Dawn was a perfect blend of the two, with blue eyes and black hair. Those eyes lit up when Hawk and Colton stalked into the room.

Juliet clasped her hands. “Thank you. Both of you.”

They nodded.

Dawn frowned. “I didn’t know you helped rescue Juliet, Hawk.”

He shrugged. “I provided backup and let the sheriff do his thing.”

Did Dawn not know Hawk was a sniper? Juliet raised an eyebrow. The young man met her gaze evenly, without expression. Her small nod promised she wouldn’t tell.

Sophie ran into the room next, skidded to a stop, and tugged Juliet out of her chair for a big hug. “I was so worried. I saw Freddy take you, and I didn’t know what to do, so I followed in my car and called the guys for help, but if I didn’t get them, I wasn’t sure what—”

Juliet hugged her hard. “Take a deep breath. Thank you, and I’m fine.”

Sophie stepped back and surveyed Juliet head to toe. “You look all right.”

“I’m fine.” She forced a smile. “Quinn got shot, not me.”

Colton nodded toward the television. “Is this your doing, Jake?”

The film clip showed Quinn escorting Juliet out of the cabin amid deputies arresting the drug runners. Reese Johnson stood next to the reporter, thanking the Maverick County Sheriff for assisting with the biggest drug bust in recent history. He claimed justice was served only because Juliet Spazzoli put herself in danger to help authorities.

Jake grinned. “Someone has to make sure the sheriff gets reelected. Can you imagine if he worked the ranch full time?”

“God, no. He’s bossy enough as it is.” Colton gave an exaggerated shiver.

Hawk slowly nodded. “Amen.”

Jake rubbed his chin. “I think the DEA will offer a deal to Freddy, Juliet. Just so you know.”

A relief that made her feel guilty swept through her. “I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m glad.”

Jake’s eyes filled with understanding. “Family is still family.”

The room started to crowd with concerned citizens and police officers. Excusing herself, Juliet stepped outside. She figured she’d walk home and do some thinking. Perhaps the next day she’d talk to Quinn.

Did childhood insecurity hold her back?

A deputy smoked outside his car. “Ms. Montgomery? Would you like a ride home?” He tossed the cigarette into a mud puddle and opened the back door. “The sheriff would kick my butt if I let you walk home with a storm coming.”

A chilly wind swept through her thin sweater. With a grateful nod, she slipped into the warm patrol car. “Thanks.”

The deputy glanced over the seat. “This way the sheriff will know where to find you when the doc is finished stitching him up.” At his cocky grin, he pulled the car into the road.

Juliet rolled her eyes. Now even his deputies attempted to matchmake. If they only understood that nothing swayed the stubborn sheriff. Nothing.

…

Juliet stretched her arms, much more comfortable in her yoga outfit. She’d changed the second the deputy had dropped her at home. It was a good thing she’d accepted the ride, considering her knees had started trembling within seconds of sitting down. Apparently the adrenaline rush took a while to dissipate.

Flipping on the local radio station, she tried to relax.

The empty apartment mocked her.

Her heart ached an actual, physical, thumping of pain. Oh God. She was truly, absolutely, completely in love with Quinn Lodge.

She wondered how Quinn was doing. Maybe she should’ve stayed at the hospital.

Shame heated her face. The guy had taken a bullet for her, and she’d fled because she was too chicken to talk to him. She’d run away. Like always. Too afraid he’d reject her.

But she’d needed to get away and think…the same way Quinn had said he needed time to think.

Oh, God.

Maybe he wasn’t finished with her—he just needed a second to breathe.

A broadcaster interrupted a Garth Brooks song with an update about the sheriff being shot and a promise that there would be a press conference in a few minutes. Sheriff Quinn Lodge would be outside the sheriff’s building shortly.

He’d gone back to work? After being shot? Irritation heated her skin. The damn man needed a keeper. Hell, he needed her.

Sure, she’d lied to him—and she’d been stupid not to trust him. But everyone made mistakes.

Damn it.

He’d said he loved her.

People who loved each other were supposed to forgive each other. Look at the meddling, pain-in-the-butt town. Everyone tripped over everyone else.

But they forgave each other. Because they loved each other.

Quinn Lodge was a good man—a good man who should be fought for.

And Juliet Spazzoli was a hell of a fighter.

She ripped open the outside door and stomped into the early evening. If the sheriff thought he could just screw her and dump her, then he was as stupid as Freddy.

As she reached the curb, she almost collided with Mrs. Hudson and Henry Bullton.

“Well, hello, dear.” Mrs. Hudson smiled, her powdered skin wrinkling. “Henry and I wanted to drop by and see if you’d like to go for a walk.” She pushed Juliet toward the sidewalk.

Henry nodded. “The sheriff is about to give a talk.” Sliding a bony arm through Juliet’s, he tugged her away from the door.

Two uniformed deputies jogged over from Kurt’s Koffees.

Juliet stumbled. “Deputies Phillips and Baker? Are you looking for me?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Deputy Baker said. “We grabbed coffee and were headed to your place to escort you to the press conference.” He elbowed Deputy Phillips, who just shrugged.

Juliet frowned. “How did you know I was going?”

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.”