Page 26

And he kisses me.

It’s this powerful, deep kiss that goes right between my legs like a lightning bolt.

There’s no tongue, not yet.

The compression of his lips, capturing mine, is enough to send me spiraling into this needy vortex where I just have to have more.

I’m desperate.

My tongue dips out and slides between his, and that’s when the growl that rumbles off Dodger’s chest makes my pussy clench.

That’s when one of his hands snatches my waist and begins kneading the skin there.

That’s when I know, Dodger, one way or another, is going to be my future husband. My country girl knows I’d be marrying a man who knew the same walk of life I do. I’ve dreamt of a future with Dodger on and off for years.

But, as of late, and the more single he was, my brain won’t come up with anything different. He’s a good man who doesn’t play games, and tack on that he’s smart, handsome, and can help someone on his day off, that’s the kind of man I want warming my bed and coming home to me at night.

Breaking the kiss, I don’t want to, but I know my daddy is still on my property, and I can only get away with so much.

I don’t want questions yet.

I don’t want him thinking Dodger is taking advantage of me because he’s been at my house lately.

I just wish for this, all by myself, for now.

“Happy?” I whisper, needing to fill the air with something else other than my heavy breathing.

“I will be,” he replies evenly, and I don’t remotely know what that means when he jerks his head back to the house. “Let’s order your dad some food before his blood sugar goes too low.”

Then he turns, and it takes me a second to follow when I do, but nothing that just happened is lost on my mind for the rest of the day.

He talks to Bobbie Jo and my dad like he didn’t just rock my whole world.

And I’m bound and determined to do the same to his.

7

DODGER

“Adeline, what the hell are ya doin’ now?”

I swear, for as much as this woman works, she still finds time to drive me absolutely insane with the phone calls I get that involve her.

And, normally, it’s her on the other end of them. However, today, I’ve had several reports that she’s sitting in front of Town Hall, alone in a folding chair with a sign that says “Save The Abandoned Animals,” and she’s starting to scare people.

She’s been hollering, apparently, at passing folks to open their eyes and take in a pet, and she acts like we have stray animals all over the damn place. Like we’re a dumping ground for animals people don’t want.

“Bringin’ to light the animals that are gonna be affected by that big storm comin’ up.”

I look heavenward, wishing for that storm right now. It’d be the easiest and quickest way to get her out of here.

Nonetheless, here I am, answering the disturbance and another crazy thing Adeline is doing. The storm we’re supposed to get hit with comes with big winds that can turn into tornadoes and heavy rain in two days. Folks have been boarding and getting ready in case of power outages and any falling trees that may cause damage.

But all is peaceful, and folks are handling it like they always do.

Adeline is over here stirring up panic like Magnolia Ridge may fly off the map along with all the animals.

“You’re about to be under arrest if ya don’t move it along,” I tell her, to which I get pinched brows of confusion and then a scowl that hints I’m being a hardass on her for no reason.