“Busy with who?” he asked, giving her an intimidating look and trying to hide his smile. He knew she cared deeply for him, maybe even loved him. He felt it without the words being spoken, and hopefully she could also feel it coming from him, too. Once this mess was over, he planned on taking her to a fancy restaurant and proposing. His stomach did somersaults with nervousness at the thought. “Who’s messing with my woman?” He looked around the diner and seeing it almost empty, he gave her a passionate kiss that left her breathless.
“Wow,” she said fanning herself with a menu. “I was kidding, trying to keep you on your toes. I’m just going to visit the fish at the park but I’ll be ready for tonight.”
The smile quickly left his face and he turned serious. “Lacy, you can’t go to isolated places like that alone anymore. Not until Chico is found. I’ll take you when I can, but not today.”
Lacy frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t need a babysitter, Ryan.”
She was mad that Chico was limiting the things she could do by herself. After a day full of noise and people, she liked going to the park to wind down. It was one of her favorite things to do and Ryan knew that. She had dragged him there and he even admitted to liking the peaceful spot himself.
“Is there any news I should know about Chico?” she asked, waiting to see what he’d tell her. Whenever she tried to get any information out of Ryan about Chico, he’d tell her there was nothing to worry about. He seemed to think all he needed to do was pat her on the head like a good little girl.
Logan had told her that Detective Garcia had said he didn’t think Chico was in the city anymore. They had been looking for him for two weeks now without success. Ryan wouldn’t discuss it with her, though. She knew Ryan was more worried than he would admit, but whenever she brought it up, he’d just change the subject and refuse to say anything else. It frustrated her because she wanted him to trust her enough to handle any problems they faced together. She didn’t like being treated like a fragile doll that would fall apart at the first sign of bad news.
“No, there isn’t. I’m just being cautious. I know you don’t like your activities limited but it has to be this way, Lacy,” he said seriously with his Sheriff face. That meant he expected her to not argue with him. “I can see if Gabe can go with you,” he said, relenting.
She noticed he didn’t offer Logan’s help and almost smiled. He must still be jealous that Logan had taken her out on a date, no matter how innocent it was.
“Forget it then, I don’t want to be bothering anyone.” She frowned, still feeling a little angry, but she didn’t want to cause him any more problems than she already had. Chico had a lot to answer for. “See you tonight.”
* * * *
Thorn’s was noisy, but she didn’t mind. She liked the country music they played and watching the people dance. Ryan had ordered them both cheeseburgers and onion rings.
Lacy groaned. “I’ll gain weight if I keep eating this, but it’s so good,” she said, eating an onion ring dipped in ketchup.
“We’ll work it off at home together, baby.” Ryan winked at her while biting into his burger, making her blush.
They finished their food and were dancing slowly on the dance floor when Lacy felt someone elbow her hard in the back. She gasped in surprise.
Lacy turned to see Emma’s sneer but Emma gave them a fake smile. “Oops,” she said, laughing as her partner led her away from them.
“What a bitch! What did you ever see in her, Ryan?” Lacy muttered arching her back. It was sore.
Ryan rubbed her back soothingly, wanting to wring Emma’s neck but not wanting to cause a scene. That’s exactly what Emma wanted. “I was a blind idiot. Everyone tried to warn me, but I can be a bit stubborn.”
Lacy sighed tiredly, no longer wanting to dance. “I’m tired, Ryan. Can we go home now?”
He took her home, feeling bad that his past mistake with Emma was affecting Lacy. It wasn’t fair.
Once they got to her apartment, Lacy asked him thoughtfully, “Did you bring Emma here to have sex with?” Lacy hated the idea of it but she had to know.
Ryan looked into her eyes and answered truthfully. “Never. I came here to sleep after late work nights and that’s all.” He smoothed the hair out of her beautiful face gently. “Forget her. She’s not important. It’s just me and you here and I want to make love to my woman,” he said, bending down to kiss her softly. He took her into the bedroom and made love to her with all the tenderness and love he felt for Lacy. It took her breath away and Lacy could feel the tears silently fall down her cheeks. Ryan loved her. She could feel it with every touch, every whisper, every kiss that he gave her.
* * * *
Stella announced that she was pregnant at the diner the next day and she and her husband were so excited to finally be expecting their first child.
“It was the negligee, huh?” Lacy whispered to Stella, laughing and hugging her joyfully. “Look, here comes Liz. She’s going to take the credit for the negligee.”
Stella swatted Lacy with the menu playfully and called Liz to come over to where they were to give her the good news. Liz jumped up and down with happiness when Stella told her. She knew how badly Stella wanted a baby. “Oh, Stella, this is a wonderful day. We have to celebrate. How about some pie?” Liz said with a wide grin on her face. Ally agreed and brought out a fresh apple pie still warm from the oven and some ice cream.
Stella bounced baby names off Lacy and any customer willing to listen. Lacy was excited for her friend, but she also worried that something bad would happen to Stella or Ally because of her.
Both women were aware of what was going on. Lacy had wanted to be honest with them about the danger she was facing in case Ally didn’t want her working there anymore, but they both said they had faith in Ryan and the Wilson brothers, and Ally wouldn’t let Lacy quit her job.
Ryan had started spending the nights with her and she loved it but also worried about Ally being alone. Ryan and Ally both assured her that Ally was fine and could out shoot Ryan at any time. Yet the worry kept her awake sometimes or gave her nightmares where Ryan was the one killed by Chico. He was always there to soothe her. Then he would make her forget everything but his touch, and he would hold her throughout the night, making her feel so secure and warm that she was reluctant to get out of bed in the mornings.
Several times she had almost let the words “I love you” slip out, but she was afraid to ruin things between them. When this was over she’d tell him and take the consequences.