Closing the door behind me as I head back into the house, I turn the lock and think about this evening. I had a really great time tonight even though it was just pizza and beer. I meant what I said earlier. It would be lovely to do this again.
I don’t know what it is about Weston Donovan, but he’s easy to talk to. He makes me feel brave and safe. Both things I don’t feel often. Maybe it’s the cop in him, or just that I trust him. The more time we spend together, the more I relax around him.
Walking into the living room and shutting off all the lights behind me, I scoop up Pumpkin from her cat tower and carry her down the hall to bed with me. I laugh at his reaction to her, and it makes me curious. What else is he afraid of?
Typically, I don’t have to be at the station until eight thirty on Saturdays, but I didn’t like the thought of Jade out walking alone so early in the morning.
On the drive, I think about last night and how easy it was with her. Almost like we’ve been sharing conversations and meals for years. I pull into her yard and put the car into park, getting ready to go knock on her door, when she steps outside. The early morning sun captures her in its rays, and my throat bobs at how beautiful she looks. Her hair is pulled to the side in another braid, and she’s got on a pair of jeans with her signature embroidered details on the front pockets along with a white tank tucked inside the band with a pink cardigan draped over her shoulders. Who knew such casual clothes could take a man’s breath away.
I smile, lifting my hand in a wave as she makes her way to the car. “Morning.”
“Good morning, Sheriff. I brought this for you to say thanks. It’s the least I could do,” she says, extending her hand out offering me a floral ceramic mug.
I take the cup from her outstretched hand and lift it in thanks. “Thanks, I appreciate it,” I tell her, opening the passenger door for her.
I close her in and walk around to the driver’s side and join her. Placing the ceramic mug in my cup holder, I get a whiff of her perfume and fight against the urge to inhale it.
“I do apologize for the girly mug, but that’s all I had. It was either flowers or the Barbie collab from Starbucks.” She laughs nervously, and I smile.
“What’s wrong with Barbie?” I tease, and she giggles, reaching into her bag.
“I also brought you this.”
The aroma of bread and ham has my head turning.
“It’s a ham and cheese croissant with egg.” She holds it out tentatively, and my mouth waters. Grabbing the sandwich from her hand, I flash her a grateful smile.
“Wow. Thank you, I’m actually starving,” I tell her, opening the package and taking a bite. “You made this?” I ask, swallowing the best damn breakfast croissant I’ve ever had.
“I did.” Her lips tip up in a smile.
“It’s really good,” I tell her, taking another bite.
Putting the cruiser in reverse, I begin to back out of her driveway when my eyes catch on something next door. I let out a groan and slide my eyes to Jade. “You’re neighbors with Mrs. Ira?”
Jade looks to the house next door and lets out a groan of her own. “Oh my gosh. I am so sorry.”
We both watch as Mrs. Ira lowers her binoculars and quickly jumps back to the other side of her window curtains. I look at Jade with raised eyes, and we both laugh at the nosy absurdity that is Mrs. Ira.
“She had Hayes and Sarah arrested once back in high school. She ever tell you that?”
Balking, she shakes her head. “What? No way! Sarah’s never told me this story,” she says in disbelief.
I chuckle and tell her about the time Mrs. Ira and her late husband caught Sarah and Hayes breaking into the rodeo grounds to set off fireworks. I had just become a cop back then, and while I wasn’t on shift, I heard all about it from the two that were called out. I guess Sarah tried flirting her way out of trouble with one of the young deputies, and according to Hayes, prior to that, she thought it would be a great story if they ran. They both ended the night handcuffed, and my dad and Sarah’s grandpa were called to bail them out at two in the morning. Hayes was grounded for weeks. I also remember Hayes saying that was the night he swears he fell in love with Sarah as more than just a friend. It’s a shame those two never worked out. I don’t think he’ll ever admit it, but some days I swear by the way he looks at her that he still loves her.
“Oh my God.” Jade laughs beside me as we pull onto Main Street. “I can’t believe Sarah’s never told me that story before.”
“Her and Hayes used to get into all sorts of trouble together. I remember this one time my dad was right livid because he had some horses missing that he was supposed to haul out to another farm. Money lost and hours later, the two come trotting up from the hills, Sarah covered in dirt and with a broken ankle. It had recently rained for a week straight, so the hills were sliding, and they had specifically been told to stay in pastures or on flat trails around the property to ride.”
“Jeeze. Sarah never talks about Hayes. She mentioned once that they had dated, but that’s all she gave me. Do you know what happened between them?”
I shake my head. “No. Wish I did, though. We all thought those two would get married someday. Hayes doesn’t really talk about it either,” I say as I park in front of the bakery.
“Hmm.” Jade hums beside me. “Well, thank you for the ride. I really appreciate it. And thanks for the stories.” She smiles, clicking off her belt.
Not ready to say goodbye quite yet, I unclasp mine and follow her out. “Here, I’ll walk you to the door.”
She stops mid-step out the door, looking back at me with those beautiful green eyes of hers. “Oh, you don’t have to do that.”
