Page 10 of Rumble of the Crumble

“You mean he’s hiding from Burke.” I kept my voice low, but of course the mini bull heard me.

“So he should,” Burke groused. “What did he think he was doing? I need him here.”

I flung my arm around him. “Ricky screwed up. Don’t make him suffer too long.”

He leaned against me. “I won’t. He needs the soil to feel better. The babies and I will cuddle around him later. What about you? When are you gonna put Butch out of his misery and make him yours?”

I sighed heartily. “It’s not that easy.”

He patted my back. “It really is.”

“Okay, I’m not that easy.”

To give him credit, Burke didn’t laugh at me and make a snarky remark.

“He needs someone better than me.”

“He doesn’t.”

“I don’t.”

I raised my head to see Butch standing in front of me, still cradling the baby. Burke squeezed my shoulders and plucked his baby out of Butch’s arms. “I think you owe your mate a coffee.”

“That would be nice,” Butch agreed, smiling at me, which made my belly roll.

“Come on.” I took his hand and weaved around the pride to the coffeemaker.

“Is it always this busy here?” he asked, leaning against the counter as I busied myself with the machine.

I snorted. “You’ve been here several times. Has it ever been quiet?”

His laughter was deep and rich. “I guess not.”

“You have the town. It’s always busy.”

“This is like having the town condensed into one room.”

“You like the quiet?” I asked worriedly.

“Some. But I like being with you, whereveryou are.”

The sheriff had his hands around my heart, he really did. So why did I feel like I needed to run? Fight or flight. That was all I had left.

“Leonidis?”

I felt his warm hand on my shoulder. I realized I’d stopped moving and was just staring at the coffeemaker. “I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not and I understand.”

“How can you understand?” I snarled, then gave him an apologetic smile.

“I’m the sheriff,” he said simply. “I see what monsters do to good people all the time.”

That stopped me in my tracks. “I guess… you do.”

He knew. I’d already told him. I didn’t have to explain again.

The room was quiet aside from the sweet cries of the babies, the pride pretending not to listen.

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