As soon as we step back out of the library, I'm bombarded with a symphony of beauty so captivating that I barely hear the sheriff's groan. A group of girls approaches, and I'm immediately surrounded.
"Oh, you poor thing," they all say before branching off to say different things.
"This is not how we welcome newcomers."
"Shame on you, Sheriff Smith."
"Please don't think we're all like this."
"Have you had breakfast already?"
"Come with us; we've got you."
They drag me off in a girl-power cocoon, and I feel like a queen. I do turn around to wave at the sheriff, giving him a smile worth the middle finger.
I'm taken to what looks like a warehouse with one of those roll-up doors, smack between a diner and a laundromat. Except inside, it's nothing like a warehouse. It's beautiful. The decor is stylish yet homely, with lots of bean bags and comfortable sofas. Decorative cushions fill the whole area; the carpet is thick and plush. The dining room table has that old peeling paint look, and the chairs are cute and vintage.
I quickly learn everyone's names, and it's easy to remember them all: Zoe St. John, Elora Tapp, Violet Castillo, Hollyn Harvey, Priya Das, Eloise Wellington, and Brenna James. When I say they are beautiful, it's an understatement. Better still, I liked each one of them at first sight.
They're appalled at what the sheriff did, and not even his good looks can excuse him this time, according to their words.
"So, this is our little hangout," Elora says.
"And our book club," Priya adds.
"And where we come to complain about men, PMS, or anything in between," Violet says.
"It's just our home away from home," Hollyn gestures to the entire area.
"Or we'd go insane in this town," Eloise laughs.
"So, with all that said, would you like to join our book-reading, home-away-from-home, everything-goes club?" Brenna asks.
"Well, that depends. Is Benjamin Lawrence an otter?"
I get squeals and hugs and learn quite a bit about all my new friends.
And the best part of all? They have breakfast specially set up for me to make up for my crappy welcome into Candy Creek. I already love them.
I stuff my face with cinnamon French toast, warm maple syrup, cream, and pecan nuts. Blueberry muffins and croissants. Fluffy eggs, cheesy hash browns, the tastiest sausages I've ever had, and bacon so crispy I get a thrill from biting into it.
The girls talk nonstop, but the most discussed topic today is Zoe, who has made it her sole purpose to lose her virginity andis currently going through a list of all the eligible men in Candy Creek before she casts her net wider and has to venture into the city.
The first name listed and scratched off is the sheriff, then the doctor, the veterinarian, and a farmer. She has two question marks next to the fireman.
I don't know why seeing the sheriff removed from the candidate list makes me feel a certain way. Not because I like him—absolutely not—but because, I tell myself, Zoe is stunning, and she didn't choose him. So it's more like, haha, you lose, sheriff. Also, obviously, the sheriff isn't married or doesn't have a girlfriend, or he wouldn't have made it onto the list in the first place.
My morning may have been disastrous, but as I sit here with the girls, a wave of contentment washes over me. Yes, Candy Creek is going to be my home. I'm going to ace that exam just to prove to the sheriff I belong here now.
Chapter Nine
Zephyr
How in the fuck did this happen? It's been four days since Ms. Chaos crashed into my life and Judge Jenkins issued the craziest sentence of her career—I'd bet money on it—and I'm still fucking thinking about her.
Me? Her tutor? As if I don't have better things to do, like my job. Yet the judge wants me to take her on a tour of the town, show her the landmarks, and explain things to her. I'm not a damn tour guide.
Did Judge Jenkins fall for her dark hair and striking golden eyes and forget she's the judge around here when she gave up her coffee to the newcomer?
