Jess had to wonder if she wasn’t seeing things. Was that really Mr. Sexy-Bodyguard-Type who was getting out of his Lincoln? It sure as hell looked like him and she was pretty sure the chances of running into two tall dark handsome strangers in one day were slim to none. She smiled as she peered at him. It was!

“Hi!” she said as she reached him. “Tell me you didn’t follow me?”

He laughed. “I was going to ask you if you followed me.”

She raised an eyebrow. “And how would that work? I was here first.”

He nodded. “You were, but maybe you knew where I was headed.” He laughed again, but it was almost as though there was a serious undercurrent to his tone. Had he been stalked before? She wouldn’t be surprised; he was that kind of good-looking.

“You just don’t know me well enough. I barely know where I’m going most of the time. I don’t stand a chance of knowing about anyone else.”

This time, his chuckle was genuine—and sexy as sin! It sent shivers chasing each other down her spine. “I may not know you well enough—yet—but for some reason, I believe you.”

She tried to look offended. “Are you saying I give the impression of being a little clueless?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying you don’t try to?”

Ooh, he was perceptive. She may be a little scattered, but she would admit—if pushed—that she played the role, too. It made life easier. People relaxed around a scatterbrain, let their defenses down. She smiled innocently. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“I didn’t think so.” He smiled. “So, Little Miss Clueless, since we’re both here, and I’ve already missed the chance twice today, how about I try for third time lucky?”

She raised an eyebrow and waited, holding her breath hopefully.

“Would you like to join me for a cup of coffee?”

She nodded. “I’d love to. I’m not sure how long I can stay; I’m supposed to be meeting a friend in a little while.” She was pleased to see the hesitation on his face. He thought she was a meeting a guy. She was pleased by his reaction. She didn’t want to leave him guessing, so she added, “She should be here soon.”

He relaxed at that and offered her his arm. “We’d better be quick about it then.”

She linked her arm through his and smiled up at him. Whatever remark she’d been about to make died on her lips as his gaze met hers. She felt like she could get lost forever in his dark gray eyes. It felt like she’d come home. It was the strangest sensation, feeling immediate calm and comfort. The world could do her no harm while he was around. She shook her head to break the spell. This was ridiculous—she didn’t even know his name!

“I’m Jess, by the way.”

He looked dazed and continued to stare at her for a few moments before he replied. Surely he hadn’t felt it, too? The slow smile that spread across his face made her feel as though he might have. “It’s good to finally meet you, Jess. I’m Sully.”

Finally meet her? What did he mean by that? He must just mean that this was the third time they’d spoken and only now were they getting to their names—mustn’t he? He couldn’t mean that he felt the same way she did? That he was the guy she’d been waiting for all her life! He held the door open for her to step inside the café. She had to stop letting her imagination run away with her.

Once she was inside the café, Jess had to wonder if her imagination hadn’t taken over completely. The place was adorable! There were maybe a dozen tables set at angles around the dining floor. They were covered with mismatched tablecloths that somehow created a perfect, homey feeling. Photographs of local events adorned the walls, and at the back, there were shelves dotted with craft pieces which Jess guessed were also local, but by the looks of some of the baskets there must be some very talented locals. She turned to look at Sully. He, too, was surveying the place. She got the impression that he was on a reconnaissance mission rather than drinking in the atmosphere. It must be that bodyguard vibe he had going.

His face transformed into a polite smile as a pretty girl came to greet them.

“Table for two?” she asked.

Sully nodded and allowed Jess to walk ahead of him as they followed her to a corner table.

“What can I get you to drink? I’ll be right back with your menus.”

“Just coffee for me, thank you. I won’t be eating,” said Sully.

Jess nodded. “And me.”

The girl’s smile dimmed a little, no doubt seeing her tip shrink. “Be right back,” she said and flounced away.

Jess smiled at Sully but didn’t have time to say anything before an older woman appeared. She came toward them with a warm smile.

“Good afternoon,” she greeted them. “I’m Sue Ann. Welcome.”

“Good afternoon,” replied Sully. “And nice to meet you.” He stood and held out his hand. “I’m James Sullivan…”

Sue Ann’s smile grew broader. “I had a feeling you might be. Your room’s ready whenever you are, and the coffee’s on the house.” Jess noticed the older woman’s eyes slide toward her for a moment.

Sully didn’t miss it either. “This is Jess,” he gestured toward her. “She’s meeting a friend.”

Jess smiled. “That’s right. I’m here visiting Tessa.”

“Oh! Well, it’s great to meet you, sweetie. Any friend of Tessa’s is a friend of mine.” She raised an eyebrow. “Are you staying with her?”

“No.” Jess pointed through the window to her motorhome. “I take home with me wherever I go.” She’d guessed that Sue Ann was curious as to whether Sully’s room should be a single or a double.

Sue Ann smiled, apparently relieved. At that moment, the door flew open, and Tessa appeared looking around wildly. She grinned when she spotted Jess and hurried over to hug her.

“Hey! I’m so happy you’re here! Come on; we need to get going.”

Jess hugged her back happily but froze at her words. “We do?”

“Yes, I’ll tell you about it on the way.”

Jess looked at Sully. He smiled and shrugged.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Tessa held her hand out. “I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m Tessa.” She looked back at Jess. “I thought you were by yourself.”

“I am. I mean…”

Sully held up a hand with a smile. “I don’t need to hold you up. It sounds like you’re in a hurry.”

Tessa nodded apologetically. “I really do need to get going.”

“Okay.” Jess stood reluctantly.

Sully smiled. “I’ll see you around.”

As she followed Tessa, Jess could only hope that he would. She stopped before she stepped out onto the street and turned back to wave. She met his gaze and had the crazy urge to go and sit back down with him. A smile lifted one corner of his mouth, and he gave a slight nod, as if reassuring her they’d see each other again. This wasn’t goodbye.

~ ~ ~

Once the door had closed behind them, Sue Ann smiled at Sully. “I’m sure you will see her around. It’s a small town.”

Sully met her gaze. He liked her already.

“And you’re a friend of Eric’s, aren’t you?”

He nodded.

“Well, you just met his sister-in-law.”

Sully had to smile. What were the odds? He’d bumped into a random stranger in Tahoe, who was not only headed to the same small town he was but was also visiting the same family!

The waitress reappeared with two coffees. Her attitude brightened a little when she noticed Jess was gone.

“You let me know when you’re ready to see your room,” said Sue Ann.

“Actually, would it be okay if I took the coffee up there?” He had no interest in sitting in the café without Jess. He’d rather get checked in and let Eric know he was here.

“Of course. I’ll show you right up.”

Not ten minutes later he was settled on the overstuffed leather sofa in the room above the café. He hadn’t known what to expect when Eric had told him about the place, but it certainly wasn’t this. When he’d stepped inside the café itself, he’d feared that the room would be chintzy, but when Sue Ann had shown him in here, it had been a very pleasant surprise. He felt at home, which wasn’t a feeling he was used to, but seemed to be a common theme for the day. Looking into Jess’s eyes earlier had felt like coming home—a feeling he didn’t care to analyze just yet; he was saving further examination of that one for later. His feeling of ease in the accommodation was much easier to explain. The place was done with masculine taste in mind. The furniture was comfortable. The browns and blues of the décor were relaxing. There was even a fireplace which made him hope for a chilly evening during his stay. He nodded his head appreciatively. So far this trip was full of pleasant surprises.

He fished his phone out of his back pocket and called Eric.

“Hey, Sully. I’m on the way over.”

“You are? I was just calling to let you know I made it. What are you, psychic?”

Eric laughed. “No. You have to understand that you’re in a small town now, Special Agent Sullivan. Word travels fast.”

Wow! Apparently it did.

Eric laughed again. “Sitrep for you. You arrived roughly twenty minutes ago. You are currently in the room above the café, drinking coffee. You were seen in the company of one stunning blonde, later confirmed as Jess Archer, a known acquaintance of one Tessa Maguire—known to the reporting officer as his sister-in-law.”

Sully had to laugh. “Damn, Detective. You’re ahead of me; I’d only just gotten her first name. I hadn’t gotten to her last name.”

“That’d be Chief, not Detective if you don’t mind. You Bureau guys are always playing catch up.”

Sully shook his head with a rueful smile. “Okay, Chief. Just get your ass over here; you can save the insults for when you arrive.”

“Too slow again. Look out your window.”

Sully got up and moved toward the sliding door which led out onto a little balcony overlooking Main Street. He stayed back so that he wouldn’t be visible from below, but Eric’s laugh sounded down the phone.

“I know you’re looking out, even if I can’t see you.” He waved.

Sully laughed with him. “So come on up already.”

A few moments later there was a tap on the door, and Sully went to greet his old friend.  

Eric gave him an appraising look, the laughter fading from his face. “How are you doing? I was sorry to hear about Patrick.”

Sully nodded. “It was a shock. He’d been waiting so long to retire; he and Jane had so many plans.” He shook his head. “It still hasn’t sunk in, you know?”

Eric nodded. “I’m glad you came up here. It’s a good place to get your head straight. Have you decided how long you’re going to stay?”

Sully shrugged. He had no idea. After he’d told Eric he was coming, he’d started to wonder why. He’d decided he’d make it a flying visit and then go back to Sacramento. Go back to work. Even though Manny had told him he didn’t want to see him for the full three weeks. Meeting Jess had made him question that plan.

“I guess you don’t need to know, do you? I hope you’ll stick around for a few days at least.”

“I think I will.”

Eric grinned. “And would this have anything to do with the stunning blonde identified as Jess Archer?”

Sully tried to hide his smile. “Maybe.”

“So what’s the story? Where did you meet her?”

Sully laughed. “Outside the bathroom in a gas station, if you can believe that.”

“Classy! Real classy.”

“What can I say? I attract ’em wherever I go.”

“Yeah, I thought you were with a girl from the DA’s office?”

“I was.” He shrugged. “It wasn’t going anywhere. I don’t have time for anything serious. Neither does Anna.” Even as he said it, he knew that wasn’t entirely true. Anna had been making noises for months about wanting more. He hadn’t wanted more. Not with her. Not with anyone. He didn’t have time. His work was his life. He sighed. At least, it had been. Patrick had been trying to convince him that his life should be more than that. And then he’d gone and died—making his point abundantly clear.

Eric was watching him closely. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Sorry, man. It’s just…Patrick.” He was surprised to feel his eyes prick. “It hit me hard, I guess.”

Eric grasped his shoulder. “I’m sorry. He was a great man. I don’t believe he’d want you to mourn. He’d want you to take everything he taught you and do great things.”

Sully met his friend’s gaze. He wondered if Eric would understand. Eric was devoting his life to service. He was Chief of Police. But he’d also found the right woman and had a life, too. “I used to think that great things could only be achieved at work. Patrick had been trying to convince me for a while that true greatness in life isn’t found at work, but with your family. I’m not cut out for that.”

The way Eric smiled told him that he more than understood. He grasped Sully’s shoulder a little tighter. “I didn’t think I was either, until Lily. Don’t get me wrong; I still love what I do. It’s part of who I am, but so is Lily, so is our life together. She’s everything. If that’s what Patrick was telling you, then I’d have to agree. The greatest, most important things in life aren’t found at work, but at home, with your woman and your family.”

Sully stared at him. He didn’t know what to say. Not so long ago he would have dismissed such talk, but life seemed to be trying to get the message through to him, and coming from the mouths of the people he most respected, Patrick, Manny, and now Eric, he had to at least acknowledge the possibility.