Page 11 of Sheriff Daddy

I’m wearing a yellow, floral sundress, and I smile when I consider how well I match the flowers he chose for me. I wanted Luke to see me in something other than shorts and a T-shirt. Once he plates the food, he tells me, “You look beautiful. I think I might be underdressed.”

“No, you look really good,” I tell him and instantly blush when I hear the squeakiness of my tone.

He lights the candles I’ve placed in the center of the table and holds my chair out for me. I sit and he squeezes my shoulders before moving to his side of the table. His warm breath on the back of my neck sends a shiver down my spine, and I curb the urge to moan.

“Is this okay? Do you like it?”

It takes me a moment to realize that he’s talking about the food. “It’s good. I love barbeque.”

“I’ll take you out for a more traditional dinner date. I promise. ”

“I haven’t even considered going out. I don’t know what I’d do with Nana. I guess I haven’t thought things through as well as I believed I did.”

“Were you planning to do this without any help?”

“Well, yes. I mean, who’s going to help me?”

“Let me help you with that. One of my deputies happens to be married to a nurse. She also works as a home health aide.”

“I can’t afford to pay someone like that. Besides, it’s my job to take care of her.”

“Well, you think about it. It doesn’t have to be a permanent situation. I’m sure she’d be willing to help out on occasion so you can get out for some fresh air and new experiences.”

“I will. I appreciate the suggestion.”

He leans across the table and takes my hand. “Lori, you have to stop being so formal with me. My suggestion was a little selfish anyway. I want you to have help with your Nana so I can spend time with you.”

“Oh.” I feel myself blushing, and I bite my lower lip.

“Is that okay? Do you want to spend time with me?”

“Yes.” I nod.

“Good.” He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses it gently, brushing his lips along my knuckles.

“Luke, you pretty much know my life’s story. Tell me about you.”

I want to know everything about him, but more specifically, I want to know if some tall, sophisticated woman is out there waiting for him to reconcile their failed marriage or life-long love affair. That thought leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

“There isn’t much to tell. I went to school in the city, then I joined the force there. As the years passed, I realized I just wasn’t happy there so I started looking for other opportunities. That’s when I found this little town and assumed the role of sheriff here. I bought a house on Main Street and immersed myself in the work. I work out, fish sometimes, and work. Pretty boring, huh?”

“What about family? Do you have a family?”

“No, I was an only child. My parents tried for years to have kids and were older by the time they succeeded. They’ve both passed now.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Thank you. They were great people.”

“May I ask how old you are?”

“You may. I’m thirty-seven. Does that bother you?”

“No. Does it bother you that I’m only eighteen?”

“Absolutely not. Everything about you is perfect.”

Perfect? No one has ever complimented me so sincerely or used such a lofty word before. I’ve heard “You’re hot” and other not-so-sweet terms, but my Nana was the only person who ever told me I was anything close to perfect.

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