Framed Shadows: Shadows Landing #6, Kathleen Brooks [great novels of all time TXT] 📗

she needs it. Now, Paxton, Chase is a little fussy. Can you take him for a little walk around the bar to calm him down?”

Ellery made it sound like she was asking, but she wasn’t. She shoved the baby into his arms and then made a shooing motion with her hands. What the hell would he do with a baby? Maybe carry it like a rifle? Paxton shifted the baby in his arms and secured him before standing up. He looked down and saw a look on Tinsley’s face that knocked him over. Pure desire.

“Chase, I think you and I are going to be great friends,” he murmured before strolling off with the baby.

Sweet magnolia, Tinsley had never seen a sexier sight than Paxton at that moment.

“Now that the distraction is gone,” Ellery said, taking the seat Paxton had vacated, “Tinsley, what’s up and what do you need us to do?”

Tinsley sent an appreciative smile to Ellery before telling them about the case. Everyone listened with frowns on their faces until the end. No one looked happy, and it made Tinsley fidget with her fingers.

“You’re telling me those criminals have been in your gallery twice now?” Ridge asked with anger lacing his voice. “And you didn’t call me?”

“I called the FBI, Ridge,” Tinsley reminded him, as patiently as she could manage.

“And you’re sure they’re the same two who were in my shop when I went into labor?” Ellery asked.

“Yes.”

“So, Paxton is going undercover in your gallery so that he can keep you safe and catch these guys?” Savannah asked.

“Exactly. There are hidden cameras all over the place. And now that Paxton is staying with me, I’ll be protected at all times.”

Ryker looked up from his phone and glanced over to Paxton bouncing a happily gurgling Chase in his arms. “He was undercover with the FBI’s Violent Gangs Task Force, Tinsley. He’s not a nice man. Nice men can’t slip into gang life. Hell, he was shot three times when his cover was blown. His file is riddled with complaints against him for not listening to his superiors.”

“Did you just run a background check on him? How did you get into his work file?” Tinsley was upset on Paxton’s behalf. “No one in the family questioned when Dare started dating Harper, and Dare is in the same line of work. Why are you doing this when I’m not even dating Paxton?”

“Because he wants to date you,” Ridge said angrily as he leaned around his wife to look at her. “And because he’s not good enough for you. Dare and Harper fit. They have the same no-nonsense personality. You’re too sweet for Paxton. It’s like he’s the big bad wolf eyeing Little Red Riding Hood to gobble her up. You’re the nice one, Tins. You deserve a nice guy who won’t bring criminals to your doorstep.”

“You do know that Little Red Riding Hood was a story to scare women into what men decided was good moral behavior, right?” Tinsley told her brother. “That the only way you’ll stay pure is to stay on the path, otherwise you die? However, before the modern take on it, there were some stories where Little Red Riding Hood outsmarted the wolf. So, do you think I’m the dumb one who can’t tell a wolf in a hat or the other one who can use her intelligence to escape the bad guy?”

“You know what I mean, Tinsley,” Ridge said with a roll of his eyes.

“Tinsley,” Harper said, leaning toward her. “You don’t need anyone’s permission to be with Paxton if that’s what you want. I just want to make sure you’re safe from these criminals. What do we need to do to make sure you are safe?”

Tinsley shot an appreciative look at her cousin. “Paxton is going undercover at the gallery. I need you all to act as if he’s been working there all this time so the guys don’t get spooked before we can get our hands on the entire stolen collection.”

“I’m happy to help in any way,” Darcy told her with a wink.

“Me too. I can be sure to stop by as much as I can. If you need me, I’ll be right upstairs.”

“I don’t know if you’d need it, but I’m good with makeup or getting you any kind of movie prop,” Skye offered.

“Thank you all.” Tinsley smiled at the women in her family. At least they had her back.

“I don’t like this,” Ridge muttered.

“Me neither,” Ryker said, crossing his arms over his chest. “However, you’re always the first to offer help, so it’s time we all paid you back for that. I’m here for you, Tins. Anything you need at any time. Well, except for my house. I have business associates coming in tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Ryker.” Now Tinsley had her family on her side, she just needed to get everyone else on it. Tomorrow was the Summer Shadows Street Fair. That would be the perfect time to introduce Paxton to the town.

8

Paxton was quiet as Tinsley showed him around her place. It suited her. It was warm and cozy with a bold side, just like Tinsley herself. She hadn’t said anything about her family except they were all willing to help if Paxton needed it. However, she’d been contemplative since they settled down for the night.

Paxton stepped into the living room and on to the couch next to her. Tinsley might be quiet, but there was a stubborn set to her face that let him know that the wheels in her mind were turning. Her family was overprotective of her. He knew that, but surely they knew Paxton would never allow anyone to hurt Tinsley. If they’d known the things he’d had to do while undercover with the gang in Atlanta, they’d realize he’d do anything to keep her safe.

Or maybe that was it. He was too rough, too demanding, too everything for Tinsley. He knew what it was. “I take it your family isn’t thrilled about me being here with you?”

Paxton slid