Charming Hannah (Big Sky #1)(37)

“I know, you’re not married, but I see the way you look at each other, and I know love when I see it. You haven’t said it yet, have you?”

I shake my head no and she keeps talking.

“That’s okay. It’s good to take it easy and let your relationship progress naturally. But you need to know going into it that you’re not just in a relationship with a man. He’s an important man, and in this town in particular, they will feel like they own him. You’ll share him.

“The statistics for marriages lasting for cops aren’t good.”

“Mary, I mean no disrespect, but I’m going to interrupt you for a moment.” I hold my hand up and when she stops, I shake my head. “I know who he is. And I would like to add that as a doctor, my schedule is just as erratic. I see horrible things. And my patients do believe they own me, and that I should be at their beck and call. I get it. I like to think that I get it as much as anyone who isn’t a cop can.”

“You’re right,” she says, watching me carefully. “You would, wouldn’t you? You know, my Bruce’s daddy was also an officer here in Cunningham Falls, and his mom tried to warn me about these things right before we got married. I didn’t listen to her. I was so in love with that man I couldn’t see straight.”

“And it seems to have worked out well for you,” I point out.

“Forty years of marriage,” she says with a nod. “Forty years, and only the past three of them have been somewhat normal. But I wouldn’t have traded it. What he did was important. He kept people safe, and he saved lives. I’m so proud of him. When Brad told us that he’d applied for the chief position when Bruce announced his retirement, I tried to talk him out of it. I knew that if he wanted a family it would take a toll. But he’s so much like his father.” She shrugs as if to say, what are you going to do? “He’s doing a good job, and we are so proud of him.”

“I am, too.”

Her head whips around to stare at me for a moment and then she smiles. “I think you mean that.”

“Of course I do. He’s an amazing man. I’m damn proud of him, and I’m enjoying spending time with him very much. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I’m going to continue to enjoy him, for as long as I can. No relationship is easy, and we both chose professions that are harder than most, but I also think that means that we’re dedicated. I don’t see why that wouldn’t also include being dedicated to each other.”

“I like you, Hannah.” Mary is smiling now, almost smugly.

“Really? Because it sounds like you’re trying to warn me away from your son.”

“Not at all. I just wanted to see what you’re made of. I think you can stick up for yourself just fine. Not just to me, but more importantly, to the townspeople. You’ll need that backbone where they’re concerned.”

“They don’t scare me,” I reply honestly.

“Good.”

“Don’t scare her off already,” Brad says as he joins us. “I defeated Grace, but it wasn’t pretty.”

“He did not,” Grace yells up to us, making us all laugh.

“When are the fireworks?” I ask, looking at the time. “It doesn’t get dark here until after ten.”

“They wait until then,” Brad says. “I have to have my radio on, just in case. I have sheriff deputies helping my guys tonight, but if anything major happens, they might need to reach me.”

“I get it,” I reply. “What do we do in the mean time?”

“Eat,” Jacob says from the doorway. “I’ve just had more food brought in.”

“I’m going to gain twenty pounds today.” I laugh and jump up from my chair. “But I’m not complaining. Also, I think I’ll go down and kick some ass at the ping pong.”

“You think you can beat me?” Brad asks with a sexy brow cocked.

“Hell, yes, I can beat you. And Grace, too.”

“Let’s do it,” Brad says and rubs his hands together. I follow him down to the patio below where everyone else is hanging out, eating fresh Mexican food from a local restaurant.

“How did you have this delivered on a holiday?” I ask Jacob, immediately reaching for a plate.

“I own the restaurant, darling,” he replies smugly and steals a chip off of his wife’s plate.

“That’ll do it.” I load my plate with tacos and chips, gratefully accept a Mexican Coke from Max, and take a seat next to Jenna. “This smells so good.”

“Sm gmmf,” Jenna says with her mouth full, making me grin.

The food isn’t just good, it’s to die for, and I eat more than my share. When I can’t shove another bite into my mouth, I stand, stretch my arms over my head, then saunter over to the ping-pong table and pick up a paddle.

“Let’s do this, Hull.”

He’s sitting on the couch, watching me with hot green eyes. The kind of hot that tells me he wants to bend me over this table and do things to me that are definitely not appropriate for mixed company.

I toss him a sassy grin. “Well? Are you coming?”

“I’m coming,” he says, his lips twitching with humor. “I just worry about this.”

“Why?”