The wedding ceremony had gone off without a hitch. They had the service in the conference room on the first floor at Garvey’s. Gabriella and Trina were bridesmaids. Jackie was the matron of honor. They wore long pink dresses with straps and slits in the front of the skirt. Gabriella and Barbara sang a song. The clergy was the same woman who had performed the baby’s service at Lynx Lake. DA Jacobs was Matt’s best man. Williamson and Goldman were the groomsmen. Matt proudly wore his black Stetson. The men wore white shirts, black pants, and black suit jackets. Instead of ties, they wore silver and black studs on their collars.The twins had arranged for Jesse to keep Billy busy in another part of the hotel when the wedding party and guests went into the bar for the reception.Jodi and Matt had their first dance as husband and wife. The buffet and bar opened after that. People who didn’t go straight to the buffet went to the bar or the dance floor. Goldman was keeping Gabriella busy in t
Everything was black. She was lying on something soft. Someone was caressing her cheek. She heard familiar voices.“I told her to eat a small breakfast,” Jackie said with worry.“She hasn’t eaten?” Matt asked.“I saw her eat two pop tarts an hour before the ceremony,” Jodi said. “She didn’t faint from malnutrition. She fainted from shock.”Gabriella slowly moved her body as her eyes fluttered up. The talking stopped. When her vision came into focus, her amante de ensueno was staring at her, caressing her cheek with his thumb. He was lying next to her on the bed. She couldn’t help herself; Gabriella’s hand lifted to his face. The back of her fingers caressed his chin.“Are you all right, honey?” Jackie asked.“Yes,” she whispered as she kept staring at Billy.“You gave us quite a scare,” Jeff said. “Billy carried you to your room. We followed.”“How long was I out?” she asked as she continued to stare at Billy.“Fifteen . . . excruciating minutes,” Billy enunciated in a deep voice. He
Jackie smiled as she had watched Billy and Gabriella return to the reception. He thought the world of her. It was in his eyes. Gabriella adored him. It showed in her smile as she gazed upon Billy’s face. Last night Gabriella thought he was lost to her forever. That she had to live the rest of her life without him. Gabriella is fortunate. Jackie looked over at Matt and Jodi slowly swaying to the music as they gazed into each other’s eyes. They went through hell, but they made it. “Hey, beautiful. How about a dance?” Jackie smiled. She didn’t have to turn around to know who the voice belonged to. “I would love to, George,” Jackie said as she turned around. He smiled at her. George escorted her on the dance floor. He pulled her close. “George,” she giggled. He chuckled and tightened his hold. “How are you? Really?” His mustache was still thick and his head was still bald. Not a bl
A week had gone by since the sheriff had gone on his honeymoon. Williamson read through the switchboard and deputies’ reports. He was acting sheriff until the real one got back. Williamson liked his job as a deputy, and he didn’t think he would mind being active sheriff – until he was.How does he deal with this insufferable paperwork? It’s non-stop. It’s a wonder the sheriff gets anything done outside of the office, Williamson thought.Williamson fought the urge to groan out of boredom. He’d rather be in a shootout than read one more report or do one more budget check.If he goes away this long again, maybe someone else can be acting sheriff.The phone rang.“Sheriff’s office, this is Williamson,” he answered.“Yes, this is Lieutenant Joseph Smith from the Miami Police Department. I’m calling for a Sheriff Matthew Kirby.”“Sheriff Kirby will be out of town for another week. I’m the acting sheriff until he gets back. My name is Curtis Williamson. What can I do for you, Lieutenant Smit
Williamson had been gracious enough to let Nick perp walk Ghost into the station. The guys had looked surprised and happy to see him. They had complimented Nick as he walked Ghost by them. Patty, the switchboard operator, had a big smile on her face.Williamson put Goldman on watch duty in lockup with Ghost. Williamson asked Nick to join him in Kirby’s office.On the way to Nick’s old stomping ground, he had told Williamson he had opened a bail bonds business two and half months ago. They worked on the go. No office. Nick was very selective about whom he bonds but mostly he hunted. He looked for big rewards and they went after that fugitive. Nick and his team had caught seven fugitives so far and the rewards were plentiful. Ghost was number eight. The monetary compensation wasn’t huge, but the reward of finally getting Ghost wasn’t about money. It was the peace of mind that the last person who was responsible for his brother and sister-in-law’s deaths was going to be punished.Nick pl
Matt rolled Jodi over in the king size bed. He continued to plow into her as she wrapped her long natural tan legs around his waist. Her luscious breasts swayed to his rhythm. God, he loved her. He was going to spend a lifetime making love to her, making her smile, and vacationing with her.His dick got soaked as she came. He let go, shouting her pet name that Matt and only Matt used. He breathlessly claimed her mouth. They were both hot and sweaty. Matt rolled over on his back.Jodi breathlessly grabbed the remote from the nightstand and cut the AC on high. “Oh god,” she moaned. “Was it hot in here when we came back in or did we make it hot?”He chuckled. “I think we made it hot. The AC was running when we left.”“Well, it’s going to be nice and cool in a minute, so let’s get under the sheet,” she said softly. Jodi reached down to pull the sheet up over them. They were all over each other when they had come in from having a late lunch in the restaurant downstairs. Matt had slung the
Nick had just taken a shower. He let everyone take a shower first since Rodriguez and Albertson had to be at the station by eight. Gia and Walker wanted to cook breakfast for everyone, so Nick ate first and showered last.His brown hair was still wet. He was bare-chested and barefoot when he walked downstairs. He had on brown slacks. He put his shirt on the couch. Nick planned to drive into Phoenix later to do some recon on fugitives at large.Nick was about to sit down when the doorbell rang. He walked across the carpet to answer it. He wasn’t surprised when he opened the door. Nick figured he’d show up sooner or later.“You still haven’t shaved,” Goldman said with a smirk.“I was expecting you,” Nick said with a little smile.Goldman raised his shaving kit. Goldman was the best shave man around. His father and grandfather had been barbers. Goldman gave Nick an old fashion Italian shave.An hour later, Nick’s face was as smooth as a baby’s bottom. They didn’t talk during that time, b
Matt waited for someone to answer the door. There was an SUV in the driveway that he didn’t recognize. He assumed it was a rental. Matt did recognize the Harley Davidson, however. It was Goldman’s. He had come early to see his old friend.Matt knew that he and Dalton had to have a conversation before Dalton did his first shift tomorrow. Williamson had said Dalton apologized to Jacobs; and that Jacobs had admitted that maybe he should have handled things differently. Matt hoped they could work it out, too. Matt saw the boys as an extended family of brothers. Carter was the shining star. Goldman was the heart. Williamson was the foundation. Lawrence was the jokester. Dalton was the cornerstone. And Matt was the eldest brother. The eldest wanted and needed the cornerstone back.The door opened. Matt’s eyes widened as he faced a tall, muscled black woman. Her eyes were serious. Even her chin and cheeks had muscle definition. Matt was prepared to see a couple more tough hombres because of