Pros & Cons (9 page)

The patrolman takes his sweet time as he strolls toward my driver’s side. I take a deep breath and roll down the window.

“License and registration, please.”

Relief courses through me. Even though the glare of his flashlight blinds me, and I can’t see his face, I would recognize that voice anywhere.

“Damn it, Shane, get your flashlight out of my face.”

“Well, well, well.” He turns his flashlight around, and there he is, all white teeth and broad shoulders. He’s more muscular than I remember. “Jenna York. Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes. To what do we owe the honor?”

I roll my eyes. “Cut it out, Shane.”

“This could make my career. Rookie sheriff nabs the world-class thief. Hell, I could run for governor.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Why would you want to be governor?”

“You’re right. I’ll be a hero. Might as well run for president.”

He sounds entirely too amused to be taken seriously, so I decide to play along.

“And then you’ll pardon me so that I don’t rot in prison for the rest of my life?”

“Of course.” Shane chuckles, and I breathe a sigh of relief as he leans against the window. “It’s good to see you, Jenna.”

“You, too. Look, I’m on a tight schedule. Just write me a ticket. I’ll be happy to pay—”

He laughs. “I’m not gonna write you a ticket. But what are you doing running ninety through a school zone anyway?”

“I don’t know. I guess because it’s midnight and I figure school’s out?”

Shane smiles.

“You look good, Jenna.”

“Yeah, you too.” The flashlight suddenly gives me a glimpse of the wedding ring on his left hand. “Who’s the lucky girl?”

He looks confused, so I point toward his hand.

“Oh. I ended up marrying Beth about a month after you left for college. Hank didn’t tell you?”

“No, but I never asked. Congratulations.”

The crackle of his police radio keeps things from getting too awkward. He answers it, and I nervously glance at the clock on the dash.

“Gotta go. Accident down on Avery Road.”

Whew.

“It was good to see you, Shane. Thanks for . . . well, you know.”

He grins. “Yeah, I know. You can thank your old man for this little intervention, by the way. I told him it wouldn’t work.”

“My dad put you up to this?”

“Don’t be mad at him. He didn’t want me to arrest you or anything. Just wanted me to put a little fear in you. He worries about you.”

How dare my father tell the sheriff I’m in town—even if the sheriff is my ex-boyfriend? I’m very tempted to make this my last trip home.

“Please try to drive the speed limit, Jenna. The next cop might not be as friendly.”

I grin. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks, Shane.”

We say goodbye, and after sending a quick text to Ethan to tell him I’m running late, I head back out on the highway. Like a good girl, I drive the speed limit all the way to the interstate.

“So, where are we going?”

“You said you wanted to be surprised.”

“I changed my mind. Give me a hint.”

“Go to sleep, York.”

“I’m not tired.”

I’m actually beyond the point of exhaustion and too tired to sleep. When we boarded the plane, Gabriel had given us a bottle of wine and two glasses. We’d made quick work of the bottle, and it became obvious that Ethan Summers can’t hold his liquor. He’s already dozed off twice. But not me. I’m restless and need someone to talk to.

I unsnap my seatbelt and stand up. “Fine. I guess I’ll go flirt with Gabe. I bet he’ll welcome me into his cockpit.”

With a low growl, Ethan’s eyes shoot open. He reaches for my hand and pulls me onto his lap. Our faces are so close; his blue eyes wide open now. I take a deep breath and resist the urge to kiss him . . . something I’ve wanted to do since I boarded the plane.

“You aren’t going anywhere near his cockpit. Now go to sleep.”

“You’re so bossy.”

Ethan’s arms tighten around me, and the way my body melts against his freaks me out just a little. I don’t know how, but that kiss had somehow catapulted our relationship into this weird alternate universe where it now felt completely normal to be sitting on his lap. Here in his arms, I feel comfortable. Safe. And safe is something I rarely feel.

While he naps, I give myself permission to watch him sleep. Despite the fact he’s gorgeous, he’s also funny, smart, and capable of keeping up with me and my crazy need to always be on the move. I can never sit still for too long, and considering the way he’s whisking me away on his plane on a moment’s notice, I can only assume he has the same restless spirit.

I lay my head against his chest and close my eyes. I have no idea where he’s taking me or what will happen when we get there, but for the first time in a very long time, I’m willing to let someone else call the shots.

And it’s not so bad.

“You have a house?”

“I have a house.”

The mountaintop cabin is big and beautiful and rustic, but this isn’t just some little cabin in the woods. It’s two stories, with a porch that winds all the way around the house. The windows reach to the ceiling, and a rock chimney stands like a statue as it rises into the sky. There’s a river that runs right next to the property.

The birds are singing, the sun is shining, and I am in love.

With the house.

Just the house.

And I haven’t even seen the inside yet.

“Where are we?”

“In the Smoky Mountains.”

“Tennessee or North Carolina?”

“Tennessee.”

“You have a house. In Tennessee.”

“Yep. Do you like it?” I can hear the quiet hope in his voice. For some reason, it’s important to him that I like the place. Looking around at the lush green trees and the beautiful mountains, how could I not love it?

“It’s beautiful, Ethan.”

He beams and offers me his hand. “Wanna see the inside?”

Without thinking twice, I take his hand and follow him through the front door. Unbelievably, the interior is just as beautiful. With its sleek hardwood floors and big comfy chairs, what appears to be a mansion on the outside is actually a cozy, warm house.

“You actually have a real home.”

Ethan chuckles and pulls me toward one of the sofas. I slip off my shoes before joining him on the couch.

“Don’t you have a place to crash?”

“Abby and I have a few apartments scattered here and there, but nothing that would actually be considered a home.”

His face grows thoughtful. “Don’t you want one?”

“I never thought it was possible. How do you do it?”

We all know staying in one place too long and planting roots is a dangerous dream when you’re a thief. It boggles my mind that he’s managed to do it.

“I didn’t for a long time,” he says. “Coop and I crashed wherever. Motels, apartments . . . anywhere we could find a spare couch. But it got old, you know? I wanted a place to hide. A place to be
me
. Not Ethan Summers, the con artist. Just me.”

“And you aren’t afraid of being found?”

He shrugs. “There isn’t a neighbor within a twenty mile radius. Besides, I’m never here for an extended period of time. I can’t sit still that long.”

“I know the feeling.”

I’m amazed. Ethan has managed to build something permanent and lasting in a life that’s filled with danger and uncertainty.

I’m jealous.

I glance around the spacious room, and that’s when I see a guitar case in the corner.

“Do you play?”

“A little. I’m not very good.”

I stifle a yawn. “You should play something for me.”

Ethan laughs and reaches for a strand of my hair, absent-mindedly twirling a lock around his finger. “Are you finally tired?”

“Not at all. I’m just going to curl up on this big couch in this warm house and close my eyes for a few minutes while you play me a song.”

He grins and walks over to his guitar. Making myself at home, I slide down and stretch out, resting my head against one of the square pillows. Ethan sits in a nearby recliner and begins to play. I close my eyes, letting the soft strains of the haunting song wrap around me like a warm blanket.

With mountain sunlight streaming in through the curtains and with Ethan by my side, I finally give my body permission to sleep.

I’ve never shown my house to anyone. Not even to Coop. It’s my hiding place. My sanctuary. Why I felt compelled to share it with Jenna is still a mystery, but I don’t regret it. The happiness on her face was totally worth it.

When she’d told me to surprise her, the cabin had immediately come to mind, and I’d made the preparations without thinking twice. Gabe, of course, had been thrilled, but I knew if I could keep the two of them separated until we reached the mountains, I could then have her all to myself.

I place my guitar back in its case and look over at the couch. I’m not surprised to find her fast asleep. The sunlight dances on her skin and shimmers against the highlights in her hair. I watch the little specks of light with envy.

I wish I could touch her that easily.

Little specks of light?
I’m losing my mind.

Knowing she’ll sleep for a while, I walk out onto the porch and sit in my rocking chair. This is my favorite thing about the cabin—the wrap-around porch with the view of the Smokies. It’s the one place—the only place—I can truly relax.

My cell vibrates in my pocket. I don’t even bother checking the ID. For this phone, only two people have the number, and one of them is sleeping peacefully on my couch.

“I can’t believe you and Abby have finally come up for air.”

Coop laughs. “She’s sleeping.”

“How ironic. Her partner is doing the same thing.”

“Oh? And how would you know that?”

Shit.

“We’re . . . kind of on vacation.”

“Together?”

“Yeah.”

There’s a moment of dead silence, and then my best friend explodes with laughter.

“You’re gonna wake your woman,” I grumble.

“You and Jenna finally sealed the deal. I’m proud, man.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Then what’s it like?”

Good question. “I don’t know. I guess it’s . . . undefined at the moment.”