Page 34 of Surly Sheriff
“Woof, woof,” the canine replied, his tail slashing the air, his entire body quivering.
She sucked in a few deep breaths of air, trying to regulate her heart rate. “Guess you need to pee, too, huh?”
The dog yipped and scampered away, and Rae followed him to the patio door at a slower pace. They had done this routine during the night when she had fetched a glass of water to soothe her hoarse throat.
With no pills on hand to take care of her headache, Rae relied on a carafe of caffeine and a long, hot shower. Thirty minutes later, she stepped outside and lifted her face toward the sun, appreciating the warmth as her skin absorbed its healing powers. Her lips stretched into a smile. Everything always looked and felt better in the warmth of the sun. The three-block walk to the store took care of the final lingering shadows.
“Now, remember,” she said, stopping in front of Bella’s Books at ten to ten. She turned and looked down at her canine companion. “This is a test run, Kismet. Best behavior only. Or else I will be forced to take you back home.” She bent forward and stroked the back of Kismet’s neck. “And trust me,” she whispered, “it’s no fun to be on your own.”
Strange how true that sentiment ran in her soul. A week ago, she preferred her aloneness, but now … not so much.
“Arf!” The hound licked her arm and waved his tail.
Rae grinned, rising. “Good boy.”
A honk drew her attention, and she looked toward the street. An open-bed truck had stopped, waiting for the traffic light to change, and the middle-aged male driver waved at her. “Happy Monday to you, Rae.”
She waved back, wracking her mind to recall the man’s name. Alan? Andy? He was a local farmer, and had accompanied hiswife, Ethel, to the store’s opening on Saturday. Their last name was … Long.Ah, yes.Andy Long.“Same to you, Andy!” she called out. “Say hi to Ethel.”
He gave her a parting wave and drove off, and Rae watched until he turned the corner. Her gaze slowly drifted over the street filled with mid-morning traffic; the sidewalks fronting the variety of shops; pedestrians going about their business. It was such a picturesque setting and an unfamiliar emotion rose in Rae.
Fuzzy and warm.
She unlocked the doors to Bella’s Books with a smile on her face.
*
It was late morning when Beau walked into the store.Finally, Rae thought. And quickly chided herself. His presence had become far too important to her. It was going to hurt like hell if she left.
She frowned, blinking rapidly.Ifshe left?
Rae, no! There is no if. Youareleaving. In four weeks.
Beau stopped and held the door open for a departing customer. His rumbly voice reached her ears. The sound of it washed over her, filling her with the same fuzzy and warm feelings from earlier. It was comforting.
Familiar. And safe.
Oh, Rae.
Her eyes burned into his back. He turned, catching her stare.
And winked.
Her heart skipped a beat and a stupid smile pulled at her lips. It was so freakinggoodto see him, and she tracked his movement across the store. Upright and confident. Determined.
A conquering hero en route to rescue his damsel in distress.
“Ahem.”
Startled, Rae swung her gaze away from Beau to the woman on the other side of the counter. Dammit. She shook her head and tapped out the sale on the card machine.
“Not that I blame you, sugar, because that man is all kinds of yummy,” the woman said, inserting her card.
Hands off. He’s mine!
Rae wanted to reach across the counter and scratch the woman’s eyes out. Instead, she ignored the woman, deeply disturbed by her uncommon and very possessive thoughts, and concentrated on bagging the purchase.
Beau rounded the counter and stepped in behind her. He stretched his arms out on either side of her body, placed a white plastic bag beside the register, and dropped a kiss to her bared shoulder.
