16. Jensen
16
JENSEN
“ H ey, I used the air fryer. I hope that’s okay,” Nessa says in lieu of a greeting. The house smells like curry, and my stomach grumbles as I kick off my boots and set them on the mat next to the door.
“I told you, while you’re here it’s yours.”
“I know but it’s still weird. I haven’t had a roommate besides Kinsley in years let alone lived with a man.”
“I appreciate you not calling me a boy,” I say without thinking as I slump down on the barstool at the counter.
Looking up at me from under her lashes, she asks, “People mistake you for a boy often?”
My lips twitch but I shake my head. “No, but there’s one resident in Clementine Creek who always makes me feel like a kid again. Miss Thelma. And she stopped by the station today.”
“Miss Thelma, huh? She on the run with a woman named Louise?”
“No, but her cat is named Louise and she’s managed to have her face printed on every shirt, dress, and pair of leggings in her closet.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Wish I was.”
“That’s hilarious,” she says with a laugh, filling a glass with water and sliding it across the counter to me.
“Thanks,” I say, drinking half of the cool liquid in one gulp. “I’m so happy you feel that way because she’s coming over tomorrow for dinner.”
“She what?” Nessa’s hands land on her hips with a huff—better than mad I suppose.
“Who’s the scariest person you know?”
“Me,” she answers automatically and I chuckle.
She doesn’t.
“Okay, well then, she’s you in fifty years. She’s the town busybody but she’s currently spinning a story around town about how you’re my cousin visiting with your baby.”
“And why would she do that?”
“Because she recognizes that I’m trying to get myself settled before all hell breaks loose and people start linin’ up at the door with casseroles and knit booties.”
“That’s oddly specific.”
“But it’s accurate and I’m just not ready for it yet. I just told Mama and you saw how that went.” She opens her mouth to speak but I just hold up my hands. “It will be fine, I know that. But let’s just get through dinner tomorrow and then I’ll deal with the rest.”
“Whatever you want,” she says with a shrug like I want to be the center of town attention.
I don’t.
So, I focus on the next best thing.
“Miss Thelma promised to bring a peach pie because it’s my favorite.”
“Hey, mine too. That’s so weird.” Her smile is genuine as she plates the coconut chicken curry and hands it over before grabbing her own and taking the stool next to me.
Weird.
Unexpected is more like it.
Since the day I was served, everything has been unexpected.
“Does she have any dirt on you, Sheriff?”
I freeze with my fork halfway to my mouth as I turn to look at her. Nessa bursts out laughing and pushes my shoulder with her hand.
“That’s a yes.”
“There’s not a single person around that she doesn’t have something on.”
“I can’t wait. This is the kind of thing you read about in books or see in movies, but unless you live in a small town, it just seems like some made-up cliché.”
“I thought you were from a small town.”
“Sure. I mean I am, but not like this. People up north still like their privacy.”
“Oh yeah, we don’t have that here.”
“Clearly.” She snickers and I can’t help how much I love that sound. It’s light and melodic, and I could listen to it all night.
“Everyone means well but…” Shoving a forkful into my mouth, I let myself chew as I try to figure out the best way to say this. “I’ve garnered the eligible bachelor status in town, and there always seems to be someone’s daughter or niece in town that’s just my type. ”
“You are a celebrity here so that makes sense,” she says and then rolls her eyes when I just stare at her in confusion. “You’re the hot local sheriff. Of course everyone is hoping to be the one to find your perfect match.”
“Well, they haven’t, and I’ve been more than content with my life up until now. I take my job seriously. We’re short-staffed and I won’t ask my deputies to do anything I won’t do myself, so I’m out on the road, picking up shifts, and filling in anywhere I can. Bein’ a small town, it’s important that Ezra makes it home for his kid’s fifth birthday dinner and that Sterling can coach his daughter’s softball team.”
“That’s really noble, but is that what you want? I mean you should be able to do all those things too if you want.”
“I guess I figured that someday it might happen, but it hasn’t been my focus. So I can carry the guys who need the time now and…” My words trail off as I shrug my shoulders because we both know that my life has changed so much already.
“Now maybe you’ll be coaching softball.” The comment is flippant, like she’s testing the waters for my benefit—not hers.
I nod as I mull that over and take another bite. “And maybe she’ll wanna play soccer.”
“She can do whatever she wants,” Nessa says, and I’m just about to respond when she mumbles under her breath, “I’ll make sure of it.”
The vehemence in her tone makes me think there’s more to the story—but dinner’s been good so I won’t press her.
Not tonight.
For both of our sakes.