Joe recovered his senses and had the nerve to look angry. “What did he say?”

I put my hands on my hips. “He didn’t say anything, but I think you just answered my question.”

“Rose.” He inhaled, a hard look filling his eyes. “There’s a lot you don’t know about Mason and me.”

“Then tell me.”

He glanced at his watch and groaned. “I don’t have time. I have to go in a few minutes.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I shot him a glare. “How convenient.”

Joe gripped my arms and tugged me to his chest. “Rose, I love you, and I’d never do anything to hurt you. Yes, I did ask Mason to stay away from you, but I have my reasons.”

I leaned my head back and cocked my eyebrows. “And those are?”

He whipped me around the back corner, out of sight of the customers, and pushed me against the wall. His lips covered mine, and he kissed me so thoroughly I forgot what we were talking about. But then again, that had probably been his plan. He knew I couldn’t stay mad at him for long when he kissed me like that.

Lifting his head, he sighed, worry in his eyes. “Mason and I have a history that I don’t have time to get into right now. When I get back, I promise to tell you everything.”

His news wasn’t a total shock. After Joe’s overreaction to finding me with Mason on my porch the night I was first attacked by Jimmy DeWade, I had since suspected they had a past together. “Why haven’t you already told me about it?”

He grimaced. “It’s not something I’m proud of.”

My stomach dropped. What could Joe have done to make him so ashamed? “I don’t get why you don’t want Mason to talk to me.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“How could talking to Mason hurt me?”

“I was scared he would tell you about what happened in Little Rock. I want to be the one to tell you, but I wasn’t ready yet. It was wrong, and I’m sorry.” He ran a hand through his hair, leaving a ruffled mess and looking miserable. “Darlin’, I have to leave in less than five minutes, and I don’t know when I’ll see or talk to you again. I’d rather spend that time kissing than dredging up my miserable past. I’ll explain it all later, okay?”

No, it wasn’t okay. He should have already told me, but he was right. I didn’t want to spend these last few minutes talking about something upsetting. It bothered me enough that he was leaving.

He brushed the hair out of my face, gazing into my eyes. “I love you, Rose, more than I think you even realize. You see me as Joe McAllister, the man you met four months ago, but there’s more to Joe Simmons than you know, parts I’d like to leave behind. You make me want to be Joe McAllister.”

“You are Joe McAllister to me.”

He hesitated. “I’m thinking about quitting.”

My chest froze. “Quitting what?” I whispered.

“The state police.”

I blinked, sure I’d heard him wrong. “What?”

His hand cradled my cheek. “I miss you. I want us to be more permanent than just weekends and some weeknights.”

I closed my eyes as guilt rushed in. Two months ago, I’d agreed to move to Little Rock with Joe, but then I’d realized I wasn’t ready. And now that I’d opened the nursery with Violet, I was stuck in Henryetta. With Little Rock two hours away, our situation was far from ideal. “I’m sorry.”

He kissed me again, a sweet kiss full of love and tenderness. “No, don’t be sorry. You love what you’re doing now, and I think you’ll be great at it. Plus, I’ve had fun helping you get ready to open the store. I wouldn’t dream of taking this from you.”

“But if you quit, what will you do?”

“I put my application in with the Fenton County Sheriff’s department a few weeks ago, and I had an interview yesterday afternoon. That’s part of the reason I’m here.”

My stomach tumbled with excitement. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you know my attempt to transfer here with the state police didn’t work out. I didn’t want to get your hopes up, only to disappoint us both. They have an opening for a deputy, though, and I’m sure they’re going to offer me the job.” He smiled. “This is the last time I’m going undercover. I never want to purposely be gone from you this long again.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Oh, Joe. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you.”

His mouth found mine and I clung to him, unshed tears burning my eyes. I told myself the most he’d be gone was a few weeks, and I’d more than likely get to talk to him several times, but the dangerous part of his absence terrified me. What if he didn’t come back?

“Be careful.” The lump in my throat made my voice tight.

“Always, darlin’. I’ve got too much to lose.” He wiped the tear escaping down my cheek, his eyes becoming more stern. “And I’m serious about being careful with Jonah Pruitt.”

Joe’s tone gave me second thoughts about doing business with the man. “Is he really that dangerous?”

“No, nothing like that. I don’t think he’d physically hurt someone—not that I know of anyway—but watch him with your financial dealings.” He lowered his voice. “I’ve already told you more than I should have.”