Lance: Stryker County PD, #3

By Kali Hart

Caitlin
When Nana passes away, I vow to do one thing.
Add my name to the back of the county sign next to hers.
Yes, it's illegal.
But I didn't expect to get caught.

Lance
I answer a call about a trespasser.
I expect to find some rowdy kids vandalizing the county sign.
Instead, I find Caitlin.
I'm expected to bring her in, but all I really want to do is bring her home.

Sweet & steamy short story instalove romance with an older alpha police officer and younger curvy woman with an HEA. NO cliffhangers. NO cheating.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jackie M. Wallick
• Release date: Jun 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9798223162353

Book preview

1

CAITLIN

I always follow the rules.

I use my turn signal, even when there’s not a car in sight. I never jaywalk. I obey the speed limit to the number. I even pay the two-dollar parking fee at the local hike outside of town despite the fact that no one is ever around to monitor anyone there.

So this whole trespassing slash vandalism thing is way out of my comfort zone.

You need to take a chill pill, my best friend in the whole world, Valerie, says to me inside the gas station. She shoves a cold water bottle at my chest near the coolers in the back. You look seriously guilty.

I follow her glance to the front and notice a tall man in uniform at the counter. The muscles on him bulge right through those uniform sleeves as he chats with the cashier. I swallow. If I wasn’t so nervous about what I’m about to do, I might spend a little more time enjoying the sheer sexiness of him.

Instead, my fingers shake at my sides, and I nearly lose my nerve. Nana, you better not make me regret this.

My nana, rest her soul, always tried to encourage me to have more fun. To loosen up and let the rules bend a little. But having a daddy as a police officer… well, that complicates Nana’s definition of fun. If he finds out I’m what I’m up to tonight, he’ll be furious.

I’m twenty-four. Living on my own. Working a full-time job with benefits. I just paid off my car last month. I’m not exactly his little girl anymore. But try telling him that. He’s still incredibly protective over me. I love him for it and despite it.

I stare at the pocket knife in my hand. The instrument intended for carving my name into a wooden sign later. The police officer up front is a glaring reminder that what I’m about to do is technically illegal. I grab a bag of Skittles, a twin pack of Zebra Cakes, an air freshener for my car, and a random magazine from the rack.

What are you doing? Valerie asks through gritted teeth, trying to keep the attention off of us. Her eyebrow is raised in question at the haul in my arms.

Blending in, I reply in the same manor. I don’t want to look suspicious.

Valerie rolls her eyes. Too late for that.

The cop has not left yet. I consider abandoning my plan. But if I do, I’ll have to wait another year for it to be as special. It’s the anniversary of the night my nana and grandpa snuck out to the county sign and added their names to the back of it—the same night they decided they would elope. I want to add my name next to theirs.

To honor my nana’s memory.

They spent