How To Land Her Lawman. Teresa Southwick

know what you mean.” She looked up at him and her heart stuttered. At some point she was going to have to get a handle on that reaction, but it probably wouldn’t happen tonight. “Seriously, Will, thanks for your help. I’m really glad you were here for backup.”

      “I didn’t do much.”

      “You did a lot. Not just anyone can stand there and look intimidating, but you pulled it off spectacularly.”

      “It’s a gift. Then there were those two who just had to defy authority,” he said.

      “And you got them safely back to the herd. Bless you.”

      “Happy to help.”

      “I appreciate it.” She had packed everything up while they talked and now folded the tripod. “I’m all set.”

      “Let me get that for you.” He easily picked up everything that would have taken her two trips to haul.

      “Thanks.”

      In silence they walked back to where his SUV was parked in the dirt area. He opened the rear liftgate and stowed her equipment while she climbed into the passenger seat. Moments later he slammed the door then settled behind the wheel and turned the key in the ignition. The dash lights illuminated his features and the past came rushing back to her. All the dreams, hopes and hurts of that teenage girl she’d once been.

      One of the perks of not being together anymore was that theoretically she no longer cared what he thought of her. That meant she didn’t have anything to lose by asking him whatever popped into her head. And she did it now. “Do you remember that night we were in your truck, parked right here, and your dad found us?”

      “I wish I could say no.” The glance he sent her was uncomfortable.

      “Did he ever say anything more about it? When I wasn’t there?”

      “Yes.”

      She waited but he clammed up. “Care to elaborate?”

      “If I said no would you let it drop?” This time he looked hopeful.

      “From the perspective of a girl who never knew her father and missed that experience, it’s my opinion that you should be grateful your dad cared enough to get involved. To risk alienating you.”

      “I get that now. At the time he really ticked me off.”

      “What did he say to you?”

      “He told me not to disrespect you.”

      She smiled. “That sounds like Hank. Did he give you the don’t-get-her-pregnant speech?”

      “Don’t remind me,” he groaned, his reaction confirming her guess.

      Considering they eventually broke up, it was a blessing there hadn’t been an unexpected pregnancy. That reminded her of what Mike had said and she wondered how Will felt. This was as good a time as any to bring it up.

      “Can I ask you something?”

      “As long as it has nothing to do with my dad making me feel twelve years old.”

      “No.” She laughed. “I don’t know if you heard what one of the boys said. You were herding stray cats.”

      “What?” he asked.

      “I said the graduated seniors probably didn’t care but I was going to end the passing-the-torch tradition if they didn’t follow my rules. He, Mike, confirmed that he didn’t care and couldn’t wait to get out of this small town, get a taste of the big city.”

      “Young and stupid,” Will muttered.

      “So you didn’t feel that way when you were around his age?” she asked.

      “No, I did.”

      “But you just said he’s young and stupid. Do you regret moving to Chicago?”

      He was quiet for several moments. “I just meant the big city isn’t just about excitement.” His mouth pulled tight for a second. “In a place with so many people there’s a lot going on, both good and bad. The years give you perspective to see both sides.”

      “I guess so.”

      April had the oddest sensation of disappointment, as if she’d hoped he would admit he had regrets about leaving Blackwater Lake, and her, behind. And wasn’t that just silliness. It was a reminder of why she was here with him in the first place and romance was definitely not involved.

      She’d foolishly believed that she and Will would be together always and deliriously happy. They would have kids and be the family she’d always longed for. He was right about years giving you perspective because she no longer had stars in her eyes. As far as she was concerned the only stars on her radar were in the sky and that’s where they were going to stay. There was no way she would get sucked in to romance again.

      Her assignment was to have a fling with Will and this time be the one to end things. High school had been happy because of Will, but now she had to put it, and him, behind her.

      It was time for phase two of the plan. “Do you want to stop at Bar None for a drink? I’m buying. Call it a thank-you for your help tonight.”

      He didn’t say anything for a few seconds and she braced for rejection. Finally he said, “That sounds good.”

      Here goes nothing, she thought. A friendly drink and that was it. She wasn’t going to blow this chance for closure.

      * * *

      The morning after helping April with her teenage photo shoot Will was still trying to forget how beautiful she’d looked in the moonlight. And how eager he’d been to have a drink with her. There’d been a part of him hoping it would lead to more, but no such luck.

      “You didn’t have to come with me to see the doctor, Will.”

      “Hmm?” His father’s voice pulled him back to the moment.

      “I said, I could have brought myself here to the clinic. You didn’t need to tag along.”

      “If I didn’t, you know as well as I do that Kim’s head would explode.”

      His dad laughed. He was sitting on the exam table in one of the patient rooms at Mercy Medical Clinic, waiting to see Adam Stone, the family-practice doctor on staff. Adam had consulted with the cardiologist and cardiothoracic surgeon who’d performed the bypass surgery and was now handling the follow-up checks. In fact, he’d stabilized Hank after the initial heart attack, before transport to the medical center in Copper Hill, which was over an hour away.

      “Your sister is something of a control freak.”

      “That makes it tough when she can’t be in two places at once.” Sitting in a chair against the wall, Will grinned at his dad. “It was either doctor duty or her appointment with the manager at Fireside restaurant to consult on the food for her wedding reception.”

      “I’m glad she picked that one,” Hank said. “This wedding is really important to her. And she’s been through a lot of tough times. She’s way past due for a chance at happiness.”

      “Yeah.” Will couldn’t agree more.

      “The thing is, she would have put wedding prep on hold to come to this appointment with me if you weren’t here, son.” His dad’s gaze was unflinching.

      Will did his best not to squirm like a twelve-year-old in the hard plastic chair. Since coming back to Blackwater Lake it seemed guilt was his new best friend. His sister had carried all the family stuff, including being a teenage single mom while going to college and becoming a teacher.

      And then there was April and how he’d treated her. At least he’d squared one out of those two guilt trips. She didn’t seem to be holding a grudge about the past. He’d had a great time last night and it seemed as if she had, too. Bygones went bye-bye. She was friendly