The Sheriff's Secret Wife by Christyne Butler Page B

otherwise? I can be there before Maggie even hits the highway. With backup, and it won't be Steele because he's off duty."

"Maybe she wants you to call Gage." Maggie said.

"Are you nuts? She can't stand the man."

"There's a thin line between love and hate. If you ask me it's long past time she marched across that line."

"Not everyone is looking for happily ever after, Mags."

"Just because you're not doesn't mean Racy feels the same."

Racy pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. "Can I get a word in?"

"As long as it's the truth," Maggie shot back.

What the hell? Her friends weren't going to rest until they found out everything.

"Gage gave me a ride home because the weather sucked, okay? I found my brothers at the house celebrating their early release from prison by getting themselves and my dog drunk, which resulted in Gage again playing chauffeur for a trip to Kali's clinic. We finally got to bed about an hour before dawn."

The words fell from her mouth before she could stop them. Thank goodness for the need to breathe or otherwise she might've spewed out everything. Including Vegas.

Silence reigned. Racy started a ten count, knowing what was coming.

"Alone?"

She'd only made it to six. "Yes, Mags, alone."

"Are you still there?" Leeann asked. "And I'm guessing this is his new place at the lake?"

"Yes and yes. Before you ask, I didn't know about my brothers' release, and Jack is going to be okay."

Her gaze returned to the action outside in time to see Gage turn to face the beautiful blue waters of the lake. His back fully to her, he continued his workout. It was only a matter of time before his next move had him facing the window where she stood. She couldn't continue to watch—well, yeah she could—but it wouldn't look good.

She started to back away when she spotted her beloved golden retriever, tongue lolling out of his mouth and warm brown eyes fixed on the man who'd rescued him.

"Jack!" she cried. "He's here!"

Her friends started firing questions at her again, but a sharp whistle from her lips stopped them. "Guys, I appreciate the concern and I know you want to talk, but I've got a lot to deal with," Racy begged. "Can we hook up later in the week?"

"My bachelorette party is Friday night. I want details," Maggie demanded.

"I know." Racy attacked the buttons on the pajama top, yanking them open. She had to get dressed and check for herself Jack was okay. "I'll be there."

"If Billy Joe and Justin give you any trouble—" Leeann cut off her words. "If you need help, with anything, please call."

"Thanks, hon. Later, girls."

She snapped the cell phone closed as the last button on the pajama top gave way. She looked up, wanting to see Jack again, but instead found herself locked in the sights of a very sweaty and sexy sheriff.

Busted.

He stood in the center of the sunroom, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Moisture plastered his hair to his forehead and covered his chest. A perfect set of washboard abs graced his stomach and his pajama pants had slipped past his hip bones. And here she stood in undone jeans and an open pajama top, his pajama top, and her hair almost certainly a wild explosion of curls.

I am not a tease.

Of course you are. Always have been, always will be.

Their words filled her head as Gage grabbed a towel from a nearby chair. He hooked it around his neck, never taking his eyes off her.

A quick tug on the string and the shade dropped. Racy headed for the bed, yanking off the pajama top. She had to get dressed. Now.

A deep woof made her freeze.

Too late.

If Jack was in the bedroom, so was Gage.
     

Chapter Seven
    "E at."

Racy looked at the plate placed in the center of her desk. Four mini-burgers, still sizzling from the grill, topped with pale-green-and-orange coleslaw peeking from sesame seed buns. Golden-brown fried potato wedges sat piled in between the burgers. Their spicy fragrance caused her stomach to rumble.

Twenty-four hours had passed