“Do you need anything, Ms. Ramson?” Sam asked.
“No, thanks…” She squinted at Sam’s chest—where his last name was embroidered on a patch. “Deputy Cooper.”
Sam nodded. “I’ll stick around until you leave to make sure you aren’t bothered.”
“It’s not a bother, but I appreciate it.” She lifted her left foot.
Elias held up her boots. “Ready for these?”
“Please, but…” Tasha glanced around. “The benches are full, but I’ve done this standing up before.”
“No need.” Elias kneeled in front of her and unlaced her skates. “I’ve got this.”
“Such service.” Tasha sounded pleased.
“This way you’ll tell everyone how much you enjoyed your stay in Berry Lake, so others visit.” Elias was only half joking. He wanted to make himself memorable to her so she would return. Weird, but he’d never felt such an instant connection with anyone as he did with her.
“That’s our Elias.” Sam snorted. “He’s not only the best lawyer in town, but he’s also the nicest. You’re in good hands.”
Leave it to Sam. However, his last comment would earn the deputy a second round the next time they met up for drinks. Elias pulled off the left skate. A sock-covered foot shouldn’t be so attractive. He forced himself not to touch her. Instead, he positioned her boot so she could step into it.
She did. “Thanks for the testimonial, deputy.”
Sam clucked his tongue. “Though I’ve got to say, Elias is doing this wrong.”
“Am not.” That was his usual reply when Sam joked around.
“The prince is supposed to put Cinderella’s glass slipper on her foot,” Sam teased. “Not take it off.”
“Trust me.” Tasha wiggled her right skate. “I want both off A-S-A-P.”
Elias did as she asked. When he finished, he stood and brushed his hands together. “Now, we can get out of here.”
“Not so fast, Elias Carpenter.” Charlene Culpepper strode up. She might not have a scepter and crown, but she ruled Berry Lake and owned Events by Charlene.
Sam stepped back as if slowly retreating from a mama bear and not wanting to startle her.
Elias didn’t blame him. Charlene was a lot to handle. Nothing got past the event planner. Her network of gossip informers would make the NSA jealous.
“I’m Charlene Culpepper, and you must be exhausted,” she said in a comforting voice to Tasha. "You and Elias should come over to my place for a few minutes. You can rest and warm up while the crowd dies down. I’ve got hot tea or hot chocolate and cupcakes from our very own Berry Lake Cupcake Shop.”
Tasha’s glance met Elias’s. “Do you have time?”
He would make time for her. “Yes.”
“That sounds lovely,” Tasha said. “And who would say no to a cupcake?”
Charlene beamed. “Your first day in town, and you fit in already. Let’s go.”
As she led them out of the park and toward Main Street where her business was located, people kept their distance. A few held up their phones.
Elias walked next to Tasha. “Sorry things got out of hand.”
“It’s not your fault.”
He disagreed but understood why she said that. “Were you unsure about skating today because you didn’t want to be recognized?”
“That’s one reason.”
