Page 14 of Ruined
CHAPTER SIX
I shoved the reports away and fell back against my chair with a grunt. My concentration had never been so lacking. There was only one person to blame for this: Zoe. Since I’d run into her earlier in the day, I’d been unable to shake her from my thoughts.
That damned kiss, stuck on replay, wasn’t helping matters much either.
Then there was the situation with her gallery. I’d spoken to a buddy of mine on the force in TC; it was still early in the investigation, but they suspected arson. That had my mind going in an entirely different direction; if — that’s a big if — Zoe wasn’t responsible for setting the fire, who was?
Dragging my hands through my hair, I let out a breath. I only hoped this wasn’t Harper all over again. Not just the danger that followed her to town, my gross misjudgment too. I knew I had to, but keeping an open mind — especially when it came to women — was difficult.
My musings were interrupted by a knock on my door. Turning my attention in that direction, I saw Liam filling my doorway. I grinned at him. “How was your first day of doing nothing?” Well, almost nothing. The old ladies at the salon had claimed that someone had broken in. When we arrived, nothing was taken, and no doors or windows were broken.
Knowing them, they merely wanted to get a good look at the new Deputy. I almost felt sorry for Liam. Almost.
“It was different, that’s for sure.” He checked his watch. “I’m heading out for the day.”
My brows furrowed. Was it end of shift already? Time flies when you’re reliving kisses and thinking of troubled hazel eyes, apparently. I pushed to my feet and rounded the desk. “You got plans tonight?” I asked Liam.
“Nah.”
I locked my service weapon in the safe before grabbing my keys from my desk. “We’re grilling steaks and having a couple of beers at my place. You should come meet the gang.”
Liam nodded tentatively while tapping the frame twice. “Sounds good. Thanks, man.” With that, both of us strolled to the parking lot.
When I slipped behind the wheel of my truck, my thoughts turned to Zoe again. If she was visiting Kenzie, would that mean she’d come too? I didn’t think they would leave her alone at the cabin. How was I going to handle having her in my space?
As I drove down the dirt road that led to my parents’ ranch, I concluded that it would be best if I stopped thinking altogether when it came to Zoe Carlisle. The truck rolled to a stop behind one of the ATVs. Excited to see my baby girl, I jumped out and jogged to the front door.
Just as I lifted my hand to knock on the screen door, Molly came barreling around the corner. “Daddy!” The door flew open, and she launched her tiny body into my arms.
“Hey, baby, how was your day?” Her hands were perched on my shoulders, big sparkling blue eyes staring at me.
“It was Mrs. Johnson’s birthday today, and she brought cake for the whole class.” She then went on to give me all the details of her day at school. The giddiness she exuded was utterly infectious; soon I was grinning and nodding my head with every word she said.
“Daddy,” she paused and took in my shirt. “You weren’t wearing this one this morning.”
I set her on her feet and tapped her nose with my index finger. “Smart girl.” Movement caught my eye. Shifting my gaze, I spotted my dad watching me and Molly, a smile playing on his lips. My attention turned back to my daughter. “My shirt got all dirtied up, so I had to change.” Straightening, I added, “Go get your things while I say hi to Pops.”
Happiness filled my heart as I watched her cheerfully skip away, getting her hair ruffled as she passed Pops, who was walking toward me. “Ain’t nothing can beat that feeling you’re feeling now,” he said when he reached me.
I gripped his hand and pulled him in for a hug. “She’s something special.” Releasing him, I scanned the living room. “Where’s Mama?”
His features turned worried. “Laying down. She had another headache.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I widened my stance. “Pops, I’m worried about the frequency of these headaches. Has she seen the doctor?”
My dad waved me off. “You know your mama. She’s as stubborn as a mule, that woman.” He turned his gaze to a photo resting on the mantel. “She says it will pass, I have to believe she’s right.”
“I’m ready!” Molly came charging into the room.
I gave my dad’s shoulder a squeeze. “Mama is always right.”
“When are you going to finish that deck?” I joined my younger brother, Logan, at the living room window, where he was eyeing my not-even-close-to-done project.
I brought my beer to my lips and took a long swig before answering him. “When you stop being a lazy ass and come help me.”
He swiped his hand over his beard and laughed heartily. “Did my big brother just ask for help?”
“You’re delusional, I did no such thing.” One side of my mouth lifted into a grin.
