Page 2 of Sheriff's City Girl

“Good morning, Jackson,” a sweet, airy voice said. I kept my attention on the menu, already knowing who was saying the words. The tone matched the vision of a woman I had just seen.

“Mornin’ Emma,” he said in his heavy Texas drawl. I fought the urge to roll my eyes, already knowing he was laying the charm on thick.

Just like always.

This is why I never run around with the young deputies.

“You must be Sheriff Hewitt.”

I forced my eyes up from the menu, meeting a pair of dark green eyes dotted with hues of gold—even her eyes were magical. “Morning,” I managed to grunt, my mouth growing drier than the West Texas desert.

“Jackson told me he was going to bring you here,” she beamed, her whole face bright. There was a hint of crimson in her cheeks, but I didn’t let it get to my confidence. After all, she might be the prettiest woman I’d ever seen in this county, but there was no way in hell I’d be chasing her.

I didn’t go there with women anymore.

“Will you be having your usual?” She turned to Jackson when I didn’t answer quickly enough.

He comes here enough to have a usual? Has he been doing this on shift time?

“Yeah, I think I will.”

“And what can I get for you, Sheriff? It’s on the house this morning. I like to support our local law enforcement—the first visit, anyway.” She giggled afterward, shooting me a playful wink that made my heart stop.

“I, uh…” I glanced down at the menu. “I usually just have a bagel for breakfast. I don’t like to eat anything heavy…”

“Perfect, how about one of our homemade bagels? Would you like anything on it? I have strawberry cream cheese that is to die for.”

I rubbed my jaw, taking in her high cheek bones and plump lips—she looked like something to fucking die for. “Yeah, that’ll do. Thanks.”

“Coffees for you both, too?”

Jackson and I both nodded before she walked away. I watched her go, admiring the way her hips swayed, the fabric of her dress moving as if there was a gentle breeze in the café.

“You might wanna wipe that drool off your nose, boss,” Jackson snickered, before bursting into a full-blown hearty laugh. “I mean, I know she’s a looker, but damn, I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen you stumble over your words.”

“Shut up,” I grunted, reaching into my pocket for my cell phone. It was full of notifications, mostly spam emails, but I saw a text from my best friend, Lucas.

You wanna work the security for the Lowe Creek Ranch Annual BBQ?

I let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know why he ever even bothers to ask me.”

“What?” Jackson furrowed his brow. “You talkin’ to yourself again?”

I shot him a warning look, tempted to remind him that I could fire him as quickly as I had hired him. “It’s for the Lowe Creek BBQ shindig that gets put on every year.”

“Ah, yeah. I’m actually taking a date this year to it.” Jackson sounded more than proud of himself.

“Well, you’ll have to alternate a security shift with me, so hopefully, she’s the patient kind.”

His shoulders slumped. “Aw man, come on. It’s Genna Williams. You know how long I’ve been working on getting her to say yes to anything? For-freaking-ever.”

“Yeah, you still gotta work.”

Jackson looked for a second like he might protest it, but he didn’t—probably because Emma returned with two cups of coffee and a basket of sugar and cream. “Thank you, ma’am.”

“You’re both very welcome,” she chirped, meeting my gaze for a split second. I nodded to her as a way of saying thanks, and she lingered for a moment… My stomach tensed with a flutter, but I pushed it off.

Mason Hewitt doesn’t date. Women are nothin’ but trouble.

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