Behind the Badge (Home in Carson 2)

“It could mean nothing more than sorting through evidence or paperwork. Or it could mean going undercover. Missions like that can go from days to years. And he won’t know the assignment until he agrees,” Sydney explained.

“Oh. That’s kind of crappy. They should at least give him an idea.”

A smile cracked at the corner of Sydney’s lip as she replied, “I know, right? It’s always been like this. I’m just. . .tired. We have a family now. I don’t want to worry that he may not come home from an assignment.”

Shelly knew not to ask how often that scenario occurred, but she could guess it was more frequently than Sydney wanted to think about. She couldn’t imagine being in the situation Sydney found herself in. Watching the love of your life leave for a job, knowing that there is a chance he or she may not return would feel like a hot poker searing your skin then penetrating your heart. It killed Shelly to even consider it.

But as she watched Sydney’s family and friends support her and offer assurance, Shelly contemplated the fact that a person could meet their end any day or time, regardless of a job or assignment. She could leave the park today and encounter her demise, a thought that struck her stupid.

And as she helped gesture for the children to return to the gazebo, Shelly decided that maybe now was the time to live a little, to give fear a good kick in the balls. And if she wanted to go to bed with an incredibly sexy Sheriff, then she might as well get her kicks while she can. Maybe she could feel wild and reckless, even if for one night to remind her that life was precious, but could also be wild and without abandon.

Abel skipped over to her with two other girls around his age and Shelly smiled at her happy child. “Hey, bud. Did you have a good time?”

“The best!” he shouted with a fist in the air, his friends following suit. “We have to do this again next Friday.”

“Sure, sweetie. But remember, once Aunt Cassidy comes back in a couple of weeks, Mommy will be working. And then you’ll have schools starting not long after that.”

Abel harrumphed and fisted his hands at his side but ultimately didn’t argue as one of his friends asked about school in New York.

“Hey, Shelly, I forgot to mention something to you.” Poppy came to stand beside her as Abel continued to describe his old class. “On Friday nights, mom, well, Amy, watches all of the kids so the parents can have a date night. I know she’d love to have Abel stay with her and the others.”

“Oh my, how many kids is that?”

“Honestly, I’ve lost count, but she knows what she’s doing. And I think she likes having the older kids because they can entertain themselves and help with the little ones.”

“I don’t think she needs to add another kid to the mix.”

“Seriously, Abel is such a good kid and she’ll be thrilled to have him. Believe me. She’s like the kid whisperer. Anyway, I’ll let her know you’re bringing him because you’d be crazy not to. But if you change your mind, shoot me a message. I’ll send you the address when I get back to work.” Poppy left as quickly as the summer breeze and Shelly was left standing, wondering what had happened. Thank goodness everyone had exchanged numbers with her when she arrived at the park, or she would have no way to contact the vibrant woman.

As she and Abel headed back toward her car, she thought how nice it would be to have an evening alone. She hadn’t experienced one of those in years. Except, maybe she didn’t have to spend the night alone after all. Maybe she could take her own internal advice and try a little bit of recklessness.

Once her son was belted into his booster seat, she asked if he wanted to stay the night with his new friends. Without any hesitation or surprise, he cheered at the chance to spend more time with them. Texting Poppy, she agreed to the slumber party and asked for a drop-off and pick-up time before starting her car and heading back home. All the while wondering, and hoping, that Preston had another night free.

Chapter Seven

The day at the office seemed to drag on and on. He mostly filled out weekly paperwork though he did answer a few domestic disputes in the area before Alexis arrived. But as the clock neared six

that evening, he’d had enough. He had been awake most of the night contemplating his decision for the mission. He was genuinely torn in half. The adrenaline side of him wanting to go and fight the bad guys, while the other side wanted to stay and see how things progressed with Shelly.

If they progressed at all. He wasn’t sure where they stood. She ran hot then cold faster than the bullets he dodged. But, man, he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Last night watching the setting sun glisten off her brown skin had fascinated him. Most of the evening he spent staring at her, just in awe to be in her presence, but he worried she had caught him a few times. Graciously she hadn’t said anything.

“Oh, are you headed out?” Jackie asked as he rounded her desk.

“Yeah, it’s been a long week. I’m ready to spend the weekend relaxing. Maybe head to the lake for some fishing,” he told her as he locked up his office. “Oh, I meant to ask, did you send that fax to the mayor about the budget? I haven’t heard anything from him.”

Jackie wordlessly nodded as she typed away at her computer.

“Okay, well, I’ll mention it to him when I see him at church on Sunday. Have a good night, Jackie.”

“You too, Sheriff.”

As Preston made his way to the front door, he ducked his head into the small office Alexis used when she wasn’t sitting near the front of the building. He hadn’t ever asked her to stay near the reception area, but she claimed it intimidated the people that came in. And he knew that intimidation gave her a thrill in life.

“Don’t work too hard tonight, Alexis. And I know you wanted to switch weekends, but if you need a break, please let me know.”

“I know, Preston. Thank you for the offer, though. Cliff is at a tattoo convention all weekend and well, I’m hoping I can arrest a few people to keep myself busy.”