Page 45 of Seducing the Sheriff
I could imagine that. The mayor was that type of person. I hid in my office, he made sure he was visible.
I smiled at her. “And a buttermilk bar, please, Destiny.”
“Sure thing.”
A moment later, a bag slid across the counter. “I’ve popped an extra two in, one for Rosie and one for Greg.”
I stared at her. “Gr-Greg?”
Destiny beamed at me. “After his introduction to Charming, he could do with a treat. You are going to see him later, aren’t you?”
“I…am?” I stumbled over my words.
I paid her while my brain went on a tilt-a-whirl. I was going to see him? Of course I was, if Greg wanted to see me. Would he want to see me again after last night?
I hoped so because I really wanted to see him.
“Sheriff, here’s your beverage.”
I glanced up to find Destiny waving a cup that was almost the height she was.
“Thanks,” I said, and took the cup, clutching it to me as if it were a defense against the world.
“Morning, Destiny. Morning, sheriff.”
I turned to see Mrs. Ruiz grinning at me. “Mrs. Ruiz.” I tipped my hat to her.
“Surprised you haven’t got two cups.”
“Two?”
“For you and your young man.” She winked at me. The old lady actually winked at me. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.
Did all of Charming know about Greg and me?
“Y’all one of them queers?”
I turned to see a young man I didn’t know, his top lip curled in a sneer. He took a step back, blanching when he saw my uniform.
He held his hands up as if in surrender. “Uh, sheriff. Don’t tell my mom.”
I fixed my gaze on him. “What did you just say?” I enunciated each word in a low growl, watching the blood drain from his face.
Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately for him because I was ready to drag him outside and pound his face into the sidewalk, he didn’t get a chance to answer before Destiny glowered at him.
“That’s it, Billy, you’re banned from here. Out!” She made a dramatic stabbing motion toward the door.
Billy’s face crumpled. I suddenly remembered he was the kid of one of the women who worked in my office. No wonder he was panicking about me talking to his mom. She was a formidable woman.
“It was a joke,” he whined.
“I don’t see anyone laughing,” she snapped.
I could have intervened, but Destiny seemed to be handling it just fine by herself and I was too busy having a meltdown about being called queer in public. This was why I never dated anyone local. I didn’t need the whole world knowing my business.
“Mom’ll kill me when she finds out.”
“You should have thought of that before you opened your mouth,” Destiny said. “Now get out of here before I get the sheriff to throw you out.”
