Free Unexpected Love (Jo's Story) by Nikki Williams Page A

people that are here for you Jo, you know that.”
    “That’s not what I mean Bobby.  I met someone.”
    “Oh really?” He looks down at me a little surprised.  “And you are worried he wouldn’t approve?  Is the guy a jerk or something?”
    “No, he is actually a great guy.  But after a decade of being with someone that I love as much as I did Jarrod it is hard to accept that he would be ok with it.”
    “Would he be able to take care of you and the girls?”
    I laugh a little, “Without a problem.”
    Bobby raises his eyebrows in question, “then I guarantee that Jarrod would approve.  I know he would want you to be happy and have someone that can take care of the three loves of his life.  So who is this guy?”
    I smile, “I don’t know that I am ready to share that yet.  We just met a couple days ago and had our first date last night, which by no question was probably one of the most interesting nights I have had in a long time.”
    “Well, Jarrod was my best friend, pretty much my brother, and I know that he wants you to be happy no matter what.  I know he wouldn’t want you to be alone just because he isn’t here anymore.  In fact I am willing to bet he is up there saying go for it baby.”
    I feel a tear run down my cheek and laugh, “you’re probably right.  Thanks Bobby, I needed to hear that.”
    “That’s what I am here for,” he hugs me again.  I hear my phone ping for a message.  It’s Annie.
    “Crap, I have to go; I was supposed to meet Annie for breakfast ten minutes ago.  Thanks again Bobby.  We will get together soon.”
    “I look forward to it.  Tell Annie I say hi.”
    “I will,” I turn and run to my car.  I pull my car into the parking lot and look at myself in the mirror.  I see how red my eyes are and tell myself to stop being so emotional about everything.  I get out and walk into the restaurant.  I see Annie sitting at a booth in the back.
    “Hey,” she smiles as I sit down across from her.  “I thought you would have beaten me here.”
    “Yeah, I made a stop sorry.” I say quietly.
    “Jarrod?”
    “Yeah, and I was talking to him and Bobby showed up.”  I look up at her.  “Do you think I am not the same person as I was when he was here?”
    “What kind of question is that?”
    “Ryan told me when I was at the station that I am not the same person I was when I first got on the force.”
    “Good lord, of course you’re not!  No one would be.  You lost your husband Jo.  It’s not like your dog died and you can just find a new one and move on.  You love him; he is the father of your kids.  What does Ryan expect for you to cry for a day then go back to it?”
    “I don’t know Annie; I feel like I don’t even know what I am doing anymore.  The last two days have been crazy weird for me.  I met someone new, I moved into a new place, and I had to pull my gun on a guy that broke into my house.  A house where my children live.”
    “Jodene Marie Lewis! Get it together!  You are a great mom to those girls and would do anything to protect them; you are one of the best detectives on the force, and an awesome best friend.  But I will kick your ass!  You deserve to go on a date, and once and a while in your line of work you are going to have to pull your gun, it’s called a hazard of the job.”
    I laugh, “Thanks for yelling at me.”
    “You’re welcome, now, can we please eat?  I am starving!”
    “Yes, we can eat,” I smile at her.  What would I do without her?  Without anyone that has helped me the last couple days.  Except for maybe Ryan, I am starting to see a dark side of him.  And he is supposed to be my partner and have trust and faith in me at all times. 
    “What now?” She asks me after we are done ordering.
    “What do you mean what now?”
    “I see that look on your face, and it is a look of determination.  What are you thinking about?”
    “Ryan.”
    “I'm not sure that I have ever liked him.  He seems to