Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Maja gave a warning: "For your own safety, don't go around telling people you know me."

Dean didn't push it. "It's spring where you're from, right?"

Maja glanced up, thoughts drifting to her hometown. "If I'm counting right, yeah-it should be spring now."

She hadn't realized it-the new year had come and gone, and spring was already here.

***

"Annie, what are you zoning out about?" At the station, a coworker lightly bumped Annie's arm, jolting her back to earth.

Annie sat up straight. "Huh? What's up?"

"You've been out of it lately. Is there a wedding coming up or something? Can't focus on work anymore?" her colleague joked.

Annie just smiled, not denying it. She hadn't told anyone about the engagement yet, but on her first day back after the holidays, the man who dropped her off had strolled in like he owned the place, cheerfully announcing, "Happy New Year, everyone! When Annie and I get married, you all better be there to celebrate!"

The security guard had just been released from the hospital. Every time Conner saw him, he'd bring a box of tea or a pack of cigarettes. "Uncle, you have to come to the wedding."

Annie was mortified, pulling Conner aside. "Can you try being less obvious for once?"

Mr. Nettleton just shrugged. "I told your sister already our wedding needs to be epic. Keeping it quiet isn't my style."

"Are you seriously inviting all my coworkers? All of them? My-mobster- husband," Annie said through gritted teeth, managing a tight smile.

Most people would cringe at being called "mobster," but Mr. Nettleton just put his hands on his hips, grinning sheepishly like a kid caught with candy. "Annie, say that last part again. I love hearing you call me husband."

Annie raised her hand, threatening to swat him. He yelped, "Hey! Police brutality!"

She shot him a look. "Go home. And unless I call you, don't come here to bug me."

Conner just grinned, "Bug you? I'm loving you."

"Yeah, yeah, just go." Annie gave him a little shove toward the door.

Conner called back, "What do you want for lunch? I'll bring it over."

Annie replied, "We have a cafeteria, you know."

"Cafeteria food? Just tell me what you want, and I'll bring you something gourmet."

Annie

squad

Ushering him out of the

droom when she nearly into Chad clocking in for the "Morning, Officer Chad."

Chad just looked at them, speechless.

Mr. Nettleton added, "Don't forget our wedding, Chad! Mark your calendar!"

Annie wanted to disappear. Having a husband like this was exhausting.

She steered Conner to his car. "Go. Now."

"Give your husband a kiss first."

She punched his arm instead, finally shutting him up.noveldrama

He drove off to Crescent Park, sporting a new bruise.

His right-hand man remarked, "Boss, there's a whole world out there. Why you hung up on a cop who

are

hits

like a truck?"

Conner shot back, "Beat it. Go check out the Bashford area-find my sister-in- law."

Left alone, Conner's grin faded as reality set in. Annie was right-he couldn't just invite a whole police squad to their wedding. Their worlds were miles apart. He couldn't expect Mr. Nettleton to live the same old life now that everything had changed. Things looked calm on the

surface-he was still king of

Newtown-but who knew what

tomorrow would bring? Better to be

ready.

Conner decided he needed a serious talk with his godson's dad.

***

Over at Maplewood Estates, Henry's fake crying echoed through the yard.