How to Land Her Lawman by Teresa Southwick Page B

first choice.”
    â€œHow can you be so sure?”
    â€œBecause you’d look beautiful in a burlap sack.”
    â€œAw. That’s sweet.” She sniffled again and looked at him. “Makes me feel bad about blowing my nose on your shirt.”
    â€œIt’s yours now.”
    She smiled as intended. “How do you know Luke won’t know it’s a second-best dress?”
    â€œBecause guys don’t care about that stuff. He’d be happy if you walked down the aisle naked.” He winced. “I can’t believe I just said that to my sister.”
    â€œIt’s okay. I took it in the spirit and all that. It’s not a news flash that guys are pigs.”
    â€œThat’s harsh. We just have an acute appreciation for the female form.”
    â€œRight.” She rubbed at an imaginary spot on the leg of her jeans. “Speaking of female forms, I saw you and April go running the other day and you went in her house when the two of you got back.”
    Will had forgotten how life was in a small town. Everyone watched what was going on and talked about it. At least Kim was talking to him and not someone at the Grizzly Bear Diner, which was ground zero for rumor spreading.
    â€œSo,” he said narrowing his gaze on her, “your summer job while you’re not teaching high school is doing covert surveillance for the CIA?”
    â€œThere are times when teaching teens feels like doing covert surveillance. It’s not easy to stay one step ahead of those kids.” There was a sly look in her eyes. “Speaking of steps, we were talking about you and April running together. What’s up with that?”
    â€œShe runs. I run.” He was having a little trouble concentrating after his naked woman remark, except April was the woman he was picturing naked. Okay, so he was a pig. He was a guy. He could own that. Because April had looked pretty spectacular in those tight black pants she’d worn. That spandex stuff hugged every curve and left little to the imagination, just enough that he wanted to take them off her and see everything. But that was pretty stupid, right? The two of them had their shot and he blew it. “I saw her in the alley before she started her run, so we went together.”
    His sister said something that sounded like, “Good for her,” but Will couldn’t be sure. “Afterwards she invited me in for coffee and a muffin.”
    â€œIs that what you crazy kids are calling it now?” There was a suggestive note in Kim’s voice.
    â€œThere is no ‘it.’ We’re friends. I guess.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?”
    â€œI don’t know.” Will dragged his fingers through his hair. “It’s just— When I made the decision to come back to Blackwater Lake for the summer, I knew I’d see her. When you suggested I make sure the first time was private, I knew you were right. And—”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI was ready for it. I was prepared to deal with her anger. Possibly resentment. Hostility. Even hurt. I was braced for attitude whatever form it would take. That’s something I’m trained to handle. After all, I’m Chicago PD.”
    Kim’s forehead wrinkled. “What’s your point?”
    â€œMy point is that I wasn’t prepared for her to be friendly. She was a little resentful that first time I went over to her shop. But since then she’s been—”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI don’t know. So sweet my teeth are getting cavities.”
    â€œYou’ve seen her a lot, then?” Kim looked like she was working hard at acting innocent.
    â€œShe brought over a casserole. Then asked for my help taking pictures of the graduating seniors passing the power torch to the incoming class. Before you say anything, I was working crowd control.”
    â€œMaking sure no one had sex,” she clarified.
    He nodded. “We got a drink after.