Page 3 of Beneath the Blue Moon
“Sure thing, boss.”
She lets out a sigh of relief and sinks into the seat.
“See?I told you everything would be okay.”
“Thank you, Sheriff.”
I pull up next to Charlie’s patrol car, and she hops out,racing toward the man sitting on the bench.I follow closely… just in case.Shestops a few feet away, then continues calmly.
“Daddy?”When he doesn’t answer, she kneels before him.“Daddy,come on.Let’s go home.”
Her voice is soft and soothing, and it sends a chill down myspine.
“Home?Where am I?”her father asks, looking around as ifjust realizing where he is.
“In the park.We came out for a walk, remember?”
He smiles down at her lovingly.“Of course.What would I dowithout you, my darling Katy?”
Katy?I move forward to give her a hand.
“Daddy, this is the sheriff.He’s going to help us get home,okay?”
He smiles at me.“Hello, young man.Fine night for a stroll,isn’t it?”
“Yes, sir.It is.”
Together, we help him to the car and into the backseat.He’sout like a light by the time we slide into the front.
***Casey***
Thank God he’s okay.I glance back at him, fastasleep in the back of the sheriff’s car.The sheriff.I shift my gaze to him,and for the first time tonight, Ireallylook at him.He’s tall—longlegs, broad shoulders, muscular arms.With every turn of the steering wheel, hisshirt sleeve pulls tight against his muscles.His skin is smooth and perfectlytanned, his hair dark and wavy, and that square jawline could probably chiselgranite.Not bad for a small-town sheriff.He’s quiet, though—strong, silenttype?Or maybe he’s just uncomfortable.He looks uncomfortable.Probably hadbetter things to do tonight than drive me around town looking for Daddy.Oh,well.
“I thought your name was Casey?”he asks.
“It is.”
“Your dad called you Katy.”
“Katy’s my mom,” I answer quietly, looking down at my handsin my lap as I fight to control my emotions.“She died eight months ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
No, it’s not.I’m dying inside.I want to run away and hidefrom the world, but I can’t.I have responsibilities.Daddy is my priority, andI can’t let anything get in the way of caring for him.Nothing.
Back at his office, the sheriff helps me get Daddy into myPrius.Turning to him, I extend my hand.“Thank you, Sheriff McKenzie.I reallyappreciate your help.”
He takes my hand, and my skin burns with a charge ofelectricity.My insides quiver and my mind goes blank.I stare into his eyes—gorgeouschocolate eyes that I would swear flashed yellow for just a second.They lookedalmost canine.His long lashes, straight nose, and full lips complete quite ahandsome, over-six-feet package.Smiling at me, he reveals white, even teeth.He seems to have traded the discomfort for a quiet air of sophistication andconfidence.He stands erect, shoulders squared, looking every bit like the manin charge.I like this side of the sheriff.
“Ethan,” his voice snaps me back to the moment.“And don’tmention it.”
His deputies walk up behind him, and I stare at all three inawe.
“Miss Bryan, these are my deputies, Charlie Rowan and BrickCastle.”
“Brick Castle?”
