Charming Hannah (Big Sky 1)

That’s not possible, but it doesn’t make me want it any less.

I park in front of the police station and carry four dozen donuts and a gallon of hot coffee inside, then I run back out for the special individual coffee for Brad. As I walk back inside, Brad is approaching the desk with the donuts, where at least six other men are already loading up on sugar and caffeine.

“This one is for you,” I say and hand him the cup. “The lady at Sips said this is what you usually order.”

His eyes intently watch me as he takes a sip. “She was right. What’s all this?”

“Well, I know it’s a cliché, but I thought everyone might enjoy some coffee and donuts.”

“You thought right,” Dan says with a grin. Several other uniformed officers nod in agreement. “And these are the best donuts in town.”

“I know.” I reach out and snatch up a maple bar. “So good.”

“Come into my office,” Brad says, but I shake my head no.

“I have errands.”

“Do you have two minutes?” he asks. The look on his face says he needs to talk to me, so I nod and follow him into his office, munching on my donut.

“What’s up?”

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he sweeps me up into a passionate kiss. He doesn’t even care that I have maple glaze on my lips.

“You’re sweet,” he murmurs against me.

“It’s the donut.”

He grins and kisses me one more time, then sets me away from him. “No, it’s you. You didn’t have to do that for my guys.”

“I know. It was fun.” I smile and take another bite of my donut. “I might as well take advantage of this whole week off thing and spoil us all a little bit.”

“Don’t spoil them too much. They’ll get soft.”

“Yes, sir.” I offer him a mock salute and open the office door. “I’m going to get a massage now.”

“Good for you. And then?”

“I think I’ll wander around downtown and look for a birthday gift for my cousin, Abby.”

“Have a good day, sweetheart.”

I smile and close his door behind me, waving to the guys who are smiling at me as I walk past.

I’ve made some friends this morning.

***

I’m loading up on way too much huckleberry stuff. Syrup, jam, pancake mix, even chocolate. I can’t help myself. I’ve turned into a tourist in my own damn town.

I’ve wandered my way through just about every shop on Main Street in downtown Cunningham Falls. Not only did I find the cutest outfit and pair of earrings for Abby, but I found all of this huckleberry stuff, a painting for the living room of my house, and I might have splurged on ice cream.

Okay, I totally did.

I feel fantastic after my massage. It’s a warm eighty degrees outside, perfect for roaming around without getting too hot, and it’s the middle of a weekday so the tourists aren’t as obnoxious as they would be on a Saturday.

Just as I’m about to walk into Dress It Up, I hear my name being called from across the street.

“Hannah!”

“Hey,” I reply, happy to see my friend and patient, Jillian King, as she pushes her stroller across the street to join me. She has her twins with her, and her face is glowing with happiness as she joins me. “How are you?”

“I’m great,” she says, panting a bit. “I took the afternoon off to take the kids to the park. It’s too pretty out to waste it.”

“I agree.” I kneel in front of the stroller and smile at the little girl and little boy who stare back at me with curiosity. “Hello there, Sarah and Miles.”

They grin and Miles offers me a high five.

“They’re adorable,” I say as I stand to talk to Jillian. “I can’t believe how big they are.”

“They’ll be three soon,” she says, sighing. “And I’m going to have to come see you soon as well.”

“Check up?”

She shakes her head no and gives me a happy smile. “We’re expecting.”

“I think at least eighty percent of the people I know are pregnant,” I reply with a laugh. “Congratulations.”

“What are the odds that it’s twins again?” she asks nervously.

“Not high,” I assure her. “Even though your husband is a twin, the odds are low.”

“Thank God. I love these two, but they’re a handful. Having just one infant will be a walk in the park.”

“That’s the way to look at it. How is Cara?”

Cara and Jillian are best friends, and each married twin brothers a few years ago. They live out at the King brothers’ ranch, in separate homes, of course. The Kings own thousands of acres just west of town.

“She’s great. I think she and Josh are finished having babies. Two are enough for them.”

“Well, I’d love to see you all soon,” I reply. “And I’ll look for you on my schedule.”

“Thanks,” she says with a smile. “And now we’re off to the park.”