Free Never Let Me Go (Welcome To Redemption) by Donna Marie Rogers Page A

night before, Dimples had no intention of heeding his advice. That fiery spirit both excited and exasperated him.
    He hated having to lie to her about his feelings; the hurt in her eyes had been almost more than he could bear. But it had been for the best for both of them, for many reasons. Nothing complicated a friendship more than sex. And if Chase couldn’t have Hannah in his life as a lover, he damn well wanted to keep her as a friend.
    After a quick search of the house, he’d noted the answering machine flashing and quickly pressed the Play button. Mystery solved—she’d raced over to her friend’s house. No doubt to complain about yours truly. Well, too damn bad. He had to be extra cautious for her own good. As sheriff, it was his job to keep the impossible woman safe until the robbers were caught and behind bars, and that’s exactly what he planned to do. After that, she was Drew and their dad’s problem.
    He sat behind the wheel, dreading having to go up there and basically order Hannah to follow him home, like the little girl she lamented being treated as. And frankly, she had a point as far as her father and brother were concerned. But it was different with him. If anything happened to her, if that piece of shit made good on his threat and caught her off guard when he wasn’t around to protect her, he’d never forgive himself.
    When John Russo stepped out onto his front porch and looked in his direction, Chase knew he’d procrastinated long enough. He climbed from the truck and crossed the street as John walked up to greet him on the sidewalk.
    “Hey, Sheriff, good to see you. What can I do for you?”
    Chase took off his shades and slipped them into his front shirt pocket. “Evening, John. I need to speak with Hannah, if you don’t mind.”
    “Not at all. She’s in the house with Shar. Come on.” John led the way around to the back door which opened up into the kitchen. He stopped short, his hand on the knob, and glanced back with a sort of sheepish expression. “For a minute, I was afraid you might be here looking for Dillon.”
    Chase quirked a brow, a little surprised by the statement. John’s stepson had been in trouble with the law more times than he could count, but as far as he knew, the guy hadn’t gotten into any trouble recently. At least, not since he’d moved back to Redemption. “No…though if you have something you’d like to share, I’m all ears.”
    John laughed softly, giving his graying blond head a rueful shake as he pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. “Guess I’ve been expecting the cops to show up since the moment that kid moved back in.” With that, he opened the door and stepped inside.
    Since “that kid” in question was in his mid-twenties, Chase wondered why they’d agreed to take the felon in at all. But then, he wasn’t yet a parent or he’d probably understand.
    He followed John inside at the same moment Hannah and Shar entered the kitchen.
    Hannah busily avoided eye contact with him, while Shar gave him the stink eye with her arms crossed and her hip out.
    “Sheriff.”
    “Shar.”
    Yep. Dimples had no doubt cursed his name up and down while filling her friend in on everything that happened the night before. His face warmed a bit at the thought. “Hannah, I was hoping we could grab a bite to eat together. I’ve got a taste for some of Carrie’s chili.” He prayed the stubborn woman wouldn’t argue with him for once.
    She met his gaze; definitely a positive sign.
    “I could eat.”
    “Glad to hear your stomach is feeling better,” Shar offered with an oddly knowing grin.
    Hannah leveled a look on her friend that Chase had witnessed plenty of times. It meant, ‘Shut the hell up.’
    Thoroughly intrigued, he almost grinned himself.
    “I love Carrie’s chili,” John offered. “Over spaghetti, topped with cheddar cheese, diced onions, and sour cream. Nothing better.”
    “I’ll make sure and tell mom you said that,” Shar