Gaylynn (Seven Sisters Book 3) Page 4

  She shook her head, and he dropped his hands. “No! I mean, I don’t not want you to kiss me. It’s English, so double negatives mean I do want you to kiss me. See?”

  “I’m confused, but I have permission to kiss, so I’m going for it.” His hands went right back to her waist, and he pulled her close. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

  Gaylynn wrapped her arms around his neck and held on for dear life. She’d only been kissed a couple of times, because she’d always been the studious one in school, and she’d rarely been asked out as a result. She moved closer to him, her lips moving under his.

  By the time they parted, they were both out of breath. “That was a kiss.” Gaylynn knew she sounded silly—and breathless—but she couldn’t help it. Her other kisses had been pretty lackluster in comparison.

  He laughed softly. “Sure was. Did your toes curl?”

  “I think they fell off. I can’t feel them anymore.”

  “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

  “Can it be a good thing to be toeless? Is that even a word?”

  “No idea.” He dropped his forehead until it rested against hers. “I’ll pick you, Tanya, and Joy up at eleven on Saturday morning.”

  “We’ll be ready.”

  “I’ll call you when I can, but I work night shifts for a few days.”

  “That’s fine. I don’t need to talk to you every other minute.”

  He frowned. “What if I need to talk to you every other minute? Did you ever think of that?”

  “I guess not . . . I was just trying to tell you that I’m not like my college roommate who had to spend hours on the phone with her fiancé every night breathing at each other and saying, ‘I love you’ over and over because they had nothing in common and therefore nothing else to say to each other.

  “Well, I’m glad to hear it.” He leaned down and brushed her lips with his briefly. “See you Saturday.”

  And he was gone. Gaylynn stared after him as he left, wondering what on earth had just happened to her. She’d agreed to a kiss, but she hadn’t expected one kiss to change her entire life.

  Chapter Five

  Gaylynn walked around in a bit of a daze for the rest of the day. When she returned home, she found Tanya and Joy at the table doing homework. She pulled the Amelia Bedelia book from her bag and set it on the table, and Joy picked it up. “I haven’t read this book yet!”

  “It’s a favorite of mine. If your mom doesn’t mind, maybe we can read it together later tonight.” Gaylynn walked into the kitchen to start supper and found that there was already a big pot of chicken and dumplings on the stove. “That smells good!”

  Tanya grinned at her from the table. “I figured if you were giving us a place to stay, the least I could do would be to make supper.”

  “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

  Tanya looked at her daughter for a moment. “Why don’t you go put your new book in your room?”

  “How did it go at the police station today?” Gaylynn asked as soon as the little girl was out of earshot.

  “Oh, that was nothing. How was your date with Officer Sexpot?”

  “Officer Sexpot? I’ll tell him you called him that.” Gaylynn grinned. “It was amazing. We have the same favorite restaurant, and we had a wonderful time.”

  “Did he kiss you?”

  Gaylynn blushed, and she knew that answered the question for her. “Maybe.”

  “Maybe?” Tanya laughed softly. “That must have been some kiss.”

  “He told me he was going to make my toes curl with a kiss, and I didn’t believe him. I was wrong. I swear they must have fallen off halfway through that kiss, because I still can’t feel them.”

  “Wow. I’m jealous.”

  “Why would you be jealous? You’ve got a man you love.”

  Tanya shrugged. “I do love Roger with everything inside me, but . . . it’s not new love. It’s not first kiss and handholding new love. I guess I’ll just have to live vicariously through you.”

  Gaylynn shook her head. “I need to introduce you to my receptionist, Lisa. She says the same thing.”

  “There’s just something special about new love. It’s certainly not worth giving up on proven love, but it’s still special. It’s why women read romance novels and watch romantic movies. We want to experience that new love over and over and all the special tingles that go with it.”

  “I think you’re being silly, but I’m glad you’re excited about my new love.”

  Joy ran back into the room then, and the conversation immediately changed. “How was school, Joy?” Gaylynn asked.

  “It was good. But Tommy Jacobs sat next to me for lunch again, and he’s not very nice. He always tries to drink my milk.”

  “Doesn’t he have his own milk?” Gaylynn asked.

  “He does, but he wants mine instead. He’s mean.” Joy climbed back onto the chair at the table with her mother. “Let’s work on my reading some more, Mama.”

  Gaylynn was surprised at how much freer the little girl seemed today than she had the day before. Everything seemed to be looking up for them all.

  By Saturday morning, Gaylynn was very ready to see Zach again. He’d called a couple of times, but it had always been quick. She hurried when she heard the knock on the door. “Good morning, Officer.”

  “Good morning.” He winked at her, turning to see Joy standing beside her mother. “You look lovely this morning, Joy.”

  “Why aren’t you wearing your uniform?” Joy asked, her brow furrowed. “Can you still protect us without a uniform?”

  “I can. I’m trained to protect beautiful ladies no matter what I’m wearing!” Zach smiled at Tanya. “I do want the two of you to stay close if you can.”

  “We will. Thank you for allowing us to tag along on your date. I’m sure that wasn’t at the top of your list of things you wanted to do today.” Tanya seemed almost nervous to go, but she was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, so she looked ready

  “I’m happy you’re able to go. When does your husband get home?” Zach asked.

  “He should be here between six and eight tonight. We talked last night, and he’s pushing to get home tonight.”

  Zach turned back to Joy. “Are you ready to see your daddy?”

  “Yes! He’s going to take me to the café and buy me a Cherry Coke.”

  Tanya laughed. “And you’re going to tell him every bad word I said and every cent I spent while he was gone.”

  Joy grinned at her mother. “It’s the way things work.”

  “I know it is.” Tanya pulled one of Joy’s pigtails lightly.

  Zach glanced around the small house, liking what he saw. It was very neat, but he wasn’t sure if it was that way because Gaylynn had cleaned knowing he was coming or if it was because she had guests. Maybe she always kept it that clean, but that would take a lot of effort with the number of hours she worked.

  “Are we all ready?” he asked.

  Gaylynn nodded. “We’ve been ready forever. You’re late.”

  He glanced at his watch. “It’s just now eleven.”

  “But if you’re not fifteen minutes early, then you’re late. My daddy taught me that.”

  “Great. I’ll do better next time.” Zach grinned at her, taking her hand and pulling her toward his car.

  “Do you mind if we take my car?” Gaylynn asked. “It’s easier to get in and out of.” Her car was four-door, while his was only two.

  He shrugged. “Can I drive?”

  She rolled her eyes but handed him the keys. She wasn’t a huge fan of driving anyway. If he wanted to drive them, more power to him. “Just be gentle. No tickets.”

  He sighed. “I’m a cop. I’m always safe.”

  Joy giggled. “You don’t look like a cop. You’re wearing a t-shirt!”

  He grinned down at the little girl as they all piled into the car. “Let’s go have a party. Anyone else ready for a big picnic at the park?”

  “I am!” Joy yelled from the back. She seemed to not even be worried about running into Tim. There was safely in numbers.

  When they got to the park, the first person Gaylynn saw was her mother, who was sitting behind a table selling baked goods. Her father was manning one of the grills. Her sisters seemed to be all over the park, one flirting with a stranger to Gaylynn, one scooping potato salad onto people’s plates.

  “Let’s eat, and then I’ll hunt down all my family members to introduce all of you.” Gaylynn said.

  “Are there that many?” Tanya asked.

  “At least a tenth of the people here have McClain blood or are married to a McClain. Have you heard the expression about swinging a dead cat?”

  They got into the line and picked the things they wanted from the food offered. Gaylynn’s sister Marti was manning the potato salad. “Are there raw onions in there?” Gaylynn asked.

  “Yup, but Mom said you’d be here, so I have a small bowl just for you.” Marti picked up a small Styrofoam bowl and handed it to her sister.

  “Thanks! I hope you didn’t bring Mom your laundry!” Gaylynn said with a frown.

  “Mom likes doing my laundry!” Marti retorted.

  Gaylynn sighed. “This is my youngest sister, Marti. Marti, this is Zach, Tanya, and Joy. They’re my dates today.”

  “Three dates? Wait ’til I tell Dad . . .”

  Gaylynn moved down the line. Her sister Rebekah was scooping baked beans. She plopped a spoonful on Gaylynn’s plate without asking. “Maybe I don’t want beans!”

  “Please! You love beans!” Rebekah looked at Zach. “Aren’t you the new policeman in town?”

  “Yup. I am. Zach Jones.”

  “Rebekah McClain.”

  “Another sister?” Zach asked Gaylynn.

 
“Ready to swing that dead cat now?” Gaylynn asked.

  Rebekah wrinkled her nose. “You have such a way with words.”

  Gaylynn went to the end of the line to pay, finding her sister Tracy at the cash box. “Hey, you!”

  Tracy grinned. “Who’s the guy?”

  “This is Zach Jones. He’s new in town. And these are my friends Tanya and Joy.”

  “Wow. Group dates. At your age?” Tracy took money from Zach and gave him his change.

  “Talk to you later.” Gaylynn hurried away. “And now you know why I don’t go to picnics in town. They have as many McClains as there are ants!” There were no empty picnic tables, so she chose the table with her cousin Peter and his fiancée, Lillian. “Mind if we invade?”

  Peter tore his eyes from Lillian’s to shake his head at her. “Nope. There’s always room for family.”

  Gaylynn set her plate and root beer on the table. “Zach, this is my cousin Peter and his fiancée, Lillian. This is Zach Jones and my friends Tanya and Joy.”

  “Nice to meet all of you,” Peter said politely. Peter was always polite.

  “Peter will be taking over the boys’ ranch after his wedding next month.”

  “Oh, so you’re the lucky one who gets to do that! Gaylynn mentioned you earlier this week.” Zach offered his hand to shake Peter’s.

  “Yeah, that would be me. I get to inherit all of the boys as well as the ranch.”

  “Is that good or bad?” Zach asked.

  Peter shrugged. “I’m not really sure. I’m not dreading it, because I’ve known my entire life that’s what I’d end up doing, but it feels a little overwhelming at the moment.”

  Lillian smiled, a calmness behind her eyes. “I think it’s wonderful. I can’t wait to have all of those boys to mother.”

  Peter sighed. “We’re very excited.”

  “Obviously,” Zach said with a grin, sitting at the table and picking up his fork. Joy sat across from him, and it seemed deliberate. Zach immediately looked around and spotted Tim standing off to one side, his plate of food in his hands. “Don’t worry, Joy.”

  Joy smiled. “You’re here to protect me.”

  “I am. There’s nothing more important for me to do today. Nothing.”

  “Okay,” Joy said. She seemed to stop worrying as she picked up her fork and started eating.

  Gaylynn’s eyes went to Tim as well, and his narrowed at her. And then he started walking toward them. She reached out and took little Joy’s hand. “Hello.”

  “If it isn’t my favorite counselor. What are you doing here?”

  “It’s a city picnic. I’m picnicking.” Gaylynn took a sip of her root beer, wondering how to proceed. “What are you doing here?”

  “Just looking around.” With those words, Tim wandered off, and Gaylynn looked down at little Joy.

  “Everyone at this table is safe. If you get scared, you just call out, all right?”

  “Yes, I will. He can’t scare me anymore. My daddy will be home today.”

  Gaylynn’s eyes met Zach’s, and she knew he could see the worry in hers. It wouldn’t be good if Tim was still walking around freely when Roger got home.

  Peter asked no questions, but he’d obviously watched the whole thing. His eyes met Gaylynn’s, and he nodded as if to let her know he was ready to help if needed. She smiled her thanks.

  As they ate, different members of Gaylynn’s family drifted over. Her father came and stood looking down at Zach for a moment until Gaylynn introduced him. “Dad, this is Zach. He’s a police officer here in Bagley. Zach, this is my father, Bob McClain.”

  Zach got to his feet and offered his hand to her father. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. McClain.”

  “Nice to meet you, too. Come over for Sunday dinner tomorrow after church.”

  Zach nodded. “I’d be happy to, sir.”

  Gaylynn hid her face. An invitation to Sunday dinner from her father? Zach was going to be overwhelmed with McClains. He’d live.

  After lunch, they wandered around talking to different people they all knew. Zach knew a few people that Gaylynn didn’t, and Tanya knew lots of the mothers of girls Joy’s age.

  As they walked to different places in the park, all of them were very aware of where Tim was at all times. The danger to little Joy was real, but there was no way any of them were willing to keep her locked up to keep her away from the creepy man who was after her.

  At one point, Gaylynn spotted Tim talking to another little girl, and she was about to tell Zach when she noticed a woman take the little girl’s hand and pull her away from him. “He’s looking for someone,” she whispered softly to Zach, who looked down at Joy.

  “Can I hold your hand? It would make me feel safer.” Zach knew the little girl would see right through him, but he hoped she’d hold his hand anyway.

  Joy grinned up at him and put her hand in his. “I feel safer, too, because I know you have a gun. I saw it.”

  “You saw it?” Zach said, surprised. Not much got past the little girl.

  “Yup. It’s on your leg.”

  “It is. I won’t let you get hurt.”

  “That’s ’cuz you’re a policeman, and it’s your job to keep little girls safe.” Joy smiled and pulled him toward the swings. “And to push them on swings!”

  Zach looked over at Gaylynn helplessly. “Obviously, she knows what she’s talking about.”

  “Obviously.” He went to the swings with her and pushed her, realizing it gave him a good vantage point. He looked out over the park, his eyes going from child to child until he again found Tim, looking at a little girl who was close to him. He was obviously looking for a victim.

  When he saw Tim squat down to talk to a little girl—one younger than Joy—he nodded to Gaylynn and started moving slowly. He needed to catch him in the act to be able to take the man in. As he was almost caught up to them, Tim picked up the little girl and started carrying her into the woods. The girl was sucking on a sucker and seemed to be quite content.

  As Tim got to the edge of the woods, Zach started running, and he looked over, seeing Peter running as well. Without speaking, they each went a different way in the woods, wanting to find that little girl before she was hurt.

  Zach found them not too far in. Tim was telling her not to yell. Zach pulled his gun from his ankle holster. “Police. Put your hands up.” In his ten years on the force, he’d never fired his gun in the line of duty, but this time, he wanted to. He wanted to shoot this man more than anything.

  Tim’s hands went up, and he turned around, a look of disgust on his face. “You.”

  “You have the right to remain silent.”

  Chapter Six

  Zach didn’t have his radio to call for back-up, so he took the man by the arm and led him back out to the park. When Gaylynn’s father spotted him, he ran over. “I can use my cellular phone to call 911 if you want!”

  “I’d rather call the station directly. I’ll pay you whatever it costs you.”

  “No, you won’t. It’s my civic duty to help.”

  Zach didn’t argue. He had no idea how much a cellular call would cost anyway, but it couldn’t be cheap. He quickly dialed the number, and talked to the sergeant on duty. “This is Zach Jones. I’m at the park. I’ve collared Timothy Cooper, the man who has been terrorizing a little girl. Caught him with his hands on another girl. Can someone come get him?”

  He handed the phone back to Bob McClain. “Thanks for letting me use your phone.”

  “Anytime. I’m happy to be useful!” Bob hurried off as Zach half-dragged Tim to the street.

  “I hope you know you’re going away for a very long time.”

  Tim didn’t respond, simply staring straight ahead.

  As the police car pulled up, Zach explained exactly what had happened. His eyes met Gaylynn’s across the park. The station was only a few blocks away. “I need to go to the station to do the paperwork, but let me run and tell my girl really quick.”

  The other officer nodded. “I’ll wait.”

  Zach ran across the park. “I need to go do paperwork at the station on the collar, but I caught him with a little girl. We got him this time. I’ll walk back here when I’m done. Shouldn’t take more than an hour.”

  Gaylynn nodded, letting out a sigh of relief. She turned to Tanya and saw relief on her friend’s face. “Now Roger won’t have to get himself in trouble.”