Just one more session. Jesse spun back and forth in the swivel chair at his desk, trying to wipe the grin off his face before the office staff caught on. It was hard to believe that only a few short weeks ago, he’d started something he never wanted to do in the first place. Now he couldn’t be more grateful that he relented and got counseling. And met Leigh. They had something, a real something. She hadn’t quite come around yet. Being afraid of love for all those years would be a hard thing to overcome. But he’d be there to help her along for whatever she needed. Because he loved her. Sure, he thought he’d loved Morgan, or at least could love her, but this time, he knew it. He felt it deep in his soul, this need to see her, touch her, talk to her, to be by her side for whatever life threw at them. Kids, no kids, didn’t matter. They could adopt. But he didn’t need to think that far ahead.
Jesse got some coffee to clear his mind so he could fill out the morning’s paperwork before he went in for his last session with Leigh. The sheriff walked by, head down, face scrunched in worry. That wasn’t like him. He was usually a morning person.
“Hey, Sheriff, what’s up?” Jesse asked.
“Uh…” He scratched his balding head and wouldn’t look Jesse in the eye. “It’s nothing.”
“Are you sure? You can talk to—”
That time he did meet Jesse’s gaze with a fiery glare. “I told you, it’s nothing. If I knew these therapy sessions were going to turn you into a touchy-feely guy, I’d never have made you go. Now if you’ll excuse me…” He stalked into his office and slammed the door behind him. The shades on the door window rattled against the glass.
“Well, damn,” Jesse muttered, turning to Clara, who really should have retired about thirty years ago. No one knew her true age. Jesse would have guessed eight hundred or so. She was busy filing paperwork at the pace of an elderly woman with bad joints.
“Hey, Clara!”
She didn’t respond.
He rapped on the desk a couple of times. No response. He tried pounding on it, which shook every item on the desk like an earthquake. His big glass award for excellent service, aka a fancy paperweight, fell and rolled off the desk onto the worn linoleum. It landed on the floor with a thud, not broken, but the sound was loud enough to get her attention.
Her gaze honed in on the paperweight, then slowly rose to meet his. “That glass phallus thing fell off. Didn’t you hear it?”
Jesse chuckled, stood, and came around to pick up the paperweight. “It’s not a phallus, it’s an award.” Of course, the more he looked at it, the more phallus-like it became. He picked it up and stuck it in the desk drawer. “Hey, what’s going on with Sheriff?”
She squinted up at him and pushed her glasses up on her nose. “Same as usual, I’d say. That hussy wife of his is probably out running around.”
“Hmm.” He glanced at Sheriff’s closed door—another unusual behavior for a decidedly open-door officer of the law. “That might explain it.” He didn’t mention that his own brother could have been one of the guys she ran around with.
“He’s too pussy-whipped to kick her ass out,” Clara declared.
Jesse glanced at the office door again. Still closed. Clara’s volume had been stuck in high ever since she started losing her hearing. She’d also apparently lost her profanity filter, or maybe she was so old she just didn’t give a damn. Luckily, the office didn’t open until nine o’clock, so no other witnesses to Clara’s potty mouth were around. Yet.
“Okay, I’ll leave him alone for a while. I have an appointment to get to,” Jesse said, relieved to be out of Clara-range for a while.
“Is that what they’re calling it these days?”
Jesse patted her shoulder and made for the exit, deciding not to be an accessory to her foul mouth. “See you later. Don’t hurt yourself.”
He looked over his shoulder before he stepped out. She had gone back to her file sorting, but she raised her bent and wrinkled middle finger, flipping a geriatric bird right at him. Laughing, he proceeded to his car. No amount of old lady rude gestures could ruin his mood today. He would see the woman he loved in just a few minutes, and after that, she just might be his for good.
****
Leigh met Jesse at her office door. Before she let him inside, she glanced around then whispered, “I don’t think I need to tell you how important it is that we pretend we aren’t, you know…”
“No, I don’t know,” he whispered back with a wink. “Tell me what we are.”
“Later, but behave, okay? Just for an hour. Please?” She blinked up at him with her big brown eyes, sending his heart into overdrive.
“Okay, I’ll be good. Maybe.” But with those plump red lips of hers so close, he had a hard time keeping his hands to himself. He stuck them in his pockets to make them behave.
She wagged a finger at him, but her smile gave her away. Her gaze swept over him before she whispered very quietly, “By the way, you look good in a uniform, like, really good.”
He grinned, then went stone-faced and deepened his voice. “Thank you, ma’am. Shall we get started?”
She pressed her lips together as though holding in a laugh. If she didn't love him, she at least really liked him. He kind of wanted to skip into the room as he followed her inside, but decided that would be too obvious, not to mention unmanly.
They settled in their usual spots in the couch and armchair. He took off his hat and set it on the side table. Leigh tipped her head to the left and glanced up to one corner of the wall. Jesse followed her line of sight, pretending to yawn, and saw the camera mounted there with a blinking red light. He gave a quick nod to let her know he understood they had to act completely platonic.
“Well, we’ve come to our last session, Jesse, unless you think you need more counseling. Let’s evaluate where you are compared to where you’ve been.” She picked up her notebook and pen and read from her notes. “In our first session, you weren’t sleeping well. How are you sleeping now?”
“Like a baby, ma’am. One that’s sleeping through the night, that is.” His voice trailed off, realizing he’d mentioned babies, a topic that might cause Leigh a lot of pain.
She glanced up at him while she jotted something down, but otherwise didn’t seem upset. “Good. We came up with a list of ten names after determining that you were feeling a lot of guilt over your past behavior.” With an apologetic frown, her eyes met his briefly. She cleared her throat and focused on her notes again. “We set a goal for you to apologize and do something helpful for each of them. Have you been able to address everyone on there?”
“I still have three left, but I'm planning on taking care of that today.”
“How about the others on your list? Were they able to forgive you? Did they appreciate your kind gestures?”
“Let’s see…” He leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees. Leigh wore strappy sandals and capris that showed off her shapely calves and pedicured feet. He remembered how soft and smooth her foot had felt when it brushed against his as they sat on the dock.
“Jesse,” Leigh tapped her pen on her notebook and flicked her eyes toward the camera on the wall.
“Yeah, sorry. I was just trying to remember everything. It’s been a busy few weeks.”
She nodded her approval for his hasty excuse. “That’s okay, and remember, you don’t have to tell me any specifics if you don’t want to.”
“That’s nice of you, ma’am.” Her eyebrow arched at that, so he sat up straight and scratched his jaw, staring solemnly at his lap. “Well, a lot of them went wrong. So, I’m not sure how helpful I was.”
“That’s okay. Focus on the positive, only on the things that went right.”
“There was Mrs. Donner. I fed her dog while she was away and also saved his life.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, long story. There was Garrett Mann—I spilled all their paint, but helped him with some renovations. Then there was Reverend Simpson. I let him out of a speeding ticket. Of course, because of that, I had to take Mrs. Burton shopping and bathe her ornery Chihuahua. And Marge Richardson, she threw candy at me and burst into tears in the waiting room, but I called her up later, and she accepted my apology. Then I took her to a cooking class.” With every positive he listed, he realized that he had been more help than harm. As usual, Leigh knew how to show him the brighter side of things.
Leigh didn’t say anything for a while. He raised his eyes to find her staring right at him with a soft smile and tears in her eyes.
She cleared her throat again before scribbling something quickly in her notebook. “Sounds to me like you did a lot of good, Jesse. How do you feel about that?”
“Good. Really good. You’ve made a new man out of me.”
“You did that, remember? I simply gave you some tools to get there quicker.”
“Thank you, then. For everything.”
Leigh’s mouth curved into a sweet smile. “That’s my job. Do you feel as though we need to continue our sessions?”
“No, I think we’re good. I’ll be on my way. Maybe I’ll see you around town.”
“Maybe. I wish you all the best, Jesse. Let me show you out.”
She went to the door and opened it, standing on one side of the threshold, leaning against the doorjamb, well out of camera view. Jesse walked out and leaned against the other side. They both scanned the reception area and her boss’s nearby office for any activity. No one stirred. As if on cue, they both dove in for a quick kiss. It was all Jesse could do to pull himself away.
“I’ll see you soon?” he whispered.
“Soon. I have a couple more appointments today.” She twisted her mouth to one side, hugging herself as though worried about something.
“What is it?”
“Nothing, just a challenging client is coming in after you. He…he scares me a little.”
Jesse’s protective instincts kicked in. “How so? You want me to hang around in case of trouble?”
“No. Dr. Gadbury is supposed to be watching from the camera in his office. But don’t worry. I’ll call you as soon as I’m finished today, okay? You better get back to work.”
He gave a reluctant nod. “Okay. Call me if you need me before then. And be careful.”
He swooped in and gave her a peck on the cheek. Good timing, too, since Becky the receptionist came out of the restroom just then, the echo of a flushing toilet behind her. Jesse had already passed the receptionist desk before she stopped adjusting her skirt and noticed him.
“Oh, hi, Deputy Maddox, how are you?” She fluffed her permed hair and batted her eyes.
The best way to answer was short and sweet. “Fine, thanks. Last session. Take care.”
He headed out before she could start talking about her addiction to Cops. Back at the car, he unlocked the door and climbed in. Glancing in the rearview mirror, he knew he’d have to wipe the shit-eating grin off his face before he got back to the office. A navy-blue Lexus sat in front of the adjoining hardware store. He’d seen that car before, but where? He backed out, then drove past it slowly enough to read the license plate: SEXY CHIC. There was only one woman with that license plate in their county. But why would Penny Stanton be at the hardware store? Maybe she was picking up something for the animal clinic. Or banging one of the store employees. More likely the latter.
If Clara was right, no wonder Sheriff was in such a foul mood. Jesse felt bad for him. He deserved to be treated better than that. Jesse made it back to the office, ready to finish up some paperwork and try not to count the hours until he could see Leigh again.
Clara stood behind the counter in front of the computer and aimed the camera at a bearded man in a chair. “I wouldn’t recommend you carry your pistol in your pants. My ex-husband shot his balls off like that.”
The guy went slack-jawed, his eyes bulging. Clara snapped the picture.
No wonder half the licenses Jesse had asked for during traffic stops had people who looked shocked as hell or red-faced. He shook his head and continued to his desk. Sheriff had emerged from his office and hovered near the coffeepot, pouring a heap of creamer into a cup.
He glanced up at Jesse. “Hey, sorry about earlier. How did your last session go?”
“Good. Real good. I…” He almost mentioned that he and Leigh were probably going to start dating, but clammed up and blurted something even stupider. “I saw Penny’s car in front of Bits ‘N Bolts hardware store.”
A scalded shade of red climbed up Sheriff’s neck and face. His hand trembled, and he sat the creamer down with a thump.
“She’s probably getting something for the animal clinic,” Jesse added.
“Bullshit. Where’s your hat?”
Jesse patted his head, feeling like an idiot, but what was new? “I must have left it in Leigh’s office.”
“All right, then let’s go fetch it.” Sheriff went into his office, then returned, stuffing his own hat on his head, the brim so low it almost hid his eyes. He always meant business when he did that. It usually resulted in someone getting arrested.
“I’ll drive.” Jesse hurried after him to the patrol car, sliding into the driver’s seat.
Sheriff buckled up in the passenger seat and gave one firm nod. Jesse knew that signal, too. It meant don't waste any time. He started up the car and flirted with the speed limit, but still observed the stoplights and signs. He couldn’t turn on his lights and siren unless he was responding to a call.
His phone beeped in its holder on the dash. He glanced at the text. It was from Leigh. Only one word: Help.
“Sorry, Sheriff, but we gotta move it.” Jesse turned on his siren and lights and stepped on the gas, flying down the highway toward the main drag of town and the strip mall where Leigh’s counselor office and Bits ‘N Bolts resided. He had to stay calm so he didn’t hit anyone or run off the road. But all he could think about was Leigh. Someone might be hurting her right now. If he didn’t get there in time…
Sheriff gripped the door handle and the edge of his seat. “My wife ain’t worth breaking the law. Slow the hell down!”
Jesse didn’t answer. He kept his eyes on the road and quickly swiveled the phone around so Sheriff could see it.
The older man leaned in and squinted at it, then sat back in his seat. “Is that from your therapist?”
“Yes, damn it!” Jesse pounded the dash with his fist, swallowing back the rage threatening to destroy his common sense. "I'm sorry."
"What’s it mean?"
“It means she’s in trouble. She told me about a client that scares her, and she was supposed to see him today. I told her to call if she needs me. She needs me.”
“In that case, just get us there in one piece.”
Jesse felt his boss's stare. The sheriff had realized how Jesse felt about Leigh. That didn’t matter now. All that mattered was getting to her in time.
The drive usually took about ten minutes, but he made it in four. It still seemed like an eternity. Jesse screeched into the parking lot and skidded to a stop in front of her office. He kept the lights on but turned off the siren, wrestled himself from his seat belt, and bolted out the door before Sheriff had even unbuckled.
Jesse wrenched open the glass entry door. Electronic chimes screeched as he ran inside. He released the thumb break on his holster and drew his gun. Becky stood from her desk, the phone and earbuds dangling until they popped out of her ears. The phone clattered onto her desk.
She paled, her eyes big as saucers. “W-what’s going on?”
“Is Leigh in her office?”
“Y-yes.” She pointed a shaky finger toward the door. “She’s w-with a client.”
He nodded then ran down the short hallway, disengaging the safety. The door chimes sounded again. Jesse glanced over his shoulder. Sheriff was there, his gun in both hands, pointed at the floor.
Jesse knocked, just in case he’d been wrong and hoping to God he was. “Sheriff’s Department! Is everything okay in there?”
The thump of falling objects hitting the floor, followed by Leigh’s plea, “Jesse!” was all the signal he needed. He turned the knob, thankful it wasn’t locked, and flung the door open.
Sheriff filed in behind him.
Fear ran a cold current down Jesse's spine. “Drop the weapon!”
A man in dirty overalls had Leigh backed into a corner, a knife to her throat. Jesse and the sheriff aimed their guns right at him, but they couldn’t fire and risk hitting Leigh. The man slowly turned his head and looked back at them. His eyes were wild, his face scrunched in a snarl, showing decayed and missing teeth.
Jesse recognized him then. He’d been out to his house a few times when neighbors complained about his hogs getting loose and ransacking their gardens. He’d also been out there when Mitch had called to report someone banging on his windows and doors and another time when he swore people were fighting in his basement. Either his house had some asshole ghosts or Mitch had a screw loose. Jesse bet on the latter.
Mitch shook all over. His lips twitched before he spoke again, spit flying. “She won’t get the voices out of my head. I think she put them there. If I kill her, they’ll be gone.”
“No, Mitch. Killing her won’t solve anything. Drop the knife!” Jesse flicked his gaze to Leigh. The terror in her eyes hit him right in the core. His chest felt heavy, his breaths coming in shaky gasps. But he had to keep it together.
The man had a handful of her hair and held tight, forcing her head against the wall, exposing her throat. A drop of blood trickled down to her shirt collar.
Jesse’s jaw tightened. He stood firmly in place, resisting the urge to run to her. His finger hugged the trigger, itching to fire. He wanted to kill this man. It had been years since he had felt this kind of rage, spurred on by fear. But he was a boy back then. He had to get his anger under control. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to breathe deeply.
“Drop it, Mitch!” Sheriff yelled. “We’re not here to hurt you. We’ll get you some help.”