Need You for Keeps (Heroes of St. Helena, #1)(50)

“So you knew and came anyway?”

“I knew today was important.” That was it. Five simple words, spoken with a warm intensity that was as wonderful as it was overwhelming.

“I don’t know what to say,” she admitted, beyond humbled. Jonah had brought the cards for her, even knowing they could inadvertently help his opponent. “Wait. How did you get the cards?”

He smiled, loose and easy, and—good Lord, was that her heart melting? “You might want to hide your key somewhere other than under the doormat.”

“Did you break into my house, Sheriff?”

“Jonah,” he said, his name a low rumble on his lips, making it clear who was before her today. Badge or not, she decided, he was her hero. “And technically I had the owner’s permission. Why, Trouble? You want to press charges?”

There were a lot of things she wanted to press right then, but none of them included charges.

“I want to say thank you,” she said and realized that she was swaying. Swaying. Shay didn’t giggle or blush and she most certainly didn’t sway. She looked at the ground, saw it move side to side, and sighed. Definitely swaying. “But it will have to wait since you know how my thank-yous can be.”

His gaze dropped to her lips, then the neckline of her dress, and she shivered. “The cat needs his meds soon, I’d better go. Good luck with today. Call if you need anything.”

“We’re fine,” Warren said, walking over to sling his arm around Shay’s shoulder again. “I got this. In fact, I was just telling Peggy that I could work your charity walk, Shay.”

“No need,” Jonah said and, wow, if he’d sent that look her way she’d wet her pants. “I actually came down to let her know that I already got a team together. Permit is signed and ready to submit.”

“You did? It is?”

“I did,” he said, all authoritative and sheriffy, but she could see the softness in his eyes. “And it is.”

“You did all that on your day off?” Warren asked, the bullshit detector clear in his voice. “That’s some kind of dedication.”

Warren did not mean it as a compliment. In fact, the what a loser look he sent Shay made her ears burn with anger—and ignited a protectiveness she hadn’t felt over another two-legged friend in a long time.

“That’s called being sweet,” Shay said, untangling herself from Warren. She leaned up and gave Jonah a kiss on the cheek, then stepped back and said, “And I am a sucker for sweet.”

At that, Jonah smiled big and wide. “It’s at my place if you want to stop by after work and pick it up.”

“I have to stop by my shop first. My new couch is being delivered later today.” It was big, durable, and comfy in that have-a-seat-and-stay-awhile kind of way. It was also the most important piece of furniture she’d purchase for the shop. She couldn’t open without it. “It might be late.”

“Anytime,” was his response, but the secret smile he gave said it was more of a tonight you’re mine kind of invite.

Shay nodded. She couldn’t speak. Jonah was in his element, being large and in charge, and he’d just invited her back to his place—after hours.

Anytime had suddenly become her favorite word.



Jonah hadn’t walked into the pet spa with the intention of starting a pissing match.

Okay, he’d totally gone into it with that exact intention.

When Peggy called asking him to bring down the box on Shay’s kitchen table, he’d thrown on his superhero cape and raced on over, wanting to save her event. Only when he’d arrived, he discovered she already had a superhero. Not that Warren was anywhere near superhero level—he was more of the bumbling sidekick—but he put on a good show. That the show was for Shay pissed him off, thus the match.

Lying about the permit had been a rookie move, one that Warren could prove in a single call. But there had been something about the way Shay looked up at him when he walked in, as if he, not Warren, had just made her whole day, and Jonah made a snap decision. One he had to fix.

Good thing he excelled at thinking on his feet. He knew the only officers not working that day were Warren and another deputy who was going to a wedding. And Warren spending all day with Shay, at her charity walk, was not going to happen.

Once outside, Jonah gave a final stern smile to the line of women, then pulled out his cell and dialed his boss.

“It’s your day off, Baudouin,” Sheriff Bryant said when he answered. “So if you’re calling me it means you need to get a life.”

“Working on it, sir,” Jonah said. “It’s actually what I need to talk to you about. I’d like to take a personal day the Saturday after next.”

“I’m glad you’re finally starting to think long term, use up some of those vacation hours before they expire, but Saturdays are hard.”

Jonah peered back through the spa’s window at Warren sitting next to Shay, looking a little too cozy for his liking, signing those damn cards, which were as good as votes.

“I bet Warren can take the shift,” Jonah said. “He hasn’t worked a Saturday in over a month. He wants to be sheriff, the guy should know what he’s getting himself into.”

The sheriff chuckled. “I agree. I’ll let him know as soon as you fill out the request. But if you’re taking the day off to work that walk-a-thon, know I can’t spare anyone else.”