LITMIR.BIZ

       Chapter Three

      “Where is she?” Harlan stormed through the front door of the station after dropping Ivy off at his brother’s house. “And what did you mean she isn’t alone? Who’s with her?”

      “It’s not a who. It’s a what,” Bryan said.

      “Again?” Harlan’s shoulders slumped in relief. Marriage of convenience aside, the thought of Belle with another man tore his gut in two. “What are the charges?”

      “Trespassing, breaking and entering, and theft.” Bryan laughed. “You sure know how to pick ’em. Did my wedding invite get lost in the mail?”

      “I’ll explain that later.” Harlan headed to the back of the station, swiped his access card and walked through two sets of double doors to the prisoner holding area. There she was. Wet, muddy and clutching something tucked inside her shirt.

      “Hey, sweetheart. I forgot to tell you...our marriage comes with one stipulation. You can’t get arrested while we’re together. You’ve racked up three charges within two hours. That must be a record, even for you. It’s time to aim for some new goals.”

      “Get me out of here, Harlan.” Belle hurried to the bars and angled her chest toward him. “This piglet needs milk replacer and fast.”

      “Oh, it’s a pig this time. That explains the mud. Tell me the story first.”

      “There’s no time,” Belle pleaded.

      “Tough.” Harlan gritted his teeth. He gripped the bars and lowered his face to hers. “You need to tell me what happened so I can attempt some damage control.”

      “Fine.” Belle huffed. “I received a call shortly after I got home. There was an eighteen-wheeler delivering pigs to the Johnson farm way out on Back Hollow Road. This person who shall remain anonymous said they saw the pigs herded off the trailer into holding pens and the piglet tossed in after them. They said it was a life-threatening condition. I couldn’t ignore the situation. I had to do something.”

      “So instead of calling me or another deputy sheriff, you put yourself in danger and stole it.”

      “It’s a she and I rescued her. I couldn’t wait for you or anyone else,” Belle hissed. “It was too big of a risk. Especially out there. This pig isn’t even a week old and she’s sunburnt from being in the back of that trailer for heaven only knows how long. I don’t know the last time she ate or even if she’ll live. Harlan, either you get me out of here or you call Dr. Presley to come take her. I don’t care what happens to me, but you have to help this poor animal.”

      Harlan slapped the side of his thigh, hating the position she’d put him in. Belle’s fierce stare starkly contrasted the piglet’s weak gaze. Rescuing animals had always been her greatest passion and he wouldn’t have expected anything less of her. Unfortunately, it was bound to adversely impact his job. It had been one day and he already felt powerless around her. Between his past mistakes, a terrifying prospect of a future together—however temporary—and a muddied present, second thoughts crept into his brain. Lucky for Belle, his heart controlled the moment.

      “I’m not sure I can get you out of this mess tonight.” He reached through the bars and stroked the top of the piglet’s tiny head. “But, I’ll do what I can. Stay here.”

      “As if I have a choice.” Belle rolled her eyes.

      After promising to pay triple the price of a full-grown pig, Harlan persuaded the farm owner to drop the theft charge. She was still on the hook for the B&E and trespassing, but at least it meant he’d get her out of jail tonight.

      “Where am I going to put you?” Harlan looked her up and down. “You’re not getting the front of my cruiser all dirty. Oh, I know.” He strode over and opened the back door. “Hop in. It’s not like it’s your first time.”

      “So you’re going to treat me like a criminal?”

      “Are you serious? Where are we right now? It’s either this or you walk.”

      “You’re such a charmer.” She scowled as she climbed inside. “I already miss the man I married.”

      “Speaking of that.” Harlan slid behind the wheel. “I would like to be elected sheriff one day and that means my wife can’t run around getting arrested. As long as we’re husband and wife, I implore you to stay out of trouble. I mean it, Belle. Not just for my sake. It’s for my daughter’s, too. Whatever you do now reflects on her. This isn’t the little secret wedding you and I thought it would be. Everyone knows and I can’t allow anything negative to affect Ivy. Do we have an understanding?”

      “Yes. I’ll be more careful next time.”

      “Oh, okay. I can see you paid close attention to that conversation.” He steered the SUV onto Belle’s street.

      “Please don’t be mad. I did the right thing.”

      “I’m not mad. You frustrate the hell out of me. Always have. It’s like you’re permanently under my skin. I made a commitment to you and I’ll honor it. My daughter even asked if you’d be moving in with us.” Belle’s gaze met his in the mirror. “Not because she’s scared of you. She was hoping you’d be her mom. Do you have any idea what that did to me?”

      “I’m sorry Molly turned out to be such a jerk. I never expected that of her.” Her voice softened. “I never expected a lot of the things she did. And I don’t wish abandonment on anyone. Child or adult.”

      Message received loud and clear. First Belle’s mom had abandoned her, and then he had, too. If any man ever treated Ivy that way, Harlen would probably be behind bars and Belle would be the one bailing him out.

      Harlan parked beside her truck, shut the engine and opened the back door for her to exit.

      “How did my truck get here?” Belle asked as they walked past her red Chevy.

      “I had it towed here instead of the impound lot. Consider it and the piglet a wedding present.”

      “Honey, you shouldn’t have.” She reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He wasn’t sure if she meant to be sarcastic or sincere, but he wasn’t about to turn her away.

      Belle glanced at her front door. “What’s that?”

      Harlan recognized the fluorescent orange notice without even having to read it. “You’ve been served your walking papers.”

      “They can’t evict me. I pay rent.” Belle ignored the paper and unlocked the door.

      Harlan reached above her head and tore it off. “This is from the board of health.”

      “Whatever. Stand back when I open the door. Sometimes Olive gets a little aggressive when I come home.”

      Harlan followed her in. “It says you’re harboring livestock?” Before he had a chance to look up, a tiny goat hurled into him, almost taking out his shin in the process.

      “I warned you.” Belle stepped over a baby gate and flicked on the kitchen light.

      Now he understood the livestock. “Belle, please tell me you didn’t steal these animals.”

      “First, I’m not a thief.” She set a spoon and a bowl on the counter next to a large container of instant milk replacer before disappearing into the other room

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