Page 101 of Call it Reckless

“Oh, no, you don’t. This is Lexi and Bristol time.” I squirmed out of his arms with a grin, shrieking with girlish delight as he attempted to capture me again.

The chase was on. I dodged and ran to the living room, dashing behind the couch, where Lexi was watching TV. She stared open-mouthed as her dad tried to reach over her to catch me.

“Help, Lexi! He’s trying to sabotage our plans.”

Lexi grinned and jumped on her dad’s back, causing him to stumble and fall on the couch. “Oh, no, you don’t, Dad. Quick, Bristol. Tickle him. Under the armpits.”

He twisted quickly, managing to sit down with Lexi on his lap, who was trying to pin his arms down.

I turned wide eyes on Reid. “Really? You’re ticklish?”

“Not a bit,” he denied.

“Really? Then you won’t mind if I do this.” I dove forward, digging my fingers into his side. He twisted and squirmed, loosening his hold on Lex, who joined me in tickling her dad.

Reid’s face turned red as he tried to fight us both off. Finally, with a super effort, he managed to hook one arm around his daughter and the other around me, holding us tight and pinning our arms to our sides.

Winded, we all laughed. Dropping a kiss on both of our heads, he said, “Well, I can see when I’m outnumbered. You girls have fun together.”

Lexi leaned up and kissed his cheek. “We will.”

I repeated her action on his other side. “We will.”

Lex and I remained on the couch as Reid grabbed his wallet and keys, looking over his shoulder one more time with a contented smile before he left.

I knew how he felt.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE

Reid

“It’s really good to see you, man.” Nick stood from the table he sat at and shook my hand with an added shoulder slap. Or, at least, I guessed that’s where he was aiming. Given his slight wobble as he stood, I had a feeling he’d gotten here well before me, and not because I was running slightly behind.

“Sorry, I’m a little late. I was waiting for my girlfriend, who’s watching Lexi.”

“Ah, that’s right, your daughter. How old is she now? Six? Seven?”

I laughed. “Ten.”

“Damn. Has it really been that long?”

“I guess so. Are you still working for the Asheville P.D.?”

“No, I transferred to Atlanta about four years ago. I had a lot of vacation time built up. Chief suggested I use some of it. Wanted me to avoid burnout. It’s a lot more stressful in the city.”

“I bet.”

“In fact, that’s why I’m here. I volunteer for the local SPCA, which is overwhelmed. Since I had the time, I volunteered to transfer some dogs to a no-kill shelter over in Chattanooga since it’s not all that far from Atlanta.”

“I didn’t realize they cross state lines.”

“They do,” he assured me. “And once I was in Tennessee, I thought of you and figured I’d look you up and take a little side trip.”

“I’m glad you did. Hey, let me ask you a question. Maybe you can help with a case I’m exploring.”

“Shoot.”

“I was reading about a dogfighting ring busted in your area.”

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