Page 13 of Sheriff's City Girl

“Do you think Emma Fisher is pretty?”

I blew out a sharp sigh—why the hell did she even ask me that? “I… Uh… Yeah, I mean, she’s a pretty woman.” I wasn’t going to lie to my daughter, but damn, discussing a woman was such an awkward thing to do with your daughter.

“So…” She eyed me, a sly smile growing across her face. “Are you gonna talk to her more?”

“I don’t know what you mean by that…” I said, playing the dumb card.

“Oh come on,” she groaned, plopping her head back against the headrest. “You weren’t born yesterday. You know what I’m talking about. Like, everyone knows that you’re single. You can die old and alone.”

I shrugged. “I won’t. I have you.” I reached over and poked her shoulder, shooting her a grin.

She shook her head at me but giggled. “I can’t take care of you forever, Dad.”

“Aw, come on,” I joked with her. “You can live in the cabin with me until you’re like ninety.”

Her eyes went wide. “No way!”

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “You know I’d never make you do that… Maybe only until you’re like forty.”

“Gross,” she mumbled, rolling her eyes.

I chuckled the rest of the short drive to the high school before dropping her off and telling her I loved her. She would be going to Lily and Drew’s after school with Dara, so I wouldn’t see her until later in the evening. I headed to the office, slowing down a little as I passed Sweets and Eats… But I didn’t stop.

I don’t have time, anyway.

The tires of the Bronco squealed as I threw it into park abruptly in front of the office. I drove the thing too hard, but it was still running just fine.

For now.

“Well, look who decided to show up to work today,” Ron, my mentor and retired sheriff, greeted me as I stepped through the front doors.

“What’re you doing here?” I asked the white bearded cowboy.

“Meeting in the conference room.” He nodded his head in that direction and my stomach sank.

This is not gonna be good.

Chapter Six

Emma

Dumb, dumb, D.U.M.B.

I let out a sigh as I wiped down the counters, the morning rush having finally passed. Usually, I loved it when I had a few moments to myself, but not today. My head was spinning a million miles an hour, and I just kept expecting to see Sheriff Hewitt walk through the door and announce to the entire place that I hooked up with him…

And I wasn’t even drunk.

“Ugh,” I muttered as I swept a row of crumbs onto the floor. I hadn’t even admitted to Lily what had happened—and we’d been best friends for years. She was definitely suspicious though. She could tell I was off…

And avoiding her.

Avoidance was the easiest way to not tell her what happened. I couldn’t lie to her. I was never a good liar, not even back in my rebellious teenage years—which was short-lived in comparison to most.

Maybe I’m just making up for it now.

The thought made me laugh, considering I was thirty-two. Now, instead of sowing my oats, I was just being dumb. I had moved to this town to start over, not just make my life harder by screwing up my reputation. I was already in my thirties and single—as my mother liked to remind me—I didn’t want to add promiscuous to that list.

The sound of the bell ringing at the entrance brought me back to my senses, and I looked to see two men in dark suits entering my café. They looked very out of place in the small town. I hadn’t been here that long, but even I knew an outsider when I saw one these days.

---