Under the Covers

  Luis chuckled through a split lip. “I have men around the perimeter, Sheriff. Let me go or we’re all dead.”

  “I found your men.” Quinn wiped blood off his forehead. “My sniper is in place in case we missed anyone. I’ll bet my sniper against your guys any day.”

  Luis spit blood and a couple of teeth onto the floor.

  Colton grabbed him and shoved him outside. Jake pulled Freddy away from the wall and smashed him back into it. “Oops,” Jake said, grinning and tugging again. “Come on, buddy. Let’s go outside.” They disappeared into the cold.

  Quinn reached her in two strides. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  “Yes,” she said between hiccups.

  “Take it easy, sweetheart.” He tugged a knife from his boot and cut the tie holding her hands. Then he growled at her scratched skin, rubbing gently.

  “I’m fine,” she said, standing. Her knees gave out.

  He eased her back into the chair. “Take a couple of deep breaths. The adrenaline is kicking in now.” Big, gentle hands massaged her legs and then her shoulders. “You’re fine, Juliet. Deep breaths.”

  She nodded and inhaled, exhaling slowly. “How did you get here?”

  “Sophie saw Freddy take you.” Quinn dropped to his haunches. “I almost had a heart attack when she called. We were just a couple miles away working on a downed fence and headed right here.”

  She sniffed. “I’m glad you did.” Her eyes widened at the blood coursing down his arm. “Oh, God. He shot you.”

  Quinn frowned and ripped his shirt over his head. A deep, red gash welled on his upper arm. “The bullet scratched me. No biggie.” He wrapped his shirt around the wound and pulled tight.

  Sirens sounded in the distance. He grimaced. “I’m sorry about last night. I was a jerk who couldn’t figure out what to say.”

  She blinked through tears. The man had just saved her life after she got him shot, and he was apologizing. “This is my fault.” The sirens got closer.

  He stood and assisted her up. “We called for backup.” Not that Quinn needed backup.

  Juliet squared her shoulders and slid her feet along the wooden floor. Her knees still wobbled. “I’m sorry about all of this.”

  He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “I know. We’ll figure it out, Juliet. I promise.”

  When they reached the doorway, she peered outside. “Um, do you really have a sniper somewhere?”

  “Hawk was with us fixing fences.” Quinn gave some weird military sign. “Don’t worry. He rarely shoots the wrong person.” A grin quirked the sheriff’s lip.

  “Very funny.” She gingerly stepped onto the muddy walkway. Red-and-blue lights swirled as deputies gathered several cuffed men into police vehicles.

  A black SUV screeched to a stop, and Reese Johnson jumped out. “Is she all right?”

  “Yes,” Quinn said, helping her along the rough trail to a police vehicle. “Did you get the drug runners?”

  Reese grinned. “Yep. We caught one with a shitload of cash and another one with a truck full of drugs.” He nodded at Juliet. “I’ve gotten the okay to offer you full immunity for everything if you testify as to what you witnessed today.”

  Jake shoved away from a police car. “While my client doesn’t need immunity because she hasn’t broken any laws, we would still like the offer in writing from the federal prosecutor.”

  “Sheriff Lodge? Over here.” A camera light flicked, and a man with a microphone stepped closer. “What happened here?”

  Quinn growled and moved toward the reporter.

  “Stop.” Jake grabbed his arm and hitched him back. He opened the back door of a cruiser and reached for Juliet’s hand. “Get in.” Juliet scooted over, and Quinn dropped next to her.

  Jake smiled. “I’ll meet you two at the hospital.”

  Quinn moved to get out of the car. “I want the reporter out of here.”

  Jake leaned in. “I called him, dumbass. Trust me.” After shoving his brother, he slammed the door.

  A deputy slid behind the wheel. “To the hospital we go, Sheriff.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Juliet leaned her head against the chilly wall and tried to get comfortable on the plastic orange chair. Even in quaint Maverick, the hospital smelled like bleach, antiseptic, and despair.

  The doctors had rushed Quinn into a room upon their arrival, and a petite but rather forceful nurse had directed Juliet to the waiting area. In the corner, a television played an old sitcom.

  Her stomach hurt. She closed her eyes, allowing peace to wash over her. Everybody was safe, and the bad guys had gotten what they deserved.

  What about her? What did she deserve? She sat up as Quinn’s mother hustled into the room.

  Loni Freeze gathered her into a vanilla-scented hug. “Oh my goodness. You worried me.” She patted Juliet’s back, offering maternal comfort.

  Tears welled in Juliet’s eyes. She leaned away and blinked. “I’m fine, but Luis shot Quinn.”

  “I poked my head in the examination room. Quinn is barking orders at the poor doctor.” Loni shook her head, sending her gray braid flying. “That boy. I don’t know where he gets such a temper.”

  Tom Freeze, Loni’s husband, rushed into the room with Dawn. “I know exactly where he gets his spirit.” He dropped a kiss on Juliet’s head. “I’m glad you’re all right, sweetie.” Then he sat and slipped his hand over Loni’s.

  As a pair, they fit. Tall with gray hair and deep blue eyes, Quinn’s stepfather contrasted with Loni’s black eyes and sharp features.

  Dawn was a perfect blend of the two, with blue eyes and black hair. Those eyes lit up when Hawk and Colton stalked into the room.

  Juliet clasped her hands. “Thank you. Both of you.”

  They nodded.

  Dawn frowned. “I didn’t know you helped rescue Juliet, Hawk.”

  He shrugged. “I provided backup and let the sheriff do his thing.”

  Did Dawn not know Hawk was a sniper? Juliet raised an eyebrow. The young man met her gaze evenly, without expression. Her small nod promised she wouldn’t tell.

  Sophie ran into the room next, skidded to a stop, and tugged Juliet out of her chair for a big hug. “I was so worried. I saw Freddy take you, and I didn’t know what to do, so I followed in my car and called the guys for help, but if I didn’t get them, I wasn’t sure what—”

  Juliet hugged her hard. “Take a deep breath. Thank you, and I’m fine.”

  Sophie stepped back and surveyed Juliet head to toe. “You look all right.”

  “I’m fine.” She forced a smile. “Quinn got shot, not me.”

  Colton nodded toward the television. “Is this your doing, Jake?”

  The film clip showed Quinn escorting Juliet out of the cabin amid deputies arresting the drug runners. Reese Johnson stood next to the reporter, thanking the Maverick County Sheriff for assisting with the biggest drug bust in recent history. He claimed justice was served only because Juliet Spazzoli put herself in danger to help authorities.

  Jake grinned. “Someone has to make sure the sheriff gets reelected. Can you imagine if he worked the ranch full time?”

  “God, no. He’s bossy enough as it is.” Colton gave an exaggerated shiver.

  Hawk slowly nodded. “Amen.”

  Jake rubbed his chin. “I think the DEA will offer a deal to Freddy, Juliet. Just so you know.”

  A relief that made her feel guilty swept through her. “I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m glad.”

  Jake’s eyes filled with understanding. “Family is still family.”

  The room started to crowd with concerned citizens and police officers. Excusing herself, Juliet stepped outside. She figured she’d walk home and do some thinking. Perhaps the next day she’d talk to Quinn.

  Did childhood insecurity hold her back?

  A deputy smoked outside his car. “Ms. Montgomery? Would you like a ride home?” He tossed the cigarette into a mud puddle and opened the back door. “The sheriff would ki
ck my butt if I let you walk home with a storm coming.”

  A chilly wind swept through her thin sweater. With a grateful nod, she slipped into the warm patrol car. “Thanks.”

  The deputy glanced over the seat. “This way the sheriff will know where to find you when the doc is finished stitching him up.” At his cocky grin, he pulled the car into the road.

  Juliet rolled her eyes. Now even his deputies attempted to matchmake. If they only understood that nothing swayed the stubborn sheriff. Nothing.

  …

  Juliet stretched her arms, much more comfortable in her yoga outfit. She’d changed the second the deputy had dropped her at home. It was a good thing she’d accepted the ride, considering her knees had started trembling within seconds of sitting down. Apparently the adrenaline rush took a while to dissipate.

  Flipping on the local radio station, she tried to relax.

  The empty apartment mocked her.

  Her heart ached an actual, physical, thumping of pain. Oh God. She was truly, absolutely, completely in love with Quinn Lodge.

  She wondered how Quinn was doing. Maybe she should’ve stayed at the hospital.

  Shame heated her face. The guy had taken a bullet for her, and she’d fled because she was too chicken to talk to him. She’d run away. Like always. Too afraid he’d reject her.

  But she’d needed to get away and think…the same way Quinn had said he needed time to think.

  Oh, God.

  Maybe he wasn’t finished with her—he just needed a second to breathe.

  A broadcaster interrupted a Garth Brooks song with an update about the sheriff being shot and a promise that there would be a press conference in a few minutes. Sheriff Quinn Lodge would be outside the sheriff’s building shortly.

  He’d gone back to work? After being shot? Irritation heated her skin. The damn man needed a keeper. Hell, he needed her.

  Sure, she’d lied to him—and she’d been stupid not to trust him. But everyone made mistakes.

  Damn it.

  He’d said he loved her.

  People who loved each other were supposed to forgive each other. Look at the meddling, pain-in-the-butt town. Everyone tripped over everyone else.

  But they forgave each other. Because they loved each other.

  Quinn Lodge was a good man—a good man who should be fought for.

  And Juliet Spazzoli was a hell of a fighter.

  She ripped open the outside door and stomped into the early evening. If the sheriff thought he could just screw her and dump her, then he was as stupid as Freddy.

  As she reached the curb, she almost collided with Mrs. Hudson and Henry Bullton.

  “Well, hello, dear.” Mrs. Hudson smiled, her powdered skin wrinkling. “Henry and I wanted to drop by and see if you’d like to go for a walk.” She pushed Juliet toward the sidewalk.

  Henry nodded. “The sheriff is about to give a talk.” Sliding a bony arm through Juliet’s, he tugged her away from the door.

  Two uniformed deputies jogged over from Kurt’s Koffees.

  Juliet stumbled. “Deputies Phillips and Baker? Are you looking for me?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Deputy Baker said. “We grabbed coffee and were headed to your place to escort you to the press conference.” He elbowed Deputy Phillips, who just shrugged.

  Juliet frowned. “How did you know I was going?”

  Phillips grinned. “We didn’t. But we thought we might talk you into it.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “I appreciate the support, but—”

  A SUV screeched to a stop, and Sophie, Loni, and Dawn hopped out.

  Dawn hustled over to assist Mrs. Hudson. “Oh, good. We thought we’d have to drag you to the sheriff’s station, Juliet.”

  Juliet dug in her heels. “Why are you all pushing me there?”

  Loni smiled. “I love my boy, but he’s a stubborn one. He’s hurt, you’re hurt, and there’s no time like the present to fix things.”

  Sophie skipped over a mud puddle. “Plus, he won’t exactly yell at you in front of cameras. Well, probably only one camera. But still.”

  Juliet’s mind spun as the group herded her down the street. They passed several blocks and picked up an even bigger crowd. Finally, they arrived at the sheriff’s office.

  Quinn stood on the top step, wearing a clean shirt and jeans. Several reporters and one cameraman had set up in front of him. His wet hair curled over his collar. His eyes were hard, his jaw set, and his shoulders impossibly wide. Slowly, one dark eyebrow rose when he noticed her.

  She sighed and stepped closer to him. “Can we talk?”

  The camera swung to her.

  “Now?” A crease deepened between his eyebrows as he took in the gathering townspeople.

  Loni nudged Juliet up the rest of the steps.

  She steeled her spine. “I’m sorry about getting you shot.” There. She’d said it.

  Jake slid into view. “I believe the sheriff would like to thank you for your help in setting up the drug dealers, Juliet.” Several people in the crowd nodded.

  Quinn loomed over her with an intimidating stance, apparently not giving a hoot about the election, cameras, or crowd. “You forgot to apologize for disobeying me and ending up in danger. I told you to stay at Jake’s until I picked you up today.”

  She glowered. “I don’t take orders from you, Sheriff.” Her gaze caught on the white bandage peeking out of the neck of his shirt. “Though I am truly very sorry you were shot.” She winced.

  “What part of ‘Don’t leave Jake’s until I come and get you’ did you not understand?” He was mad. Beyond mad. Fury filled the sheriff’s eyes…fury at her.

  Jake interjected again. “The woman wanted to help you catch a drug dealer. She’s a hero.”

  The crowd roared with a chorus of, “She’s a hero.”

  Good Lord. She swallowed. “I know. But you’re not perfect, either.”

  His gaze softened. “I know. And I really am sorry about last night.”

  “What happened last night, Sheriff?” a reporter asked.

  Juliet’s face heated.

  Quinn growled and glared at the reporter. “None of your damn business.”

  Juliet put her hands on her hips. A feminine instinct she hadn’t realized she had awakened. Determined. Ready to fight if necessary. Fight with him. More importantly—fight for him. He was everything she could ever want in this life…or the next. She leaned up and whispered into his ear, “You said you loved me.”

  “I do love you. Why didn’t you tell me the truth?” he whispered back. Something besides anger flashed in his eyes. Hurt. She’d hurt him.

  “We can’t hear you, Sheriff,” a reporter called.

  “No shit.” Quinn lifted his voice.

  The crowd rustled. A photographer flashed pictures.

  Juliet leaned into him. “At first, you were just the hard-core sheriff, and I didn’t know you. Then, when we became close, I’d already lied for so long. I didn’t want to lose you. Didn’t want to disappoint you.” She kicked her foot and watched a pebble roll away. “I’m sorry.”

  “Look at me, Juliet.”

  The low tone tingled through her body. Gathering her courage, she looked him right in the eye. “I really am sorry.”

  “Do you love me?”

  “Yes. I love you.”

  “No more lying?”

  “No.” Hope bloomed in her chest. “I promise.”

  “I love you, too.” He brushed a curl off her cheek. “I was heading to your place after this damn press conference.”

  Tingles lifted her smile. “You were?”

  “Of course. I’m not letting you get away, Juliet.” He tugged her close, and his mouth took hers.

  The spectators erupted in cheers.

  Epilogue

  Quinn parked the truck against a lodgepole pine, looking dashing in a black shirt and faded jeans. Maybe not dashing, but definitely handsome and stronger than the mountains around them.

  “My stomach is i
n knots.” Juliet smoothed her skirt.

  He glanced toward Loni and Tom’s sprawling ranch house. “Either I won or I lost and will run for sheriff next time. If I lost, I wouldn’t mind working the ranch a little harder. The guys seem to be slacking a bit.”

  Juliet smiled. “You’re overbearing.”

  His cheek creased. “So you’ve told me.”

  “Thank you for your help with the DEA.” She’d gotten immunity for anything she might have done and had supplied affidavits against Freddy and Luis. Freddy had made a deal to testify against Luis in exchange for a lenient sentence. Luis had pled out since the evidence was so strong.

  The criminal issue was over.

  Unfortunately, maybe Quinn’s career was, too.

  He slid from the driver’s seat and crossed around to open her door. After assisting her to the ground, he shut the door. “I thought this would be a nice place to chat.”

  She wobbled in her new boots. “Chat? Are you stalling, Sheriff? Let’s go inside to the party and see if you’ve been reelected or not.”

  “Yes, chat.” He shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. “My family means a lot to me and will always be in my business and in my life.”

  “Okay.”

  “So will the town, the reservation, and the entire county.” He tugged on his already open collar. “You need to understand my life.”

  Where in the world was he going with all of this? Perhaps he was more nervous about the election than he’d let on. “I do understand.”

  “Good.” He breathed out in relief. “In that case”— he dropped to one knee and yanked a small box out of his pocket—“will you marry me?”

  The world stopped spinning. Completely stopped. Nothing moved, nothing breathed. Juliet froze, her mind blank. Her knees quivered.

  Quinn opened to box to reveal a spectacular square diamond surrounded by intricate Celtic knots—all in platinum.

  Her breath whooshed out. Birds sprang to a loud chirping. The wind rustled around them. Joy filled her so completely she swayed. “Yes.”

  Relief filled his eyes followed by a huge smile splitting his face. “Yes.” He slid the ring on her finger and stood, gathering her close for a kiss that started sweet and ended deep.