The Deputy's Baby

It was blond and curly and familiar.

“Deputy Ward,” Sheriff Reed announced as soon as they were close enough to the group. Everyone quieted and turned their attention to their leader. Including the woman of the hour. “I’d like to introduce you to our very own Cassie Gates.”

Two beautiful green eyes found Henry’s and widened.

The woman Henry had spent months trying to forget wasn’t just a dispatcher for the department. According to the sheriff, she was the heart of it.

On reflex alone Henry outstretched his hand.

“Nice to meet you,” he said. There was a distant tone to his voice. Even he could hear it. Like someone who had just been blindsided. Which, he realized, was exactly what was happening.

Cassie’s long lashes blinked a few times but she collected herself quickly.

“Nice to meet you,” she repeated. Her tone also sounding dull, hollow.

At least he wasn’t the only one who had been caught wholly off guard.

The change in both of their demeanors didn’t go unnoticed, either. The sheriff raised an eyebrow. He didn’t have time to comment.

The sound of glass shattering filled the air.

And then, right in front of Henry’s eyes, the sheriff took a bullet to the stomach.

* * *

BETWEEN THE SPACE of two breaths, all hell broke loose in the diner.

Cassie dropped to the floor, a scream caught in her throat. Almost simultaneously the weight of someone else was on top of her, sandwiching her flat against the tiled floor.

Yelling followed by more glass shattering kept the noise levels high and heavy. What was once a celebration had turned into terror. Like a light switch had been flipped, bathing them in a whole new array of shadows. Whoever was covering her tightened around her body, making a cage.

More gunshots sounded overhead. So close, her ears rang in protest. Her colleagues, her friends, were returning fire.

Memories of being in a similar situation years before filled her head.

She’d done this before.

She’d been here before. Under fire...

When she thought she was supposed to be safe.

Cassie sucked in a breath, panic thronging her body. If her hands had been free, they would have gone straight to her neck. A gut reaction she’d honed in the last two and a half years. Her fingers would trace the scar at the side of her neck. She’d remember the blood and terror. However, now she couldn’t go through that routine. Not when the weight of someone was keeping her to the floor.

So she did the best thing she could. She squeezed her eyes shut and waited.

What felt like an eternity went by until silence finally cut through the madness. It was brief but poignant. As if the diner as a whole had decided to take a collective breath. She couldn’t have been the only one whose heart was trying to hammer itself out of her chest.

The body holding her didn’t move.

Then, as quickly as the shot had invaded the diner in the first place, the yelling started again. A collective muddled sound where everyone spoke together, canceling one another out with no real progress.

It wasn’t until one voice climbed its way above those of the patrons and staff that the chaos was curbed.

“Billy! Billy’s down!”

Cassie’s personal cage loosened around her enough so that she could look toward Suzy. The chief deputy dropped to her hands and knees next to the sheriff, hands already pressing into the gunshot wound in his stomach. Cassie couldn’t look away as blood began to flow onto Suzy’s dark hands.

Billy didn’t complain about the shot or the pressure.

He didn’t even move.

“Are you okay?”

A new voice was at Cassie’s ear. The weight on her eased off until a man’s concerned expression swam into view. Still, she couldn’t look away from the sheriff. She could almost smell the blood.

“Are you okay?” the man repeated. “Cassie?”

Two warm hands came up to cradle her chin. He was gentle as he forced her to look away from the anguishing scene no more than two feet from them. Her boss. Her friend.

“Are you hurt?”

It was like he reached out and slapped her. The shock, the fear, the panic turned analytical. Cassie focused on her body, a new kind of worry coursing through her.

Had they been hurt?

Other than her racing heart, nothing felt different.

“Cassie?”

Clear eyes implored her. She finally recognized them as Henry’s. If they had been in any other situation, she would have been fighting a storm of emotions just at the sight of him. Instead she answered him simply. “I think I’m okay.”

Henry dropped his hands from her face to her shoulders. He pulled her up but not to her full height. Instead she let herself be led behind the counter that ran the length of the diner. Two waitresses were already huddled there, a reflection of the fear Cassie felt in their faces.

“Stay here,” Henry ordered. “There could be more than one shooter.”

She nodded and watched as he disappeared. Without his weight keeping her arms down, Cassie was able to reach up and touch the scar on her neck.

Then she dropped her hand to her stomach.

Henry’s voice joined the chorus of law enforcement in the diner. It had been so long since she’d heard it like this. Panic and determination. Fear and anger. Uncertainty and planning.

And then here Henry was, among them, adding to the group. It had been over seven months since she’d seen him. Now here he was after no contact whatsoever.

And still he’d tried to protect her.

Cassie rubbed the bump beneath her loose-fitting shirt.

Henry Ward had no idea he’d just protected his unborn child, too.

Chapter Two

The man who had shot Sheriff Reed had been killed on sight by Chief Deputy Simmons. She hadn’t even needed to leave the diner to do it, shooting through the shattered window from next to the booth. Though the man had taken a hit or two from Deputy Dante Mills and Detective Walker in the process.

As for who the shooter was? That wasn’t answered until that night inside the department. Suzy, as everyone called her, straightened her back and addressed a room filled to the brim with staff on and off duty. With the sheriff out of commission, she was next in line to lead, and from what Henry had seen of her so far, he more than believed she was ready for the job.

“I just got off the phone with Mara,” she began.

Henry knew she was talking about the sheriff’s wife. It wasn’t a secret how much the man loved his wife and two children. It had been a point of envy for Henry when Billy first talked to him. Now it did nothing but make him feel even more for the man. He knew he wasn’t the only one.

“She said that according to the doctor, he isn’t out of the woods yet. The bullet missed any vital organs, but he lost a lot of blood.”

The woman paused, pain crossing her expression before she could rein it in. Billy had also not kept it a secret that his chief deputy was his best friend and had been for years. They were even godparents to each other’s children. He was her family just as the rest of the department was. That closeness was apparent in how the room around Henry seemed to be hanging on her every word.

He couldn’t deny he missed that feeling.

Camaraderie that was familial.

“But the doctor also said he’s optimistic,” she continued. A small smile pulled up the corner of her lips. “And we all know how hard-headed Billy is. Knowing him, he’ll be giving out orders by the end of the week from his hospital bed, fussing for his cowboy hat.”

There was a chorus of laughter and agreement.

It didn’t last long.

Neither did Suzy’s smile.

“The reason we’re all here is a man named Darrel Connelly,” she started again, her tone sharp, serious. A leader addressing those who followed her. “He had no ID on him, but a local police officer recognized him. We ran his name and found that he hadn’t been arrested before, but his brother, Tanner, had been for the attempted murder of his girlfriend. Billy’s testimony sent Tanner to jail, where he was killed in an inmate-led riot. He was Darrel’s only family. So I don’t think it would be going out on a limb to say that Billy was targeted out of revenge.”

The same group who had laughed in agreement a minute before cursed in unison.

Henry joined in.

“However, until we complete an official investigation, no one in the department will comment to the press. Understood?” Suzy didn’t wait for an answer. Instead she took a quick breath and gave a small nod. “While Billy is out, we will continue to do our jobs with the best of our abilities. Any and all questions in the meantime can be addressed to me or Captain Jones. When I know more about Billy’s condition, I will update you. Until then, let’s continue to make the sheriff proud.”

The room’s mood swung into a cheer before they started to break up. Suzy stayed up front, talking to those who stopped at her side. Almost like a widow after a funeral. Henry just hoped the analogy didn’t come true.

He stayed to the outskirts of the room, hanging back while the bulk of people filtered out. He looked through the crowd, hoping to see the woman he hadn’t ever thought he’d see again.

Cassie Gates.

One of Riker County Sheriff’s Department’s dispatchers.

Henry hadn’t even gotten a chance to talk to her since the diner. After they had secured the area, she’d left with one of the deputies and his wife. She’d been visibly shaken. They all had been, though, if he was being honest.

“Hey, Ward.”

Henry turned as Detective Walker came up to his side. He ran a hand through his blond hair and let out a sigh. It was tired.

“Not how you pictured your first week,” he commented. It wasn’t a question. “Wasn’t how I pictured my week, either, to tell the truth.”

Henry nodded. “Bad guys don’t take breaks for long,” he said. “My partner used to say that all the time.”

“I hate that it’s true but it is.” Matt ran another hand through his hair. He’d been the one doing the legwork on Darrel since they got back. Henry imagined he’d have a full, exhausting day tomorrow, too. “One minute we’re eating cake and the next—” The detective cut himself off, anger rising to the surface of his expression.

Henry let him have the moment in silence. He took another visible breath to calm himself.

“I just wanted to say thank you for what you did today.”

Henry couldn’t help his eyebrow rising in question.

The detective elaborated. “You covered Cassie without hesitation,” he said simply. “Made sure she was safe before we could get a hold on the situation. Good instincts can’t be taught, but they can be thanked.”

That surprised Henry. For two different reasons. One, trying to protect Cassie was a gut reaction. One his body started before his mind could even catch up and act on. He’d heard and seen the shot and then trying to protect her had been his only priority. He hadn’t done it for praise or thanks and was surprised he was getting both.

Two, being thanked was strange enough, but being thanked by the detective raised a few questions. The first and loudest was why was Matt invested in her safety? Or, more to the point, was it more personal than colleagues and friends? Did he care more for the woman than the rest?

And why was the mere thought of the two having more than a working relationship bothering Henry so much?

He’d only known Cassie for the one night—and the following morning—and then they’d parted ways. The slip of paper in his wallet was the only connection he’d had to her past then. It was foolish to think she was the same woman. He hadn’t seen her in over seven months.

A lot could happen in less time.

Henry shouldn’t, and couldn’t, be surprised that she might be in a relationship. Heck, they hadn’t even had one to begin with.

“I was just doing my job,” Henry said dutifully, locking down any conflicting emotions that might be splaying across his expression. “Nothing the rest of you wouldn’t do in my place. I’m just glad we kept anyone else from getting hurt.”

Matt nodded, accepting the statement as true, and started to walk off.

However, Henry couldn’t help himself. “I actually wanted to talk to her,” he blurted out, surprising himself. “Cassie, that is. I never got the chance at a proper introduction.” It was a lie, but Henry wasn’t about to admit to the detective that he had already met the woman... At a bar before going back to his hotel room. Especially if the two were involved. “Do you know where she is? I haven’t seen her since we left the diner.”

Matt’s brow furrowed. “She went to the hospital afterward, but now, if I’m not mistaken, she’s back at my place. I told her not to bother coming into the department tonight. Technically she doesn’t start back until next week.”

Henry’s gut dropped more than it should have. He had just confirmed the theory that Cassie and Matt were involved. Some of that emotion must have showed in his expression.

Matt gave a small smile. “You know, I’m about to head there myself but need a ride. If you give me a lift, I can trade you a home-cooked meal. I don’t think any of us has had anything to eat yet. Plus, I’m sure Cassie will want to thank you for earlier.”

The offer felt genuine. Matt hadn’t picked up on any of Henry’s thoughts.

But even those thoughts gave him little ground to argue with. Though Henry had to admit he didn’t like the idea of Cassie with someone else, he knew it was for the better.

People around him got hurt. Plain and simple.

But that didn’t stop him from accepting the offer.

He still wanted to see her. If only to make sure she was really okay.

They said goodbye to Suzy, asking again to be kept in the loop, and were on the road to Matt’s house within minutes. The detective gave directions, but other than that their conversation was light. Henry wanted to get to know more about him but decided he already knew enough. The lead detective was good at his job, nice to his team and loyal.

He reminded Henry of Calvin, his old partner.

A good man.

A man that Cassie deserves.

The thought popped into his head so quickly he couldn’t brace himself for it.

How had a woman he’d known for such a short time affected him so much? It made no sense. And was dangerous. Henry needed this job. He needed a new start. Banishing any and all thoughts of Cassie Gates past professionalism wasn’t something he wanted. He needed it.

Get a grip on yourself.

Henry loosened his shoulders, put on a polite smile and was ready when they finally pulled up to the detective’s house.

“Home sweet home,” Matt said over the hood of the car when they got out. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to eat a horse.”

The house was a good size with a nice yard. Simple and quaint. Two cars were parked in the driveway. One Henry recognized as the detective’s personal vehicle, the other he’d not seen before. Lights were on in the dining room, the curtains open enough that Henry got a clear view of the table.

And Cassie sitting at its end.

She must have felt his stare. She looked out the window and met his eyes.

She didn’t smile.

Maybe coming hadn’t been a good idea.

“I should also probably warn you,” started Matt, walking up the sidewalk that led to his front door. He paused at it, hand on the handle. “You’re about to meet a very loud, slightly intrusive woman. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love her, but sometimes she can be a little overpowering when you first get to know her.” There was a smile in his voice. “She calls it curiosity.”

Henry didn’t remember Cassie being loud, certainly not intrusive. At the bar she hadn’t kept poking around when he’d said he couldn’t talk about his current job and, in fact, hadn’t asked too many really personal questions at all. He’d treated her in kind.

Still, he had to remind himself he didn’t know her past their one shared night of passion.

That passion.

Even months later his body remembered it. Craved it.

Henry cleared his throat and followed the detective inside. He was just about to agree with his earlier thought that coming had been a bad idea when they made it to the dining room. Cassie was staring up at them. She looked tired. It reminded him that there were more important things than their past. She’d been witness to one of her friends almost dying across from her.

“I invited Henry to join us for dinner,” Matt greeted. “Since...well, today didn’t go as planned.”

Cassie looked between them. It encouraged Henry to respond.

“It’s nice to officially meet you,” he lied again. If she was with the detective, he didn’t want to make anything awkward. Not when Riker County was his chance to start over. He didn’t want to make enemies his first week on the job. And judging by the look she was giving him, he could only assume she was trying to figure out what to say herself. The least he could do was try to help her out.

Cassie’s green, green eyes widened, but she didn’t get a chance to respond. Sound from the other room turned into a flurry of motion that converged on the detective next to him within seconds. Henry tensed, but Matt was laughing into the hair of the woman whose arms were wrapped around him.

“My God, Maggie,” he said, reciprocating the embrace. “Ever think about playing football?”

The woman covered his mouth with hers in a quick but strong kiss. She wasn’t smiling when she pulled away.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” she said. “If something had happened to you, I would have hurt you myself.”

“Of that I have no doubt.” Matt reached up and squeezed her shoulder. He turned to Henry. “This is Maggie Carson. Apparently my linebacker of a fiancée. Maggie, this is our newest deputy I was telling you about. Henry Ward.”

Maggie’s gaze lifted to his. Her handshake was firm.

“Thanks for bringing him home,” she said, sincere. “My car’s been acting up and I stole his to pick Cassie up from the hospital.”

Henry felt his eyebrow rise. He turned to Cassie. “I thought you said you were okay.”

He wouldn’t have left her alone otherwise.

She gave him a polite smile, one he’d seen when he first met her at the Eagle, and stood from her seat.

Henry’s eyes zipped downward.

Right to Cassie’s stomach.

She placed a hand over it, protectively.

“I was,” she said. “But I wanted to make sure he was, too.”

Chapter Three

“You’re pregnant.”

It wasn’t a question but it wasn’t a statement, either. It felt like a confused in-between. Henry Ward had been thrown for a loop and was still trying to find his way back to solid ground. Cassie tried to help, even if she was also looking for some better footing herself.

It wasn’t every day that the father of your child appeared out of thin air for the first time since the night he’d spent with you months before, then potentially saved your life and pretended he’d never met you before.

It was all confusing.

“I am,” she confirmed, though it wasn’t needed. “Seven months, give or take.”

Cassie would bet Henry was doing some of the fastest math he’d ever done in his life. All while staring at her pregnant belly. Since she’d never had kids before, she wasn’t showing as much, but there was no denying the bump once she brought attention to it.

The man wasn’t stupid. If his math was even in the ballpark, he’d guess that he was the father. However, he didn’t ask the question. Then again, she didn’t think he would. Not after he’d made it clear they didn’t know each other.

You didn’t speak up, either, Cassie pointed out to herself.

The weight of the day erased thoughts of Cassie’s personal life for the moment. She moved her hand across her stomach.

“The doc gave the okay, though,” she said. If Maggie, the ex-reporter, or Matt noticed anything off about the two of them, they didn’t say a word. “But you can never be too careful. Plus, I wanted to be there for Mara.”

Henry tore his eyes off her stomach.

“That’s good,” was all he said.

Matt put a hand on his shoulder and steered the deputy into the kitchen. Cassie settled back into her chair while Maggie followed the men. She was soon back with the dinner they’d just finished making. Nothing too fancy, just something to kill their hunger. Cassie doubted any of them could take any real pleasure from a meal until Billy could, too.

Like her hand had a mind of its own again, it moved up and touched the scar at her neck. Maggie didn’t miss it. She took the seat next to Cassie and patted her back.

“You’re okay,” Maggie whispered. “You both are okay. This will all get sorted out. Have faith.”

Cassie felt herself nod.

Maggie started a volley of questions as soon as the men were back and seated. More than anything Cassie wanted to pay attention, to learn more about Henry, a man at times she’d wondered if he was even real. Yet there was a rising feeling of overwhelming vulnerability in her chest. It tightened her stomach and pulled out some of the fear and anger she’d felt at the diner.

She didn’t know if it was because she was pregnant, because the man she’d spent the last several months hoping would call had showed up, or because she just hadn’t had the time to process everything, but suddenly she couldn’t just sit there anymore.

“If y’all hadn’t have been at my party, this wouldn’t have happened,” she said, cutting Matt off midsentence.

He was quick to shake his head.

“Cassie, you know as well as I do that you and your party had nothing to do with this,” Matt said in defense. “That man was angry, probably out for revenge. Location doesn’t deter someone stuck in the mind-set that they’re going to try to take on the law.”

“But it did give the bastard the opportunity, didn’t it?”

She felt the heat that surged through her words seconds before Matt’s eyes widened a fraction. She’d bet Maggie’s were probably wider, too. It wasn’t every day that Cassie Gates had an outburst. She was the sweet one. The Southern girl who always smiled and was agreeable. The one who stayed optimistic when things went badly.

Her cheeks stung now that she’d broken out of her normal character. It didn’t help that Henry was there, staring at her with those eyes of steel. The same eyes that had traced her lips seconds before he’d kissed her for the first time. The same eyes that had traveled across her bare skin sometime later in the night.

Cool, hard steel she hadn’t seen since.

And she hated that she was thinking about that night right now. After the day they’d been through, it didn’t seem so important.

Yet she could feel the tears of being rejected starting to push themselves forward.

“Cassie...” Maggie began, but her tone was what finally broke the dam that Cassie had put up to keep herself sane after the diner.

The chair scraped against the floor as she pushed herself back and stood. With one hand on her stomach, Cassie met no one’s gaze. “Sorry, I’m just tired and hormonal,” she declared. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I think I’d like to go home now.”

Maggie, bless her, must have caught on that Cassie meant what she said.

“Okay,” she said, a reassuring smile lifting her expression. “That’s fine. Let me at least make you a plate before we go, though, all right? Tired or not, you two still need to eat something.”

There was force behind her words. A mother mothering a soon-to-be mother. Practically the lifeblood of the South. But she was right.

Cassie nodded and collected her plate. “I’ll help.”

Without looking at the men, or the one in particular, Cassie fled to the kitchen, a storm of emotions battling it out in her chest.

* * *

THE WOMEN WERE out and gone before Henry could think of a reason to pull Cassie aside, alone. Not that it would have changed anything. Cassie could have medaled at the Olympic sport of avoidance with how she’d skirted him on the way out.