Rebecca Zanetti - Under the Covers

Phillips grinned. “We didn’t. But we thought we might talk you into it.”

She narrowed her gaze. “I appreciate the support, but—”

A SUV screeched to a stop, and Sophie, Loni, and Dawn hopped out.

Dawn hustled over to assist Mrs. Hudson. “Oh, good. We thought we’d have to drag you to the sheriff’s station, Juliet.”

Juliet dug in her heels. “Why are you all pushing me there?”

Loni smiled. “I love my boy, but he’s a stubborn one. He’s hurt, you’re hurt, and there’s no time like the present to fix things.”

Sophie skipped over a mud puddle. “Plus, he won’t exactly yell at you in front of cameras. Well, probably only one camera. But still.”

Juliet’s mind spun as the group herded her down the street. They passed several blocks and picked up an even bigger crowd. Finally, they arrived at the sheriff’s office.

Quinn stood on the top step, wearing a clean shirt and jeans. Several reporters and one cameraman had set up in front of him. His wet hair curled over his collar. His eyes were hard, his jaw set, and his shoulders impossibly wide. Slowly, one dark eyebrow rose when he noticed her.

She sighed and stepped closer to him. “Can we talk?”

The camera swung to her.

“Now?” A crease deepened between his eyebrows as he took in the gathering townspeople.

Loni nudged Juliet up the rest of the steps.

She steeled her spine. “I’m sorry about getting you shot.” There. She’d said it.

Jake slid into view. “I believe the sheriff would like to thank you for your help in setting up the drug dealers, Juliet.” Several people in the crowd nodded.

Quinn loomed over her with an intimidating stance, apparently not giving a hoot about the election, cameras, or crowd. “You forgot to apologize for disobeying me and ending up in danger. I told you to stay at Jake’s until I picked you up today.”

She glowered. “I don’t take orders from you, Sheriff.” Her gaze caught on the white bandage peeking out of the neck of his shirt. “Though I am truly very sorry you were shot.” She winced.

“What part of ‘Don’t leave Jake’s until I come and get you’ did you not understand?” He was mad. Beyond mad. Fury filled the sheriff’s eyes…fury at her.

Jake interjected again. “The woman wanted to help you catch a drug dealer. She’s a hero.”

The crowd roared with a chorus of, “She’s a hero.”

Good Lord. She swallowed. “I know. But you’re not perfect, either.”

His gaze softened. “I know. And I really am sorry about last night.”

“What happened last night, Sheriff?” a reporter asked.

Juliet’s face heated.

Quinn growled and glared at the reporter. “None of your damn business.”

Juliet put her hands on her hips. A feminine instinct she hadn’t realized she had awakened. Determined. Ready to fight if necessary. Fight with him. More importantly—fight for him. He was everything she could ever want in this life…or the next. She leaned up and whispered into his ear, “You said you loved me.”

“I do love you. Why didn’t you tell me the truth?” he whispered back. Something besides anger flashed in his eyes. Hurt. She’d hurt him.

“We can’t hear you, Sheriff,” a reporter called.

“No shit.” Quinn lifted his voice.

The crowd rustled. A photographer flashed pictures.

Juliet leaned into him. “At first, you were just the hard-core sheriff, and I didn’t know you. Then, when we became close, I’d already lied for so long. I didn’t want to lose you. Didn’t want to disappoint you.” She kicked her foot and watched a pebble roll away. “I’m sorry.”

“Look at me, Juliet.”

The low tone tingled through her body. Gathering her courage, she looked him right in the eye. “I really am sorry.”

“Do you love me?”

“Yes. I love you.”

“No more lying?”

“No.” Hope bloomed in her chest. “I promise.”

“I love you, too.” He brushed a curl off her cheek. “I was heading to your place after this damn press conference.”

Tingles lifted her smile. “You were?”

“Of course. I’m not letting you get away, Juliet.” He tugged her close, and his mouth took hers.

The spectators erupted in cheers.

Quinn parked the truck against a lodgepole pine, looking dashing in a black shirt and faded jeans. Maybe not dashing, but definitely handsome and stronger than the mountains around them.

“My stomach is in knots.” Juliet smoothed her skirt.

He glanced toward Loni and Tom’s sprawling ranch house. “Either I won or I lost and will run for sheriff next time. If I lost, I wouldn’t mind working the ranch a little harder. The guys seem to be slacking a bit.”

Juliet smiled. “You’re overbearing.”

His cheek creased. “So you’ve told me.”

“Thank you for your help with the DEA.” She’d gotten immunity for anything she might have done and had supplied affidavits against Freddy and Luis. Freddy had made a deal to testify against Luis in exchange for a lenient sentence. Luis had pled out since the evidence was so strong.

The criminal issue was over.

Unfortunately, maybe Quinn’s career was, too.

He slid from the driver’s seat and crossed around to open her door. After assisting her to the ground, he shut the door. “I thought this would be a nice place to chat.”

She wobbled in her new boots. “Chat? Are you stalling, Sheriff? Let’s go inside to the party and see if you’ve been reelected or not.”

“Yes, chat.” He shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. “My family means a lot to me and will always be in my business and in my life.”

“Okay.”

“So will the town, the reservation, and the entire county.” He tugged on his already open collar. “You need to understand my life.”

Where in the world was he going with all of this? Perhaps he was more nervous about the election than he’d let on. “I do understand.”

“Good.” He breathed out in relief. “In that case”— he dropped to one knee and yanked a small box out of his pocket—“will you marry me?”

The world stopped spinning. Completely stopped. Nothing moved, nothing breathed. Juliet froze, her mind blank. Her knees quivered.

Quinn opened to box to reveal a spectacular square diamond surrounded by intricate Celtic knots—all in platinum.

Her breath whooshed out. Birds sprang to a loud chirping. The wind rustled around them. Joy filled her so completely she swayed. “Yes.”

Relief filled his eyes followed by a huge smile splitting his face. “Yes.” He slid the ring on her finger and stood, gathering her close for a kiss that started sweet and ended deep.

A roaring filled the early evening. They broke apart to find his family, deputies, and half the town spilling onto the porch.

“Woohoo.” Loni clapped her hands. “Get out the posters.”

Several “Congratulations on Your Engagement” posters and banners were taped along the house by many pairs of willing hands.

“How did you know?” Quinn frowned and drew Juliet closer to the crowd.

Leila shook her head. “Uncle Quinn. Just ‘cause you bought the ring in Billings don’t mean we don’t know people there.” She smiled, revealing a gap in her front teeth. “Duh.”

“Yeah, duh.” Jake reached out and shook his brother’s hand before grabbing Juliet for a hug. “Welcome to the family.”

Hugs, kisses, and congratulations surrounded them until everyone finally piled back inside. Quinn held Juliet’s hand, keeping her on the porch. “Life is going to get crazy, sweetheart. My job doesn’t have normal hours, and I’m involved in more than just keeping order.”

She smiled, running a reassuring hand down his arm to gaze up at his dark eyes. “I know, and I like being part of the community. Besides, I still get free rent at the gallery, right?” Her lips curved as amusement filtered through her. She was already planning another art showing for Sophie.

He chuckled. “Well, how about I let you earn free rent?”

“Hmmm. Sounds kinky.” Turned out Juliet liked kinky. Who knew?

“You know the whole pretending-to-date plan was a setup to get you right where I wanted you?” He brushed a kiss across her nose.

“Maybe you ended up right where I wanted you.” She levered up on her toes and slid her lips along his. “You’re everything I could ever want.”

Quinn tucked her closer and took over the kiss, going deep. They both breathed heavily when he released her.

Jake poked his head outside. “Preliminary numbers are in. Looks like you’re the sheriff again.” He turned back toward the party. “Damn it, Colton. That was my plate of nachos.” He disappeared from sight.

Quinn tangled his fingers with Juliet’s. “Well, sweetheart? Welcome to chaos.”

She grinned and slid into the family home and into a chaos where she belonged. “I like it here.”

“Good thing.” His hold tightened. “I love you, Juliet.”

“I love you, too.” She leaned into his strength. “Forever.”

There are so many folks who help to make sure a book becomes a final product—many behind the scenes whose names I don’t even know.

Thank you to my very patient and understanding family. Thanks to my husband, Tony, for the amazing support, laughs, and fun. It’s nice you don’t think I’m crazy for talking to the character voices in my head. Thanks to Gabe and Karly—I’m so proud of both of you!

Thank you to my spectacular agent, Caitlin Blasdell—I’m so glad I found you. I’ve used almost all of the really good adjectives to describe how awesome you are…I’m going to have to think up some new ones for upcoming books. Thanks as well to the gang at Liza Dawson Associates—you’re a wonderful group.

Thank you to my editor, Liz Pelletier, who gives excellent editorial advice and always has a terrific sense of humor. I hope we have many more books together in the future…and many more chances to meet up in person. I love those times!

Thank you to my Entangled team: Heather Howland, Misa Ramirez, Jessica Estep, Barbara Hightower, Sarah Weiss, Cameron Yeager, Alethea Spiridon Hopson, Jacki Rosellen, and Robin Haseltine. Also to everyone who has worked on my behalf whose names I don’t know yet.

Thank you to the Lethal Ladies for the support and help through the years. Thanks to the Inland Empire Chapter of RWA—I appreciate the support and friendship. Thanks also to my hardworking Facebook Street Team—you’re a lot of fun, and you always make me smile. I appreciate the hard work!

Finally, thank you to my constant support system: The Englishes, Smiths, Wests, Zanettis, Chapmans, and Namsons. You’re the best!

USA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner—only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes contemporary romances, dark paranormal romances, and romantic suspense novels.

Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day—or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

Please visit Rebecca at:

http://www.rebeccazanetti.com/

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