Free The Officer Breaks the Rules by Jeanette Murray Page B

the field. Plus, you’re only gone for eight days,” Jeremy pointed out.
    “Yeah, but I like to let Skye know as soon as possible if I’m gonna be gone.”
    He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. A year ago, heading out to the field at the
     last minute wouldn’t have given Tim a second thought. As organized as he was by nature,
     he could have been set and ready to roll in an hour. Shit changed when you added a
     wife to the mix.
    “Can I ask you a favor for while I’m gone?”
    Jeremy sat up straighter but smiled. “Only if it’s not paperwork,” he joked.
    Tim smiled and shook his head. “Nah. It’s easier than paperwork. I promised to help
     Veronica set up a new bedroom set for her over the weekend, but now I’ll be gone.
     I don’t think she wants to wait a second longer, but she’s too polite to say so.”
    New furniture? Piece of cake. “Sure. No problem. Do you need help dismantling what
     you’ve got set up now?”
    Tim shook his head. “No, the furniture in the guest bedroom stays there. We would
     have let her have it, but she’s got new stuff coming in. Skye’s parents bought her
     a new bedroom set… something about making up for years without her own. No clue what
     that means, but whatever. She’s moving into Madison’s guest room. They’ll be roommates
     now.”
    “Madison’s place. Roommates. Really?” Jeremy’s throat did that uncomfortable closing-in
     thing again. Damn, could he just not catch a break? He made mental plans to avoid
     her whenever possible for the near future, and suddenly he’s right back at square
     one.
    “Yeah. I think Madison works all weekend, but Veronica has keys now. So if I give
     her your number, can she text you to come over when she’s ready?”
    “Absolutely.” He’d scoot in, assemble in record time, and scoot back out again. Like
     a thief in the night… only during the day. And without stealing anything.
    “Great.” Tim slapped his palms on his knees, then pushed to stand up. “I’ll let them
     know you’re able to help. Thanks.” And before he left, he leaned back and said, “And
     keep an eye out for my girls while I’m gone. All three of them. Yeah?”
    Jeremy scoffed. “Corny, dude.”
    Tim smiled lazily. “Probably. But I’m not used to leaving someone behind. Just in
     case, you know. Makes me feel better knowing they have someone to call if something
     comes up.”
    “Sure. No problem.” Yeah, he’d keep an eye out… for ways to not act like an idiot.
     Prime example, the other night.
    Impressive, really, when a guy managed to insult a woman by claiming she was seducing
     him, when all she was doing was taking off a sweatshirt.
    But she wants me.
    He knew it as sure as he knew the Marine Corps Hymn. And he had no clue what to do
     with the information, other than ignore it.
    Because he’d been doing such a fantastic job of that so far.
    But this time he had no more chances to screw up. He and Madison were flammable together.
     Lighter fluid and a spark. He couldn’t afford to go after her, and she wouldn’t give
     up coming after him.
    Just like in battle, he’d play it by ear. Planning only took you so far. After that,
     instincts kicked in. He’d prepare, steel himself against the effect she had on him,
     and hope for a good show of resolve.
    ***
    The only thing worse than being alone with your own thoughts was being alone with
     your own thoughts for days at a time.
    And therein lay the problem with Madison’s three days on, two days off shift schedule
     at the moment. If she didn’t make the effort, she’d spend way too much time with herself.
     God knew that was a recipe for disaster.
    She stared at the clock, calculated how long it would take her to grab a shower and
     get dressed, and reached for her cell phone on the nightstand.
    “Hey, Veronica. It’s Madison.”
    “Hello,” Veronica’s smooth, cultured voice answered. “How are you?”
    Madison smiled. Veronica always sounded so proper at