Page 89 of Time Served in New York
“That would be fun. I’d love to have my nieces visit. My nephews, too, if they’re willing.” Frankie bumped into me and knocked me back causing Paula to slam into my back, and I heard her yell, “He’s got my purse!”
“Oh shit!” Blue yelled right before she started chasing the man. “Let’s get him!”
Without even thinking, I started running after Blue right along with the rest of our friends. We tried our hardest to keep up, but the man was nimble as he darted around other clusters of people in the park.
It didn’t take long before he was too far away for us to do anything. Blue stopped running and leaned forward to rest her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. I did the same thing as Blue gasped, “Fuck it. I’ll buy you a new purse. That bastard was fast.”
“Shit,” Matalie wheezed beside me. “I’m out of shape.”
“Fuck all this running,” Pandora panted. “Never again. I’ll put in for the new purse, Frankie.”
“I’ve got plenty at home,” Frankie said as she put her hands up behind her head and paced back and forth like runners do after a race. “There wasn’t anything important in it, so it’s all good.”
“Shouldn’t we call the cops?” Brea asked, pulling her phone out of her pocket.
“Did you see what he looked like?” Boss asked as he helped me stand. He was barely winded. I wanted to punch him since I still couldn’t breathe, and I was dripping sweat under my coat.
“Blonde, about six feet tall . . .” I started.
“The man had dark hair, Jenn,” Blue argued. “And he was way over six feet.”
“He was white. I got that much,” Matalie added. “I think he was wearing a beanie.”
“Dammit! I really wanted to catch him!” Blue exclaimed as she looked in the direction the man had gone.
“He’s a mile away by now,” Brea grumbled. “That fucker was fast.”
“What do you think he looked like?” I asked Boss.
“White, over six feet tall . . . that’s all I got.” I studied Boss’s face for a few seconds, wondering why he wasn’t more upset that we’d chased a criminal through the park, when he smiled at me. “You were hauling ass, babe. Good job.”
“You’re not mad at me?” I asked as I looked around at the other men who were all trying to catch their breath.
“We were right behind you,” Boss said as he put his arm around my shoulders.
“I dropped my coffee,” Blue complained. “That sucks.”
“Now wereallyhave to find him and kill him,” Preacher teased. Blue pushed at his shoulder and he grinned. “What? I’m on your side!”
“Let’s get back to the hotel where it’s warm, and we can try and agree on a description for the cops,” Matalie suggested. “I’m freezing my ass off, even with my beautiful red cape.”
“You looked like Superwoman hauling ass through Central Park,” Paula teased. “When you vaulted over that dog, I almost cheered.”
“I’m limber like that,” Matalie boasted.
“I just want to go home,” Pandora said as she hooked her arm through mine.
“Yeah, I think we’ve served enough time in New York City. We need to be released back into the wilds of Tenillo where it’s warm,” Blue suggested as she hooked her arm into Pandora’s. Paula got in on the chain, and Brea was right beside her as Matalie and Frankie did the same. “I’m ready to go home where it’s nice and peaceful.”
I heard the men behind us laughing, and I couldn’t help but join them. Peaceful or not, I was surrounded by my best friends and the men we loved, and that was my favorite place to be.
EPILOGUE
FRANKIE
“I’ll get my assistant to put your package in the mail tomorrow,” my brother said with a grin before he looked back down at the pan of onions sautéing on the stove in front of him. "Is everyone settled in at home now?”
“We’re all glad to be back in Texas where the weather is at least tolerable. Just give the purse to Stan. I’m afraid if the ladies see me carrying it, they’ll figure out we planned the whole thing.”
