LITMIR.BIZ

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as if she was about to lose control.

      Easy there, sweetheart, he counseled silently.

      As if she’d heard him, her eyes met his and held for several moments. His pulse hammered against his throat. Then she squared her shoulders and folded her hands in her lap.

      He turned back to his father. “You’d like her. She’s a real spitfire.”

      Joe smiled. “Like your mother.”

      Sam forced himself not to look at Julia again. “I was ten when she died. I don’t remember that much.”

      “This one’s different than your other girls?”

      Sam caught the waitress’s attention and signaled for the check.

      “Because I think you need a new perspective. After what happened with...”

      “I don’t want to rehash my relationship history.”

      Joe reached across the table and clasped Sam’s hand in his. “I know you want to find love and settle down.”

      Sam heard a loud cough behind him and found the young waitress staring. Her look could only be described as predatory. Fantastic. Sam had dated some when he’d first come to town but had kept to himself recently, finding it easier and less complicated to be alone. The way gossip went viral in Brevia, he’d have a fresh line of eligible women in front of his office by morning.

      “I told you,” Sam said, loud enough for the waitress to hear. “I’ve got a girlfriend. We’re very happy.”

      The waitress dropped the check on the table with a humph and stalked away.

      “It’s serious?” Joe asked.

      Sam’s gaze wandered to Julia again. “Very,” he muttered as she jabbed a finger across the table. This time his mental warning to not lose control didn’t reach her. Her voice grew so loud that people at surrounding tables turned.

      “I want to meet her,” his dad said, rubbing his palms together, oblivious to the commotion behind him. “Why don’t you give her a call and see if she can meet us for dessert? If she’s so wonderful, I can help make sure you don’t blow it.”

      At the moment, Sam wasn’t worried about screwing up anything himself or producing a nonexistent girlfriend for his dad to fawn over. Instead he felt the need to avert someone else’s disaster. “I’ll be right back.”

      Joe grabbed his arm as he started past. “Don’t be sore, Sammy. I was joking. You’re a great catch.”

      Sam shrugged out of his father’s grasp. “I need a minute. Stay here.”

      He darted around a passing waiter as he made his way to Julia, who now stood in front of the booth.

      “You have no idea what I’m capable of,” she shouted. All eyes on this side of the restaurant were glued to her.

      Just as he reached her, Julia picked up a glass of water from the table. Sam leaned in and wrapped his fingers around hers before she could hurl it at anyone.

      “Hey there, sugar,” he said as he pulled her tense body tight to his side. “I didn’t realize your meeting was at Carl’s tonight. You doing okay?”

      “Let go of me,” she said on a hiss of breath. “This is none of your concern.”

      “Well, I am concerned,” he whispered then plastered on a wide smile. “I haven’t met your new friends yet.”

      She squirmed against him. “They aren’t my—”

      “Howdy, folks,” Sam interrupted, turning his attention to the two strangers staring at him. “I’m Sam Callahan. A...uh...friend of Julia’s.”

      The woman in the corner practically screamed “old money,” from her sophisticated haircut to her tailored suit. A thick strand of pearls hung around her neck and a massive diamond sparkled on her left hand. The way her gaze narrowed, she must be Charlie’s paternal grandmother. Next to her was a younger woman, tiny and bookish. Her big owl eyes blinked from behind retro glasses. Faint streaks of color stole up her neck from the collar of her starched oxford shirt as she watched the two of them.

      “Friend?” The older woman scoffed. “Latest conquest, no doubt.” She nudged the woman beside her. “Are you taking notes on this? She’s now flaunting her boy toy in front of us.”

      Boy toy? Sam’s smile vanished and he worked to keep his voice pleasant. “Excuse me, ma’am, you have the wrong idea—”

      She continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “Can you imagine what my grandson’s been subjected to when his mother is obviously a tramp? When the judge hears—”

      Sam held up a hand. “Wait just one minute, lady. If you think you can waltz in here—”

      Julia’s fingernails dug into his arm. “I don’t need your help. Walk away.”

      He glanced down at her and saw embarrassment shimmering along with anger in her expression. And fear. At the mention of the word judge, he’d felt some of the fight go out of her. He wished he hadn’t interrupted, that he’d let her handle her own problems, the way she’d wanted to in the first place. But a part of Sam needed to be the hero just so he could feel something. It was what he was used to, one of the few things he could count on. That part of him couldn’t walk away.

      He released Julia and leveled his best law-enforcement stare at the grandmother. As he expected, she shrank back and darted a nervous glance at her companion. “I’m Sam Callahan, Brevia’s police chief.” Hands on hips, he held her gaze. “To be clear, I am no one’s boy toy and would appreciate if you’d conduct yourself in a more civilized manner in my town. We don’t take kindly to strangers spreading malicious rumors about our own. Do I make myself clear?”

      Several beats passed before the studious-looking woman cleared her throat. “Mr. Callahan—”

      Sam squared his shoulders. “You can call me Chief.”

      The attorney swallowed. “Chief Callahan, I’m Lexi Preston. I represent the interests of Charlie Morgan’s father, Jeff Johnson, and grandparents, Dennis and Maria Johnson. My father is the Johnsons’ family attorney and he asked me—”

      “Get to the point.”

      “Yes, well...” Lexi mumbled as she shuffled papers around the table. “I was simply explaining to Ms. Morgan the facts of her case, or lack thereof, when she became hostile and confrontational. My client is not to blame for this unfortunate disturbance. We have statements from a number of Ms. Morgan’s former acquaintances as to her character, so Dr. Johnson’s assertion, while ill-advised, is not without foundation.”

      He heard Julia suck in a breath but kept his attention on the two women. “I don’t care what your so-called statements allege. You’re not going to drag Julia’s name through the mud.”

      Preston collected the rest of the papers. “Why is Ms. Morgan’s reputation your business? Is she under investigation by local law enforcement?”

      “This can’t get any worse,” Julia whispered so low only he could here. “Go away, Sam. Now.”

      From the corner of his eye, Sam saw his father standing a few feet away, watching him intently. Sam was a good cop and he played things by the book, having learned the hard way not to bite off more than he could chew.

      But some lessons didn’t stick.

      He peeled Julia’s hand from its death grip around his upper arm and laced her fingers with his. “It’s my business, Counselor, because I’m not going to let you or anyone hurt the woman I intend to marry.”

       Chapter Two

      Julia thought things couldn’t get worse.

      Until

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