Page 52 of Exposure of Murder

“You know I’m an officer of the law, right?” He raised his brow and smirked.

“Maybe so.” She narrowed her eyes. “However, you asked me to meet here for coffee, as friends, correct?

Damn, she threw that right back at him. Feisty and sharp.

He nodded. “Let’s hear it. I won’t say a word.”

Jane huffed, then leaned in closer as she told him how Bucky found and beat up the man who raped his girlfriend, and while the rapist hadn’t murdered her, he was the impetus for events that unfolded.

Ethan hung his head and shook it. What would he do in a similar circumstance? Probably kill the bastard and throwhis body in the woods for the animals to find. Women were supposed to be cherished and protected.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Me too,” she added. “I’m a firm believer in redemption and second chances, and if anyone needed them, it’s Bucky.”

He nodded slowly. “I don’t disagree. I’m not a judge or jury. However, I am an elected official who has the responsibility to enforce the law. It’s not always fair.” He shrugged. “But there you have it.”

“Maybe,” she conceded. “But life isn’t just black-and-white. It’s shades of gray.” She sighed. “There are always extenuating circumstances, and decisions should be made accordingly.”

Ethan gave her a small smile. “True. But justice doesn’t mean ignoring the law. It’s finding balance, applying law with common sense.”

He picked up his fork to take a piece of pie and put it down. “But to answer your concern, following the law doesn’t mean that I can’t use common sense. If someone acts in self-defense, breaks the speed limit rushing to the hospital or even lashing out in grief, I need to use my best judgment.”

“So, you’re saying there’s room for both, following the law and common sense?”

“Yes.”

“Oh,” she said. “Does that mean you’ve never done anything that skirted the law? Never went to a bar with a fake ID, never toilet-papered someone’s tree, never…”

“Stop.” Ethan chuckled and put his hands up in mock surrender. “I confess.” He grinned at her. “I’m guessing you also did some of those things.”

She zipped her lips. “I’ll never tell.”

“Man, I’m going to keep my eye on you, Jane.” He laughed. “Now that I know you were a juvenile delinquent.”

Jane grinned. “Oh, the stories I could tell you about Savannah and me in our misspent youth.” She winked at him. “But I won’t. You’ll have to keep guessing.”

“I’ll just use my imagination,” he replied. “Sometimes it’s better than the truth anyhow.”

“Hope you have a vivid one?” Her eyes twinkled.

Ethan hoped so too, because he was imagining all sorts of scenarios involving a bad girl and a sheriff. Oh, good lord. That was so not him—not at all.

What was he thinking? He knew what he was thinking. It would be nice to laugh with a woman and have fun again. He and Corrine used to laugh and have fun until she left. He’d been in his self-pity cave for too long. It was time to spread his wings and enjoy life.

And keep the town safe, as well as Jane

Twenty-Eight

Jane left the diner feeling out of sorts. The warmth of the diner faded as she stepped outside. A hint of wood smoke lingered in the air.

She enjoyed seeing Ethan, didn’t like telling him about Bucky, but it was necessary. And she finally found what made Ethan tick as sheriff plus a bonus—he wanted to ask her out on a date.

A date! Why was it always feast or famine? She thought about Victor as she navigated the winding road to her farmhouse. She enjoyed Victor’s company and wanted to see him again. He was so different from Ethan. Mysterious. He both intrigued and unsettled her.

Ethan was the opposite of Victor. Stable, family-oriented, well-liked in the community and honest.

Not that she didn’t think Victor was honest; she just didn’t know enough about him, if he had family or where his community and friends were. He wasn’t forthcoming about that information either. Later this week, he was coming over. Maybe she’d press him a little more about his life and business.

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