Single Dads Collection. Lynne Marshall

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       Chapter Eleven

      “I’m five blocks away,” Noah reported into the radio.

      “I’m pulling in now,” another officer responded.

      Silence settled over the radio for a brief moment before Lucy’s sweet voice came back. “I’ve informed the caller you’re on the scene, McCoy.”

      Officer McCoy could handle it. They didn’t need two officers on the scene of a woman who’d locked herself out of the house. Apparently she’d gone out for drinks with friends and forgotten to take her keys. At least she was responsible enough not to drink and drive, so that was something.

      Noah turned down Pine Street and tried his best not to let his mind wander, but he failed miserably. He’d heard about Lucy getting hit on, about some new guy asking her out after the open house. Word traveled fast in this town, especially considering Lucy’s open house was only hours ago.

      Maybe that’s what he got for not attending, but he truly didn’t think that atmosphere was for him. He was getting along just fine. The hurt was something he’d live with for the rest of his life. He just figured he’d get used to that void.

      Lucy’s voice came over the radio once again, this time calling him to a fender bender in the middle of the park. Chances were good that whatever he was about to encounter was more than just a fender bender. Who would be in the park at one o’clock on a Tuesday morning?

      Noah soon found out there were two ladies arguing over a guy and one had ended up blocking the other car against a tree. Breaking up a catfight could be more dangerous than men throwing punches, in his opinion.

      Thirty minutes later when he’d cleared the scene without incident, Noah climbed back into his patrol car and radioed the status.

      “Everything all right?”

      “Fine,” he replied to Lucy’s question.

      “You didn’t check in for a while,” she replied.

      Noah gritted his teeth. “All clear now,” he told her. “Over and out.”

      End of conversation because he didn’t want to hear her voice right now. He didn’t want to think of how that nugget of jealousy over the other guy had turned into a ball of fury that had settled low in his gut.

      Honestly, Noah didn’t know what had been said between Lucy and the man. And why wouldn’t someone ask her out? Lucy was stunning, she was independent, she had a great career ahead of her helping so many people. She was giving, loyal and sexy as hell.

      He raked a hand down his face, smarting when his palm hit his bruised jaw. What was he thinking? He needed more sleep. Maybe then he’d be thinking clearly. Because right now all he could see was Lucy with another man and he absolutely hated the image that flooded his mind.

      That’s precisely how he knew he was ready to try moving on. He wanted Lucy.

      Did he want something more than a physical relationship and a friendship? Hell, he had no idea. All he knew was that he had an ache for her that was impossible to ignore and a jealousy that was overriding all common sense right now.

      The rest of his shift went by without any excitement, which was a good thing, but the quiet made for a long night. He was slowly adjusting to working nights, though he would jump at the chance to get back on days so he could have a better schedule with Emma.

      The sun beamed directly onto the blacktop as he pulled into the station lot. He was more than ready to get home and have the next two days off. After he rested, he planned on spending some quality time with Emma, maybe have a picnic in the park or see a movie and have lunch at their favorite little diner.

      When he stepped out of his patrol car, he realized he was either getting used to the weather or it was getting warmer…and considering it was inching closer to the end of fall, he knew it couldn’t be the latter.

      Noah passed the dispatch area and didn’t see Lucy at the desk. The part-time guy who filled in as needed sat there taking a call.

      He did find Lucy in the break room putting on her jacket and gathering her things. She turned to flash that megawatt smile and he wondered if that’s how she’d smiled for the newcomer to her meeting.

      Get over it, Noah. She’s a beautiful woman and she’s not going to be single forever because you can’t get your head on straight.

      “Everything okay?” she asked, the same way she’d asked over the radio hours ago.

      Noah nodded, not trusting himself to say much else. He was too angry with himself for the jumbled-up emotions battling for prominence inside him.

      Her brows drew in as she adjusted her scarf. “You’ve been quiet all night. What’s up?”

      “Nothing,” he mumbled as he poured a cup of coffee to take on the road. “Just ready to head home.”

      He turned to get out of the tiny room.

      “Did I do something to make you mad?” she asked.

      Noah glanced over his shoulder and cursed beneath his breath. Damn СКАЧАТЬ