Page 83 of Peach Tree Family

"That's good to hear. Thank you. I'll let you go now," Theo told him.

Seth was staring at him in disbelief. "You just..."

He didn't finish so Theo went with what he had to say. "From what Wyatt said, the sheriff here isn't likely to be easily fooled. I don't think you should worry too much about her hassling you for no reason."

Seth still looked uneasy.

"Living here, you're going to see the sheriff pretty often. Maybe you should consider moving back." Theo couldn't believe he said that. He was just using Seth's anxiety about the sheriff as an excuse to invite him back, and he was hoping he was going to say yes.

"I would be crowding you," Seth said. "And maybe I don't have any reason to worry here. But thank you for offering. I was afraid you might think I had to be guilty of something if the sheriff had it in for me."

"I don't," Theo told him. He should have some doubts about Seth, but he didn't. He had a strong impression that Seth wasn't used to being trusted or worried about. He was always thinking about what Ace and Theo needed, and at the same time, claiming he was fine and didn't need anything. "I might be mad at you, and I don't understand you sometimes, but I know you're a good guy at heart."

At that Seth smiled. His eyes were shining. His smile was bright and warm, and Theo had to clench his fists or he would have grabbed him and kissed him for all he was worth.

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