One Tough Cop Read Online Free PDF Page A

teenager,” Max admitted. “But then I joined the police force instead of the FBI.”
    “I was going to be Scully except that I found me and blood aren’t a good fit,” Nicole said.
    “Well, we can be them for Halloween,” he said.
    “You plan on seeing me for Halloween?” Nicole asked.
    “My friend Jones and his wife and kids put together this amazing bash each year, costumes and everything,” he explained and then cleared his throat. “You should go with me and we can dress Jules up as a baby duck or something.”
    “A baby duck?” Nicole asked.
    “Or a pumpkin,” Max said.
    “I was thinking mini dalek or…”
    “Dr. Who,” Max finished her sentence. “We seem to have a lot in common, television and book wise.”
    “Shouldn’t we at least have dinner first before we dress my son up in some weird costume? I mean, we could be starting years of trauma if we dress him up to suit our viewing tastes.” Nicole couldn’t help the grin on her face. Just talking to Max made her feel lighter.
    “Are you asking me out? Ms. Henry, I don’t know what to say,” Max teased.
    “I–I mean, well I don’t know….” She felt her stomach clench with nervousness and fear.
    “Ask me over for dinner, Nicole,” Max said softly. “We can talk about X-Files and if we think the twelfth doctor will work out.”
    “Wait, there’s going to be a new doctor? Derek never let me…” Nicole stopped herself and shook her head. “I’m not going back to those memories.”
    Max was quiet for a minute before he spoke. “You don’t have to go back to them Nicole, but you’re going to have to face them eventually.”
    “When I’m ready,” Nicole said. “Come to dinner.”
    “What time and what do I bring?” Max asked.
    “Maybe some fresh bread for garlic toast?” Nicole said.
    “What are you planning to make?” he asked.
    “Homemade meatloaf, creamy mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and garlic toast…. unless you wanted biscuits?” Nicole said hastily. “I can make an apple pie.”
    He was silent and Nicole said hesitantly, “Max?”
    “I’m sorry, I was fantasizing about eating dinner tomorrow,” Max said. “I’ll get whatever you need, text me a list.”
    She laughed. “I’m actually going to the store tomorrow, I can do the shopping. I just like the bread from Pietro’s bakery for garlic toast.”
    “Well text me anyway so I have your cell number,” he encouraged softly. “And give me your address.”
    “Okay, well goodnight Max, thank you for keeping me company on the phone,” Nicole said.
    “Goodnight Nicole, see you tomorrow,” Max answered.
    Nicole hung up and looked at the cordless phone in her hand before putting it back on the base. Fear and panic had made her call him and now she was having dinner with the police officer that saved her life and delivered her son. She turned off the television and checked the door of the apartment, making sure the locks were secured. On impulse, well not on impulse but her ritual since she moved in, she braced a chair she kept by the door under the lock. Nicole grabbed Max’s business card before she pushed the bassinette into her bedroom and once again went through the ritual of locking the door and barring it. She wondered if she would ever feel safe enough again to be able to go to bed and not get up to check the door and windows. Nicole got into bed and took her cell phone off the dresser table. Before texting him she saved his number as Maxwell “Tough Cop” in her phone and smiled as she looked at the number. She began to text him and her fingers moved across the touch screen of her cell quickly.
    Hey Maxell, My address is 1243 Sand Dune Street. Do you need the zip code?
    No, I know exactly where that is, friend lives over there, wait two streets over. 7 ok?
    That’s fine, see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Maxwell.
    You can call me Max you know.
    I’m not a fan of nicknames. I’ll stick with Maxwell. Do you mind?
    Not in the least, G’night