A Heart's Endeavor (2 page)

Stretching out her arm, Melanie reached under the table with the dustpan and brush. Four hours down, four more to go…yippee.

* * * *

As soon as his partner pulled alongside pump number two at the Grab ‘n’ Go, Jack bolted out of the cruiser. Jim ‘Shadow’ Davis swore under his breath. “Hey, grab me a bottle of water.”

Jack waved a hand in the air to indicate he had heard the request and went inside the store. He nodded curtly at the girl standing behind the counter and discreetly looked around for Melanie.
Shit.
She was nowhere in sight. He tamped down the pang of disappointment that hit him square in the chest and made his way to the cooler.

He rounded the corner and came to a sudden halt. His temperature rose along with his cock. The woman he’d been thinking about all last night and for most of the morning was on all fours. The upper portion of her body was pressed flush to the floor and her ass was stuck high in the air. It looked like she was cleaning something under the table in the deli area. He should do the right thing and make his presence known, maybe even offer to help, but her luscious curves required a little more studying. Besides, it appeared as though she was handling things pretty well on her own.

Jack began his perusal. He’d always been a sucker for long hair on a woman, but her boyish yet sleek hairdo appeared to fit her just fine. His eyes drifted lower. He admired the graceful slope of her back and the curves of her hips. And now came the best part. Damn, but the woman had a downright delectable bottom. Full and shaped like a heart. Suddenly, the image of Melanie over his knee for a playful spanking had his cock standing at attention. He had to get a grip. Since when did the mere glimpse of a woman’s backside set him off?

He folded his hands in front of his crotch. He needed to get himself under control. He gritted his teeth.
Okay, Jack, take deep breaths and stop acting like a horny teenager. You’re almost forty-six, for cryin’ out loud.

Maybe it would help if he switched his attention to something else for the time being. Jack focused on the customers shuffling by. Some acknowledged his presence with a slight nod, while others, especially the younger ones, regarded him with barely concealed disdain. Perhaps they were recalling a speeding ticket or a DUI. Jack shrugged off the glares. He wasn’t aiming to win any popularity contests, and he wouldn’t be on the receiving end of looks like that for much longer. Each day he was more certain of his decision to retire. He was tired of seeing the cruel things man did to each other. Analyzing the how and the why was a sure sign it was time to move on.

Jack’s cock immediately softened when he saw a short, blue-haired lady hobble by with a cane. Mrs. Garret could be the antidote for Viagra. One whiff of that peppery mint scent of a popular arthritic cream trailing close behind her ample body made his eyes water to the point that he had forgotten anything else. Jesus, she must have taken a bath in the stuff. Her sense of smell had to be as bad as her hearing. He blinked and nodded politely. He knew Mrs. Garret held him in high regard. She was a nice lady, but seeing her here today was a pain, because he knew what would happen. She’d want him to escort her to her car and chat for a while. Jack cursed his misfortune and her timing. Of all the days to do her usual milk run, why did it have to be today?

Jack schooled his features, accepted the unavoidable, and dutifully followed her to the milk cooler. Good God, he hoped she hurried the hell up. It was the same routine whenever they’d bump into each other. It was what the woman expected and Jack was too much of a gentleman to disappoint her. Even if it took his attention away from the most perfect ass he had seen in a long time. So, he opened the door to the cooler and tried not to grimace when she plucked a carton of skim milk from its slot. Give him whole milk in his Lucky Charms any day.

Mrs. Garret showed off her Efferdent smile and tilted her head to the side. Jack knew the drill. His expression remained stoic as he took the milk from her gnarly fingers and carried it to the counter. Not a word needed to be said. No questions needed to be asked. It was all that simple and downright stupid.

Jack threw a guarded glance in Melanie’s direction. She was still on the floor. Great, with any luck he could get the old lady out of there and return to his now favorite spot in the store. His eyes connected with said old lady and his heart dropped. She was staring at him with open admiration, and there he stood wishing she was anywhere but there. He took her grocery bag and held it for her while she spouted off a litany of lottery numbers as long as his arm.

“Thank you, Corporal Horan. You are a true gentleman.” Mrs. Garret’s face beamed with appreciation. Her beady eyes and wrinkles were deeply magnified behind her thick bifocals. Jack dipped his head slightly in acknowledgement. “Not many around these days, you know.” She punctuated each word with a sharp rap of her cane.

Jack had no choice but to echo that remark. But visions of Melanie with her legs spread wide while he licked her pussy were far from gentlemanly. He waited while Mrs. Garret paid her lottery bill and followed her to the door. She stopped and moved off to the side. Jack knew that she was waiting for him to open the door for her. He brushed aside the si
gn, thank you, please call again
hanging from a long red ribbon tied around the handle and pushed the door open.

Bob really needed to install some automatic doors. No doubt his elderly customers would appreciate it. And while he was at it, functional cameras at the gas pumps would be nice. Hell, prepaying for gas would be even better. Jack and his fellow troopers were becoming increasingly annoyed. Running down a gas drive-off was difficult enough. Having nothing but the color of the car to go on made it virtually impossible. The girls were busy behind the counter. They didn’t have time to constantly be on the lookout for dishonest people.

Once outside, Mrs. Garret continued to drone on and on about the flaws plaguing the teenagers today. As if he didn’t know. Her high-pitched voice dug into his skin like a tic on a dog’s tail. He resisted the urge to pick up the big woman in the voluminous granny dress and toss her inside her vehicle. Finally, she plucked her keys from an oversized purse brandishing a huge purple flower. Jack rushed her along by taking the keys and unlocking the door for her. She smiled, patted him on the cheek, and settled herself behind the wheel. Jack made certain that she was safely buckled in before giving a salute. Then he straightened his tie, fiddled with his cuffs, and went back inside the store.

* * * *

Melanie poked her head under the table piled high with Kaiser rolls, paper plates, and plastic utensils. She swept the candy into a neat pile. There. That should be the last of them. She rested on her heels and arched her back.
Geez, I’m getting too old for this.

A low hiss sounded from above and she twisted at the waist. The first thing she saw was a pair of black shoes spit-polished to a shine. Dark, charcoal gray slacks covered a pair of long legs. Her gaze continued upward and a gun came into view. Great, a state trooper. It would be her luck to meet one in this undignified position. If the poor guy had been standing there the entire time the upper half of her body was underneath the table then he sure as hell didn’t get a view of her best side. Not that she had one.

Melanie recognized a flashlight and radio tucked in the utility belt hugging his lean waist. Other unfamiliar items were strapped to it too. The belt looked heavy enough to weigh a pound or more. How in the world did his pants stay in place if he had to hit the ground at a run? Her cheeks warmed. Of all the things that could’ve popped into her head, why did she always think of the most inane?

She purposely avoided looking at the impressive bulge peeking between his fingers. Oh, and what a bulge it was.
Stop it, Mel. You’re here to work and get your mind off your problems.

She tilted her head. Her heart skipped a beat. The man was gorgeous. Square jaw, firm lips, hawk-like nose, and forest green eyes framed by ridiculously long lashes mixed well with his short, black hair. A touch of gray at his temples sexed him up all the more. Powerful shoulders stretched the seams of a meticulously pressed light gray uniform shirt. The name tag pinned to the right of his broad chest read
Horan
. Her eyes rested on his face. Stone face. The noise she heard hadn’t come from this guy.

Embarrassed to be caught in such an awkward position, and by a state trooper no less, Melanie scrambled to her feet. She hurried to the sink and washed her hands. She did her best to act the professional employee, but the pulse hammering at the base of her throat threatened to cut off her air supply. Her lips trembled and the palms of her hands grew moist with sweat.

“W-what can I get you, officer?”
Way to go, now you’re stuttering.

A dark brow arched, but he remained silent. She bit her bottom lip in consternation. Okay, not a talker. But how was she supposed to know what he wanted?

After a second or two had passed he said, “I’d like something hot.”

Melanie blinked and her breath hitched. She wouldn’t have minded being on the menu.
He means food, you dolt. No way can you be considered hot.
She tossed a dish towel over her shoulder and gestured toward the two crockpots on the table behind her. “Um, we have homemade chili and pulled pork barbecue, plus hoagies made to order.” Her voice rose to a nervous pitch. Her first impulse was to run, but she stood there and waited for him to decide.

She shuffled her feet. Men in uniform always made her pulse leap. A leaping pulse she could deal with, but the throbbing between her legs threw her for a loop. As far as she was concerned that pulse just didn’t…pulse anymore. And to top it off, her breasts felt like two water filled balloons. She leaned against the side of the refrigerated sandwich unit and squeezed her legs together. She could feel moisture slipping from her core and dampening her panties.

She jerked to attention as he pointed to the crockpots and said, “I’ll try one of those barbeques. I take it Bob’s mother made them?”

“Yes, she’s a good cook. Do you know her?” Her hands shook slightly as she slipped on a pair of poly gloves. She had to steer her thoughts away from his muscled arms and long thick fingers. She pulled a bun from a bag, set it on a small paper plate, then turned around and scooped up a spoonful of juicy meat. She felt as if her backside was on fire.
He’s probably laughing at my fat butt.
She really needed to start exercising again or take a walk around the lake. There were countless winding roads and hills to conquer that would help her get back into shape.

“I’ve known the Delano family for about a year. They’re good people.”

His deep voice sent tingles skittering down her spine. “Yes, they are,” she replied. Before she could stop herself she added, “This is my second day working here. Starting tomorrow I’ll be permanently on the three-to-eleven shift.” Now why did she feel the need to share that information with a complete stranger? Embarrassed, Melanie looked around for the aluminum foil and was surprised to see the crowd of people lined up at the registers. “I have to hurry. Jen needs me at the register.”

“Don’t bother wrapping it.” He reached across the open case to grab the sandwich. A light sprinkling of hair covered his large tanned hands. Melanie wondered where else he was covered with that dark fur. Damn, she was doing it again. Thinking about things she shouldn’t be thinking about. Flustered, she peeled off the gloves and tossed them into the trash.

Melanie left the small deli area and took her place behind the counter. She saw the officer she had waited on hovering in the background. He appeared to be content to wait his turn in front of her register instead of making a quick exit by going over to Jen. Crap, she was nervous. She tried to concentrate on what she was doing and looked up in surprise when an empty plate was set on the counter.

“Stakeouts always make me hungry.” He paid cash for the food and handed her a credit card. “Gas on pump two.”

Melanie swiped the card and handed it back along with a slip of paper and a pen.

He scribbled his signature on the dotted line. “By the way, my name’s Jack.” They switched receipts. “I’ll see you later, Melanie.”

How did he know her name?

He merely grinned at her apparent puzzlement and pointed to the name tag pinned to the collar of her shirt. Her face grew warm. “Oh, ah, everybody calls me Mel.”

“Okay, Mel.” On his way out he stopped and swung completely around. The ripple of muscles beneath his shirt made her think how good it might feel to be held against such a tall, strong body. “Keep blushing, Mel. It looks good on you.”

Both Jen and Mel’s eyes were glued on Jack’s taut buttocks as he sauntered out the door. Jen stretched across the top of the counter for a better look. “Wowee, he’s hot. I think he likes you, Mel.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Mel saw the cruiser parked at the gas pumps and resisted the urge to run to the small square window to the left of her register and giggle like a fool. These young girls always had sex on the brain. Yet, somewhere along the way, she had forgotten how twin slabs of firm flesh flexing in a pair of tight trousers held a certain appeal. It was exhilarating to realize she could still be turned on at the sight of a man’s butt.
Thank you, Jack Horan.
As of today, she planned on admiring the male physique whether it was clad in dress slacks or jeans.

“I just made him lunch, for Christ’s sake,” Mel replied with a casualness she was far from feeling.

Jen hooted. “Hey, he may be as old as my dad, but I wouldn’t mind if he used those handcuffs on me.”

Mel was thinking the exact same thing, but she sure as hell wasn’t going to admit it. She’d be setting herself up for another fall if she allowed herself to fantasize about Jack. Men only had eyes for stick skinny girls, not overweight women like her. Whenever the bikini clad babes had walked past the house after a day of swimming in the lake or at the community pool, Mike had whistled at them. Then he’d look at her with disgust in his eyes and tell her that she
really
needed to go on a diet. Never again would she expose herself to a man’s verbal abuse. Her self-esteem was already at an all-time low. No matter how handsome Jack Horan was, she’d treat him with the same politeness she would any other customer.