Valerie Hansen - Explosive Secrets

Slade’s gaze narrowed. “I’ve been giving this situation a lot of thought. I definitely think you need kitchen help. Matter of fact, I know just the person. She’s a pro and she needs a job. Plus, if she was at the ranch with Harold all day, he could help us keep an eye on her when you’re working. What could be better?”

“Anything but that,” Jackson grumbled. “My uncle thinks he missed his calling when he became a sheriff’s deputy instead of a stand-up comic. Now that he’s retired, he drives me crazy with his stale jokes. Ms. Johnson would never put up with him on a daily basis. I barely manage.”

“I’ll talk to Harold myself, tell him to cool it and give him the idea that it’s an unofficial assignment. He’ll love it. Once a cop, always a cop. You know that.”

Jackson wasn’t convinced that the captain’s conclusions were right. He had one last hope. “What if she turns me down?”

“She won’t. I’ve already warned off every restaurant and greasy spoon in and around Sagebrush,” Slade said flatly. “Ms. Johnson can’t leave this area because she’s a person of interest in her cousin’s murder case, and she won’t find a job in town. She’s out of options. She’ll agree to work for you.”

“You’ve really thought of everything, haven’t you?”

“That’s my job,” Slade drawled, obviously pleased with himself.

Jackson was anything but happy. “There must be another way.”

“Not as perfect as my plan. I think it would be best if you approached Ms. Johnson ASAP. No use taking the chance she might decide to apply for a different kind of position. The sooner she moves out to your ranch and starts cooking for you two starving bachelors, the better.”

“And if I refuse to hire her?”

“I can’t order you to comply, but you’re a good man and a smart cop. If you’re truly concerned about her being innocent and in somebody’s crosshairs, you’ll move her to where she’s a lot safer.” He paused and closed the file folder. “And if she’s as guilty as I think she is, we all need to do everything we can to prove it.”

He reached for the phone on his desk and lifted the receiver, holding it while he added, “I’ll take care of briefing your uncle. You go hire yourself a cook.”

Jackson was muttering to himself all the way to his patrol vehicle. He loaded and secured Titan, then slid behind the wheel. The captain’s idea had merit—he simply didn’t want to bring Nicolette into his personal life.

And why is that? he asked himself. The honest answer was not only a surprise, it was an unwelcome one. He didn’t want to take the chance of getting closer to her. If he had to interact with her all the time, he’d have to really guard his heart because he already liked her far too much for his own good. Or for hers.

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