Page 50 of Her Three Rangers
“I have to be at work soon,” I said, not feeling particularly motivated to start getting ready. “I think I’d rather join you there on the couch, though.”
He patted the cushion next to him. “Come on over. I don’t mind sharing.”
I laughed, pretty sure he wasn’t just talking about seating arrangements. Once I was nestled in next to him, his arm around me as I curled up on the cushion, I asked about his job the night before.
“Did you and Cody find what you were looking for last night?”
“Oh, yeah,” he said, grimacing. “It was bad. Garrick Windram will go to hell for what he’s putting those people through. But I hope he rots in a prison cell for the rest of his life first.”
I didn’t know a lot of the details besides the tidbits the guys had already told me, and judging by the look on Jaeger’s face, I didn’t need to know.
Besides, I knew Garrick well enough to believe he was capable of just about anything.
A shudder went through my body as I remembered the last encounter I’d had with him, how he had nearly run me off the road and then had tried to force himself on me.
I had a feeling it was going to be a long time before those memories stopped haunting me.
Jaeger pulled me close, rubbing lazy circles in my back until I had relaxed again.
“Thank you for being here with me,” I said. “I should probably start getting dressed if I’m going to make it into the office on time.”
“Anything exciting on the agenda today?” he asked, standing up first before helping me to my feet. “I’ve got a little bit of work I can do finishing up the kennel, but I think I’m mostly just supposed to be your shadow today.”
I gave him a sympathetic look. “I’m afraid you’re mostly in for a day of watching me do paperwork, then. I have a couple of appointments this morning, and then I need to go take Bailey home.”
“Is that the goat?” he asked.
I nodded. “But don’t worry. I won’t try to run off without you this time.”
He grinned. “I’m gonna have to spank you if you even think about it.”
I felt a jolt of heat at those words, and if I hadn’t already been pressed for time, I might have tried to talk him into a little demonstration—just a taste of what I might be in for with that hypothetical spanking.
“Tempting,” I said, sighing as I shook my head. “You know exactly how to get what you want, don’t you?”
A wide grin spread across his face. “I can’t argue with that.” He shrugged. “But what would you say if I told you that all I want is you?”
I stepped in to give him a quick kiss, then backed away with a smile.
“I’d say you’re in luck. You’ve already got me.”
“She seems to be doing just fine, Bill,” I reached down to scratch under Bailey’s chin as she nuzzled up against my leg. “She sure is a sweetheart.”
“Thank you, Grace,” Bill said, his eyes full of emotion. “I’m sorry that it’s been such a hassle.”
“No hassle at all,” I said, smiling. “She’s always such a joy, I’ll never get tired of seeing her—just hopefully under less worrisome circumstances next time.”
“From your lips to God’s ears,” Bill replied, looking up at the sky for a moment. “She sure gave me a scare.”
“Well, everything should be back to normal now, but call me if you have any questions, okay?”
“Thanks, Grace.” He waved as I walked back to the truck where Jaeger was patiently waiting. “Take care.”
“You too, Bill.”
It made my heart happy to see Bailey scampering around his legs as he walked back toward his barn, and I was still smiling when I climbed into the passenger side of the truck.
“Looks like you made that goat’s day,” Jaeger said.