Sassy Blonde (Three Chicks Brewery 1)

She was gone.

Hayes turned, facing his cruiser, his weapon a heavy weight on his waist. And as he strode into the dark night, he knew Laurel’s innocent life wasn’t the only one stolen, but part of Maisie’s soul, along with his own, died that night too.

“Hayes.”

The warmth of Maisie’s hand sprawled on his chest brought him back to her. He turned his head again, catching the warm concern in her eyes. Christ, he wanted to believe that this time he’d get everything right, and tell her everything, explain what really happened and why he still struggled. His lips parted and yet, his hot sweat turned ice cold, the words he wanted to say refusing to leave his mouth. “But what if I do hurt you?” he barely managed.

Her hand lay against his heart. “It’s incredibly sweet that you’re worried about hurting me, but let’s focus on the present. We’re okay. This is good.” She leaned up a little, offering him everything with a single look. “So, tell me, Hayes, what do you want?”

His gaze roamed over her pouty lips, those eyes that pulled him out of the darkness. “You.” He moved then, sliding between her legs, putting his weight onto his arms, and dropped his mouth close to hers. “Again, and again, and again, and maybe even then, it won’t be enough.”

She brushed her lips against his. “Then show me.”

And he did. Again, and again, and again.

8

The next morning, the alarm woke Maisie up at eight, but she opted to enjoy the heat and strength of Hayes again before she got into the shower. He’d come in before she got out and kept her busy for another half an hour before they hit the road. They’d grabbed some breakfast burritos and coffee on the way, and she actually felt a little normal in the dream-like haze of the past few days. For months she’d wanted just this, to have something more than friendship with Hayes. And yet, even when she looked over at him, driving with the window down again, the wind in his hair, she could feel him holding back.

The truth was, she wasn’t sure he’d ever let go again. Not that she blamed him. He’d been through so much. Too much. Changed in ways that even Maisie wasn’t sure she’d ever understand. Hayes had seen Laurel that night. Found her in a way no husband should ever find his wife.

She turned her head, staring out at the trees passing by in a blur, the cars in the double-lane highway rushing past them as Hayes took it easy with the trailer behind his truck. She racked her brain to figure out how to shake him up a bit, loosen the dust on the way he’d been living. Find a way past those guards around him.

That’s when she saw it. First, a giant spinning Ferris wheel. Then the colorful looping roller coaster up ahead.

“Stop,” she exclaimed, pointing out the window. “Please, please can we go?”

Hayes glanced out the window then arched an eyebrow at her. “To the amusement park?”

“Yes!” She bounced in her seat, feeling like a kid begging for some candy. It had been years since she’d been to a decent amusement park. For days, she’d been on her best behavior, working hard. A little fun wouldn’t hurt anyone. And the truth was, sometimes she wondered if Hayes even remembered how to have fun. She knew for a fact he hadn’t been out on the town very much, other than when Beckett dragged him out to the bar for a drink.

Hayes tapped his finger on the steering wheel, his lips thinning. “I hate to sound like an old, crotchety, responsible person, but do we not have another festival to get to?”

“We do,” Maisie said slowly. “But Boulder is only an hour away. We’ve got all day to get there. The festival doesn’t start until seven tonight, so we’ve got time to blow. Come on. It’ll be fun.” She pressed her hands together on her chest. “Please, please, please.”

Hayes shook his head at her then hedged, “Clara can never know about this. I like my balls where they are.”

Maisie laughed. “Well, since I like your balls where they are too, I promise she’ll never know.”

The bright smile he gave her in response stayed with Maisie as they parked the truck. The sweet happiness in that smile stayed with her as Hayes paid for them to get inside the amusement park. The warmth that touched her only grew hotter when she sat next to Hayes as the clanking of the roller-coaster’s chain pulled them higher and higher until it began to slow at the top. Laughter and cheering surrounded them, loud music blasting across the blue sky.

She glanced sideways at Hayes when they reached the top and hung there for a second. His easy grin took her breath away.

“Hold on tight,” he said, his fingers twined with hers against the bar.

Something broken that lived deep in her chest began to heal, but then the car tipped forward. The wind rushed over her face as the car raced down the metal rails, her scream breaking through the silence as her stomach bottomed out. The whoosh of the air brakes forced her head back against the headrest. She burst out laughing and looked over at Hayes, finding his hair wind-blown, a wide smile on his face. The biggest smile she’d seen on him in a very long time.

Feeling like she got today totally right, she hurried out of the roller-coaster car when it pulled to a stop. “Come on,” she said, tugging him along. “We only have two hours. I need all the fun.”

This was what she could give Hayes that no one else could. She knew how to have fun. Live. Enjoy. Be free. She never needed any help with that. And to finally do something that she was amazing at, felt good.

Hayes smiled, running a hand through his hair. “Let’s do this.”

One hour quickly turned into two. They’d gone through a two-story haunted house painted in gloomy colors. She nearly threw up on the swinging pirate ship see-sawing back and forth against a blue sky. And they rode enough roller coasters that the ground felt a little wobbly as she walked toward a funhouse with a creepy clown entrance. She hurried forward, and over her shoulder, she said, “You get a kiss if you find me.”

With a chuckle, she rushed inside before he could answer, entering the maze of mirrors. Hands out, Maisie moved along the maze and bumped into more mirrors than she could count, until she was deep enough inside that he couldn’t find her too easily. She circled around, only seeing herself. Then she blinked and Hayes stood there, a smile on his face.

She gasped. “How the hell—”