Page 42 of Blue-Eyed Hero

Reid quickly dropped Allison’s hand. It had been so natural to grab her, he didn’t even think twice about it. Now the entire town was going to have them married off with two kids by the end of the day.

He thought it was hard to keep a cover in Boston. Boston had nothing on Willow Cove. That only played into his benefit, though. He stormed over to Mary Potts, making sure Allison was right beside him. He wasn’t letting her out of his sight again. He didn’t give a shit if she didn’t like it. She’d just have to deal with it.

“Mary, how are you?” he asked, putting on his best sheriff smile.

She stumbled and forced a smile, leaning away from Catherine. “Good. It’s good to see you two together.”

Ignoring her, he pressed on. “Have you seen a boy about yay high?” He held his hand up to his waist. “Brown shaggy hair, wearing basketball shorts and a green shirt?”

“Why yes, that’s Dolly and Ed’s grandkid. He’s here visiting with their daughter. Cute kid.”

“Where is Dolly and Ed’s booth?” Reid asked, cutting through the small talk.

She pointed to their left. “Just over there.”

“Thank you.” Reid hurried over, hearing Allison cursing as she tried to keep up with him.

Dolly and Ed lit up as they approached. “What do we owe the pleasure?” Ed asked. “We get both the sheriff and our very own local star.”

“Aww Ed, you flatter me,” Allison said.

“Your grandson,” Reid barked.

“Did he do something wrong? He’s only six.” Dolly rested a hand on her chest.

“He gave Allison a piece of paper with a note on it. I just wanted to know where he got it from.”

“Surely it wasn’t him,” Dolly said.

“He handed me the note, but the handwriting was definitely an adult,” Allison offered. “I just want to know who sent me the kind note so I can thank them.”

Reid swung his gaze to Allison, and she crinkled her face in an adorable demand. Fine. He would let her lead. She was better with people, anyway.

“Oh.” Dolly laughed. “Reid had me a little worried there.”

“He needs work on his delivery,” Allison said, staring right at him with a smug curve of her lips.

“Sorry,” Reid mumbled.

“Danny is with my daughter getting fried Oreos. He loves his sweets, that boy.”

“Who doesn—”

“Thank you.” Reid grabbed Allison’s arm and yanked her away before she could finish speaking. He didn’t have time to discuss Oreos. They had to figure out who the letter came from.

“Rude much?” Allison said, and he swung his gaze toward her. She tumbled slightly, but quickly straightened.

“Sorry,” he mumbled.

“Maybe if you acted, oh I don’t know, human, you wouldn’t have to dish out apologies like crab legs at a buffet.”

He stopped, and she stumbled into him. “Crab what?” What the hell was she even talking about?

“Nevermind. Look, the kid’s over there.” She nodded toward a line of people at a food truck, and he spotted the kid. He reached for Allison, but she held her hand up.

“You drag me one more time, and I will hit you.”

“You’d really assault an officer?”

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