Just Trust (The Reluctant Heart Book 2) Read online

  Just Trust

  Jeannette Winters

  An original work of Jeannette Winters, 2020.

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, events, business establishments or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Contents

  Jeannette Winters

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Also by Jeannette Winters

  By Jeannette Winters & Lena Lane

  Jeannette Winters

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  This book is dedicated to all those who take the time to brighten someone's day. A smile and a laugh is priceless.....

  And also thank you to my editor Taryn Lawson, and to Jade Webb at https://meetcutecreative.com/ for another amazing cover!

  And to my readers. You continue to challenge me and I love it. Please keep those emails coming!

  Just Trust

  Billionaire Jerry Heart is driven by success. It’s bred into the Heart family genes. Failure is not in his vocabulary. No matter what it takes their empire will not fail under his watch. He’s learned to stay focused and distractions of any type aren’t allowed.

  Being set up on a blind date by his devious brother was a threat to his well laid plans. She was intelligent and gorgeous and he found himself stimulated by more than their conversation. It was for only one night. What harm could it do?

  Patrolwoman Reanna Long dedicated her life to serving others. Long hours and crazy times were quickly becoming overwhelming. She never thought she’d reach her breaking point, but she was approaching her limit.

  One taste of the fire between them isn’t enough to quench their thirst. Giving into their desires, only fuels them even further. There are two choices…everything, or nothing.

  They can have it all, but only if they just trust that love can overcome it all

  Chapter One

  “I can’t believe you’re not going to charge him with reckless driving. My poor Sammy is…is dead! It’s…his fault,” Mrs. Grossman sobbed and pointed to Kyle, who looked extremely nervous.

  Reanna Long gently patted the woman on the back. Mrs. Grossman called the station at least once a week for the oddest things. Everyone knew it was because she was ninety years old, lonely, and just wanted the company. Even though people in town stopped in to check on her frequently, it never seemed to be enough. Mrs. Grossman had all the time in the world to sit and chat about the years gone by. That wasn’t the case this time. “I know it’s hard. But there is nothing I can charge him with.” She was actually blown away that Kyle had even stopped and waited until she arrived so he could give his statement. Most kids his age would’ve stepped on the gas and taken off. Kyle probably figured it was better to deal with the law than have his parents called. In a small town like Hope Valley, everyone knew everyone, and if you didn’t provide the facts, the story was certainly going to be exaggerated as it was retold over and over again. With any luck, Reanna would be able to calm Mrs. Grossman down so she could get back to the station and clock out. “Mrs. Grossman, I think Kyle feels horrible for what happened to Sammy.”

  “He…he should. Sammy was my…my best friend,” she choked.

  Reanna fought back the chuckle that was building up inside her. Mrs. Grossman was known for being overly dramatic. But this wasn’t a stage performance. As she looked at Mrs. Grossman again, she could tell that her pain was real, and Reanna felt badly for her. But no words were going to help right now. Mrs. Grossman was grieving, and the less said, the best.

  “I’m really sorry, Mrs. Grossman. I didn’t see it until it was right in front of my car. I tried to stop. I really did,” the kid tried explaining. “I’ll talk to my dad. I’m sure he’ll let me buy you a new one.”

  Reanna immediately knew that had been a mistake on his part. She felt Mrs. Grossman tense and knew she was about to blow her top. She was a sweet old woman, but a spitfire when she was angry.

  “It?” Mrs. Grossman shrieked. “Sammy was not an it! Sammy won a blue ribbon at the country fair two years ago,” she stated proudly. “He was…beautiful. And you think you can just buy me a new one? You can’t put a price on love,” she huffed. She pulled the shoebox that held Sammy’s remains closer to her chest and said, “I can see that neither of you understand the gravity of this situation.” Sniffing, she raised her nose up in the air and said firmly, “If you’ll excuse me, I have arrangements to make.”

  Kyle stood with his mouth gaped wide open, at a loss for words. It was a bit late for that. The damage was done. Reanna watched Mrs. Grossman carry the box to the back of her house. Once out of sight, she turned to Kyle and said, “If I were you, I’d stay off this road for awhile.”

  “Yeah. She’s really pissed. But I’m telling you the truth, Officer Long. I never saw Sammy until it was too late,” Kyle said.

  She was a lover of all creatures, large and small, but this was nothing more than an accident. Kyle had been doing the speed limit. And Kyle definitely couldn’t predict Mrs. Grossman’s prize toad deciding to make a break for it by booking it to the street to get to the pond on the other side. Sorry you didn’t make it, Sammy.

  “Kyle, it wasn’t anything but an accident. And you did the right thing by stopping.”

  “So you don’t think I should buy her a new one?” he asked.

  Reanna shook her head. “I think you should go home and hit the books. If I’m right, you have exams next week.”

  Kyle rolled his eyes. “It’s Friday. I was on my way to meet up with my friends,” he sighed.

  “Yes it is. But I think studying will help keep your mind off Mrs. Grossman,” she said.

  “I think playing basketball with my friends might work better.”

  “Kyle, this is your senior year. Finish strong. Have you figured out where you’re going to college?”

  He shrugged. “Dad said I have to work the summer to help pay for it, so I’m going to go locally. It’s cheaper,” Kyle said, his voice filled with disappointment as though staying local wasn’t his first choice. He walked away with his head hung low, as he headed towards his car.

  Reanna understood the desire to get out of Rhode Island and see more. It was on her bucket list to drive cross-country one day. She had a feeling Kyle was looking for distance for another reason. His parents were strict. But at least they kept him on the right path. He was one kid she hadn’t needed to lecture about the importance of making wise decisions, even when you’re a minor.

  She waited until he pulled
away before heading for her cruiser. It was a little past five and change of shift had already started. Although Friday night would bring a bit more excitement to the town, it was still quiet compared to most places. But she couldn’t clock out right away. She had to file a report. There was no doubt in her mind that the guys at the station were dying to give her a ribbing for spending the last hour at Mrs. Grossman’s. It could’ve been a lot shorter, but she couldn’t leave Mrs. Grossman to box up her pet. That might not be part of her job description, but she was dedicated to serving the community. Even when the person she was trying to help didn’t seem too fond of her. Hopefully tomorrow Mrs. Grossman would feel differently.

  Maybe I’ll take my own advice and avoid her street for a few days too.

  That was one option, but Reanna never took the easy way out of anything. So even though she had the weekend off, she would make a point to stop in and check on Mrs. Grossman. Maybe bring cookies too.

  A few hours later, and with her paperwork all submitted, Reanna finally pulled into her driveway, shut off her Ford pick-up truck, and just sat there enjoying the peace and quiet. She knew once she was inside, that all would change.

  When Reanna purchased this house a few years ago, she thought it was way too big for her: four bedrooms and three baths. But it was supposed to be an investment. She’d fix it up, and sell it for a hefty profit. Instead, her kid sister Brenda moved in, temporarily, and hasn’t left. Brenda lived a much different lifestyle than Reanna. Brenda liked to party: loud music, lots of wine… The only rules in the house were keep it drama free, and Brenda couldn’t bring any men to the house.

  But Reanna never was good at getting what she wanted. The man-free zone had changed, because Reanna’s ex-husband Bobby was in town. And it was just her luck that he needed a place to stay for a week and had stopped in when she wasn’t home. Brenda made the decision without her. Reanna still wasn’t happy about that. Granted, she and Bobby had a civil divorce, but she still wasn’t comfortable with him there. There were reasons why they weren’t married any longer, and Reanna had no interest in rehashing them.

  A car horn blared from behind her. She looked in the rearview mirror to see Brenda in her convertible, impatiently waiting to pull in and park.

  “You’d think I owned the home or something,” Reanna said sarcastically to herself. Instead of ignoring Brenda, she turned on her car again, pulled up another two feet, then turned it off.

  A moment later, Brenda was opening Reanna’s car door and blurted, “I’m glad you’re here. I need your help.”

  That got Reanna’s attention. It sounded serious, but with Brenda, it could be she broke a nail and couldn’t locate the fingernail clipper. She got out of her car and headed towards the porch. “Can I change out of my uniform first or does this need my immediate attention?”

  “You will definitely need to change,” Brenda said.

  “Good, because I’m tired, and there is nothing I want right now more than a hot shower, my pajamas, and a glass of wine.”

  “How about two out of three?”

  Reanna took out her house keys and went to unlock the door. The knob turned and the door opened, no key required. “Brenda, what have I told you about leaving the doors unlocked?”

  “It’s not like I left it open with no one home. Bobby is inside,” she said, trying to defend her actions.

  Don’t remind me.

  “That is not the point, Brenda. The doors get locked. Understood?”

  Brenda nodded. “This is not the way to start your night.”

  “Exactly. I want to come home and relax,” she stated.

  “Or maybe go out,” Brenda added.

  Reanna turned and said, “I’m not hanging out with you and your friends.”

  “I wouldn’t want you to. You’d be a buzzkill.” Brenda raised her hands and added, “Not saying you’re boring, but you’re just not…fun.”

  Reanna glared at Brenda. “You do know that I’m the one working and providing a roof over your head, right?”

  “Sorry. I do appreciate it. And I am looking for a job. Just the right one hasn’t come along.”

  “You don’t need the ‘right one’ you just need one,” she said firmly.

  Brenda rolled her eyes and said, “Prime example of what I was saying. Buzzkill. I hope you don’t talk like that tonight with Jerry.”

  “Who is Jerry?”

  “Your date,” Brenda stated.

  “You have a date?” Bobby asked from the couch in the living room.

  Reanna slammed her keys on the counter and said, “No, I don’t.”

  “Yes, you do. That’s what I needed to talk to you about. You have a blind date tonight and you’ve got to get moving if you’re going to get ready,” Brenda said.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about Brenda, but I didn’t agree to a blind date.”

  “Well, you didn’t, but I did. And I can’t make it,” Brenda said.

  “So call and cancel. I’m not going for you,” she said. Reanna was always rescuing Brenda, but this wasn’t going to be one of those times.

  “You don’t understand. I promised Shanda I would do it, but I can’t. She’s going to be so pissed off at me,” she explained.

  “Why did you agree to something that you couldn’t fulfill?”

  “I planned on it, but now I can’t. Please Reanna. It’s only dinner. And you know Shanda and her soon-to-be husband Kenneth. This is Kenneth’s older brother Jerry, so I’m sure he’s more your type than mine anyway,” Brenda stated.

  Shanda Morris had been friends with Brenda since childhood, but the difference was Shanda actually grew up. As far as Kenneth Heart, she had only met him a few times. He seemed nice, but definitely looked out of his element in Hope Valley.

  “It sounds like you have some apologizing to do, because I’m not going,” Reanna said. “Besides, Shanda is expecting you, not me.”

  “I know, but it’s too late to cancel. I’m desperate. Please? Unless you wanted to stay home and reminisce with Bobby again tonight,” Brenda prodded.

  Hell no!

  “Brenda, why do you get yourself in these situations?” And how do I always end up involved?

  “Just lucky I guess,” she said with a smile.

  Brenda somehow thought it was a compliment. There was no arguing with her. They never saw eye to eye, even as kids. “If I do this, then you need to promise me you’ll get a job and your own place to live.”

  She thought for sure Brenda would back down. Instead she wrapped her arms around her and said, “You’re the best Reanna. Now, let’s go find you something to wear, because that police uniform doesn’t do your figure justice.”

  Reanna followed her upstairs and said, “I’m capable of choosing my own clothes. I just need an idea of where I’m going.”

  “All I know is it’s a restaurant. So dress…pretty, because goodness knows you don’t own anything sexy,” Brenda teased.

  Reanna stood in the doorway to her bedroom blocking Brenda’s entry. “Just give me the details, and let me worry about the rest.”

  Brenda shrugged her shoulders and said, “Fine. But it’s not every night you get a date with a billionaire.”

  “It’s not every night that my kid sister blows one off,” she retorted and closed the door.

  Reanna might not have wanted to go out tonight, but she was hungry and had to eat. Thankfully she knew she could talk to Shanda about her shop, Just Blown. It was always a safe topic. Now all she needed to do was find the right dress to wear. If she remembered correctly, she still had a red satin dress that was just the right amount of sexy. She wasn’t out to dress for Jerry, but definitely wanted to show Brenda she wasn’t as old and boring as she thought.

  Digging out the dress, and a pair of black pumps, she laid them on the bed and headed for the shower.

  When she was dressed, she took one last look in the mirror. Damn I look good. It was a shame that this wasn’t a real date. As she walked down the stairs and h
eaded for the door, she noticed Bobby eyeing her. She didn’t pay him any mind, but said, “Don’t wait up for me.” With a grin, she left the house. If she had to do this, she might as well enjoy it.

  Jerry Heart had no idea what his brother Kenneth needed to speak to him about. Whatever it was, it seemed it couldn’t be done over the phone. It better be important, because he had a date with a smoking-hot blonde that definitely would’ve ended his night on a good note.

  He pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, and scanned the lot for Kenneth’s car. Jerry half hoped that Kenneth would’ve blown it off and just forgot to call. Then Jerry could turn around and head back to Boston. No such luck; Kenneth’s car was there.

  Jerry pulled into the empty space beside Kenneth’s blue Mercedes G-Class SUV. He still couldn’t believe it. That wasn’t Kenneth’s type of vehicle. That was something you put a baby car seat in. You could’ve at least gotten it in black.

  He’d never have thought Shanda would’ve been Kenneth’s type. Their entire childhood, he and Kenneth had talked about the future, and it had always been about money and success. Kenneth was still driven, but now it was by his heart. He’d tried to tell Kenneth to get his head out of his ass a few months ago when he moved from Boston to Hope Valley, but Kenneth didn’t want to hear it. He said being there, being with Shanda, was what made him happy. Jerry couldn’t even predict what crazy shit Kenneth might announce at dinner. Lately, nothing surprised him when it came to his kid brother.

  When he got inside the restaurant, they escorted him to the table, where he saw Kenneth and Shanda staring into each other’s eyes as though they were the only two in the place. Being around people who were so fucking happy was almost sickening. Jerry never would allow himself to fall victim to such emotions. It was a trap and once you were in, you were done.