Page 56 of Seducing the Sheriff
I couldn’t imagine her lecturing him. I thought she worshiped the ground the old man walked on.
“He was just like you when he was a young man,” she said.
I blinked a little because Chief Wally was older than dirt and Rosie was substantially younger than him. “How long have you worked here?”
She gave me a surprisingly impish grin. “Longer than you’ve been alive, Sheriff. But my point stands. Men like you, good men, run yourself ragged.”
That made me blink even harder. She thought I was a good man. I’d always assumed Rosie didn’t have a high opinion of me. Maybe I should make more of an effort with her. MindMom sighed in my head. I could hear her “Ya think?” all the way from home. I’d buy Rosie a whole store of peonies tomorrow, no, the day after. Tomorrow I was going to spend the day with Greg, and hopefully, after a night’s sleep, I’d show my boyfriend how much I loved him.
“You don’t have any meetings left today and I’m going to clear your diary for tomorrow.”
“I’ve got a meeting with Mayor Sandell.”
“The mayor can wait,” she said, her tone firm.
I had no doubt she’d be on the phone to the mayor’s office the second I walked out the door. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the orders to go home came from Liam. He was like that.
“Give me your cup.”
I handed it to her.
“I expect you gone in five minutes or I’ll get Officer Malloy to drive you home.”
I nodded, because seriously, she was right, and I was burning the candle at both ends. I would end up having a heart attack at forty if I didn’t calm down. I’d seen too many other cops do the same thing, only to attend their funerals and comfort their grieving widows. No, I needed to listen to the voice of reason, whoever was saying it.
As Rosie turned, I said, “Thanks, Rosie, and apologize to the mayor for me.”
She grunted. “You’re welcome. The clock is ticking.”
Wearily, I collected my wallet and keys, and stowed my laptop, locking my drawer.
Rosie glanced over to me as I left. “Greg says he’ll have dinner waiting for you and porch time, whatever that is.”
I was conscious of everyone listening into this conversation. Then her words sunk in. “You called Greg?”
“I did.”
She called my boyfriend? I’d never live it down.
“You know I have a mom,” I said, as evenly as possible.
She narrowed her eyes. “And I’m here. Your mom would expect me to take care of you.”
I sighed. I understood. I had to do as I was told. “I’m never introducing you to her,” I muttered.
“I’ve already spoken to her. She agrees with me too. Now get!”
I got.
I took my time getting to Greg’s. I drove home to lock up my weapon, shower and change into the grey/mauve plaid shirt and jeans I wore on our first date together, and then into town in my own truck to pick up a bottle of wine I knew Greg liked because he’d told me. Usually, I picked up a six-pack of beer, but this time I wanted to bring him something special.
I caught the twinkle in Mary-Beth’s eyes as she scanned the bottle of wine, and I waited for her to make some comment about a night in with my girl—I’d had that conversation before—instead, it was worse.
“Greg loves that wine,” she assured me, her smile bright.
I wasn’t sure whether to smile, hyperventilate, or run. The whole of Charming was about to know what I was doing tonight.
“Yup,” MindMom said. “Do you care?”
