Page 63 of Protecting Her Secrets

My curls are no doubt destroyed by his rare show of a sense of humor, but I can’t even get mad; he’s finally treating me like I’m not the one who’s a leech. But also,mountain lions? I look beyond the shops to where the tall pines stand proud. “They’re just walking around out there in the woods?”

“Yup.” He turns and parks. “And this is the sheriff’s station.”

The red house matches all the others, but it’s at least quadruple the square footage, and something about it makes it appear intimidating. I climb out of the SUV and follow Wilder, whose posture is so straight, he could balance a book on his head. We’re met with a long, beige counter. A young woman, no more than twenty-five, pops up from behind it, looking a little frazzled. Her dark brown hair is in one long braid over her shoulder, but random wisps have fallen out to frame a round face with a light dusting of freckles. Her glasses are bright red and bring out the subtle gold flecks in her brown eyes and her bold style. “Oh, hey, Sheriff.”

“Jazzy.” He greets her with what I’m assuming is her name. It suits her perfectly. She’s quirky but cool in an effortless way most women have to work to achieve.

Suddenly, I wish I had worn more than Walker’s baggy long underwear and my black puffer coat. I guess I assumed with so few residents, Wilder was a one-man show.

“The printer is being a little bitch again,” she says; then, as if only just noticing me, she slaps a hand over her mouth.

“Didn’t we just talk about professionalism?” Wilder scolds.

Her eyes go down. “Sorry about that.”

I grin. “No worries. I’ve never met a printer that isn’t a little bitch.”

“It seems to be a required function.”

“Jazzy, this is Walker’s wife, Skylar.”

Her eyes widen as she holds out a hand. “Holy shit, the rumors are true.”

Wilder pinches his brow. “I give up.”

Jazzy ignores him, thrusting her hand out to me. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

“You too,” I say.

Wilder sighs in irritation. “Anything happen this morning I should know about?”

“It’s been pretty quiet. Eli started to stir about twenty minutes ago, so once he wakes up, I’ll get him out of here. I’m starting to think we should just label that cell as his and let him bring in some decorations, or at least a nicer pillow.”

“The goal is to not make jail a comfortable place to sleep off the liquor.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Call his mom before he leaves. She’ll dish out more punishment than we could give him.”

She grins deviously. “Will do.”

“And if you need me, we’ll be in my office. Skylar had a bit of an accident, and I have paperwork to fill out.”

“Oh no. Are you all right?” she asks me.

“I’m fine. Just not used to driving in the snow. I’m from SoCal.”

“Ah, gotcha. Wait a second. Let me write down my number. There aren’t too many of us younger women, so we tend to stick together. I swear, this town will die right alongside the Geezers.” She scribbles her number down on a sticky note and hands it to me. “Call me if you need anything or if you just want to get away from the big grump and have coffee.”

“Big grump?”

She turns sheepish. “I mean, you’re married to the guy, so you should know. He’s not the most outgoing person in town.”

I guess Walker wasn’t kidding when he said he has a reputation. “Maybe I should be telling you to call me if he’s ever a dick to you. I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

She points at me, her eyes bunching up. “I like you.”

“Well, I like you too, and since I happen to be in need of a new wardrobe, maybe you can help?”

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