Chapter 8
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.”
Not taking no for an answer, I continue getting out of the car and stand on the sidewalk to wait for her before following her to the bakery door. Once she’s safely inside, I wave goodbye and make my way over to the station.
“Morning, everyone,” I greet, entering inside.
“Morning, Sheriff, what are you doing in so early on a Saturday morning?” Beatrice asks with her brows furrowed.
“What is up with this town this morning?” Ian mumbles.
“What’s going on?” I ask the men walking up to Ian’s desk.
Cade starts to laugh, and Ian gives him the bird. “Nothing. Just seems everyone is out and about so early today.”
Cade barks out a laugh and rests a hand on Ian’s shoulder. “Ian here got a glimpse of Ms. Johnson’s tits this morning.”
“I’m scarred for life, man,” Ian says, slumping into his chair.
Shaking off the shudder that rolls through me, I ask if there’s been any calls from Rossi or Mark.
Rossi is the sheriff over in our neighboring town, and Mark is Chief of Hadley River. I recently reached out to both to see if they’ve had any murders as well. So far, I haven’t heard back from either.
“You actually just missed Rossi. He said he’d call back after nine when I told him you’d be in.”
“Great, thanks. Did he say anything?” I ask my brother.
“Nah. Was just looking for you. What exactly are you doing here so early anyways?” he asks before eyeing the ceramic mug in my hand. Shooting me an amused expression, he asks, “You spend the night with someone special? Like maybe a certain baker?” He flashes me a shit-eating grin, and Ian chuckles.
“Mind your own business. The better question is, why are you here? Where are the kids?”
“They stayed at Mom and Dad’s last night. Figured I’d come in early since I have the time.”
“You need to get a nanny, dude.”
“I’m trying, all right. And give me that coffee.” He swipes the mug from my hands, and I grunt, taking off for my office.
Once I’m settled at my desk behind closed doors, I think of Jade. After I left her house last night, I couldn’t get her out of my head. Her laugh, her scent, that beautiful shy smile she gives. She consumes my thoughts.
“You good there, Sheriff?” Ian asks, stepping into my office.
Fuck. I was so focused on thoughts of Jade I didn’t even hear the door open.
“You wanna talk about that cute little baker you were just thinking about?” he asks, trying to hide a smile.
“There’s nothing to talk about. I gave her a ride this morning, that’s all.”
“Hmm. Well according to Mrs. Ira, she saw you arrive last night and leave this morning,” he says, gauging my reaction.
Jesus Christ. It’s barely six in the morning, how is that old bat spreading crap already.
I rub a hand down my face and shake my head.
“Not that it’s anyone’s business, but I gave Jade a ride home last night and stayed for pizza.
I left and came back this morning to drive her to work.
I didn’t stay the night. And if I had, it wouldn’t be anyone’s business.
” I scowl. Sometimes living in a small town can be a headache.
Ian raises his hands in surrender when Garrett walks in. “Hey, Sheriff, I have Chief Mark on line 2 for you.”
“Thanks, Garrett.” I shoo Clay away and pick up the phone, hitting line 2.
“Sheriff Donovan.”
“Sheriff, it’s Mark. I meant to call you back yesterday and forgot. I’m sorry, but I’m not much help. There haven’t been any murders here that we know about, and no one matching your description of your Jane Doe missing either.”
“Thanks for letting me know.” I sigh, sinking into my chair.
“What the hell is going on there? First I saw the news of you guys finding that abducted woman and now this?”
“Wish I knew, Mark. Wish I knew.”
“Not looking good for you, Donovan.”
“Fucking tell me about it.” I rub a hand down my face and scratch my beard.
“I hope for your sake that number doesn’t climb."
“You and me both.”
“Well, sorry I couldn’t offer much for help, but if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to give me a call.”
“Will do. Thanks for getting back to me,” I tell him before hanging up the phone and letting out a sigh.
Still no closer to answers.