Blake sucked in a deep breath.
By the time she exhaled, they were in one of the department meeting rooms. Price Collins was already waiting for them.
He surprised Blake with an open arm hug.
“Sheriff Trouble!” he exclaimed, encircling her in a bear hug. He wasn’t a particularly large man, but the embrace was all-encompassing. Blake couldn’t even return it. So she let it happen and laughed a little.
“It’s been a while since I’ve heard that one,” she said.
Price stepped back, breaking the embrace, and was all smiles.
“You make a name like that for yourself, and you better believe I’m going to use it,” he said. “I’ve been waiting to yell it at you since I heard it. I didn’t realize you were back in town yet. I guess I’m behind on town talk.”
He stepped to the side and rolled a chair away from the table for her. He did the same for his boss. They were in the middle of seating themselves as Price made a more dramatic introduction.
“Sheriff Weaver, let me reintroduce you to Sheriff Blake Bennet. Also known as Sheriff Trouble by some of her colleagues at her last two departments.”
Sheriff Weaver’s eyebrow rose high.
Blake tried to tamp down her grimace. She wasn’t a fan of having to explain her current situation in detail. This situation, however, definitely needed the context.
“I didn’t cause the trouble, I just kind of followed it,” she tried.
Price laughed.
“And helped fix it.” He swiveled so he was facing Sheriff Weaver directly. He pointed to Blake. “This here wonder woman has been elected sheriff oftwodifferent departments in Georgia and Alabama. That’s to say nothing of her rocketing through every law enforcement establishment she’s been a part of. Her last gig made national news. She was even hailed as an integral part of helping put an end to an entire town’s corruption.”
Blake couldn’t help but stop him there.
“I didn’t realize you were keeping tabs on me, Price. I’m almost flattered.” She gave him a look that she hoped showed she wasn’t in the mood for being flattered. He laughed again.
“Hey, when a Seven Roads local leaves the nest as a baby bird only to go fight with lions in their dens, you take notice.” He met the sheriff’s eye again. “Not saying you don’t do us good here, Sheriff, but I just need you to know that who you’re dealing with isn’t some ordinary citizen. Blake Bennet has a knack for taming trouble.”
Blake was about to scold her old friend, but his demeanor changed. He softened.
She knew what came next.
“I never got to say it, but I sure was sorry about what happened. How are you doin’? How are the kids?”
If it had been a gossip or Mrs. Kimball or any other local, Blake would have been curt. Instead, she gave Price a genuine answer. It was short but it was true.
“I’m still adjusting. We all are.”
Price nodded.
“If anyone can handle it, I think it’s you,” he said. “If you ever need anything, you can let me and my kid know. She’s at the babysitting age now too and wouldn’t mind it a bit.”
Blake took the offer with a quick smile.
Then she looked at the sheriff.
Two thoughts immediately popped into her head.
One, Sheriff Weaver was undeniably good-looking. Whether it was in a gym lobby, a parking lot, between the trees, or in a room full of fluorescents, the man was captivatingly handsome.
Two, despite his good looks and status as Seven Roads’s main protector, he had no idea who she was.
Or, more accurately, what Price was talking about.
