Thirty-One and a Half Regrets (38 page)

I absently touched the faded bruises on my face. I was wearing makeup and they weren’t visible, but I knew they were there. “I’m fine. How about you? You were injured worse than I was.”

He kicked a patch of gravel. “You can’t keep me down.”

The way he said it made me wonder if there was some hidden meaning behind his words. “I was sorry to hear you lost the election.”

Determination filled his eyes. “I wasn’t. I told you I was going to quit the race, but I was so far behind in the polls, I figured I’d just let it run its course. My father hates losing, so it was a bonus.”

“What are you doing here? You could have called me on the phone to catch up.”

He rested his butt against the hood of his car. “I heard Heidi Joy moved out. Have any idea who’s moving in?”

“Unbelievably, not even Miss Mildred knows.”

Grinning, he jingled his keys. “Hi, neighbor.”

My mouth dropped open. “
You?
You’re the one who rented this house?”

“I couldn’t believe my good luck when I heard it was available. I figured it was serendipity. I guess we’ll be next-door neighbors again.”

I shook my head. “But…how? I don’t understand.”

“After the chief deputy sheriff got arrested and the sheriff lost several other men in the Crocker mess, he offered me a job. You’re looking at the new Chief Deputy Sheriff of Fenton County.”

My heart sank, although I didn’t know why. Joe and I were broken up, so what did I care? Maybe because the fact that he was going to take a sheriff’s position before he broke up with me was bittersweet. “That’s great, Joe. Congratulations.”

“After I lost the election, I told my dad I was taking this job. He didn’t like it, but he gave me his approval.” His voice lowered. “So you’re safe.”

“For now.”

Worry flashed in his eyes for a moment. “Hopefully forever.”

We both knew that his father was saving the leverage for when he needed Joe to toe the line next time.

“So Hilary’s not moving in with you?” I couldn’t see her willingly moving into the tiny house. After discovering Joe’s financial situation, I found it hard to believe
he
would live there.

“No.” His voice was hard. “She’s gone.”

I didn’t say anything.

“I know you don’t believe me, but it’s true.” He stood and moved closer to me, his hands lifting slightly as though to reach for me before falling to his sides. “I’m here to prove to you that I can be the man you need me to be.”

I closed my eyes and shook my head. “Joe.”

“I know you say we’re over, but I refuse to accept that. You taught me to fight for what I want and not to let it go. What I want is you.”

I looked up into his face. “What about what
I
want, Joe?”

Before he could answer, the side door of my house opened and Mason hobbled toward us on his crutches. “Well, hello, Joe. What a surprise to see you here.” He stopped next to me, wrapping an arm around my waist.

“I’m moving into my old house,” Joe said with a grin, his gaze landing on Mason’s hand at my waist then rising. “Rose and I are neighbors again.” The challenge in his voice was clear.

“Well then, your timing is perfect,” Mason said, his friendly tone not matching the look in his eyes. “Seeing as how Rose is moving out to her mother’s farm.”

Joe’s smile fell. “Is that true?”

I nodded. “Violet’s moving in here next week.”

“But I’m sure Violet will appreciate having you for a neighbor.” Mason leaned down and kissed my temple, his lips lingering for several seconds. “I’ll go finish packing your bathroom.”

As Mason walked away, Joe’s eyes narrowed in determination. “We’ll be working together quite a bit now, Mason. Seeing as how I’m the new chief deputy sheriff.”

Holding onto the door, Mason paused for a second and then turned at the waist, flashing Joe a firm smile. “I’m looking forward to it.”

And just like that, my life got even more complicated.

*****

Thirty-Two and a Half Complications
coming June 26, 2014

• Title page
  
• Chapter One
  
• Chapter Two
  
• Chapter Three
  
• Chapter Four
  
• Chapter Five
  
• Chapter Six
  
• Chapter Seven
  
• Chapter Eight
  
• Chapter Nine
  
• Chapter Ten
  
• Chapter Eleven
  
• Chapter Twelve
  
• Chapter Thirteen
  
• Chapter Fourteen
  
• Chapter Fifteen
  
• Chapter Sixteen
  
• Chapter Seventeen
  
• Chapter Eighteen
  
• Chapter Nineteen
  
• Chapter Twenty
  
• Chapter Twenty-One
  
• Chapter Twenty-Two
  
• Chapter Twenty-Three
  
• Chapter Twenty-Four
  
• Chapter Twenty-Five
  
• Chapter Twenty-Six
  
• Chapter Twenty-Seven
  
• Chapter Twenty-Eight