Page 53 of Shelter for Sharla

“I know. I miss you too. But we’re too close to solving this to just walk away. I’ll figure it out.”

“How long is that going to take?”

Carter sighed. “I don’t know. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened yet. It’s got to be pretty simple, and yet I don’t know what it is.”

“Carter?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you love me?”

“Yes. I do. With all my heart.” He’d never said that before, and it felt good.

“Good. Because I love you with all my heart, and I’d hate to think I’m wasting my time.”

“You are not wasting your time, girl. It’s just that you and the kids… you’re my priority. My job is to keep you safe, to make sure you’re protected and sheltered, to make sure your lives are as good as they can be. This is just a little bump in the road, sweetie. Nothing more.”

Sharla sighed loudly and slumped in her chair. “Well, okay. Whatever. Do what you have to do.”

Carter had heard that before, and it was time to find out exactly where he stood. “My ex-girlfriend used to say that shit to me too. Are we going to do this for several years until you finally just walk out one day?” He hoped his stare was piercing enough to let her know he wanted her to think about her answer.

But she didn’t. She didn’t even hesitate. “Nope. I’m here for the duration, CarterMelton. I don’t give a shit if you don’t come home for three days. As long as I know you’re not in bed with PennyTadlock, it’ll be?”

“Who told you about?”

“You did, silly. Remember?”

“Oh… yeah. Well, then, you should know that she’s the Methodist minister’s ex-wife, and I’m not interested inthatat all.”

She laughed aloud. “What, you don’t like a bit of a scandal?”

“Nope. Don’t need that mess at all.” He grinned. “No re-election for me if that happens.”

“I guess not.” She sat silent for a little while before she looked up and into his eyes. “Carter, I love you. Do whatever you think you have to do. I’ll still be here.”

Reaching across the table, he took her hand and squeezed it. “Thank you. I love you, and that means everything to me.”

“So how long are you staying?”

“I’ll leave in about twenty minutes, but I really think I need to call my mom and talk to her for a few minutes.”

“That’s a good son,” she said with a grin. “You do that.”

As soon as the phone call was over, during which he managed to deflect almost every question Wilda Fern asked, he kissed Sharla goodbye and headed back to the office. Lewis and Edwards were on patrol that evening. He liked it when he could arrange it that way, Lewis being his senior deputy and Edwards being the rookie. If Mike had a question, Gray could most certainly answer it. He’d only been there for about fifteen minutes when the door opened and Edwards strode in. “Sheriff! What are you doing here?”

“Going over stuff in this case.” Carter slapped his hands together, then opened them and rubbed them down his face before dropping them to his lap. “And I think it’s about to whup me. What are you doing?”

“Found this.” Edwards held up a backpack that had obviously seen better days. “It was lying near a dumpster, but it’s got some jewelry and electronics in it. I’d say somebody got robbed and doesn’t know it yet.”

“Sounds like it. Log it in and if they come looking, we can get their particulars.” He stared at the rows of marks again. God, he wished he could piece that mystery together and solve it.

“Yes, sir.”

Concentrating on the markings, he didn’t hear Edwards come up behind him until he sensed the deputy there. “Shit!” Carter yelled and jumped. “You scared the hell out of me! What are you doing?”

“Looking over your shoulder,” Edwards said with a grin. “What is that?”

He started to rail at the young man, then thought about it for a split second.What could it hurt to show him?“It’s some kind of clue or message or something. We found it in connection to a crime, and we’re trying to figure it out.”

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