Dead Heat (23 page)

Paige’s first reaction was to leap out of bed and jump up and down. But, when she tried to move fast, her legs shrieked in opposition. She had to settle for throwing her arms around Cole’s neck. She smiled into his neck as he held her tight against him.

“I’ll take the whole lot of them, even the world’s ugliest dog.” Chuck thumped his tail as Cole untied the ribbon. “Good work, boy.” He slid the ring off the ribbon and into his hand.

Paige looked at it lying in the middle of his large palm. It looked so small, but it meant so much. He picked it up and slid it onto her finger. She held up her hand and watched as the diamond sparkled. She had loved the rings Dani and Kenna had gotten, but this one fit her. It wasn’t small, it wasn’t large, and it wasn’t ornate. It was just simply beautiful.

She leaned forward and threw her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss he wouldn’t forget. Her lips moved on his and she felt him open his mouth to her tongue. She ran her fingers through his black hair as she pulled him closer. As her breasts brushing against his chest, he moaned and ran his own hand through her hair. With their lips never parting, Cole pushed her down onto the bed put all his love, worry, and relief into the kiss as his hands pulled her shirt over her head. She answered his kiss with one of her own as she unzipped his pants and shoved them down his hips.

Paige sat on Cole’s lap in bed with a homemade milkshake in her hand to celebrate. She couldn’t take her eyes off the ring. It was so perfect for her. It felt as if it was made for her.

“Cole, can I ask you something?”

“Sure, sweetheart.”

“What happened last night? It was like you couldn’t get away from me fast enough and then this.” She wiggled her hand to watch the diamond flash.

“I was worried you would catch on to my plan. I knew the second I scooped you up into my arms in the field yesterday that I could never let you go again. I was frantic. The only thing I cared about was asking you to marry me. I couldn’t wait to plan something romantic. I just had to ask you.”

“Yeah.” He blushed slightly as if he was embarrassed. “I had to get the ring. It’s tradition in my family for the eldest son to have his mother’s ring. The ring has been passed down for six generations.”

“Really? But what about your mother?” His mother must be heartbroken to lose her ring.

“I wouldn’t worry about my mother. The women started another tradition. When it came time to relinquish the ring, they get a new, bigger one. Something about putting in the time and deserving it!”

“So, for six generations, this very ring has been passed down?”

“Yup. It belonged to my great great, great, great grandfather. It’s around one hundred and fifty years old. My ancestor was an English carpenter and bought this ring before heading to America right after the Civil War. He wanted a new life and knew America needed a lot of hard working men after losing so many in the war. So, he bought the ring and carried it with him across the ocean. He had heard that the area surrounding Murfreesboro had been annihilated by the war. The cities were in ruin and men were in short order. Being in his late thirties and still unmarried, he figured his odds were pretty good. Once he landed in America, he headed to Murfreesboro. He was instantly hired to rebuild the Methodist Church. While working there, he met the preacher’s daughter and fell in love.

They had eight children. When the eldest son came home from a dance and told his mother he had met a girl he wanted to marry, she took off her ring and handed it to him. Told him it had brought her and his father so much good luck she wanted to pass it on to him. My great, great, great grandfather and his wife had six children before passing the ring on. The ring was passed on through the generations until now.”

“So, what happens if we don’t have a boy?”

“I wouldn’t worry about it. Between your family and mine, I think it’s in the genes.” Cole stopped and held her hand in his, looking at the ring on her finger. “So, is this better than the vacuum?”

Paige laughed and leaned her head back to give him a kiss. “Let me just show you how much better!”

Chapter Eighteen

Paige woke up with a smile. They had spent yesterday in bed together. They watched movies, ate ice cream, drank champagne, and made love all afternoon. She opened her eyes and rolled over to look at the clock. Nine thirty! Oh crap, she had to get moving. After this weekend, today would be the busiest day of the year. Everyone would be stopping in to hear about the Davies Shoot Out as the deputies had been calling it.

Paige swung her legs over the side of the bed and gingerly tried to put some weight on them. It hurt, but not enough to stop her from slowly making her way to the bathroom for a nice, hot shower.

She opened the shower door and saw Cole standing there with his arms crossed over his chest and his cop face on.

“What do you think you are doing?” Cole asked.

Paige gave him a quick look and wondered if this was a trick question. She looked down at her naked self and back up to Cole’s glare. “Um, I am pretty sure I was taking a shower.”

“They told you not to get the stitches wet for three days. You need to get back to bed. Now.”

Oh, well that did it. Paige wiggled her toes in the trash bags that she had put on to keep her feet dry and gave him a look that told him to shove it.

“I have a store to run, a store that will have one of its most profitable business days of the year thanks to the nosey people of my town. However, I have to say, at least they buy something when they come in to gossip. And just because this beautiful, amazing ring is on my finger and just because I love you to pieces, does not mean you get to order me around, thank you very much.” Paige reached past him and grabbed the towel from the rack and started to dry off.

“I will run the store. You get back into bed and rest those feet. Paige, I say this because I love you and I don’t like to see you hurting.”

Oh, sneaky. There was no way she could stay mad at him for that. “I’ll make you a deal. If you will help me with the store today, then I will stay off my feet. However, I insist you set me up downstairs.”

“Deal.”

Paige sat in a chair with her feet up behind the counter. After a call was placed to Betty Jo for emergency support, Paige had managed to get the store open just thirty minutes late. Cole stocked shelves, Betty Jo worked on sales, and Paige rang up the purchases.

“OOOHHH! Here she is! The lovely bride-to-be!” The Rose sisters sang as they came through the door.

Paige looked around and then realized they were talking to her. They couldn’t be though. She hadn’t told anyone. Cole had called her parents and invited the whole family over for dinner. However, her mom had pointed out the problems with the whole family eating at her place and had instead invited them over to her house. She was going to tell her family at dinner tonight.

“Me?”

“Of course you, silly. Show us the ring!” Miss Lily grabbed her hand and turned the diamond ring up.

“How do you all know? I haven’t told anyone.” Paige tried to get them to keep their voice down, but they blatantly ignored the hint.

“Oh honey, everyone knows,” Miss Daisy told her. Paige looked up to the packed house and saw everyone nod and smile.

“Your mom has been calling everyone. You’re the first one in the family to get married. She couldn’t be happier,” Miss Violet piped in.

“I even put ten dollars on May 23rd.”

Paige turned and stared at Mrs. Wyatt and her white face and bright red lipstick. “What?” Maybe Mrs. Wyatt was confused and thought they were talking about something else.

“For the baby pool. I’m betting on a quick wedding.” She winked, which was lost under the wide brim of her hat.

“Baby pool?” Paige stammered.

“Sure, over at the Café. They have a baby pool going.” Paige shot her eyes over to the Rose sisters who were suddenly very interested in the jewelry on the other side of the store. Just as guiltily, Cole came over taking an interest in the countertop.

“But, your brother Pierce needs to have his butt kicked.” Paige just stared him down as Cole started to fidget with the pins for sale. “Well, as soon as I got back from Tennesse, I guess it was around five thirty in the morning. I stopped by your parents’ house to talk to your dad.

While I was out on the porch with your dad asking his permission to marry you, Pierce woke up your mom and called all your brothers. Within ten minutes, your mom, Miles, Marshall, Cade, Pierce, and even Cy via video conference on the laptop, were all out on the porch with me. They asked me how much money I make, about my job security, where we’ll live. It was the toughest interrogation I have seen.” Cole reached across the counter and tweaked her nose. “You're worth it though.”

Paige smiled and held out her arms. Cole came around the counter and hugged her as the older women came back around the counter cooing. Could life get any better?

“Aw, how cute, the shop owner is marrying the stock boy.” Kandi sashayed into the shop. She sure did have great timing. It was like some homing device she had to ruin a good day.

Paige tried to stand up, but Cole placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Paige looked up at him and saw his silver eyes dance and a smile reach from ear to ear.

“You mean you don’t know who I am, Cindy?”

Paige stifled a laugh that Miss Lily didn’t feel the need to muffle. Paige looked around the shop and saw all the customers slowly move towards the counter to be able to hear and see the action better.

“It’s Kandi, you silly goose. And of course I know who you are. You are the clerk who slept his way to the top.” Kandi laughed at her own joke. “My, you work fast!” She gave him a wink as the collective crowd gasped. Cole just laughed.

“How are you the only person in town who doesn’t know who Cole is?” Paige asked. A smile began to creep across her lips. Maybe Kandi wouldn’t ruin her day after all.

“I just said I know him.” Kandi put her hands on her hips and stuck out her floatation devices. She was smiling as if she just won the lottery. Oh, Paige was going to have fun with this.

“No, I mean, how are you the only person in town that doesn’t know that Cole is a Special Agent for the FBI?” Paige sat back in her chair and grabbed Cole’s hand.

“FBI?” Kandi sputtered.

“Actually, sweetheart, I have been meaning to tell you something. Since bringing down the ring of corruption in Congress and the judicial system, and catching an internationally wanted assassin with your wonderful help, the Director of the FBI has made me the Special Agent in Charge of the Lexington Office.”

Congratulations filled the room as Kandi made her departure unnoticed. Kandi didn’t matter anymore. As Paige reached up and brought his lips to hers she realized high school was finally over and she had a new life to start with a man she loved.

After a long celebration at her parents’ home, they drove back to her place for another private celebration. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other. After making love, again, she laid her head on his bare chest. She ran her hand over his flat stomach and through the light sprinkling of dark chest hair. She listened to the strong rhythm of his heart beat as she explored his chest.

“Cole, you mentioned that my parents asked about our plans for the future.” She heard the rumble in his chest of agreement and continued, “So, I was wondering, what did you tell them?” They had not discussed the future past getting engaged. She guessed it was irresponsible, but the feeling of peace and contentment told her it was okay.

“Well, with my promotion, I will be running the office. I will be in the field less, but on call more. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. I feel much better having you answer the phone as opposed to going into the field.”

“I am glad. It also comes with a nice pay raise. A pay raise that’s nice enough to buy the house that’s for sale around the corner. The one with the large fenced yard perfect for Chuck and as many kids as possible.”

“That sounds like a dream come true,” Paige sighed as she snuggled closer.

“I can pinch you to see if you wake up.” Cole laughed as he pinched her bottom.

She smacked his hand away and laughed. “If this is a dream, then I don’t want to ever wake up,” Paige murmured as Cole ran his hand slowly up and down her back.

“Sweetheart, we have the rest of our lives to dream. But right now, I want you awake for what I am going to do to you.” Cole grinned before kissing her again and she decided dreaming was overrated compared to her new life with Cole. Maybe her mother was right after all!

Chapter Nineteen

One Month Later…

Paige reached over to her left and linked her hand with Dani’s. Dani similarly linked her other hand with Kenna. They each squeezed each other’s hands in a sign of support.

“You girls ready for this?” Kenna asked as she looked at her best friends.