of me?”

“Is
that your proposal?” She laughed. “Pathetic really.”

He
glanced around the small porch, frowning. “There’s not enough room here for me
to go down on bended knee.”

“How
about just saying the right words?”

Then
she stepped back and shook her head. Again, that sassy chin went up. “Never
mind.” She looked him square in the eye. “Will
you
, Dalton Reede, marry
me? Will you—”

He
bent down and covered her mouth with his. He kissed her with all of the love he
felt for her, quietly thanking the good Lord for finally granting his wish.
When he eased up once more, he could only stare down at the precious woman who
owned his heart.

Amusement
flickered in her eyes. “So was that a
Yes
?”

“Damn
straight.”

He
wasn’t ready to let her out of his sight, not even if he understood why she was
leaving. He grabbed his cell phone and dialed his brother. “Have Craig round up
a couple of ranch hands to help him out for a week or so. You’re going to be
taking my place in town.”

Dalton
listened to Parker question him, although he didn’t sound upset or worried,
just accepting. “I’m going away with Cassie.”

His
heart was racing and he felt more than a bit uneasy as he looked at her. “That
okay with you?”

She
made him wait, made him sweat, before she asked, “Are you going to be a
distraction?” But he saw the twinkle in her eyes.

“Damn
straight.”

“Good
answer.”

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This book is intended for
adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are
fantasies only, intended for adults. Nothing in this book should be interpreted
as advocating any non-consensual spanking activity or the spanking of minors.