Page 13 of Seducing the Sheriff
Alejandra grinned at me as I approached. “Want anything to go, sheriff? Blueberry pie?”
I held back a shudder. “Not this time, thanks. Could you add Greg’s bill to mine?”
“Sure, hon.”
That was new. Normally she called me sheriff like everyone else.
I paid and handed over a healthy tip for the waitress. She deserved every cent after a morning like this.
“Let me know if Greg orders anything else and I’ll settle up.”
“Sure thing.”
We gave each other an awkward stare for a moment, then her gaze glided over my shoulder, and I became aware I was holding up the line.
I headed to the door, taking one final look at Greg who was talking to someone on his phone. He looked stressed and I was tempted to head over and ask what was wrong, but before I could, my phone started to ring. I didn’t answer it until I negotiated the line waiting patiently outside the diner. The almost silence of the outside was deafening after the noise inside and I forgot about the phone for a moment until it stopped and almost immediately restarted.
“Lawson.”
“Sheriff?” It was Rosie and I couldn’t tell if she was annoyed, worried, or exasperated. Probably a mixture of all three.
“I’m here.”
“The mayor’s office called. You have a meeting with them at ten-thirty.” She paused. “That was fifteen minutes ago.”
I groaned. It had completely slipped my mind. “I’m so sorry. I was…” I searched for a suitable excuse.
“Chief Jones said he saw your car at Bobcat Stump. He said the parking lot was real busy so I guessed you were stuck there. I rearranged the appointment for eleven-thirty.”
I owed Meyer, big time. “Thanks Rosie. I appreciate it. It’s solid. The line is out the door.”
Don’t forget Rosie, MindMom insisted.
I’d get her something from Destiny’s on the way home for having my back. Or maybe flowers? Women like flowers, don’t they? Or did she have allergies?
I started to fret about it when I heard a cough and realized I was still connected to Rosie. “I’m on my way,” I assured her.
“I like peonies,” she said from out of nowhere.
“What?”
“You muttered something about getting me flowers. Peonies. For future reference.”
I was so glad she couldn’t see how red my cheeks must have gotten. I reckon Alejandra could fry eggs on them. “Peonies, it is.”
“Chief Wally used to get them for me.”
I really should have asked him. I made a mental note to do that next time I was floundering.
“I’d better get to the mayor’s office,” I mumbled and disconnected the call on her farewell.
“You didn’t get far.”
I turned to see Greg grinning at me. “I got a call from my office. I’m late for a meeting with the mayor.”
“Don’t let me stop you. Thanks for breakfast.”
“You’re welcome. Do you need a ride?”
