The Deputy's Baby

Then she dropped her hand to her stomach.

Henry’s voice joined the chorus of law enforcement in the diner. It had been so long since she’d heard it like this. Panic and determination. Fear and anger. Uncertainty and planning.

And then here Henry was, among them, adding to the group. It had been over seven months since she’d seen him. Now here he was after no contact whatsoever.

And still he’d tried to protect her.

Cassie rubbed the bump beneath her loose-fitting shirt.

Henry Ward had no idea he’d just protected his unborn child, too.

Chapter Two (#u160bac0e-890a-5ac5-a740-28aa9cec7c8a)

The man who had shot Sheriff Reed had been killed on sight by Chief Deputy Simmons. She hadn’t even needed to leave the diner to do it, shooting through the shattered window from next to the booth. Though the man had taken a hit or two from Deputy Dante Mills and Detective Walker in the process.

As for who the shooter was? That wasn’t answered until that night inside the department. Suzy, as everyone called her, straightened her back and addressed a room filled to the brim with staff on and off duty. With the sheriff out of commission, she was next in line to lead, and from what Henry had seen of her so far, he more than believed she was ready for the job.

“I just got off the phone with Mara,” she began.

Henry knew she was talking about the sheriff’s wife. It wasn’t a secret how much the man loved his wife and two children. It had been a point of envy for Henry when Billy first talked to him. Now it did nothing but make him feel even more for the man. He knew he wasn’t the only one.

“She said that according to the doctor, he isn’t out of the woods yet. The bullet missed any vital organs, but he lost a lot of blood.”

The woman paused, pain crossing her expression before she could rein it in. Billy had also not kept it a secret that his chief deputy was his best friend and had been for years. They were even godparents to each other’s children. He was her family just as the rest of the department was. That closeness was apparent in how the room around Henry seemed to be hanging on her every word.

He couldn’t deny he missed that feeling.

Camaraderie that was familial.

“But the doctor also said he’s optimistic,” she continued. A small smile pulled up the corner of her lips. “And we all know how hard-headed Billy is. Knowing him, he’ll be giving out orders by the end of the week from his hospital bed, fussing for his cowboy hat.”

There was a chorus of laughter and agreement.

It didn’t last long.

Neither did Suzy’s smile.

“The reason we’re all here is a man named Darrel Connelly,” she started again, her tone sharp, serious. A leader addressing those who followed her. “He had no ID on him, but a local police officer recognized him. We ran his name and found that he hadn’t been arrested before, but his brother, Tanner, had been for the attempted murder of his girlfriend. Billy’s testimony sent Tanner to jail, where he was killed in an inmate-led riot. He was Darrel’s only family. So I don’t think it would be going out on a limb to say that Billy was targeted out of revenge.”

The same group who had laughed in agreement a minute before cursed in unison.

Henry joined in.

“However, until we complete an official investigation, no one in the department will comment to the press. Understood?” Suzy didn’t wait for an answer. Instead she took a quick breath and gave a small nod. “While Billy is out, we will continue to do our jobs with the best of our abilities. Any and all questions in the meantime can be addressed to me or Captain Jones. When I know more about Billy’s condition, I will update you. Until then, let’s continue to make the sheriff proud.”

The room’s mood swung into a cheer before they started to break up. Suzy stayed up front, talking to those who stopped at her side. Almost like a widow after a funeral. Henry just hoped the analogy didn’t come true.

He stayed to the outskirts of the room, hanging back while the bulk of people filtered out. He looked through the crowd, hoping to see the woman he hadn’t ever thought he’d see again.

Cassie Gates.

One of Riker County Sheriff’s Department’s dispatchers.

Henry hadn’t even gotten a chance to talk to her since the diner. After they had secured the area, she’d left with one of the deputies and his wife. She’d been visibly shaken. They all had been, though, if he was being honest.

“Hey, Ward.”

Henry turned as Detective Walker came up to his side. He ran a hand through his blond hair and let out a sigh. It was tired.

“Not how you pictured your first week,” he commented. It wasn’t a question. “Wasn’t how I pictured my week, either, to tell the truth.”

Henry nodded. “Bad guys don’t take breaks for long,” he said. “My partner used to say that all the time.”

“I hate that it’s true but it is.” Matt ran another hand through his hair. He’d been the one doing the legwork on Darrel since they got back. Henry imagined he’d have a full, exhausting day tomorrow, too. “One minute we’re eating cake and the next—” The detective cut himself off, anger rising to the surface of his expression.

Henry let him have the moment in silence. He took another visible breath to calm himself.

“I just wanted to say thank you for what you did today.”

Henry couldn’t help his eyebrow rising in question.

The detective elaborated. “You covered Cassie without hesitation,” he said simply. “Made sure she was safe before we could get a hold on the situation. Good instincts can’t be taught, but they can be thanked.”

That surprised Henry. For two different reasons. One, trying to protect Cassie was a gut reaction. One his body started before his mind could even catch up and act on. He’d heard and seen the shot and then trying to protect her had been his only priority. He hadn’t done it for praise or thanks and was surprised he was getting both.

Two, being thanked was strange enough, but being thanked by the detective raised a few questions. The first and loudest was why was Matt invested in her safety? Or, more to the point, was it more personal than colleagues and friends? Did he care more for the woman than the rest?

And why was the mere thought of the two having more than a working relationship bothering Henry so much?

He’d only known Cassie for the one night—and the following morning—and then they’d parted ways. The slip of paper in his wallet was the only connection he’d had to her past then. It was foolish to think she was the same woman. He hadn’t seen her in over seven months.

A lot could happen in less time.

Henry shouldn’t, and couldn’t, be surprised that she might be in a relationship. Heck, they hadn’t even had one to begin with.

“I was just doing my job,” Henry said dutifully, locking down any conflicting emotions that might be splaying across his expression. “Nothing the rest of you wouldn’t do in my place. I’m just glad we kept anyone else from getting hurt.”

Matt nodded, accepting the statement as true, and started to walk off.

However, Henry couldn’t help himself. “I actually wanted to talk to her,” he blurted out, surprising himself. “Cassie, that is. I never got the chance at a proper introduction.” It was a lie, but Henry wasn’t about to admit to the detective that he had already met the woman... At a bar before going back to his hotel room. Especially if the two were involved. “Do you know where she is? I haven’t seen her since we left the diner.”

Matt’s brow furrowed. “She went to the hospital afterward, but now, if I’m not mistaken, she’s back at my place. I told her not to bother coming into the department tonight. Technically she doesn’t start back until next week.”

Henry’s gut dropped more than it should have. He had just confirmed the theory that Cassie and Matt were involved. Some of that emotion must have showed in his expression.

Matt gave a small smile. “You know, I’m about to head there myself but need a ride. If you give me a lift, I can trade you a home-cooked meal. I don’t think any of us has had anything to eat yet. Plus, I’m sure Cassie will want to thank you for earlier.”

The offer felt genuine. Matt hadn’t picked up on any of Henry’s thoughts.