Awakening Veronica(Divine Creek Ranch 17)(45)
Hank scowled at his deputy and said, “Don’t you have work to do?”
Wyatt smirked and said, “Nah. It’s all quiet right now.”
Heather started in again. “That’s one of the things I love about Divine. It’s so peaceful. How are you, Wyatt, honey?”
Wyatt grinned at her and looked a little dazzled. “I’m doing great, Miss Heather. You here to see Miss Grace?”
Heather nodded. “I am. I heard Grandma Kate was in town and couldn’t resist making the drive out here. How’s your girlfriend, Wyatt?”
Wyatt’s face dropped a little and he shook his head. “Didn’t work out, Miss Heather.”
Heather tilted her head in sympathy. “I’m sorry to hear that but I know the perfect girl is going to come along eventually. How’s that big brother of yours doing? The vet clinic doing all right?” The twinkle in Heather’s eye reminded Hank of Grace when she got to matchmaking.
Wyatt chuckled, “Steven’s fine. He’ll be happy to hear you’re in town. You comin’ out to the Dancing Pony while you’re here?”
“No, just for the afternoon.”
Hank was relieved when the chitchat was interrupted by a call from the dispatcher for a fender bender in the parking lot of Batson’s Grocery Store. Deputy Dawg waved at Miss Heather. “Gotta go. You take care now, Miss Heather!”
As Wyatt left, she turned back to him and said, “Now what were you sayin’, Hank?”
He stood and patted the roof of the car. “I’m gonna let you off with a warning this time. Try to keep the music turned down to a level that doesn’t frighten all the cattle or break any windows.”
Heather put her hand to her cheek and blushed again. “Yes, sir. I’ll try and remember that. Sometimes I forget.” Her eyes twinkled and he had to chuckle. She knew what she was doing every single second of the day but he couldn’t fuss at her.
He was walking back to his vehicle when his phone chimed with a text message.
“Good morning, Hank.”
He kept his eyes peeled in the parking lot as he sent a quick reply. “Good morning, Nika. Did you sleep well?”
“I did. Going to take a shower and get some work done after I eat. I have another live chat this afternoon.”
He checked the clock in the dashboard. “How about I bring you some lunch?”
“I’d feel bad about interrupting your lunch break. You probably don’t get very long, do you?”
“Long enough to pick you up a nice lunch and bring it out to you and get a kiss.”
“Oh. Well, all right. Give me time to get showered and dressed.”
“Do that. And stay naked for me.”
He grinned, imagining her face as she paused before replying.
He chuckled when it finally came. “Yes, sir, Hank, sir.” There was a giggling emoticon next to her words.
“Are you being sassy?”
“Maybe?”
Hank laughed and made one final reply. “See you in an hour, sassy.”
The radio crackled with another call and he got back to work, anticipating seeing her. He found Jack Warner’s number in his contacts and dialed him before heading over to where he was needed. She had another live chat and Hank thought Jack wouldn’t mind getting the ball rolling with Ace and Kemp, and possibly Duke and Gage.
* * * *
Veronica let out a happy squeal when she heard Hank pull up outside. She’d done as he’d asked. She was naked except for his pearl-gray cowboy hat.
A knock sounded at the door and his voice called out. “Nika, it’s me, Hank.”
She held his hat to her head as she watched him through the peephole. “How do I know it’s not an impersonator? You could be a mad stalker wanting to steal me.”
She was sure he heard her gigglesnort through the door when he leaned an eye close to the peephole and softly said, “Because this particular mad stalker knows you’re nekkid?”
Unlocking the door, she was careful as she opened it to stay behind it. “And you’re a handsome stalker, too. Oh, mercy, and you’re in your uniform.”
He was clad in a jet-black sheriff’s uniform that accentuated his muscular physique and made him so much more imposing and intimidating. Larger than life. He wore black cowboy boots and a black Stetson, and the heavy work belt, fitted with a gun holster and other tools of his trade, capped off the aura of a man used to being in charge and protecting others.
Hank looked at her with sultry gray bedroom eyes as he handed her a white paper sack and a big Styrofoam cup then pushed her up against the door. “And you’re definitely nekkid, like I asked. I like the hat.” Using his body weight, he pinned her to the door and looked into her eyes. “All kidding aside, I’m glad you didn’t open the door without first checking.” He gazed into her eyes and then looked at her lips before his descended and gave her a kiss that stole her breath away.