Dare to Trust (The Dare 1)

na. She’s the one we need to protect and help guide through this. She needs to tell Mike about her ex and the possibility that he could come looking for her.”

“Let’s give her some time to accept them. I have a feeling their relationship is going to be going to the next level pretty damn quickly,” Adele said as the door chimed and Mike came in with Deputy Taylor to have lunch.

Mercedes felt her belly tighten and she quickly looked away.

“Looks like we’re not the only ones who are interested in some men in Chance,” Adele teased, and Alicia chuckled.

“Ladies, good afternoon,” Taylor said as they looked up and he tipped his hat at them. Mike said hello then headed straight toward the counter where Marlena was still talking to the sheriff. Looks like living in Chance is about to get even more interesting.

* * * *

“Good afternoon, Marlena,” Mike said as he greeted Marlena hello. He placed his hand on her hip as he removed his hat and held it in his hand. She touched his forearm and seemed hesitant.

“Good afternoon, Deputy Spencer, Deputy Dawn. Do you need a table or is the counter okay?” she asked them.

“Counter is good,” Taylor said and smirked. Mike felt a bit upset that she didn’t want to respond to him after last night at her place.

He caressed her arm then reached up and cupped her cheek. Holding her gaze, he lowered his mouth to hers.

“Is that any way to greet one of your men?” He didn’t give her a moment to answer. Instead he kissed her softly on the lips then released them and gave her hip a tap.

“That’s a lot better, beautiful.”

She pressed her lips together and then glanced at the sheriff and Taylor before looking back at him. Placing her hand on her hip, she gave him a hard look.

“Feel better now?” she asked.

The sheriff and Taylor chuckled.

Mike smiled as he sat down by the counter next to the sheriff. “It will do for now, sugar. How’s your day been so far?” he asked her.

“Busy. Can I get you an ice tea or coffee?” she asked.

“Ice tea,” he replied and then headed behind the counter. He stared at her ass in the tight black skirt she wore. The woman was built to more than satisfy him and his brothers. She was sexy as damn hell. But what pissed him off was that he wasn’t the only man watching her. He glared to the right to see two men he didn’t recognize, sitting at the other end of the counter. Marlena put down the glasses of ice teas for Mike, Taylor, and the sheriff, then headed down that way. She reached for the pot of coffee, and as she bent to pick up the napkin that fell, both men peered over the edge of the counter, either trying to get a better look at her breasts or her ass.

He was about to get up when the sheriff spoke.

“So, rumors are true? You and your brothers staking a claim to little Miss Marlena?” he asked.

“It’s true,” Mike said but kept an eye on the guys and on Marlena. She headed back toward them.

“You need to make it official. Did I miss your call for a meeting in my office?” the sheriff asked.

Mike shook his head. He knew the rules. Every woman was cared for and watched over in Chance. When men wanted to claim a woman and start courting her, making her officially theirs, then they needed to officially inform the sheriff. He sort of gave the okay, but it was more like protocol they followed. Too many times over the years, men came to live in town for a few months as if they were making a permanent residence and then they would say they were interested in the same woman and wanted to share. Turned out to be a game for them and women got hurt. Badly. This was a way to ensure there was no bullshit. Sometimes women came into town and did the same thing. Marlena had been living here for six months. The sheriff was being cautious.

“We’ll make that appointment. We’re still trying to figure Marlena out.”

She returned to them and asked if Mike and Taylor were ready to order since the sheriff already had his lunch.

He gave his order, and Taylor gave his.

“Hey, Marlena, are you and your friends planning on attending the clam festival on the weekend? It’s a fundraiser for the Godfrey boys and their family who lost their house in the fire two weeks ago.”

“Oh my, is that this weekend? I didn’t realize. Mercedes, Adele, Alicia, and I talked about attending. Alicia knows the mom and Mercedes became friends with the family. I’ll ask them. They’re right over there. Unless, Mike, you and your brothers don’t think I’ve time, with us working on my kitchen,” she said to him.

“You’ll have time. We have all week, plus there’s always Sunday that we could stain and finalize everything. It’s coming along well,” Mike said.

“Great. Let me talk to the girls and see if they still plan on attending. Are you and your brothers going to be there?” she asked Taylor. Mike felt his gut clench. He hoped she wasn’t interested in them, too. Wait, she couldn’t be. She was so shy and fearful last night, and she indicated she had gotten hurt before and wanted to be cautious. God, I’m so jealous of everyone.