Charming Hannah (Big Sky #1)(12)

“Probably not,” he says with a laugh. “I mean, he’s God. And maybe I don’t have to work for the money, but I have to work for the sanity. What am I going to do, Brad, retire at thirty-two? And do what?”

“I don’t know, it would drive me nuts too,” I say and offer him a shrug. “When do you leave?”

“This afternoon.”

I just raise an eyebrow, and he cringes. “I know, it’s last minute. Jenna’s dealing with the tree house architect. I was supposed to be there for the meeting, but I don’t think she needs me. She’s awesome at this, and can handle herself.”

“Agreed,” I reply. “Did you give her a heads up?”

“Yeah, and she said she’d be okay. But I told her to call you if she needs you.”

“Okay, sounds good.”

“Her meeting with them is Saturday morning. That’s the only time they could meet this week.”

“I’m not free Saturday morning,” I reply.

“Why? Are you working?”

“No, I have a date.”

He’s quiet for a moment, and then he leans forward and I know I’m about to catch hell.

“With whom?”

“Hannah Malone.”

“Nice. I like her.”

“Do you know her?”

“It’s a small town, big brother. Of course I know her. Not well, but she’s hot as hell and seems nice.”

“Don’t make me break your arm again.”

He smirks. “Don’t worry, I’m not hot for her. Jenna probably won’t need you, but if you could be in cell range just in case, I’d appreciate it.”

“Not a problem,” I reply and pet Sadie when she sits next to me and rests her head in my lap. “Need anything else?”

“Just keep an eye on my house for me.”

“I’ll have my guys drive by throughout the day.”

“Thanks. I’ll try to get home sooner. We’ll see how it goes.”

“Taking your jet?”

“Yeah, it’s convenient.” He watches me for a second and then smirks. “Hey, you’re the one who said I have more money than God. What’s the use if I don’t spend some of it?”

“I didn’t say anything,” I insist. “Spend it all, I don’t care.”

“Let me pay off your house.”

“Fuck you.”

It’s the same argument about every four months. Max wants to help. To share what he’s built with those he loves, and I get that. But I don’t need him to pay off my fucking house.

“This tree house project is going to cost you plenty.”

“And I’ll make the money back when Jenna puts her magic on it,” he replies with a nod. “Okay, I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

“See you.”

He leaves my office, and I immediately call Jenna.

“Oh good, you called to tell me about your date.”

“No, nosy girl, I called because Max just left my office. He’s leaving for LA today.”

“I know. I told him I’d get his mail for him.”

“He said you have a meeting with the architect on Saturday?”

“Yeah, but I told him from the beginning that he didn’t have to be there. This is a preliminary meeting where they’ll show me what they have so far and I’ll hate it, and then they’ll have to rework it.”

“You sound so optimistic.” I smile and glance outside to see one of my officers talking to a kid with a skateboard. It’s getting heated.

“It’s just how it works. So it’s really not a big deal that Max can’t make it.”

“I’ll have my phone on me that morning, so just call if you need me.”

“Yes, sir,” she says, the way she does when she rolls her eyes at me. “Hi, I’m Jenna and I’m thirty-four years old. I’ve got this, Brad.”

“Yeah, yeah. Call me if you need me.”

I hang up on a deep sigh and stand to go to the window and watch the kid argue with my officer. Finally, the kid walks away, his skateboard under his arm. He turns back to flip the bird, and then jogs away.

My officer, Jacob, just hangs his head and sighs. Dealing with kids like that isn’t fun, but Jacob is a good cop.

I glance back at my desk and frown at the paperwork I still have to do, then decide fuck it. I slip the leash on Sadie and walk out of my office.

“Patrice, we’ll be back. I’m on my phone if you need me.”

She just nods, not looking up from the computer. That’s one of the things I like about Patrice; she doesn’t say what isn’t needed but she gets stuff done and doesn’t take my crap.

This place wouldn’t run without her.

It’s another beautiful summer day, and sitting in my office isn’t how I want to spend it. Sadie sits happily in my police-issue SUV passenger seat, her head out of the window letting the wind blow over her face.

I don’t have a destination in mind, so I make a loop through town, passing by my place that sits near the lake, then up past Jenna’s B&B and Max’s house. The tourists haven’t started to rush into town yet for the season, so the traffic isn’t bad.