Maya
The smoke alarm beeps annoyingly loud as I try to open the window and air the room out. Shit. I had one job to do, and I just had to go and screw it up.
The phone rings, of course it’s the alarm company calling for the code because I forgot to turn off the home security alarm in Mrs. Ryker’s quarters before I opened the window.
Holding the phone up to one ear with one hand, I grab the chicken nuggets out of the oven with the other. They’re just now cooked all the way, but smoke is billowing from the oven
“Hello? Green willow.” The phone crackles. “Hello? Can you hear me? The password is green willow! I didn’t mean to set the alarm off.” All I hear is static in the background.
Even though it’s a landline, there’s a category 1 hurricane blowing outside causing all kinds of service and power disruptions. That’s how I ended up here. Elizabeth had to help Larry, the barn hand, and Ethan make sure the animals were secure.
Jessa was running late due to the weather but arrived just in time to see my whole debacle unfolding. “What happened?” Her eyes scan the room.
“Mrs. Ryker wanted chicken nuggets, and I was trying to fix them, but the oven started smoking.” I fan the smoke towards the window.
“Yeah, it does that. Elizabeth should’ve warned you.” Jessa starts laughing, humiliating me even more.
“I tried to put the code in the alarm after it happened, but I think they still tried to call. I gave them the password but I’m not sure if they could hear me.” I don’t ask what would happen if they didn’t get the password.
“It should be fine as long as you entered the code. I’m going to check on her now, how’s she doing?”
“She’s having a good day, I think.” Jessa opens the door to do her assessment on Mrs. Ryker just as there’s a knock on the outside of the main door to her quarters.
“I’ll get it!” I shout.
As soon as the door swings open, I stop dead in my tracks. “Uhh…” is all I am able to get out as I take in the sight of the police officer standing in the doorway, inching closer to the entryway to keep out of the weather—so close I can smell his aftershave blowing in the breeze.
Hot damn. I don’t know what it is about a man in uniform, but my heart starts racing, and I break out into a sweat.
He looks at me with a devilish grin. “The perimeter alarm was set off, is everything ok in here?” He steps even closer, peering around my shoulder, scanning the room.
“Yes, everything is fine.” I nervously try to wipe the chicken-grease lip gloss from my face as I stand there like a brainless idiot holding a half-eaten nugget.
He looks to the nugget, then to my lips, more than likely thinking I’m just some stupid girl who just about burns the place down every time she cooks. Can’t say that I blame him, because that’s definitely what almost happened.
“Who’s at the door, honey?” Mrs. Ryker’s sweet little shaky voice drifts through my ears into my half-melted brain.
I can’t tell her that her oven from the pits of hell led to the summoning of the Adonis of the County Mounty. She might really think she died if he came waltzing into her room.
Like sir, you are in law enforcement. Isn’t it illegal to look like that in uniform? If I tell him I broke in, maybe he would rough me up a little. Intriguing thought.
“It’s just an officer making sure everything is ok.” My cheeks heat with embarrassment as I chance a look into his golden-brown eyes.
“Don’t hesitate giving me a call back if you need anything,” he looks at my lips again, “I don’t mind checking things out…” then looks me up and down, “for you.” I nearly drop dead when he gives me a wink before walking away.
He was flirting with me.Holy shit. That actually happened. I fan the hypothetical smoke from myself to keep from combusting as I imagine how it would feel for him perform a full body search on me.
“What’s the matter, Rivers? Cop got your tongue?” Ethan’s humorous voice rudely interrupts my fantasy. Where’d he come from?
“What are you talking about?” I look at him questioningly.
“I just asked you where your phone is. Nick is trying to get ahold of you.” Of course, Mr. Control Freak is calling. I roll my eyes.
For someone who isn’t here, there’s no shortage of his micromanagement. When we talk in the evenings, he wants toargue back and forth about what I should be doing or wearing. Apparently shorts, a tank top, and boots aren’t appropriate barn attire because “it’s too distracting to the other staff.” It’s over a hundred degrees most days so I haven’t given in to his ridiculous demands.
He’s my boss, but I haven’t officially started my training for whatever he wants me to do undercover. I work with the horses every day and have therapy twice a week. I wish he would just cut me some slack.
On the days that I’m not completely exhausted, I visit with Elizabeth. She makes the best sweet tea. I look forward to sitting on the porch with her and staring into the sunsets.
