Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Drawing in a long breath, Sheriff Nick Reid prayed for patience. He flicked his fingers in a hand it over gesture at his new deputy. “Give it to me.” His mom referred to Deputy Sawyer as “wet behind the ears.” He would use a totally different phrase.
Deputy Kevin Sawyer, the mayor’s nephew, was hired against Nick’s better judgment.
Sawyer, although a nice guy, needed more training than Nick cared to devote time to right now.
At least the city council had approved the hiring of two deputies.
The deputy he preferred couldn’t start until after the first of the year, but he was willing to wait.
She’d be an asset to the town instead of a thorn in his side.
Sawyer pulled the Taser from his belt to hand to his boss. “I know how to use it properly,” he grumbled.
Zap!
Nick shook his head in disbelief as his police officer fell to the floor, stunned, resembling Hermione Granger when petrified. Sawyer, although stiff, jerked, and the Taser fell from his grip.
Meg Peterson, the dispatcher, ran over and knelt next to Sawyer. “Oh, you poor thing!”
Nick bent down and confiscated the Taser, then stepped over the young deputy and strode toward his office, shaking his head.
“Sheriff, not so fast,” Meg said. “I just received a call from Ms. Johnston. She needs you to stop by. Something about making extra Christmas cookies for you.”
Nick grinned and checked the time. Only thirty minutes until the end of his twelve-hour shift.
Perfect. He’d sign off after visiting with his former high school English teacher.
She’d often call Meg to entice Nick to visit.
He understood that being an officer in a small town meant more than keeping the townsfolk safe.
He considered visiting his lonely teacher, whom he had always admired, both a duty and a perk of the job.
Plus, she made the best soft gingerbread cookies with fluffy frosting.
“Do you want me to send Deputy Sawyer when he’s fully functional?”
Nick caught a flash of her smirk. “Nah. I got it, Meg. Send him to the city line.” He motioned with his chin toward Sawyer. “Have him watch for speeders.” He handed the Taser to Meg. “Store it in your desk until we go over proper equipment handling . . . again.”
She handled the weapon gingerly, placing it in the bottom drawer of her desk, and went back to help Sawyer to his feet.
“Save some cookies for me,” Meg called.
Nick sent an overhead wave as he walked out the door. “Will do.”
He’d gladly share his cookies with Meg. She kept the department running, and ran interference when needed.
Coming from death and destruction in Afghanistan to mentoring rookie police officers and retrieving Christmas cookies from old ladies, Nick wondered if anything exciting would ever happen in this small town he called home.
* * *
The cats were restless and meowed more than they had the entire trip.
They could always tell when Kate was stressed.
“We’re almost there,” she cooed, hoping to settle them down.
The snow-packed roads were treacherous. She shook the tingles out of her hands one at a time, caused by the death grip she had on the steering wheel.
She pulled off the freeway at the next rest stop, dug through the care package her aunt had packed, and spread some dried catnip in the carrier. “This should relax you two.” Too bad she had nothing to calm her own nerves. Almost there.
She removed her coat and sweatshirt. Her heated leather seats would keep her warm. In less than an hour, she’d reach her destination—her new home in Deer Creek Falls. The past six months had been a whirlwind of emotions and life-changing decisions.
Until life presented her with a new opportunity, she hadn’t realized how wrong she’d been to stay with Jacques. She increased the volume on one of her favorite songs, “Fight Song.” It was as if Rachel Platten sang only to her. She was ready to take back her life and prove that she’d be all right.
When she saw the Welcome to Deer Creek Falls sign, Kate released a deep breath, rolled her shoulders to relax, and mentally left the crazy-weather road trip behind. She’d made it.
Blue and red lights filled her rearview mirror. “What the—?” She glanced at her speedometer, certain she’d slowed down when the sign indicated a drop to forty-five mph.
I guess this is one way to introduce myself to local law enforcement.
She would have preferred bringing treats to the police station after settling in. She glanced back at her cats; Nyla rolled back and forth. Lucy was sprawled on her back, her legs stretched wide.
Kate pulled to the side of the road and waited for the officer to approach. Her heart pounded as she hit the button for the window and the chilly wind hit her in the face. She shivered, and goose bumps freckled her arms.
“License and registration, please.”
Kate assessed the officer. His name tag read Sawyer. Tall and thin, probably just out of the academy. He could probably use some muffins. She’d make him some if she got out of this without a ticket.
She handed over her information. “I’m sorry if I was speeding.
I guess I got excited when I reached my destination.
I’m new to town, I bought the old church on Main Street.
” She rubbed her arms. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to have removed her coat.
She wore only a tight white long-sleeved shirt.
“You have a broken taillight on your trailer.”
“Really? Someone must have nicked it when I was parked earlier, because when I left this morning, it was fine.” Darn, she hadn’t checked the taillight before she left her aunt’s house.
Officer Sawyer glanced into the back seat and moved his hand to his gun. “Please step out of the car.”
“What? Why?” She had respect for all men in blue and knew she shouldn’t question him. She’d been pulled over before, but she’d never been asked to step out of the car for a minor offense.
Not wanting to argue further, she released her seat belt and stepped out. “Can I at least put my jacket on?”
Ignoring her question, the officer spat, “Turn around. Hands on the car.” He frisked her, and to his credit, his hands only skimmed her body. Then again, if she were the criminal he thought her to be, he would have missed anything that could have put him in danger.
The next thing rookie Sawyer did was turn her around and secure her wrists in front of her with handcuffs. Weird. Kate, not wanting to outwardly smile, stayed solemn as he led her to the car. If her father weren’t a police officer, she’d be worried.
With a hand on her head, Officer Sawyer guided her into the back of his squad car.
Realization hit. Kate yelled through the closed window, “It’s catnip, you idiot!” The window muffled her protests. She hadn’t meant to call him an idiot, but she was beyond annoyed. All she wanted was to unpack and relax in her new home.
“No muffins for you!” she hollered.
* * *
Sheriff Reid pulled to the curb in front of Ms. Johnston’s Tudor home a block south of Main Street.
He always admired the beautiful craftsmanship of the stately house.
In her late seventies, Ms. Johnston stayed fit by walking the paths around the lake.
A snow shovel rested against her garage.
He knew she could clear her own walk, but even though he was tired and a little cranky, he grabbed the shovel and removed the snow from her sidewalk.
He needed the exercise since he hadn’t had time to stop by for a workout at Ethan’s place.
Ethan Reynolds, a former pro baseball player, had an amazing gym in the basement of his home and encouraged his friends to use it when they could.
Ms. Johnston opened the front door as Nick finished cleaning off the cement steps. “Oh, hon, you didn’t need to do that. But thank you.”
His former teacher still wore glasses on a chain around her neck, and her short white hair never had a strand out of place.
“I needed some fresh air. I’m happy to help.” He rested the shovel against the house.
She handed him a large cookie tin with a snowman on the lid that said These Calories Don’t Count. “For you, my dear boy. You work too hard. I included your favorite gingerbread and a few sugar and shortbread cookies as well.”
Nick’s stomach growled. “Thank you. I’ll enjoy these while I watch the game I recorded.
” Nick knew Ms. Johnston loved college sports, particularly the Minnesota Gophers.
She knew her football and loved watching her alma mater.
They’d had many lively discussions on the topic.
He emphasized the word “recorded” so she wouldn’t divulge the score.
So far, he’d managed to make it through the entire day without someone revealing it.
“I figured you hadn’t had time to watch the game. Mum’s the word.” She zipped her fingers across her lips and smiled. “Enjoy.”
His radio went off and he listened. “Take care, Ms. Johnston, and thanks again,” he said, lifting the tin in gratitude and stepping up his pace.
Nick hoisted his tired body into his SUV and groaned when Meg came on the radio. “Sheriff. 10-39 at Main and Birch, possible 10-69.”
Heaven help him. Nick replied, “10-4.” A possible drug bust. He flipped on his lights, left Ms. Johnston’s place, and pulled in behind his deputy’s squad car less than five minutes later.
Illinois license plate. An uneasy feeling settled low in his belly.
He hauled his tired ass out of the vehicle and walked up to a grinning Sawyer, who looked like he’d just won the lottery.
“Fill me in,” Nick said.
* * *
Kate shifted to look behind her. Another officer in a Ford Explorer was pulling up behind them. She bent forward and reached for her shoelace, using the trick her father had taught her to release the cuffs. Thank you, Dad!
A large mountain of a man with “SHERIFF” on his jacket walked past her window. Kate couldn’t get a good look at him, but enjoyed his sexy swagger.