Page 26 of Caught With the Sheriff

But then I see the absolute joy on his face. The smile on his lips, the peace in his eyes. “Yeah? Guess what, little sprite? I love you too. And you’re not getting rid of me anymore. I’m gonna chain your little ass to me as soon as I can. You’re never gonna get away from me.”

I smile. “That sounds like the best thing I’ve ever heard. Chain me, hold me, keep me. I don’t care what you do. Just never let me go.”

I swear the big lug has tears in his eyes. “I absolutely will not. Where do you want to live? I have some issues with Maggie and her arthritis but if you want to live out there, we’ll make it work. I know she’s always loved that house.”

“Well, since I’ll be there all the time with her and Claudia, I think it’s perfect, don’t you? A big house for a big family.” I can’t believe I’m going to have a family. “ You know I’ve never had a family before.”

“You’re going to be sorry that you wished for that.”

“Never,” I huff.

He helps me into the car and then turns to stare at me, his fingers on my cheek, cradling it gently.

“Fuck. I love you so much, Willow Wilder. I promise you right now that I will be your wall from now until the day I die. Nobody will ever get near you that isn’t someone you want to see. And if they try…well, they’re gonna regret it. Because nothing and nobody messes with my girl. My heart and soul.

She opens her eyes and smiles at me. “I love you too.”

And then we head back to town and he holds my hand, his fingers cradling mine across the seat.

We hit the town limits and I smile when I see another cop sitting there. He grins and waves his free hand. But his other hand is cuffing the man who’s been chasing me for so long that I thought I’d never be free of him.

We hit the town and I’m stunned to see that the festival is still going strong. It feels like forever since he grabbed me, the man who will not be named.

“Gerald Witmer. Well, well, well.” Jasper chuckles and waves at his deputy. “Good job, Cal. Get him to a cell and keep an eye on him. He’s a slippery one.”

I’m not even mad that he said the name. I didn’t shiver, didn’t cry. He doesn’t have any power over me anymore.

His cold glare slices into me but I don’t feel the fear anymore. I glance over at the dark giant of a man next to me.

“I’m not afraid of him anymore, Jasper. He doesn’t control me. I’m free.”

He glances over at me and smiles as he parks his car at the edge of the festival. His fingers settle on both sides of my cheeks and he holds me still, steady. I feel safe, loved.

His warm eyes caress me. “You will never have to worry about anything again. I am your sword, your shield, your everything.”

Smiling, I pat his arm. “And I love that. But for the first time in my life I don’t feel like a little mouse hiding from the cat. I feel strong. And it’s all because of you. You’re my rock.d When I’m with you, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

“I hope to god this is going in a book, Willow Wilder. Because that shit is romance gold!”

Livvy stands in front of the car, her arms crossed. “And perhaps you’d like to explain to me why that man is here again and what the hell has been happening around here since the other day!”

Maggie walks up and jumps at me through the window, hugging me tight and almost choking me. She whispers, “I knew you’d be back. I knew Jasper would find you.”

My eyes meet his and we both smile. “Actually, I found him.”

“But I’m keeping her,” he says with a smile and kisses my knuckles softly.

“Thank heavens,” Claudia grins. “Fred thinks that she’s perfect for Daddy. He’s never wrong.”

I choke on a laugh as Maggie pulls away, tears in her eyes, chuckling. “Heaven forbid you cross Fred.”

Livvy stares at all of us and mutters under her breath. “Nobody is going anywhere until I hear this story.”

I glance over at Jasper and grin. “Sorry. I’ve got a date. We can talk tomorrow.”

“A date? Since when do you date?”

But Jasper doesn’t say a word. Just backs out of the parking spot and heads out of town.