The Lawman's Convenient Family

Adam stole another peek at her, but the quick glance turned into a steady gaze. He noted her pretty profile. Long, thick lashes. A light dusting of freckles across a slightly turned up nose. Plump, kissable lips. Once again, he caught her scent and considered her similarity to Lisa, the flight attendant he’d danced with at the gala. Apparently their perfume was the latest fashion craze.

He was so caught up with his assessment of Julie that he damn near tripped when they stepped off the wooden boardwalk. He’d better shake off his thoughts and interest before she caught him studying her. Or worse, before he did a face-plant in the dirt.

“I used to love school,” Julie told Eddie and Cassie. “I didn’t have any brothers or sisters, so being on the playground at recess gave me a chance to have a lot of fun with the other kids.”

An only child, huh? The apple of her daddy’s eye, no doubt. And her mama’s pride and joy. Adam had known girls like her, and they’d all steered clear of guys like him, which was just as well. He preferred simple, unencumbered relationships that lasted until one or the other got bored and moved on to someone else.

When they reached the red schoolhouse, he slowed to a stop. “This is it.”

He figured the teacher was expecting the kids, so he opened the door, and they stepped inside the large room that smelled like pencil shavings, crayons and paste.

The teacher, Mrs. Wright, a blonde in her mid-thirties, was walking among the children and passing out math worksheets, none of which seemed to be the same level.

When Jesse Cosgrove, the kid Adam had been mentoring, glanced at the doorway, he brightened and waved. “Hey! Mr. Adam, it’s not Wednesday.”

Adam placed his index finger on his lips, shushing him, then he lifted it in the air and made a circular motion, indicating that the boy should turn around and focus on his work. He followed the silent chastisement with a wink, letting the kid know they’d talk later.

Jesse seemed to understand because he spun in his seat and faced the front of the class. As he studied the math worksheet on his desk, he scrunched his brow, stuck his pencil in his mouth and bit down on what was left of his eraser. Jesse was the oldest boy at Kidville, but he lagged a couple of years behind academically.

“This is what they call a combination class,” Adam told Julie and the kids, repeating what Jim had told him during his first tour of the place. “At this time, they’re only licensed to take children up to the third grade. And from what I’ve heard, Cassie is going to be the only kindergartener.”

Mrs. Wright passed out one last worksheet, then strode to the doorway, stooped and greeted Eddie and Cassie by name. “We were excited to hear we’d have two new friends in class. And we’ve been waiting to meet you. As soon as the other children finish their math, it’ll be time for morning snack and recess.”

Both Eddie and Cassie seemed nervous, but Mrs. Wright was a champ when it came to putting children at ease. So it wouldn’t take long for her to make the two siblings feel welcome. Once she took them to their desks, Adam and Julie left their little charges and headed back the admin office.

Again, Adam caught a hint of her lemon-blossom fragrance.

“Can I ask what perfume you’re wearing?” he asked.

Julie’s steps slowed, and her lips parted. “Excuse me?”

“Your perfume. It’s so familiar to me.”

“Thank you. It’s my shampoo, actually.” She picked up her pace, which compelled him to quicken his steps, too.

“Whatever it is,” he said, “It’s nice. It reminds me of...someone I know.” Lisa. His erstwhile dance partner from the gala. The two women had lots of things in common. Their hair color, their petite stature. Of course, Lisa had been dressed in that skimpy space avenger outfit, and Julie wore a long-sleeve blouse and a skirt that was nearly floor length. She didn’t seem to be the kind of woman who’d be comfortable showing that much skin.

For a moment, he wondered if they might be the same woman, then he quickly discarded the notion. He’d been told Lisa was fun-loving. A risk-taker, like he was.

Adam might follow the rules these days, but he still had a rebellious side that didn’t mix well with good girls who sang in the choir and who had very specific ideas about what they wanted in life.

He stole another glance at Julie. She’d certainly dressed the part this morning, but he couldn’t help envisioning her in that sexy costume. A grin tugged at his lips. What was lurking under the surface?

It might be fun to find out, but Adam decided he’d better rein in his imagination. He didn’t date good girls—at least not intentionally. And the smart ones who’d managed to trick him into believing they had a wild side knew better than to go out with him more than once.

Chapter Three (#u84519651-6202-5f16-98b3-f4229e4ae541)

Apparently, Julie’s efforts to wear a mask and keep a low profile at the Autumn Gala had worked even better than she’d hoped. Adam had no idea that he’d seen her on Saturday night or that they’d danced together. But she’d seen his face clearly enough.

Just minutes ago, when she’d spotted him in the Kidville office, her heart had taken a flying leap, making it difficult to stay on track, to remember the words of the silly song she’d been singing to the kids. Fortunately, she’d recovered quickly. And now here she was, walking along with one of Wexler PD’s finest. And no doubt one of their hottest.

Too bad he was off-limits. She made a point of avoiding men who had high-stress, dangerous jobs. She’d seen firsthand the effect that could have on a man. And the experience had been so painful that she’d broken up with her college boyfriend when he told her he planned to join the military.

Still, she found herself attracted to Adam. And intrigued by him.

“Jim was telling me that you were the one who found the kids,” Julie said.

“They’d broken into my buddy’s truck and stolen a bag of food he’d left on the seat. But I can’t blame them. Brady Thatcher, the guy who was supposed to be looking out for them, was a real loser. He didn’t give a damn about them, and the poor kids were starving.”

“They’re pretty thin,” Julie said. “I’m no pediatrician, but they appear to be malnourished.”

“I’m sure you’re right. Who knows when they last saw a doctor or dentist?”

“Did you go to their house?”

Adam nodded, as they walked back to the admin office. “Once Eddie opened up and gave me enough details to find the house, which was just as neglected as the kids, I arrested Brady for child abuse, as well as a parole violation for possession of a controlled substance.”

“How long will he be in jail?”

“Quite a while. He had several convictions for assault, as well as a drunk and disorderly.”

“I take it that means he’ll have to relinquish custody.”

“Turns out that he never had it in the first place. When their mom disappeared, the kids ended up with him.”

“That’s too bad.”

“It sure is.”

As they walked slowly, Julie’s shoulder brushed against Adam’s, warming her and setting off a tingly sensation. Yet he continued as if he hadn’t felt anything at all.

She stole a glance at him, wishing she didn’t find him so attractive. And so honorable. Clearly, he still didn’t recognize her because she’d worn a mask on Saturday night, but he’d removed his before leaving the gala.

A smile tickled her lips. Even if he hadn’t revealed his face, she had a feeling she would have recognized him anyway—those expressive brown eyes, that dazzling smile. He also had a distinctive voice laced with a slight accent, making it smooth, masculine and alluring.

On top of that, there was something about the way he walked, the way he carried himself. He had a swagger that would be difficult for another man to imitate. And one a woman couldn’t ignore.

As they approached the office, Adam shared some of what Eddie had told him on Saturday night. “He said his mom was nice when she wasn’t drinking, but she drank a lot after Brady moved in with them. I did a background check before going to the house and learned he had a mean streak, even when he was sober. And he’d had a tendency to strike anyone who crossed him.”

“Did Eddie say what happened to his mom?”

“One day, probably while school was out for the summer, Eddie heard them fighting in the bedroom, and when they came out, his mom had a bloody nose. She claimed that she fell while getting out of the bathtub. Then she told him to watch Cassie while she and Brady went out for a little while.”

“He’s way too young to be babysitting now, let alone a year ago.”

“I know. But apparently, he’s been looking after Cassie for a long time. Anyway, Brady came back alone that night. He told Eddie that his mom was going to be a famous movie star. Supposedly she met a Hollywood big shot at the Rusty Wagon.”

“What’s that?” Julie asked.