Chapter 1

Blake

There must be something wrong with me.

This morning I was out of coffee, so I dropped in at Juni’s place, Hot Stuff. It’s the local coffeehouse/bakery here in Honeybee Hollow. Juni seemed a little overly happy to see me and introduced me to her new employee Sloane Morgan. Apparently, the last helper took off suddenly and left Juni in the lurch. Anyway, this new girl—I mean woman—(she may look young, but damn she’s all woman) is spectacular. I intended to take a regular coffee in a to-go cup and get to work since I’d already had breakfast, but suddenly I was starved for a cinnamon roll. I even ordered a large coffee just so I could have an excuse to sit around longer.

Now I’m sitting here in the same room as this vision, trying my damnedest not to stare.

This is so not me.

Fortunately, it’s still early, and Juni’s two life partners, Jack and Asher, are lingering too. They’re great guys, and usually I enjoy talking to them, but today I am struggling to listen and look semi-lucid as they tell me all about their new house.

I can’t pay attention or keep my eyes off this amazing creature. She’s soft-spoken as far as I can tell—I mean she said it was nice to meet me, and asked me for my order politely, but now I hope I’m not looking like a moony-eyed goofball.

Juni likes to wear short shorts when it’s warm enough, and apparently, she’s told her new employee to do the same—even though it’s March and still a little nippy. So Sloane is bending over wiping away the small spills and crumbs from a nearby table, and I’m trying to keep my tongue in my mouth. Those shapely legs of hers! She has big brown eyes and medium-length, silky mahogany hair that she currently has pulled back into a low ponytail. I suddenly get the urge to wrap that shiny hank of hair in my fist while I…

“Blake? Yo, Deputy Ogden,” Jack says with a chuckle.

“Huh?” I respond brilliantly as my gaze snaps to Jack’s face. My dumb voice even cracks. What am I, twelve? I resist the urge to check my chin for drool.

“We just asked if you’d be able to come to our party at the house this Saturday night. You don’t have to work, do you?”

“Juni told us to be sure to ask you,” Asher adds in his rumbling voice. Why do his eyes look like he’s trying to hold in a laugh? Do I have frosting on my face? I swipe a napkin across my mouth just in case.

I drag my attention back to the conversation at the table and answer, “No, I don’t have to work. Thanks, guys, that would be great. Can I bring something?”

“Oh, maybe some beer or whatever you like to drink. We have most of it covered,” Jack tells me. “And you can certainly bring a date.” His eyes dart to Sloane so briefly I almost miss it.

I wonder what Sloane likes to drink. Should I ask her? What is happening to me? I haven’t been interested in a woman ever since… don’t go there. Sure, there have been a few hookups. I mean, I’m no monk—even though I pretend to be around here. But I haven’t paid much attention to anyone in Honeybee Hollow. Since I’m the Chief Deputy Sheriff, I generally look to satisfy my needs in neighboring towns instead of giving a local lady the wrong idea. And I always make it clear I’m only there for the sex and not a relationship. It’s surprising to me how many women are happy with that.

Sloane finishes her clean-up job, and I watch her like a hawk as she makes her way back around the counter. Juni hands her a coffee carafe and says something I can’t hear in a low voice. But then Juni’s eyes dart to me, and she grins when she sees they have my attention. She gives me a wink and turns around as Sloane approaches the table.

“Can I top you off, gentlemen?” she asks. How does she make that sound so sexy?

I detect a trace of a Yankee accent. She’s not southern, that’s for sure. Maybe she’s from New York or New Jersey. I wonder what she’s doing in these parts. If I weren’t so tongue-tied, I’d ask her. But all I manage is a choked out, “Uh… sure. Thanks.” If I keep chugging coffee like this, I’m going to be wired for the rest of the day. I know I need to get to the office pretty soon, but I feel like my ass is glued to this seat, and I can’t move.

I can’t help wondering when Juni started handing out free refills. Oh well, maybe it’s because I’m sitting with her guys.

As soon as Sloane refills my coffee, Asher and Jack jump up and announce that they have to get to work. For Asher, that means the corporate camp he manages. For Jack, the art gallery around the corner. Asher squeezes my shoulder, and then they both kiss Juni goodbye and whisper some things to her that make her eyes light up. As they exit the door, I see them kiss each other goodbye too. They never cease to amaze me with their open affection. It must be nice to feel so free and not give a hoot about anything other folks might think about them.

I’m just about to take my coffee and hit the road too, but Sloane approaches my table again and says, “Um, sorry if I’m intruding. For some reason Juni says I’m due to take a break for a few minutes… she told me I should come talk to you. But if that bothers you, I’ll just go outside for a bit.”

“No,” I choke out. “I mean, please have a seat.” I stare at her a second too long and then blurt out, “When did you start working for Juni?”

She gives me a tiny smile and says, “This morning. I just met her yesterday.”

“Welcome to Honeybee Hollow then, Sloane. Where are you from? Not Kentucky, if I could venture a guess.”

Her cheeks go a little pink, and she mumbles, “Oh, uh, no. I’m from… up north.”

Well, that narrows it down to about fifteen possible states… and Canada. I’m about to politely ask her to be more specific when my phone rings. “Excuse me,” I tell her.

“Blake, where the hell are you? Something’s wrong with Sheriff Hansen! I’ve called the EMTs, and they’re on their way but you need to get here now!” Birdie our dispatch operator almost screams at me in the phone.



“This is bad.” I mutter as I stand and run for the door. I turn around and apologize, “Sorry, emergency!” And I’m outta there in a dead run. I can’t imagine what’s going on.