Arrested Romance (Oak Spring Series Book 2) Read online

  Table of Contents

  ARRESTED ROMANCE

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  Chapter 60

  Chapter 61

  Chapter 62

  ARRESTED ROMANCE

  Oak Springs Series

  SHERRI MCDUFFIE

  SOUL MATE PUBLISHING

  New York

  ARRESTED ROMANCE

  Copyright©2017

  SHERRI MCDUFFIE

  Cover Design by Melody A. Pond

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, business establishments, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

  Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Published in the United States of America by

  Soul Mate Publishing

  P.O. Box 24

  Macedon, New York, 14502

  ISBN: 978-1-68291-425-0

  www.SoulMatePublishing.com

  The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  To my amazing grandchildren:

  Braxton, Payton, Cash, and Rosalie.

  Love, Nana

  Chapter 1

  Oak Springs Medical Center ER had just completed their seven o’clock shift change, and Mikki Gray was more than ready to relinquish her duties to those in spotless scrubs and freshly combed hair. After twelve hours on duty, all she wanted was a hot shower and some sleep.

  A voice over the intercom competed with the cacophony of voices and constant beeping of life-support machines. Mikki’s eyes shifted to an open exam room where a custodian mopped the floor, preparing the cubicle for the next patient. The metallic odor of blood blended with cleanser and antiseptics. “Is there any word on the gunshot victim?” Mikki asked the nurse behind the desk.

  “The OR just called while you were in the back getting your purse. They are still working on him, but he’s stable.”

  “Good, I was hoping they would give us a report before I left.” She bounced her keys in her hand. “I’m out of here. Hope you have a good day.”

  “Go soak in your hot tub. After the shift you just had, you deserve it.”

  Mikki tossed the keys again and winked. “I think I’ll swing by Pete’s first.”

  She walked out of the hospital and filled her lungs with the crisp air void of anything related to illness or death. Nursing was all she ever wanted to do, but nights like she had just experienced pushed her skills to the limit. She was thankful that in the small town of Oak Springs they were few and far between.

  Once she was in her car, Mikki attempted to massage away the stress in her shoulders and neck which were strained from performing CPR on the gunshot victim. Why in the world do I put myself through this? She started the car and backed out of the parking space. Because I would be bored to tears if I were doing anything else.

  She drove to Pete Foster’s home and parked in the driveway, next to his sheriff’s cruiser. Before she left the car, she rolled her shoulders and studied the house. The blinds were closed, and the morning paper lay in the flower bed next to the front step. He must have had a rough night, too. Guess I’ll have to think of some way to wake him up.

  Once inside, Mikki opened the drapes on the front windows, allowing the morning sun to fill the room, then proceeded to the kitchen. After dropping the newspaper on the table, she made coffee and headed down the hall, her dark ponytail swaying with each step.

  She closed the bedroom door behind her and watched the sleeping man in the king size bed. He was on his stomach, long arms and legs spread wide; a small portion of the sheet covered his left thigh. Other than that, he was naked.

  Mikki slid out of her sneakers and tiptoed to the side of the bed. A muscled arm wrapped around her. The man rolled to his back and pulled her down on top of him. She fell across his chest and laughed.

  “Good morning,” he said against her neck. “You’re under arrest for breaking and entering . . . fourth degree.”

  She kissed his chest, the dusting of dark hair tickling her nose. “I thought if it was breaking and entering there had to be intent to commit a crime.”

  “There is. You’re trying to steal my heart.”

  She nibbled his ear. “Fourth degree? Is that bad?”

  He flipped her onto her back. “Misdemeanor, three years max.”

  Her arms slid around his neck, and she kissed him. “I’ve started the coffee brewing. Do I earn conjugal visits for good behavior?” She moaned as his hands roamed her body.

  When Pete’s fingers traced small circles on her flat stomach, she closed her eyes. His right hand set her skin on fire as it slid up her side, and continued until it circled her wrist. He lifted her arm over her head so that her knuckles touched the metal headboard. She gripped the cold metal slat while his left hand guided her right arm to do the same. As she held on, Pete trailed kisses along her neck and shoulders.

  They continued, driving each other to the brink of completion, and then
easing up, until neither was able to wait any longer. It was their dance of love. Sometimes they took time to talk while making love, but Mikki wasn’t in the mood for small talk; she let her body speak for her. Her soft gasps and sighs was all the communication Pete needed.

  After both had regained their breath Pete said, “I wish I could stay here all day, but duty calls.” His brows bounced. “Could I talk you into joining me in the shower?”

  She followed him into the bathroom. After making love again under the warm water, Mikki dried off while Pete lathered his face.

  “Do I still have some clothes here?” she asked.

  “Yes, in your drawer.”

  Mikki went to the dresser and found two bras and three pair of panties. She pulled out a set of blue lace underwear and put them on. “I don’t see a shirt.”

  “Remember, it ripped. Grab one of mine, next drawer down.”

  “Oh yeah,” Mikki giggled. “Ripped is an understatement.” She slid into a faded gray T-shirt with a badge printed on the front and walked into the bathroom. Her arms wrapped around his waist, and she pressed her face against his back, still damp from the shower. She inhaled his scent.

  “What are your plans for today?” he asked, tapping the razor on the side of the sink.

  “Sleep. A deep coma, hopefully.”

  “Was it a busy night?”

  “Messy. We had a gunshot. That’s unusual, or it has been since I’ve been at the hospital.”

  Pete stopped shaving. His brown eyes settled on her reflection in the mirror. One half of his face was still covered in lather. “Who was shot?”

  “No one I knew. He was from the other side of town.”

  “Who showed up?”

  “Deputy Tripp. He said the man was in a fight at a bar outside of Lonoke.”

  “How bad is the guy?”

  “He was in serious condition and still in surgery when I left.”

  “I’ll check with Danny as soon as I get to the office.”

  Mikki yawned. “I think the coffee is ready. I’ll bring you a cup.” She kissed him between the shoulder blades and left the room.

  She walked into the kitchen and inhaled the aroma of fresh coffee. As she reached into the cabinet for two cups, the shirt she was wearing hiked above her hip. She was filling the second cup when a voice behind her said, “Good morning.”

  Mikki screamed and dropped the mug on the floor.

  Chapter 2

  Pete was ready to make another stroke with the razor when he heard Mikki’s shriek, followed by the sound of breaking glass. He rushed into the kitchen, soap still on his throat. “What happened?” He stopped in the doorway and took in the scene.

  Mikki stood in a puddle of coffee and ceramic shards trying to pull the T-shirt to her knees. She was pointing toward the kitchen table at a barefoot boy in a pair of gray sweat pants. His sandy brown hair was long and shaggy and hung in his eyes. A box of cereal and a gallon of milk were on the table in front of him. He held a spoon suspended in mid-air.

  Oh crap! “I’m sorry. Mikki, this is my nephew, Austin Riley. Austin, this is Mikki Gray.” Pete held up his hand. “Don’t move. I’ll grab my shoes.” He ran down the hall and returned moments later with his blue robe draped over his shoulder, hopping on one leg while shoving his foot into his boot. He tossed the robe to Mikki, and as soon as she had it on, he scooped her into his arms and carried her out of the kitchen, away from the broken mug. When he put her down, she hurried toward his room.

  “Nice to meet you!” the boy called as Mikki ran down the hallway.

  “Stay there,” Pete said to his nephew. “I’ll get you some shoes.” He followed Mikki to his room for a pair of blue corduroy slippers.

  When he returned with the shoes, he said, “Go ahead and eat while I finish shaving. I’ll be right back. But put these on before you start walking around.”

  Pete stepped into his room and saw Mikki on her hands and knees beside the bed. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m looking for my pants. Do you know where they are?”

  Pete went into the bathroom and picked up his abandoned razor. “I’m not sure where they landed.”

  He finished shaving just as she raised the garment above her head. “Found them.”

  “Good. I’m going to clean the floor, but make sure you have your shoes on before you come back to the kitchen.”

  Upon returning to the kitchen, Pete took a broom and dust pan from a narrow closet and began sweeping up the broken cup pieces.

  Austin slipped on the shoes his uncle had given to him earlier and stood, unfolding his lanky fourteen-year-old body to full height. As he walked out of the room, Pete said, “This isn’t a restaurant. You bus your own table.”

  The boy went back and closed the box of cereal and put it in the cabinet, then placed the milk in the refrigerator. “Sorry if I spoiled your fun,” he said as he rinsed out his bowl.

  “It’s my fault. I should have said something to her. I wasn’t thinking.”

  “Yeah, I’m used to that. No problem.” Austin shoved the bowl in the dishwasher.

  “Used to what?”

  “People forgetting about me.” He stepped around the puddle of coffee and left the room.

  Pete was putting the mop away when Mikki returned, still dressed in his shirt, but now wearing the blue pants from her hospital scrubs. Her hair was pulled back and held with an elastic band. She glanced around the kitchen. “Where’s Austin?”

  “I guess he went to his room. I’m really sorry. I didn’t dream he would be up this early. It was pretty late when we made it back last night.”

  “Last night? What happened last night?”

  Pete poured a cup of coffee and handed it to her then picked up the one she had filled earlier. He nodded toward the table, and they sat down. “My sister called yesterday and said Austin was in trouble. Apparently, he was at a party that was raided, and they found alcohol and some drugs. He swears he wasn’t messing with any of it, but if that’s the kind of friends he has, it’s just a matter of time.”

  He took a drink and stared into his mug. “Lisa is my youngest sister. She eloped with her high school sweetheart the night of their graduation, and eight months later Austin was born, then Chloe came along a year and a half after that.” He took another sip. “They lived in the next state over until her husband emptied the joint checking account and ran off when Austin was eight. He’s fourteen now, and Chloe just turned twelve. Their dad doesn’t make any effort to see them. He doesn’t bother to help my sister out financially either.”

  Pete sat back in his chair and took a deep breath. “After I talked with Lisa yesterday, I called and spoke with the police chief and the county judge. It seems they’re having a problem with drugs in the schools in that area. So, I asked Lisa if I could bring Austin here, to get him away from the crowd he’s started hanging with and maybe try to give him some of the male attention he needs.”

  Mikki rubbed his arm. “He couldn’t have a better role model.”

  “I’ve tried to be there when I could. He’s spent time with me during spring breaks and summers, and we always got along. He’s a good kid, but I could tell on the ride back that there is a lot of anger building up in that adolescent mind. Lisa is doing the best she can, but she needs a break.”

  “If I can help in any way, you know I will.”

  “Thanks. If you’re serious about that, I may need you to keep an eye on him after school until I get off work. I haven’t figured out a schedule yet. I’m going to enroll him in school today.”

  “Sure, if you don’t think he’ll mind hanging out with me for a few hours.”

  “At this point, he doesn’t have much of a choice. We’re both going to have to make some adjustments.” He squeezed her hand. “All of us. I know
this is going to affect you, too. I didn’t even have a chance to talk to you about it. You were asleep when I left town, and by the time we made it back, you were working.”

  “I understand. Don’t worry about me. I’m proud of you for stepping in and helping.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. He wrapped his arm around her and deepened the kiss. They were interrupted when Austin cleared his throat.

  “Excuse me,” Austin mumbled. “Seems I keep showing up at the wrong time.”

  “Come on in,” Pete said. “Mikki and I were just talking. I’ll take you to school this morning and get you enrolled. I can drop you off in the mornings on my way to work, and Mikki will pick you up in the afternoon. You can stay with her until I get off work.”

  “I don’t need a babysitter. I can take care of myself.”

  “Well, that’s the way it’s going to be for now. We’ll see how things go after we have a chance to adjust to this new situation,” Pete replied.

  “Whatever.” Austin grabbed a banana and stomped out of the room.

  “Oh yeah,” Pete said under his breath. “This is going to be fun.” He pushed away from the table and headed down the hall.

  Chapter 3

  Mikki followed Pete to his room and sat on the bed, drinking her coffee while he prepared for work. Her eyes scanned his narrow hips and broad shoulders. His dark, short hair was combed to one side. Thick brows and lashes made his chestnut brown eyes stand out. She watched him dress in his khaki uniform.

  Pete’s eyes met hers in the mirror as he buttoned his shirt. He winked. “What are you smiling about?”

  “I love our mornings—” She laughed. “Well, maybe not this one, or at least not the last few minutes of it, but you know what I mean. There’s something about watching you transform from the lover to the sheriff that’s, I don’t know, exciting. Here you are in your uniform, all strong and steady. You’re the pillar of the community, upholding justice and protecting the world. And no one knows that an hour ago you were a wild animal, making me beg for mercy.”