Page 13 of Unexpectedly Falling
“My parents live across town but they’re visiting my sister in Montana. They’re not set to come home until after Christmas.”
“And they didn’t want to come home sooner when they heard about their granddaughter?” Pressing my lips into a thin line, I don’t say anything. Her eyes widen as she realizes why. “You didn’ttellthem? And with all the home visits and court dates and everything else,no onein this town noticed something goin’ on?”
It is a fair question, and aside from my friends trying to run interference with anyone that tried to get close to me or the house, I don’t have an answer.
Bracing my hands on either side of me on the counter, I bow my head in defeat. “I’m thirty-four, Nessa. I’m the youngest sheriff in county history. I’ve been married to my job since the day I took the oath. I’ve never dated anyone seriously let alone brought someone home to meet my parents,”—I look up to meet her gaze—“my prom date in high school, notwithstanding.”
“And you’re saying they wouldn’t support you because you became an instant family overnight?” she says, sounding pissed off and a little protective—whether it’s over just Remi or both of us I can’t be sure. “Hell, not evenovernight.You’ve had more than a few weeks at this point.”
“It was a lot to process. You served me with the paternity test and things happened so fast that I’m just trying to get my feet back under me.”
“But no one else knows?”
“My…friends do.” The word is still unfamiliar even after all this time. I’ve been friendly with my fair share of people, been an acquaintance to more, butfriendswas something that took time. Relationships take work—they deserve care—and for a while I couldn’t give anything else what I was giving my job.
But Montana Greene had never met a challenge he didn’t like.
And somehow I became that challenge.
Montana had collected me along with some of the other guys in town like feral cats, setting out food and water and luring us in until we suddenly felt at home.
It was strange, but now I looked forward to the bonfires and game nights where I didn’t have to be the sheriff.
I hadn’t been me in a long time, and even without voicing it, Montana somehowknewI’d needed the escape, and I’d be forever grateful.
“And they can’t help you?”
“They can and they’ve certainly offered,” I admit, running my hand through my hair, “but doesn’t it make more sense with you havin’ to be here anyway?”
She huffs, not impressed with my answer, but honestly, neither am I. “I still don’t understand why you wouldn’t tell your parents.”
“My mama’s heart is bigger than the state of Tennessee but she’sa lot.She’s incredible—best damn woman I know—but I’m just not ready to let everyone in yet. Until you got here, all of this seemed so surreal like it could all disappear if I even blinked.”
“You don’t want family but you’re beggingmeto stay?”
“Coercing.”
She crosses her arms over her chest and arches an eyebrow. “Definitely begging.” The words are a challenge, and I could swear there’s a flash of heat in her gaze, but it’s gone so quickly I can’t be sure.
“I have no problem beggin’, Nessa,” I say, the words a low rumble, before clearing my throat. “But that’s not what this is.”
“No?” The question is breathy as her gaze drops to my lips before meeting my eyes.
Fuck.
Dragging my hand over the back of my neck, I count to five and then try my best to defuse this situation before it gets any more out of hand. “It feels like we’re in this together, and something about that is comforting. I just want to keep it a little longer. Please.”
“I’ll think about it,” she says finally. “I’ll stay tonight and let you know tomorrow after my meeting at the university.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t fall in love with me, Sheriff.” Her gaze is like a physical caress as it rakes slowly down my body. “I don’t want to break your heart when I leave.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” My lips twitch at the audacity of her declaration.
“You say that now, but lesser men have done it, and I hate when things get messy.”
“The only mess I can handle right now is the one that Remi plans on makin’.” Standing to my full height, I let myself peruse her the way she did to me. “Your virtue is safe, Miss Hart.”
