Even though I can almost feel the sugar overload, I quickly find a place to park and hoof it back to Bunz Out. As I open the door, I can’t help but chuckle at the name.
The moment I step inside, I freeze for a second because pink is not just an aesthetic on the outside, it’s invaded the inside as well.
Pink. Girly. Floral. Sweet.
Yeah, that sums this place up perfectly.
The bell above the door chimes and Helen spins around at the sound. When she recognizes who has walked through the door, a bright, wide smile stretches across her face. She also shoots me a look which is a mix of reproach and disbelief.
“Now I’m convinced you’re stalking me, Sheriff Wilder,” the tease in her voice has my cock going rock hard.
Fuck, this woman has no idea what she does to me.
“Maybe I am,” I fire the words back at her without caring who is in the bakery with us.
A woman’s gasp has me directing my attention toward the noise. I find a woman with dark hair and wide eyes staring at me. She glances between Helen and me with fear coating her features as she clasps her hands in front of her chest.
“Oh,” I exclaim far too loudly considering the woman looking at me appears to be moments away from passing out, “no, I’m sorry. I didn’t really mean it. We were just teasing each other. I’m not stalking her.”
Well, Iamkind of stalking her, but I’m not going to admit it and certainly not in front of this scared woman who reminds me of a terrified bunny rabbit. Yeah, she’s about to bolt or faint. I’m not looking toward either one.
Helen’s laugh is light as she gently reaches over the counter and touches the woman’s shoulder who jolts hard and knocks her hip against the counter. “Graycie,” Helen’s voice is soft and soothing. I find myself leaning in her direction without even realizing it, “It’s okay. I’m okay. Rhodes is the sheriff over in Sweetwater Valley. He’s a good man. He would never hurt me, you, or anyone else. He believes in the badge he wears.”
Hearing Helen tell someone else that I’m a good man, even though we haven’t spent a lot of time together, has me puffing up with pride.
Graycie’s eyes are still wide as she looks back and forth between us. I hold my hands up in a sign of surrender and fold my shoulders forward while hoping I’m not overly intimidating.
“I’m sorry for frightening you, Graycie. I don’t know your story and if you never want to share it with me, you don’t have to. But if I can, I will do everything I can to help you.”
The sound of motorcycles gets louder and Graycie flinches slightly. It has my hackles raising, but when I glance at Helen, she subtly shakes her head. After taking a breath, I have to remind myself that this isn’t my jurisdiction. Again.
“Th-thank you,” Graycie’s voice is tentative, but there’s an edge to it which makes me want to grin, “but I’m good.” She looks at Helen and studies her face for a moment before her forehead smooths out and she nods. “If you trust him, it’s good enough for me.”
It’s strange, but I feel like I just won something big. When Helen looks my way with soft eyes, the feeling only grows. Before I say goodbye to her today, I’ll get her number. Officially, at least.
I’m not going to wait around for more chances to see her, it’s time to go after my woman directly. She’s ready for me; I can feel it.
CHAPTER 8
HELEN
When I climb out of my car, I take a deep breath and am glad it feels like spring is finally here again. Nice weather means yard sales, and today is the first market style yard sale of the season. There was no way I was missing it.
Jessi slams her door closed and lets out a groan as she pops her back. I can’t help but giggle at my sister. You’d think that we were in the car for hours instead of less than one because this event is only a few towns over from Dogwood Ridge.
“Don’t act like this isn’t going to be a good time,” I tease her.
The glare she shoots me would be intimidating if I wasn’t her older sister, and if she didn’t remind me of a pissed off kitten. When I wink at her she huffs and rolls her eyes.
“You know I don’t like getting up this early,” she grumbles.
“Fair,” I agree and try to stifle a yawn since it’s not like I’m thrilled to be up this early either. I wrap an arm around her shoulders when I get close enough to her and pull her into my side. “But we haven’t done this in so long,” I remind her.
Her eyes soften and she nods. We let the words remain unsaid, good or bad, for now. I’m not sure that we need to talk about it.
We know.
We were there.
