A Cop's Second Chance by Sharon Hartley

Author:Sharon Hartley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-05-23T16:16:07+00:00

* * *

ALETA BLINKED WHEN she opened the door to Sean. He looked great—he always looked good—but he wasn’t wearing the clerical collar, which meant...what? That he was done with St. Theresa’s?

No. He had on shorts and a Sunshine Center T-shirt, his customary coaching duds. He was also carrying a bag from Greta’s Goodies that smelled of fresh bagels and garlic. He’d brought her breakfast.

He stepped inside, leaned over and kissed her. He tasted of coffee. When he withdrew his mouth from hers, he said, “Good morning,” his breath whispering across her cheek.

“Good morning,” she said, trying to gather her thoughts. Sean’s kisses discombobulated her.

He sniffed the air. “Is that bacon?”

“It is,” she confirmed. “I thought we’d eat here for a change.”

“You’re an angel.”

“I take it you’re hungry?”

“Starving.” He handed her the bag. “I brought bagels.”

“Thanks. Come on to the kitchen while I finish up. I want to hear about Deacon Alsobrook.”

While Aleta whipped eggs for cheese omelets, Sean poured them both coffee and related the story of the trip to arrest Alsobrook.

She turned from the stove and stared at Sean where he sat at the pass-through to the small table. “The deacon has a gambling problem?”

“A bad one. He’s in over a hundred grand to a bookie in Liberty City.”

“Oh, my God. That’s why he stole from the parish?”

“And now he wants to be punished.”

She turned back to the stove and flipped the omelets. “I didn’t believe it,” she said. “But it’s true.”

“I told you video doesn’t lie.”

Aleta placed a plate with eggs, bacon and a toasted bagel before Sean. “What happens now?”

“He’ll be arraigned this morning, and Father Mac will bail him out. The good deacon will be home with his sick wife by noon.”

She sat across from Sean with her own breakfast. “He won’t go to prison?”

Sean shook his head. “Not likely. He’s never been in any trouble before.”

“How do you feel about that?” she asked.

Sean speared a bite of omelet. “About what?”

She lifted her cup for a sip of coffee. “About Alsobrook getting off so easy.”

“I’m not sure. His wife’s illness seems like torture enough.”

She stared at him over the rim of her cup. “Wow. You’re changing.”

Sean rolled his eyes and took a hesitant taste of her omelet. “This is good,” he announced.

“You sound surprised.”

Sean shrugged and continued to eat with obvious gusto.

“I can cook,” she said.

“I never said you couldn’t.”

She spread cream cheese on a bagel and took a bite. “Mmm. I love the bagels from this bakery. My friend Greta owns the place.”

“There’s a Greta at Greta’s Goodies?”

“Yep, and I’ve ordered cupcakes from her for after the game tomorrow.”

Sean raised his head. “Cupcakes?”

“Tiny ones.” She nodded. “They’re all the rage now.”

He pulled a face. “Tiny cupcakes for a basketball game?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Seems too—girlie.”

Aleta narrowed her eyes at him. “There are women on the teams. And some mothers will be there.”

“What’s wrong with good old chips and dip?”

“Everyone loves cupcakes.”

He held up his hands in surrender. “I’m sure they’ll be fine.

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