Page 20 of Justice for Samara

“Nah. Part of that was so he could pay for the house.”

“Oh. Got it. Well, that was wise on his part.”

“Yeah. It’s paid for, and he’s paying for the renovations as he goes.”

“Oh!” Sharla spun back around. “That’s pretty amazing. So he doesn’t have house payments? Lucky him.”

“No, just lots of hard work. And part of his dad’s insurance money.”

“Yeah, that’s right. I haven’t lived here long enough to have known him, but everybody says Wilson was a great guy.”

“Where did you live? I mean, before you and Carter?”

“Hopkinsville. Once we got together, I moved here. The kids were already out of high school, so it didn’t bother them. But everybody speaks very highly of Michael’s dad.”

“So I’ve heard.” The baby was playing with a little stuffed toy Samara had handed her from the floor, and she squealed and threw it down. “You’ve been so good. Why you gotta act a fool now?” she asked the infant.

“Eh-eh-eh,” Angel babbled. “Ummm-ummm-ummm gah.”

Samara laughed. “Is that right?” Angel reached up and slapped Samara’s nose. “Oh, I see how you are. Bully.” She kissed the top of the baby’s head and kept laughing.

“She’s a handful. So Michael’s going to ask you out, you think?” Sharla asked.

She’s not going to give this up now, Samara told herself.I shouldn’t have said a damn word.“No. I doubt it. So I’m going to ask him.”

Sharla nodded. “Solidarity, sister.”

“That’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout. This is the new millennium. We can do whatever we want.”

Sharla laughed. “Hell yeah.”

Samara and Sharla kept chatting, and the longer they talked, the more Samara liked the sheriff’s wife. She was funny and smart, and she seemed to enjoy both her job and her family. They talked about what had happened with Tamara, and she was surprised to see so much pain still on the gorgeous woman’s face. Sharla didn’t exactly blame herself, but she also didn’t let herself off the hook, and Samara felt sorry for her.

But dinner… It had been years since she’d had such a good time. The four of them laughed and told stories on themselves, plus Carter told stories on Michael, which wasn’t uncommon, except for one thing.

Never, at any time, did it feel like he was making fun of Michael, and she loved that about her boss. While her superiors in the KSP would’ve embarrassed the hell out of anybody and everybody every time they got the chance, Carter wasn’t like that. His ribbing of Michael was more like a dad telling funny stories about his kid, and it struck her for the first time how much Michael must miss his dad. Anyone with eyes could see that he respected and trusted Carter and, yeah, maybe even loved him as a friend. The three people there with her seemed to have very, very healthy relationships, and that was different from most of the world around her. It was refreshing.

At the end of the evening, she insisted on rocking Angel to sleep, watching the baby’s little lip quiver as she slept. She was beautiful and perfect. Maybe someday… Nah. Probably not.

Samara stood in the kitchen doorway, her hands clasped together in front of her. “Guess I’d better get home. I’m not even sure there are sheets on the bed yet. Matter of fact, I’m pretty sure there aren’t. And I’m beat. But thank you so much for dinner. I would’ve had to find something for the microwave at the grocery if you hadn’t invited me over. I really appreciate it.”

Carter smiled. “We just wanted to help.”

“Well, you did. You not only gave me food after I’d helped all day, but you gave me somewhere to go without having to deal with my mother. That’s worth everything,” Michael said with a sour chuckle.

Carter laughed. “Escaping Marjorieisworth everything, and I should know. Sharla’s saved me from WildaFern a million times.”

Sharla gave him a peck on the cheek. “Yeah. You owe me big time.”

“Oh, I intend to pay you back. Trust me.” Then he slapped Sharla’s ass.

Michael snickered. “On that note, I think we need to go. Carter, thanks again,” he said and extended his hand.

Carter shook it, then shook Samara’s. “You’re very welcome. See you… Well, I hope I don’t see you for a couple of days, but you know how that goes.”

“Oh, yeah. Hopefully not. Thanks again.” Samara opened the door and headed out, Michael on her heels. As they walked, she giggled. “Did we just escape a sheriff and wife make-out session?”

She heard Michael let out a little laugh from somewhere behind her. “Yeah. I think so.”

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