Oh, she did sound like an idiot. “No. I—”

“Chief, she was dancing around here a minute ago. Until you showed up.” Sarah scowled at him. “Now, she’s crying.”

The criticism rolled off his broad back like rain off a newly waxed car. “Dancing? Did something happen?”

Her smile returned. “They caught Spyros. He’s been arrested.” She put her palms on his chest and bounced in her seat. “They caught him.”

A crease appeared in his lean face as he smiled. “’Bout fucking time.”

Leaning forward, he planted a kiss on her lips. Then his brows drew together. “Let me get this straight. You plan to return to Chicago, but not until August?”

Uncertainty made her hands clench. “Um…yes. I promised Lillian I’d stay until harvest, and I have to get Knox and the library settled. I have—”

“You have responsibilities.” He turned to look out the window, toward the police station. She felt his chest rise and fall with a slow exhalation. “As do I, dammit.”

“Gabe?”

“August, hmm?”

“I’ll have things wrapped up by then.” He’d mentioned his own responsibilities. She studied him. “Are you planning to leave, too?”

“Maybe. But like you, I can’t right this minute, no matter what I want. I have to stay for tourist season at the minimum.”

Gabe leaving. She couldn’t imagine Rescue without its chief. It was as if he was the heart of the town. She frowned. “Doesn’t a ski resort mean there’s a winter tourist season, too?”

His jaw tightened. “Yes, but by then, the town can hire someone else for my position.”

“Not Earl Baumer.”

His eyes narrowed. “You don’t like Baumer?”

“I…uh…don’t know him. But I don’t think he’d be as good as you are.”

His stern face softened, and he rubbed his knuckles against her cheek. “I think you’re a bit prejudiced on my behalf.”

“Maybe.” He was right in that she hadn’t been to bed with Earl Baumer. Not that she would. But if she stayed, maybe…maybe she and Gabe… The words spilled out of her mouth. “Want to spend two months having a hot fling?”

She clapped her hands over her treacherous mouth.

“Fling?” The amusement in his gaze changed, darkened toward demanding. “Oh, yeah, little cheechako, that sounds good to me.”

Oh my God, had he just agreed?

His mouth curved into a satisfied smile.

What had she done? Yes, she wanted nothing more than to be with him, but… Would she be able to leave him after falling more in love over the summer?”

“Chief.” The call came from the door. “There’s a fight in front of the bar.”

Gabe gave a grumble of exasperation. “Coming.”

Rising, he smiled down at her and repeated with a chuckle, “A fling.”

“I…”