Bryce stood as soon as the chief of Holland Springs’s police force entered his office.

“Detective Fitzpatrick,” the chief said, holding out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet the man behind the stellar application.”

Bryce smiled and shook the man’s hand, but he kept his demeanor cool. He didn’t want to be too overzealous. Otherwise, he’d drop to his knees and beg the man for a job.

He’d been doing everything he could to see, or at least talk to, Kayla regularly, but three weeks of not touching her was fucking torture. Then again, three weeks of convincing her that he was he wasn’t going to let her down was completely worth it. And the look on her face when he showed her the job application link—once he’d filled it out—was fucking beautiful.

“Thank you, sir. And thanks for closing the job opening so quickly on the website.”

Chief Ambrose smiled, his brown eyes shrewd. “I don’t believe in wasting time.”

“Couldn’t agree more, sir.”

The older gentleman gestured for Bryce to have a seat.

“I’ve brought more references like you requested,” Bryce began. Although he thought it a little much, he didn’t give a damn how many hoops he had to jump through, if in the end, it meant he could be with Kayla.

“We’ll take a look at those in a minute, but first... Son, I’d like know what your intentions are with my daughter.”

Bryce nearly swallowed his tongue. “Your what?” he managed to say without stuttering.

“My daughter. Kayla. About this tall,” he held his hand up in the air, “dirty-blonde hair and brown eyes. Freckles on her nose. Makes a mean crab cake. Looks just like her mother—thank God.”

“I didn’t know.” Holy shit, he didn’t have a fucking clue. Mother Mary and all the Saints. He fought the urge to cross himself.

“You didn’t know what?”

“That you’re her dad.”

Kayla’s dad nodded. “She’s a private person.”

If he hadn’t realized that before, he sure as hell got the memo now. But it didn’t change things. “I love your daughter, sir. It’s why I applied for a lateral transfer.”

His lips flattened. “Were you the one who got that rat bastard of an ex of hers behind bars?”

Bryce inclined his head. “One of many.”

“Humble and enjoys teamwork.” Chief Ambrose cocked his head to one side. “I knew your grandparents. Good people.”

“Thanks.”

Chief  smiled. “Ready to get down to brass tacks?”

“Yes, sir.” Bryce had no idea what the man meant, but he thought it meant cutting through the bullshit.

“I have a position available. Pay’s not bad, but probably not what you’re used to.”

“Money’s not an issue,” he countered. “I’m here because I love what I do, but I also love your daughter. I plan on marrying her.”

“Plan, huh? A lot of men plan. Very few follow through.” The man’s smile turned serious. “I can’t have her hurt again. Not even by a fellow as outstanding as you are. You’re good detective, but I’m older and could give a good damn about procedure when it comes to her. You understand what I’m saying, son?”

Yeah, her dad was going to kill him. Bury him three miles out in the sound, and no one would ever be the wiser. “I already bought the ring,” he blurted.

“Excellent.” He raised his voice, calling out to his secretary. “Close the door, will you, Helen? Detective  Fitzpatrick and I have some details to iron out.”

***  ***  ***

Kayla sat on the hood of her VW Bug and waited for Bryce to finish his interview with her dad. She felt a tiny bit guilty about not telling him before he went in, but he’d been so confident over the phone that she couldn’t take that away from him.

The doors to the station opened and Bryce came marching out, a look of grim determination on his face. His eyes searched the parking lot, narrowing when they settled on her.

“You,” he said, striding to her.

Despite the fact that her heart was jumping up and down in her chest, she stayed her ground and smiled. “It’s me. Thought I’d surprise you and—”

Grabbing her by the back of the neck, he devoured her mouth. He kissed her until her toes curled and her hands sought out his body.

All too soon, he pulled away. “You should have told me.”

“My dad’s the chief of police for Holland Springs. Surprise!”

He laughed, leaning his forehead on hers. “When I found out, I thought he was going to kill me.”

“It’s a natural reaction.” She looped her arms around his neck. “What did y’all talk about?”

“My job.”

She squealed. “You got the job? Well, duh, of course you got the job. Ohmigod, that’s awesome. Are you sure? I mean, you’ve giving up a lot to move here and be with me.”

Bryce scratched his jaw. “I don’t know about that. Apparently, your dad is looking for someone to groom for his job, and who better than his future son-in-law.”

“His what?”

Bryce dropped down on one knee and pulled out a blue box wrapped in a white bow. “I was planning on saving this for later, but I was persuaded by the powers that be that right now is perfect.”

Kayla covered her mouth with her hands as tears of astonishment and joy began to fall down her cheeks. “Yes!”

“But I haven’t asked.”

“Doesn’t matter. Yes.” She joined him on the ground, wrapping her arms around him and peppering his face with kisses. “Yes now, and when you ask me again later, like you planned, I’ll say yes again.”

“Sassy little thing,” he said affectionately.

“You’re going to love it here,” she promised.

He kissed her passionately, and then gazed into her eyes. “I already do. I have you, and there’s no one, no job... basically nothing in this world I could love more, no matter where I live.”

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