Page 15 of The Sheriff's Mistletoe Bride
“None of that,” Taylor interjected, and her demeanor took on her professional stance on the subject.“Hospital policy.Get a free ride outside.Enjoy it while you can.”She propped the door open and then picked up the small case holding what few items Ally had in her room, along with the bouquet of flowers from Jillie’s visit.The trio left the room and headed down the hallway to the elevator.
Ally couldn’t help but note the glances from the staff behind the desk.Some were covert in their surveillance, while others were clearly interested in watching the patient getting personalized treatment from their prized lawman.There was one who didn’t bother to mask her disapproval.Ally felt the chill in the sharp gaze sent like an arrow straight through her without any attempt to temper it.She felt an instant thanks inside that their paths had never crossed while she had been a patient.And was not likely to come across her path again.
Once outside, Taylor waited while Matt helped Ally get settled in the front seat of the large white pickup with the emblem and markings of sheriff of Brock County.The door closed and the next leg of Ally’s journey was beginning.She had no idea what it would encompass but she longed for something familiar in that moment.A final wave of thanks at the nurse and the vehicle moved away from the parking lot.Ally used the time while the sheriff made a call to his office to take in the tidy little streets they made their way down.The houses were situated on lawns that were more golden in color than green now, but all were well-kept.Flower beds were evident with some greenery but obviously awaiting blooms in warmer weather.Tall trees, some with leaves and some without, were spread throughout and lined the roadway in the area that soon led to the center of what she supposed was the town of Destiny’s River itself.A tall stone building sat quite imposing in the center of an expanse of grass and trees.Sidewalks led from the street on all four sides to wide steps that had people entering and exiting as they drove past.To her surprise, the vehicle slowed and pulled into a reserved space in front of the building.
Matt did not turn off the engine, but a tall, younger man in a uniform that denoted he was also a law officer was clearly coming down the sidewalk to meet them.Matt pushed a button, and his window lowered.
“Good morning, Sheriff,” the younger man said to his boss and then he saw Ally, and he greeted her with a smile and a touch of two fingers to the brim of the cowboy hat he wore in a move she had seen in a few westerns that she and Annie would watch on Saturday afternoons on television.It was easy to return his smile with that memory in mind.“Ma’am.”
“Ally Jones, this is Deputy Warren Grover.I wanted to take a moment to introduce the two of you.In case, for whatever reason, you need to reach me and I’m not available, then Deputy Grover will be the one you’ll most likely be talking to—and he’ll do whatever he can to help you when I’m out of pocket.He’s on a list of phone numbers that you’ll find on the table at Primrose Inn.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Deputy Grover.I hope I won’t be a bother while I’m here.”
“No bother at all, Miss Jones.We want to make sure you have a good stay while you’re with us.”
Matt put the vehicle into gear.“I’ll be back for the council meeting, and we have the interview panel for the first county prosecutor applicants this afternoon, too.I’ll be back after I see Miss Jones is settled in.”They backed out of the space and the deputy gave a friendly wave of his hand in her direction.
“Everyone is so friendly.Is that the case with the entire town?”she couldn’t help but ask.
“Well, I’d say it was pretty normal.People around here—and in general in small towns like ours, even though it is the county seat and busier than regular towns, people—will take a person at face value.Treat you with respect until you do something to lose that respect.They make good neighbors and good friends.Always eager to help out if they can.Don’t feel like you’re under a microscope or anything of that sort.They just find a newcomer in their midst and want to get to know you.”
“Your town, what I’ve seen of it, is very pretty.I had it described to me over and over quite a few times by my friend.She may have made her home for many years in New York City, but her heart seemed to have been also very fond of this place.”Ally stopped there.She hoped she had not opened the door for questions about Annie.The note she’d left Ally had more or less asked her to keep what she was doing for her to herself.As such, she wanted to honor her promise to the woman.“You and your sisters have lived here for a while as I understand it from Tori?”
“Tori came here first several years ago.She found a place to stay at the Primrose Inn, which was owned by a sweet lady who basically took her under her wing and welcomed her to Destiny’s River.Tori decided it would make a good grounding point…a home…for all of us.We were in the foster care system for a while and then as each of us aged out, we decided how to make our paths.Tori kept the light on here, encouraging and praying that those paths would lead here.And so, they did, for myself and for my other sister, Cassie.You’ll meet her soon enough.She and her husband are on a horse-buying trip, but they should be back next week.I’m sure Tori has told her all about you.”
“And you have a brother who is not here.”
“Right.He’s still out there making his way in spite of the many words, calls, texts—you name it—of gentle and now more pointed encouragement from my two female siblings.”He grinned at that, and Ally felt her breathing do a bit of a hiccup at the very pleasant sight.It softened his usual all-business countenance that she had come to expect, so when this side of him popped up, it made the moment memorable.She wasn’t used to having anyone…especially a man…stir that amount of interest to be noticed by her brain, not for a long time.
Ally had never thought her looks were anything special.And the two or three men who had made it past the first coffee date to a second or third were nice and all, but nothing that had caused her heartbeat to accelerate.She often wondered if she had overlooked her chance while plowing the crowded streets of the city and missed that one special person Annie had said was out there…waiting for their paths to cross.Well, she had probably passed right by that person, if he did exist, and she would end up a spinster with a dog someplace she had yet to find.And she would be okay.
“And here we are…Primrose Inn.I hope you’ll enjoy your time here.”
The words brought her back to the present and she caught her breath as her gaze took in the large Victorian-style home that sat behind a white picket fence, its windows shining in the sunlight encompassed by shutters of bright yellow that stood out like sunshine itself against the stark white of the three-storied dwelling.There were two turrets with windows and two chimneys showing above the metal roof, which was a surprise to her.But the ornately carved wood pieces that framed the wide porch that ran the length of the front and could be seen in partial view toward the back through some shrubbery, made it appear something timeless and lovely and totally welcoming to one and all to stop and admire its beauty and its story.
“It is amazing.Like it should be in a fairy-tale book of its own,” she breathed in total admiration.And then the reality that she would be staying in such a place for even a short period of time made it all the more incredible.
“You’ll fit in perfectly with Tori and Cassie now,” he said, exiting the vehicle and before she could grasp the handle, he was at her door and offering a hand to help her step out.“Those are words they say often, and each have set out to keep it as such.To fully appreciate it, you should see it when all the rose bushes are in full bloom in the garden, the bright wildflowers are in bloom in the flower beds and the shrubs have their own colors to add.Don’t tell them I said so, but it is quite impressive and work is still in progress.”
“I think it’s perfect right now.I can’t imagine what a beauty it must be in spring.”She was so immersed in taking in everything about the yard, she wasn’t aware that a helping hand had stayed at her elbow as they moved up the stone path to the wide front steps and made their way to the top.It remained there as he caught her gaze with his.
“You are really quite amazed by it.I’m guessing they have places like this where you come from, also?”
“Not like this.Houses and buildings of stone mostly.No room for yards and gardens like this…at least not in any neighborhood I’ve been in.Space is a premium in the city.This porch is so amazing.”
“Well, if you like it now, just wait.It will be transformed this week into a fall country garden.Then, it’s ablaze with lights and tinsel strung over anything and anyone who stands still too long.Again, be careful…my sisters will have you signed on to their nefarious crew of munchkins and elves before you know it.Shall we venture inside?”
Ally snapped back to reality.Her elbow was released easily enough.It had felt warm and secure, and she hadn’t minded the touch.But he had other places to be and people to take care of.“I know you’re too busy to stand around while I gawk like a silly girl.Please don’t let me keep you from your work.”
“Gawk away.I have some time.”He held open the door after he punched in the code for the door.“All the information you need has been meticulously listed out for you in VolumeOne of Tori’s notes which you can read at your leisure.”
He held the door open, and she stepped through.Was that the smell of fresh-baked cookies?Oatmeal perhaps?She was immediately back in the apartment in New York, walking in from work and being greeted with fresh-baked goods that Annie had prepared for her.It made her heart squeeze, and she had to focus on the table in the dining room to her left.
But someone saw what she didn’t want to be seen.
“Is there a problem?Something wrong?”His tone was low and quite genuine with his concern.
She shook her head.No use pretending otherwise.This lawman was able to see too much, too fast.She needed to remember that.
