Their Blue-Collar Girl (The American Soldier Collection 4)

Lynn and Tom picked up on the whole thing as Charlie stood from his seat and took Lori’s hand.

Lori asked Lynn what had happened and she explained the story to her.

“Who would want to do this?” Lori asked.

“That’s what we hope to find out,” Tom stated as he sat on the arm of the chair his wife was sitting in.

“I’m sure J.R. will come up with something. Maybe after they question people around the area where it happened? Perhaps someone saw something,” Lori said and Charlie hoped so.

“We’d better get going, too. I’ll come check on you guys first thing in the morning,” Charlie said as he kissed Lynn good-night and shook Tom’s hand. Lori did the same and they left the Cantrell house.

Charlie had a lot on his mind. It was obvious to him that someone was after Tom’s land and was trying to intimidate him. Tom told Charlie about it earlier today but he didn’t think the person would seriously try to injure Tom or Lynn. Now he knew better. Charlie was concerned about partnering up with Tom but the more he thought about it the more he wanted the land to stay in Tom and his name. He was starting to get back into that all-business mode and attitude. He had worked against scoundrels like Connor before. He had even participated in business transactions that he wasn’t proud of, but this was different. Tom and Lynn were like family and he would do whatever he could to help protect them.

Now, here was Lori, attractive, intelligent, and sweet. She hadn’t even responded negatively when J.R. touched her. Charlie couldn’t figure Lori out. He couldn’t control his feelings, the anger was enormous, and there was too much going through his mind. He looked at Lori as she got into the driver’s seat. She worked a double shift today yet she looked refreshed and gorgeous, and that uniform she wore both excited and angered him.

“My God, Charlie, they must have been so scared,” Lori said as they got into her car. She gave Charlie the short ride to his house. They got out and Lori stood by the car door.

“What did J.R. say about it? Does he think something will come up?” she asked.

Instantly Charlie was in front of her. “I think he lost his concentration when you walked into the house.” He wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning her against the driver’s side of the car.

“What is that supposed to mean?” she asked Charlie as she placed her hands against his chest to block him from moving closer.

“We’ve all known him for years and call him ‘sheriff.’ You’ve known him for a month and call him J.R.” Charlie let the letters roll off his tongue.

“He told me to call him J.R. What’s wrong with that?”

Charlie looked at her face a moment, staying silent, just thinking. He couldn’t help the jealous feelings he had. He wanted to keep Lori all to himself and his two brothers. She had no clue what she did to him. She seemed to basically ignore or be blind to the reactions she received that he’d witnessed firsthand. She hadn’t even felt the sheriff’s hand on her hip. He put it there as if he had every right to.

Lori reached up to touch his cheek with her hand, and he moved his face into it, instantly kissing the palm of her hand.

He stepped away from her car, pulling her with him as they embraced. His hands slowly slid down her back to her waist. He could feel her hip bone in his hand, the same hip bone only minutes ago the sheriff touched.

He took a deep breath as if trying to breathe away the intense feelings he had. Lori seemed to sense his angry exhale as he cradled her head, held her hair in his hand, and covered her mouth with his. He grabbed hold of her backside as she moved closer against him. The moment was intense and their breathing rapid as Charlie reached his hand under her shirt.

* *

* *

“Let’s go inside, baby,” he whispered and she wanted to so badly but she knew something was upsetting him as she grabbed his hand and stopped him.

“Charlie, no, it’s getting late. I should really head home.”

“Stay here tonight.” He pulled her against him by her waist.

“I’d better not. You seem kind of upset, like something is on your mind.”

“You’re on my mind, baby. I just want to be with you, to hold you.”

“I want to be with you, too, Charlie, but I need to slow things down.”

“Is this some kind of game? What do you take me for, some kind of fool? Maybe this just isn’t going to work out.”

Lori didn’t know how to react. This wasn’t Charlie. This was a side of him she didn’t want to know. She was offended, angry even though her gut told her he was overreacting for a reason. He acted so tough, so confident in front of everyone, but in actuality he was afraid. Afraid of getting hurt and now he was pushing her away.

“You know what, Charlie, I’m going to forget what you just said and head home right now. It’s late and I don’t want to fight with you.”

“I’m sorry, baby…I…I’ve got too much on my mind and I’m taking it out on you.” Charlie took Lori’s hand as he walked toward the front of her car and sat on the hood. Lori stood in front of him. Again he was silent as he embraced her.