Her Secret Wish by J.M. Madden

with our boy. He’s a good man, putting up with all the ribbing we’ve given him since he hired on.”
    Rachel grinned and shook his hand before releasing it. “No, you’re totally fine. I get it.”
    Dean leaned in to catch his buddy’s eye. “She’s a former Marine and works at that detective agency on the East side, Lost and Found.”
    Killian’s eyes widened. “Oh, hell. Well, you know all about the ribbing that goes on with the newbies then.”
    Rachel nodded, her eyes shining.
    “I’ve been a cop for years,” Dean groused.
    “Not here, you haven’t,” Killian corrected. “Hey, one of the detectives were able to decipher the plate from the surveillance cam at the quickie mart. They picked up the guy today and impounded the truck. Thought you’d like to know that.”
    Rachel appreciated that he’d remembered to tell them. The truck had been a loose end niggling at her mind. “Thanks, Killian. You just made my night that much better.”
    He grinned, enjoying her praise.
    Their radios came to life and both of the uniformed officers’ concentration sharpened, then they turned for their cars. Burns keyed his mic as he climbed behind the wheel and took off, siren screaming. Killian was right behind him.
    “That was abrupt,” she commented.
    “Domestic case, they had to go.”
    Dean watched them disappear down the street, his own heart pounding with shared exhilaration. He loved his job.

Chapter Seven
    ‡
    R achel looked up at the rapt expression on Dean’s handsome face. There was an excitement radiating from him that she recognized in herself from years ago. She’d had the same expression every time she’d looked at the Super Stallion, twenty-four million dollars’ worth of ferocious machinery ready to carry her troops into combat.
    And though she’d only just started with the investigative work she could see herself loving it just as well, in a completely different way. Would she ever fly helicopters again? Probably not. But she could modify her life to make it as thrilling and fulfilling as possible.
    Dean had that look in his eyes. That look that said he could do his job happily for twenty-five years and retire extremely satisfied with his career. That confidence in what he was doing was so appealing. “Have you wanted to be a cop all your life?” she asked him.
    His grin turned rueful. “How could you tell?”
    “It’s that little boy look on your face.”
    Shrugging those wonderfully broad shoulders he gave her a single nod. “Ever since I was a kid. I have pictures of me in a uniform when I was just little.”
    “That’s very cool,” Rachel murmured. “My grandfather was in the Marines, too and I grew up listening to his battle stories.”
    Nodding again, they moved toward the truck. “I don’t know about you but I’m still hungry. I do know of a restaurant a little north of here called Dazzle. Are you up for it?”
    “Absolutely!”
    They settled into the cab of the truck and belted themselves in. Dean started the truck and moved into traffic. Rachel watched his hands move on the steering wheel, a little entranced. He drove confidently, aware of everything around him. She wondered if he would make love the same way.
    Definitely.
    As he turned right, the muscles in his arm bunched and released, teasing her. Rachel wanted to reach over and explore, but it was too early for that. Right?
    Her body urged her otherwise. Time to focus on something else.
    “You know Killian was just ribbing you, right?”
    He glanced at her out of the corner of his brilliant eyes. “Oh, I know. He was totally looking for my reaction. But I was a little disappointed too, because I thought it would be a nice place to take you.”
    She waved a hand. “I’m sure where ever we go will be fine. I’m not picky.”
    A few minutes later they pulled into a parking spot near the eatery. There were already customers heading in the door. “They don’t open till four on weekdays but they have phenomenal