Page 32 of Rules

"I've been running this business for a while now."

Not missing her intent with her comment, I kept quiet.

"Want the card to read 'From the Whispering Pines Sheriff's Department'?"

"Yes."

"Need me to bill the sheriff's office?"

"Yes, please." I'm feeling oddly defeated by this businesslike exchange. What did I expect? That she'd forgive my behavior just because I'm ordering flowers?

"Will that be all, Sheriff?"

I clear my throat. "Actually, I was hoping to add one more arrangement."

"Oh?"

"One for Holly. She's..." I search for the right words. "She's the heart of this department."

Something in Ruth's tone softens slightly. "That's very thoughtful of you, I agree, Holly's great."

"She deserves it. Keeps us all functioning, remembers everyone's birthday, brings food when we're working late. Goes well beyond her job description."

"I understand." There's a pause. "Would you like that delivered to the station?"

"Yes, please."

"Consider it done. I've got sunflowers, those are her favorites."

"Thank you." I hesitate, wanting to say more. To apologize, to explain, to ask if she's gotten that taser yet. Instead, I simply add, "I appreciate it."

"You're welcome, Sheriff. Have a good day."

The line goes dead before I can respond. I set the phone down, staring at it for a long moment. Clearly my actions today overstepped some bounds. It's better this way, I tell myself. Safer for her. Simpler for me. Now, to figure out how to stop feeling like I've messed up.

Chapter 13

Ruth

Sheriff Trenton, I rolled my eyes, since he didn’t specify how he wanted to spend on the flowers with the mood I'm in, Holly is getting an enormous bouquet, on his dime. She deserves it if for nothing else than having to deal with Sheriff Grumpy-Pants on a daily basis. Plus, I have ulterior motives for making this an impressive arrangement. First, because I think he needs to pay and second, this delivery is going to be a fact finding mission and an impressive flower arrangement might help me.

"That's amazing," Mary comments as she walks by the worktable, stopping to admire the front of the arrangement. "Stunning. Where am I taking that one?"

"Thanks, but I'll deliver this one tomorrow morning myself," I tell her as I try to get a stubborn sunflower to stay in place.

"Who's getting it?" She leans against the table, her interest piqued.

"Holly at the sheriff's station."

"Oh, I see." A knowing smile spreads across her face. "Hoping to bump into a certain sheriff?"

"Nope, not at all, I'm hoping to get some information from his assistant." I look at Mary out of the corner of my eye.

"That works. So, what kind of information are you fishing for?"

"If he's dating anyone." I keep watching her for a reaction.

"What did I miss over the weekend?" Mary steps to the side so she can see my face better.

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