“Someone called this in?” Elias asked.
“Several.” Sam half laughed. “The sheriff is on his way. He wants a photo with the ice skater.”
Nothing regarding Sheriff Royal Dooley should be a surprise. The man had nearly destroyed two families with his rush to arrest a suspect after an arsonist set fire to the cupcake shop. “Slow crime day?”
“A no-crime day other than giving out speeding tickets.” Sam surveyed the line. “But now we have some action. No one wants to miss out on a chance to meet Alek Ramson’s twin sister.”
Typical Berry Lake. “From what I hear, she’s well known in her own right.”
Sam glanced at Tasha, who posed with twelve-year-old Katie Byrne. “Not a figure skating fan, but she’s pretty.”
“Beautiful. Inside and out.”
“Got it.”
He glanced at Sam. “Got what?”
“You’re calling dibs.”
Was Elias? The answer struck fast.Mine! “I am.”
“You deserve it for all the people you’ve helped.” Gratitude shone in Sam’s eyes, and Elias knew who that was for in the deputy’s life. “Good luck.”
Elias hoped he didn’t need any luck.
The line had nearly doubled in length, and Tasha favored her left foot more. “I need to get her out of here before the entire town shows up.”
Sam smirked. “Use the white steed that matches your shining armor.”
“Ha-ha.” Elias picked up her shoes. “Ready to play the heavy?”
Sam tipped his deputy’s hat. “Always, but you’re buying the next round at Sasquatch’s.”
The bar sat on the opposite end of Main Street from the park. Most people called it Bigfoot’s to the chagrin of the owner. But locals went there to watch sports with friends, drink beer, and eat greasy food. “You're on.”
“I haven’t used my crowd-control skill here. A good thing I had plenty of chances in Seattle.”
A bullet had grazed Sam, and other “stuff” had gone down that few outside the police department knew about. He’d reached out for advice from Elias.
“Glad you moved home.”
“Me too.” Sam straightened his uniform parka. “Watch the master at work.”
Elias shook his head.
Sam cleared his throat. “Can I have your attention, please? It’s great to see how excited everyone is to meet Ms. Ramson, but she's been at the rink long enough.”
People groaned.
Sam held up his hand. “I get it, and I’m sorry, but Elias will see if Ms. Ramson has time in her schedule to come back another day.”
A few frowns turned upside down, but Tasha’s expression remained the same. Elias glimpsed a hint of relief in her eyes. Something he wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t been looking so closely.
“Go skate or head home,” Sam said. “Thank you.”
The line dispersed, though a few people lingered.
Tasha posed for a final photograph with a man Elias didn’t recognize. He must be from out of town. “Nice to meet you,” she said before the guy walked away.
