Rebecca Zanetti - Under the Covers

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?”