The Sheriff's Plus One (The Kincaids)

  The Sheriff’s Plus One

  Marquita Valentine

  The Sheriff’s Plus One

  Copyright © 2020 by Marquita Valentine

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted downloaded, distributed, stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, without express permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, or any events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Blurb

  More Books by Marquita Valentine

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Epilogue

  More Books by Marquita Valentine

  About Marquita Valentine

  Blurb

  Star Falls Sheriff Archer Kincaid thought nothing could shock him anymore… until his fiancée skips out on their wedding day. In an effort to save face and give his heart a chance to heal, he turns to his best friend. Only he didn’t count on falling in love with her along the way.

  Molly Parrish is done with love, but when her best friend is jilted on his wedding day, she can’t help but help him get over his ex-fiancée. Platonically, of course. She’s totally not falling for him. Like, at all. When Archer’s ex returns to town and asks for help to win him back, Molly is convinced she’s cursed.

  Can Archer convince Molly to be his permanent plus one?

  More Books by Marquita Valentine

  Holland Springs Series

  Drive Me Crazy

  Twice Tempted

  Third Time’s a Charm

  His Christmas Wish

  Just Desserts

  Not Over You

  Be Mine

  The Brides of Holland Springs Series

  The Billionaire Bride

  The Temporary Bride

  The Forgotten Bride

  The Christmas Bride

  The Lawson Brothers Series

  Love So Hot

  Love So True

  Love So Irresistible

  Love So Tempting

  Love So Perfect

  Love So Unexpected

  Love So Right

  Love So Wild

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  Prologue

  Archer Kincaid sat on one of the ancient back steps of Star Falls Baptist Church, his shoulders slumped in utter confusion and in quite a bit of embarrassment. He was a groom without a bride. A man without a wife. A fiancé without a clue. A yes to every upcoming function without a plus one.

  Basically, he was a fool.

  Worse than that, Archer should have seen it coming from a mile away. After all, he was a cop, the county’s duly elected (and youngest ever) sheriff. Yet. Somehow, it had escaped his notice that his fiancé was cheating on him.

  Oh sorry, according to Liz’s note: she was in love with another man and needed to do what was right for them. Somehow that was supposed to make it a-okay, he guessed. Except hadn’t they been in love? Hadn’t she been the first to say it? Maybe he hadn’t told her enough? Maybe he wasn’t enough?

  Forget confused and embarrassed, he was royally pissed off. How dare Liz do this to him— by announcing it in a cowardly note of all things.

  He ran a hand through his hair, or attempted to, with all the product in the way. He shook his head, blowing out a breath. It could be worse. It could always be worse.

  The door behind him opened with a slight creak.

  Now it was worse. Somebody finally felt like it was their duty to check on him.

  “Don’t feel like talking,” he said, turning his head slightly to glare at the intruder. Instead, he found his best friend or rather the hem of her dress in his line of vision.

  “Don’t mind me,” Molly said as she sat beside him. “I needed some air.”

  “In the June heat?” he asked, finally aware of the sweat plastering his shirt to his back under the coat of his tux. “

  She smiled, raising her brows. “That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.”

  He forced his gaze away from her, staring at the ancient live oak tree in the center of the overflow parking lot. “I’m still not talking.”

  Archer felt rather than saw Molly’s nod. He knew her mouth was drawn, had caught a glimpse of fire in her green eyes earlier when they’d all realized Liz wasn’t showing. At least he knew she wouldn’t pretend to care just to get some juicy gossip out of him.

  “I didn’t know Liz wasn’t going to show,” Molly said a beat later. “If I had, I’d like to think I would have spoken up and told you.”

  “Don’t know if I would have appreciated your honesty.” He would have believed her, though. Molly had been telling him nothing but the truth for the past twenty years. Now at the age of twenty-seven, she was still the same.

  “Eventually, you would have.” She grabbed his hand, giving it a gentle, friendly squeeze before letting go. “You’re a reasonable man.”

  “Don’t feel very reasonable.” He muttered, hating the shortness of his tone, the brevity of his words directed at the one person he didn’t have to pretend to be anything but himself with.

  Hell, he’d thought he’d found that with Liz. She had Molly’s approval, after all, and his family’s, too.

  “I can’t believe I was wrong about her,” Molly said as if reading his mind. “She had me fooled, and you know I can read people like tea leaves.”

  He cracked a smile at that, then sat up straighter to get the kink out of his lower back. “I’ve always said you’d make a great detective.”

  “I’m a better businesswoman.” Molly picked at the hem of her skirt. “The only people left inside are your family and me. I made them all promise to keep their mouths shut under penalty of law.”

  His chest broke open a little, rough laughter finding its way to the outside. Molly was one of the few people his brothers would listen to, and their little sister idolized her. Liz was supposed to be the one making him laugh today. Sharp pain sliced through him.

  “I’m such a damned fool, Molly.” He stretched out his legs, the bricks of the step pricking at the fabric of his pants. “The stupidest thoughts are in my head, like the 4th of July party I’m supposed to attend, or the grand opening of Star Fall’s inclusive playground. I’ve been replying to everything I needed to go to, or even wanted to go to, with a plus one for the last year and a half. Hell, I was excited to be able to point out my wife this summer. And now, when I show up, people will notice that I’m alone, and then they’ll remember why.” Then he’d have to relive this humiliating day all over again.

  He couldn’t remember a time when he actually hated someone he used to love, but this was pretty damn close.

  “Not if I go with you,” Molly declared. “You can count on me being your Plus One to infinity… or until you get another girlfriend.”

  Yeah, he knew he had a reputation for women liking him, but he was a one-woman type of guy, not a serial dater. “I’m putting women on the no-go list for at least the next year.” He sliced his gaze to Molly as she brushed back a blonde curl. “Present compa
ny excluded.”

  “I’m your best friend. That’s a category unto itself.” She rose to her feet. “I think I’ve had enough of the June air and judging by the beads of sweat running down your face, so have you.” She held out her hand. “Let’s go inside and cool off.”

  He eyed her delicate fingers. “Do we have any food left in the reception hall?” Liz’s parents were just as stunned as he’d been, and out of the goodness of their hearts or maybe out of feeling sorry for him, fed everyone who’d stuck around after the wedding that wasn’t.

  “I managed to keep your brothers from swarming the buffet table.”

  “You’re an amazing woman, Molly Parrish.” He took her hand in his and stood. Even in her heels, he towered over her. “I guess when you’re Tinkerbelle sized, you have to have a Hulk-sized personality, huh?”

  She arched a brow. “I haven’t been Tinkerbelle-sized since my freshman year of high school. I’m a respectable five feet five. As for my personality, I’m regular-sized in that too.”

  He knew better—Molly could command an entire room with a look, or a friendly smile. Archer gently squeezed her hand. “Thank you.”

  Molly smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “That’s what best friends are for.”

  Chapter 1

  Archer knocked on Molly’s door, even though he knew she’d already heard his truck pull into the driveway. “I’m ready when you are,” he yelled at the door. “I’ll wait for you out here.”

  Man, he did not want to do this. Spending time with Molly didn’t bother him, but having to act like nothing was wrong at this party was going to wear on him. He wasn’t the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, but he didn’t live a lie either.

  The door opened suddenly, Molly standing in there with a pretty smile on her face. Her blonde hair was caught up in a high ponytail, and she wore a red and white checked shirt with dark blue jean shorts to match the theme of the Independence Day party. “No need. I’m ready now.”

  “You look nice.”

  Her smile widened. “This old thing—thanks!” She grabbed a large bag and slung it over her shoulder, then moved to close and lock the door. He stepped back, wondering what she was carrying. “You look nice, too.”

  Grunting, he rubbed his jaw. “Shaved is all.”

  She eyed him. “You have to shave for work.”

  “I can have a beard.”

  “Oh, it’s going to be like that today.” She brushed past him and lightly jogged down the front porch steps. “Let’s go, grumpy.”

  “I’m not—” Except he was completely grumpy. He had every right to be. It had been less than a month since he was jilted at the altar.

  Molly spun around, the scent of her perfume hitting him. She always smelled nice. “You can acknowledge your need to be grumpy while not taking it out on me. Or you can go for door number two and skip the party altogether. We can go to the lake and have a picnic instead.”

  Shit. Was she a mind-reader? “I’m expected to be there.”

  Molly’s face turned sympathetic. “I don’t think anyone would mind if you didn’t show up. Of course, they’d miss you, but our friends would understand.”

  “Like hell, they’d understand,” he snapped, then grimaced. “Sorry.” He shook his head, looking around the front yard that Molly kept neat as a pin. “Flowerbeds look good. How long did they take you to get going?”

  “Thank you. About—oh no, you don’t. I won’t be distracted, Archer Kincaid. Make a decision—go to the lake and be happy or go to the party and be grumpy.”

  They both knew she really meant miserable, but dammit, he couldn’t not show up. “Can’t let her win, Molly. Can’t let everyone know how…” He smashed his lips together.

  “Then we go to the party, and I’ll run interference. Our code word is happy when you’re ready to leave.” She started for his truck. “Or dopey. Or sneezy. You pick.”

  “Are you comparing me to one of the dwarfs?” he asked, incredulous, yet at the same time, he wanted to laugh.

  “No, I’m comparing you to all of them, because you’ll literally go through all the emotions before you become the Archer I’m used to.”

  “Gee, thanks,” he muttered, matching his stride to hers so he could open the door for her. “Didn’t know there were seven Disney themed stages of grief instead of five.”

  Molly climbed inside his truck, getting settled before she gave him a look. “Don’t mock me. I’m on your side, but I’m not going to let you wallow over Liz. She doesn’t deserve that kind of placement in your brain.”

  He leaned against the truck and blew out a breath. “It’s been less than a month.”

  “I know,” she said softly. “Breakups suck. I can’t imagine combining that with a wedding.”

  Like her breakup with Travis about three months before Liz changed her mind. Molly’d been tightlipped about it. He hadn’t pressed her to share either, mostly because he figured she’d talk when she was ready, but now he felt guilty for not being a better friend.

  But from now on... “How about we make our rounds at the party and then head to the lake?” He stepped back. “I can wait while you get what you need, and then we can swing back by my place.”

  She patted the large bag at her feet. “I prepared for whatever decision you made.”

  “You knew I’d pick the lake?”

  “No, but I figured the more you thought about it on the way over, then more likely you were to want to go there instead.” She shrugged. “Your brothers and little sister are already at the lake. I mentioned we might stop by later.”

  Of course, she had. “So, no couples.”

  “Besides your parents? No.”

  “Are Plus One’s supposed to be this bossy?”

  She made a mock face of outrage. “How dare you!”

  Archer shook his head, a ghost of a smile pushing his lips up at the corners. “Have it your way.”

  “It’s not my way. It’s…” She brushed back her ponytail, her brow furrowed. “Obviously, you are not ready to go out yet. So why force yourself when it’s not an official county event? Liz can’t win if you’re not playing the game in the first place, you know.”

  Molly was right, but it still burned bright inside of him—the pain, the humiliation… anger. “I hate not winning.”

  “I know.”

  He clenched his jaw, getting hold of his anger as he closed her door and joined her in his truck. He wasn’t the type to go off half-cocked, hadn’t gotten elected because he was ruled by his emotions either. Archer was calm; he listened to reason and logic, and sometimes to people who were neither… he studied facts to make wise decisions.

  “How long does it take to get over an ex?” he asked, and Molly blinked at him.

  “I think it’s different for everyone. Take me, I’m not still over Travis.” She gave him a small one-shouldered shrug. “It’s been four months, and I still get upset. There’ll be a song on the radio, or the movie we went to see will pop up on Netflix, and it’ll set me off. We were together for a long time, so I’m going to assume that it’s going to take a long time to get over him.”

  The cold air of the a/c washed over him. His favorite country music station was on in the background. The day was sunny and hot, perfect for the lake or a party. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to move.

  “Maybe not. Maybe if you meet the right guy, you won’t have to wait a long time to get over him.” But when he tried to picture the guy who could take Molly’s pain away, he drew a blank. Then again, they knew all the same people and most of them were married.

  He frowned. In a county of seventy thousand people, that didn’t seem right. They should really expand their social circle.

  “Says the man who has sworn off women for a year,” Molly countered. Her green eyes were pretending to smile, so he went along with it, sensing she didn’t want to talk about meeting a new guy, much less the right one.

  “We were together for a year before I proposed, so… mathematically
that works out.”

  Molly snorted. “You think math has anything to do with this?”

  “Not really, but it’s a hell of a lot easier to have an end date than to live in limbo.”

  “You can say that again,” Molly muttered as he put the truck in gear and eased out of her drive. “Here’s to end dates.”

  For the first time in weeks, he grinned. A real one. “And to bossy Plus One’s.”

  The entire Kincaid family was at the lake by the time Molly and Archer arrived. She sneaked a peek at Archer, noting the tightness of his mouth had eased since they left his place so he could change and grab a few other essential items.

  Good. This would do him some good. He’d rarely been out in the past month for anything other than job related. Heck, he’d even forgone his honeymoon to return to work. She guessed she could understand his thought process behind that—the returning to normal and pretending nothing had happened plan. Only, she didn’t see where that had worked very well.

  Molly wouldn’t press him to deal with Liz’s abandonment, but she still wanted to help him get over the women. She’d like to say that she knew something was off with Liz, but she couldn’t. Liz Evans had fooled everyone, including her own parents. And if her own parents had no idea, then how could the rest of them?

  “Not too crowded,” Archer said, scanning the area. She watched as he looked for bad guys, good guys, family, places to park, and places that could be potentially dangerous. Such was the life of a sheriff, and cops in general. “But I bet in a couple of hours, the lake will be full.”