Charming Hannah (Big Sky 1)

“Yes, sir,” she says, the way she does when she rolls her eyes at me. “Hi, I’m Jenna and I’m thirty-four years old. I’ve got this, Brad.”

“Yeah, yeah. Call me if you need me.”

I hang up on a deep sigh and stand to go to the window and watch the kid argue with my officer. Finally, the kid walks away, his skateboard under his arm. He turns back to flip the bird, and then jogs away.

My officer, Jacob, just hangs his head and sighs. Dealing with kids like that isn’t fun, but Jacob is a good cop.

I glance back at my desk and frown at the paperwork I still have to do, then decide fuck it. I slip the leash on Sadie and walk out of my office.

“Patrice, we’ll be back. I’m on my phone if you need me.”

She just nods, not looking up from the computer. That’s one of the things I like about Patrice; she doesn’t say what isn’t needed but she gets stuff done and doesn’t take my crap.

This place wouldn’t run without her.

It’s another beautiful summer day, and sitting in my office isn’t how I want to spend it. Sadie sits happily in my police-issue SUV passenger seat, her head out of the window letting the wind blow over her face.

I don’t have a destination in mind, so I make a loop through town, passing by my place that sits near the lake, then up past Jenna’s B&B and Max’s house. The tourists haven’t started to rush into town yet for the season, so the traffic isn’t bad.

I head back through the older residential section of town, and past Hannah’s house. I slow down because her front door is standing open, but I don’t see a car in her driveway.

“Stay,” I tell Sadie and walk to the door, my hand on my weapon. “Hannah?”

There’s no answer. I walk around to the side of the house and look in a window, but I don’t see anyone. I don’t want to go in the house if she’s there.

“Hannah,” I call out again.

“Yeah?”

I spin around, caught off guard by the redhead herself who is sweaty and wearing little shorts and a tank top.

“Your front door is open.”

“I know,” she says and leans over to brace herself on her knees. “Good God, I hate to run.”

“Why were you running?”

“I’m trying to get into summer shape,” she says. “I’m super lazy in the winter.” She swallows hard. “I mean, it’s cold and I don’t like that.”

“Yes, you mentioned that last night.”

She nods, still catching her breath. “But I love to be active in the summer, and I’m trying to get in shape for it.”

“Why was your door open?”

“Because I forgot to shut it,” she says with a shrug. “I ran in really fast to use the bathroom because all that running made me have to go.”

I grin and cross my arms over my chest.

“You look really intimidating with that whole cop stance you have going on there.”

“I’m on duty,” I remind her.

“Yeah. It’s hot.” She grins. “Am I allowed to flirt with you when you’re on duty, or is that too cliché?”

“You can flirt with me any time you like.”

She laughs and wipes the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. Sadie lets out a bark and whimper, reminding me that she’s there.

“Who’s this?”

“Sadie,” I reply and walk ahead of Hannah so I can let Sadie out of the vehicle.

“Can I pet her?”

“She’ll be disappointed if you don’t.”

“Hi, Sadie,” Hannah says and holds her hand out for the dog to smell. “You’re so pretty. What a good girl you are. You’re so brave, too.”

And just like that, Sadie is nuzzling Hannah’s leg and soaking up the attention.

“I didn’t know you have a police dog.”

“She’s a retired police dog. I bring her with me when I’m going to be in my office most of the day.”

“What brought you by my house?” she asks.

“I needed to get out of the office for awhile, so I thought I’d drive by here to make sure everything was okay.”

“And my door was open.”

I nod and watch as she continues to pet Sadie’s head, putting the dog into a happiness coma.

“Thanks for checking on me. It was a bathroom emergency.”

“Why aren’t you in the office today?”

“I had morning appointments,” she says with a smile. “I take one afternoon and two mornings off during the week because I inevitably end up working several evenings and weekends throughout the month. It all comes out in the wash, and I can catch up on sleep if I need it.”

“I see. Well, we’ll let you get back to your workout.”

“Oh, I’m done. I’ll be good until Saturday.” She sits on the ground and lets Sadie fall into her lap. “This is the sweetest dog ever.”

“And she knows it.” I check the time, and then hear my radio go off in the car. “Hold on.”