Page 49 of Awakening Veronica

He was sitting in his SUV at the intersection of Main Street and Crockett, heading back to the station, when a late model red Chevy Camaro rolled past him, headed down Main. The windows were rolled down and the redhead behind the wheel waved at him, a big smile on her face. Her stereo was blasting loud enough to make the windows in his vehicle rumble in their frames.

Hank smirked as he flipped on his lights and pulled out behind her. “I swear she does this on purpose every time she comes to town.”

The driver pulled into the parking lot at Cheaver’s Western Wear and turned down the volume on her music. He radioed in and parked beside her, trying to wipe the grin off of his face. It wasn’t dignified to look happy about pulling someone over.

Adjusting his cowboy hat, he walked to the driver’s side of the car. The redhead smiled up at him, her eyes twinkling. “Hey, Hank—I mean, Sheriff, sir.”

“Now, Miss Heather…”

Innocent blue eyes looked up at him. Those eyes had the same effect as Grace’s.

“Was I speeding, Hank? I didn’t think I was, but was I?” The blue eyes misted up and she smiled at him. She could top from the bottom with the best of them.

He squatted down and put his hand on the opened window. “No, Miss Heather. You weren’t speeding. You know I’ve never had to pull you over for speeding.”

Her eyebrows arched happily. “Oh! Did you just want to say hello?” She chattered on and looked so damned pleased he almost forgot why he’d pulled her over. The song changing on the radio reminded him though.

“You know I love seeing you. You don’t come to town near often enough to please some people around here. But you and I know what this is really about.”

Again with the innocent blue eyes. “We do?”

Hank couldn’t suppress his chuckle. “I grew up in the eighties, too, hon, but not everyone has the same appreciation for Def Leppard that you and I do.”

A pleased squeal came from her. “I know!” She started talking with her hands and rhapsodizing about eighties rock bands. He glanced up and saw the big grin on his deputy’s face as Wyatt pulled in on the other side of the Camaro and exited his vehicle.

“Hey, Miss Heather!” he called out as he slung his thumbs into his belt, affecting a more pronounced swagger as he walked up.

Hank scowled at his deputy and said, “Don’t you have work to do?”

Wyatt smirked and said, “Nah. It’s all quiet right now.”

Heather started in again. “That’s one of the things I love about Divine. It’s so peaceful. How are you, Wyatt, honey?”

Wyatt grinned at her and looked a little dazzled. “I’m doing great, Miss Heather. You here to see Miss Grace?”

Heather nodded. “I am. I heard Grandma Kate was in town and couldn’t resist making the drive out here. How’s your girlfriend, Wyatt?”

Wyatt’s face dropped a little and he shook his head. “Didn’t work out, Miss Heather.”

Heather tilted her head in sympathy. “I’m sorry to hear that but I know the perfect girl is going to come along eventually. How’s that big brother of yours doing? The vet clinic doing all right?” The twinkle in Heather’s eye reminded Hank of Grace when she got to matchmaking.

Wyatt chuckled, “Steven’s fine. He’ll be happy to hear you’re in town. You comin’ out to the Dancing Pony while you’re here?”

“No, just for the afternoon.”

Hank was relieved when the chitchat was interrupted by a call from the dispatcher for a fender bender in the parking lot of Batson’s Grocery Store. Deputy Dawg waved at Miss Heather. “Gotta go. You take care now, Miss Heather!”

As Wyatt left, she turned back to him and said, “Now what were you sayin’, Hank?”

He stood and patted the roof of the car. “I’m gonna let you off with a warning this time. Try to keep the music turned down to a level that doesn’t frighten all the cattle or break any windows.”

Heather put her hand to her cheek and blushed again. “Yes, sir. I’ll try and remember that. Sometimes I forget.” Her eyes twinkled and he had to chuckle. She knew what she was doing every single second of the day but he couldn’t fuss at her.

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