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Hi, this is Kimberly Grace and I want to thank all my readers/listeners for continuing to follow my story, A Cop’s Crossroads with Love. I want to give an extra special thank you to my paid sponsors: Tom, Hank, Theresa, and Cathy! Your support means the absolute world to me. There are no words to express the true depth of my gratitude. Now, let’s continue with Part 8…
Jacob watched the flicker of brilliant light dance in Cassidy’s eyes when she saw the flowers. They were a bouquet of white and pink peonies, along with a few strands of baby’s breath mixed in. He had carefully clipped the prettiest ones from his mother’s garden. Most were starting to droop, but a couple still bloomed tall and beautiful. Their long stems and big, puffy flowers reminded him of the cotton candy they used to inhale when the carnival came to Haven Park during the summer. Jacob knew they were her favorite flowers, and watching her delight made his heart leap with joy. Yet, the moment was fleeting as his muscles tensed, reminding him of the reason for this meeting.
“They’re gorgeous, Jacob. I can’t believe you remembered. Thank you.”
He watched the way she held the flowers gingerly, as if afraid she might break them with her touch. Jacob loved Cassidy’s gentle spirit and the great care she exuded effortlessly with everything that came across her path. Her vulnerable side was magnetic, yet Jacob could tell she was putting up walls left and right to protect herself. He wanted so badly to smash them down and be her knight in shining armor, but he knew that would prove a difficult task given that his employee was creating trouble for her.
Cassidy then smiled at him with genuine gratitude. He was about to return her happy grin when he heard a raucous laughter erupt from the front door of the precinct. A growing gathering was forming there with many officers making kissy faces and fake swooning sighs. Cassidy’s demeanor immediately flipped on a dime as she shoved the flowers down at her side to try and hide them. They both knew it was too late, however, as the police officers continued to carry on with even more teasing and taunting behavior.
Jacob led Cassidy around to the other side of his truck, where the policemen would not have a clear view of them. He could tell she was feeling deflated by their childish actions, but there was no time to address those emotions. Right now, Jacob needed Cassidy to focus only on the task of finding Carlos, and he had a plan that he believed would help her with just that. There was one big snag in his grand idea, though, and he gulped as an unsure feeling started to take root in his stomach. After praying a quick, silent prayer asking God to provide him with the right words to say what he needed to say, he exhaled deeply before beginning the tough conversation.
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