“What I’m sayin’ is, we don’t have many big city ways here, but we find shit to keep us busy, and when that’s on offer, people take advantage of it.It’ll be a good test for you both.Tonks, to see how she manages crowds.You, so you know you can manage Tonks.Worst that can happen is you have to leave.But I doubt that’ll happen.”
“Great, then I’ll take her.”
“Can I go?”
As he planned, their always-short détente ended swiftly.
“My apologies for keeping you,” she sassed.
“Maybe see you tomorrow,” he said, then gave Tonks some extra pets, walked to his truck, swung in and didn’t hazard looking at her as he pulled out.
But he didn’t turn right at the end of her drive.
Because he was a moron, he turned left and headed into town.
Several times on the ride into MP he considered turning around.
Each time, he didn’t.
So he found he was parked outside the sheriff’s department before he could do the smart thing and get his ass home to his dogs.
That said, if this got sorted, he wouldn’t worry so much about Mabel, and they might be neighbors, as such, but he doubted he’d see her very often.
Oh yeah.
And he wouldn’t allow himself to think about how that made him feel either.
Rus was talking with Polly behind the counter when he swung in.
He thought he’d get some resistance, but surprisingly, Rus just jerked up his chin, then jutted it toward the swinging door.
Hutch used that door.
“Let’s go see if Harry’s in his office,” Rus said as greeting.
Hutch was not going to look this gift horse in the mouth.
“Heya, Hutch,” Polly greeted.
“Hey, gorgeous.You ready to leave Pete so we can drive off into the sunset?”
She blushed, but hit him on the arm and warned, “You know, one day, hot stuff, you’re gonna be in trouble when I take you up on that offer.”
She’d never leave Pete.
But one thing Hutch knew, Polly Pickler was one of the good ones.
She was old enough to be his mother, but he was happy for Pete (the owner of the Double D diner, and a good, solid man) that he found a loyal, loving woman.
He smiled at her then turned and followed Rus.
Harry was in his office.
Another surprise, he didn’t offer any resistance either, so Hutch found himself sitting in a chair opposite Harry, Rus in the one at his side.
Harry started it.“How’s Mabel?”
“Good,” Hutch replied.
