Page 12 of Seducing the Sheriff
Why she spelled it out I have no idea. The diner rang with loud chatter and I imagine it had been the hot topic of the customers all morning, which was why the conversation suddenly faltered as I walked in earlier. The whole of Charming had to know about the corpse in the closet. One day, I should write a murder mystery with that title. Maybe when my term as sheriff was up. I’d always wanted to be a writer. It wasn’t like I didn’t have the stories to tell, highly fictionalized of course.
“Nothing to tell at the moment.” Greg flicked a glance at me, as if he were begging me to intervene.
I leaned forward, about to say something official like “this is an active case” but Alejandra seemed to take that as a dismissal. “Don’t forget to have a slice of pie. The blueberry crumble is on special.”
“I’ll take it to go,” he promised her, and she smiled at him again as if he were the sweetest thing ever. “Thank you for the coffee.”
I shook my head as she walked away, making sure she was out of earshot before I said, “She never smiles at me like that.”
Greg leaned back in his chair, exhaling a long sigh like he’d escaped from a burning building. “I don’t have a badge like you,” he said, staring at the ceiling. “I’ve got to play nice with everyone, even when all I want to do is disappear into a broom closet and scream.”
I shot him a sideways glance. “I am never introducing you to my mom.”
“Why not?” he asked with mock offense.
“Because she says the exact same thing.”
He chuckled, low and knowing. “Yeah, moms are basically a hive mind. One consciousness spread across a million Tupperware containers.”
I couldn’t help smiling. “Yours is too?”
“I don’t have a mom now, but I have Aunt Bonnie. She’s always on at me for being a hermit.”
I didn’t know whether to apologize or not, but from the fond and exasperated expression, Aunt Bonnie was clearly important to him. “We’ll never introduce my mom to your Aunt Bonnie.”
“Deal. She lives in Alaska, so you’ll be safe.”
A-ha, the Alaska connection.
The frazzled waitress returned with Greg’s food, depositing it on the table rather forcefully. I held my breath, wondering if the eggs were about to slide into his lap, but they stayed on the plate—just—and he thanked her before she scurried away.
“That could have been interesting,” he said, picking up his knife and fork.
“It’s not usually quite so hectic in here,” I said. “Mind you, I try to avoid the busy times. I had an early morning meeting over the other side of the county and decided to pop in as I drove past here.”
I had nearly finished my plate and contemplated getting something to go or driving to Destiny’s in Charming. Her pies were never gritty. Not an alien butt cookie though. I was getting kind of tired of them.
I checked my watch. It was old and battered, but my grandpa had given it to me on my twenty-first birthday, and I couldn’t bring myself to retire it for something newer.
“I should get back to work before Rosie chases after me.”
Was that disappointment in Greg’s expression? Damn, the man had the lightest hazel eyes I’d ever seen, framed by long dark lashes. I hadn’t really noticed the previous night, but he was a handsome man.
Don’t lie to yourself. Of course you noticed.
“No rest for the wicked,” he murmured. “I’m not sure what to do with myself today.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as you can return home. But in the meantime, you could try the public library. There’s a section on the history of the town.”
Greg’s expression brightened. “That’s a great idea. Thanks, sheriff.”
“Call me Cash,” I said. “If I’m going to buy you breakfast, you can call me by my name.” His eyes widened almost comically, and I realized what I said.
“Uh…thanks, Cash. Next time it’s on me.”
“You’re on. Bye.”
I bolted to the till before I did something else stupid, like asking him when. Tomorrow? The day after?
