"Yeah well, I can be pretty stubborn some times." She laughed shakily. "Can I say I'm sorry for doubting you?" She reached over and touched his cheek. "I didn't believe you because no one should be as perfect as you. Always ready to lend a hand, no vices or nasty habits. It seemed you were too perfect to be real. A cheating boyfriend was more on the cards and easier to believe."
He threw back his head and laughed. "Oh Sami, this is what I love about you. You make me laugh." Mason grabbed her and pulled her close, rubbing his hand over her back in circles. "I have faults, believe me and you will find out about them in due course, I'm sure."
"So, are you gonna share what the foal is or what?" A voice from the other side of the door broke into their conversation.
"Filly, Tibby, a pretty little filly."
"Good, that's good then. Well, if you don't need me anymore tonight I'm heading for bed."
"Night, Tibby," they said in unison.
"Night."
Sami passed Mason his crutches and together they left the stall. "I think this deserves a small celebration, don't you? It's not every night you help bring something as beautiful as her into the world. Maybe we can find a name for your little filly over a drink of something special."
"What did you have in mind?"
"I happen to know where we can find a nice chilled bottle of pink champagne on ice."
"Really?"
"Only because I know someone in the industry. They always seem to have a cold bottle on hand for a moment like this, a trick of the trade I believe."
Closing the door on the stables, Mason took Sami's hand and led her out to his car.
When they were settled he drove her to the winery, parking outside the cellar door.
"Sami, can we talk honestly?" He grasped her hand and she nodded. "I'm not good at relationships. Quite frankly I admit there were more important things on my mind the last few years. Clare couldn't see it, she thought I was too involved in my work and I would eventually fall for her."
"You don't have to explain Mason."
He rubbed his thumb over her palm. "I do, things have to be clear between us. I won't put you through anything like the last few weeks again. Sami, I have never wanted anybody as much as I want you. If you will give me a chance, I can prove that." Mason leaned over and ran his tongue over her bottom lip before kissing her soundly.
"When you say it like that, kind of makes it hard to say no, doesn't it?"
Sami placed her hands behind his head and pulled him close so their foreheads were touching. "I'm not your city type girlfriend Mason. I'm just a kid from the outback who didn't get all the airs and graces some of your friends have. I will probably curse and put my foot in things more often than I should but if you are willing to overlook those faults, I'm willing to see what we can have together."
"I think it's time we cracked that bottle of champagne and toasted the new foal and more importantly, our future," Mason said.
"I can think of nothing I would like more."
The End
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Untitled
CASE CLOSE TO HOME
ANN B HARRISON
All Rights Reserved2019 Ann B Harrison
First published 2016
Case Close to Home
Ann B Harrison is the internationally best-selling author of thirtyfive plus romance novels including her fabulous Watson Brothers Romance stories published by Tule Publishing Group.
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Volume Six
Chapter 1
“Welcome to Mudgee Police Station, Constable Quinn.” Inspector Jake Roberts looked over his reading glasses at the gorgeous woman standing in front of his desk. There was an air of distance surrounding her, an untouchable space between them. Jake almost saw it as a challenge to break through the walls surrounding her. “I see from your job application you worked in the police force in Washington D.C.” He looked up at her again and noticed the change in her eyes as the shutters dropped and Jake filed it away for another day. She was sensitive about her past working history—interesting. “What made you move to Australia and start all over again?”
“I was born here, Sir, and it is my opinion that I was also born to be a police officer.” She kept her gaze at a spot on the wall behind him.
“At ease, Constable. This isn’t an interview, merely a ‘let’s get to know each other’ kind of meeting before you start your roster.” Jake leaned back in his chair. “Have a seat and relax a bit. I don’t bite unless you get me on the wrong side before breakfast.” He waited for a reaction to his joke while she sat down and didn’t get one. Her shoulders were stiff and she held her hands clasped tight on her knees. Obviously, his attempt at humour hadn’t made any impact. Might have to rethink your repertoire of jokes, Jake man. “What I would like to know is why you would want to come back to Australia, where you had to start at the bottom of the food chain again? Seems to me that after your experience working with the FBI, this would be a giant step backwards. Want to share the reason with me?”
She turned cool pale blue eyes on his face. “No, Sir. I do not.”
Jake sighed, wondering why he happened to get lucky enough
