Chapter 31 - Lily
Lily
“Hurry, before it gets cold.” Rose bundled the insulated bag against her chest, as if her body heat alone kept the sheriff’s lunch hot.
We quickened our pace, walking across the street and into City Hall.
“Should we wait?” I asked at the sheriff’s closed office door.
“He’s not always patient.” Rose knocked.
Julian opened it and said, “Food. Did you bring enough for three?”
He returned to his office chair, where a stranger sat beside him.
The stranger eyed Rose with undisguised interest. “I’m Bud,” he said to her, rather than to me. “An old friend of Julian’s.”
She blushed and stammered, “Nice to meet you.”
An interesting development, considering her past comments regarding her father’s employees. I’d seen her flirt before; I’d never seen her nervous.
“Set the bag down,” the sheriff ordered as he slapped the empty desk. “You can bring my dinner at the usual time. Why don’t you two get back to work?”
The sheriff’s dismissive attitude toward his daughter would provoke Dean. I thanked whatever deity that listened that he was with Weston Foster rather than me.
“I’ll see you around, Rosemary,” Bud said as we closed the door.
“Rosemary is old-fashioned, while Rose conveys a certain sophistication. I’ll correct him next time. A handsome man, don’t you think?” She clapped her hands as a smile returned to her face. “I’m free until dinnertime. Do you want to find Mrs. Willoughby? We can knit and gossip together.”
We should be productive, though I couldn’t bring myself to care. “Let’s do that.”
“Daddy says there are bandits robbing people outside the towns. Can you imagine? He set deputies to catch them. I wonder who they are,” she said. “Oh, maybe there will be a shootout. I’d watch that.”
“Hey, Lily. Wait up a minute,” Julian called as we reached the school. He ran up to us, flushed and puffing. “Can I talk to you alone? It’ll be quick.”
Rose lifted an eyebrow. “I’ll be in the cafeteria.”
I shivered and pulled my jacket zipper another inch before fishing the gloves from its pockets to warm my hands. How long until winter sets in?
“Will we set them up on a blind date?” I joked, hoping to avoid any serious topics with Julian. “Your friend seemed enchanted with her.”
“He did. I asked him to dinner tonight.” He gulped in another heavy breath. “Look, I know Dean told you what happened with Zeke. He won’t be punished for it. That’s straight from my uncle.”
Punished. I bit back a retort. “That’s good to know.”
“He went crazy, Lily.” Julian licked his lips, hesitating. “He was that way when we were younger. We got into fights sometimes. Did you know that?”
I didn’t, but it didn’t surprise me either. “You were children. Schoolyard fights don’t define who you are as adults. With everything, there’s no point continuing any rivalry from years ago.”
“Agreed.” Julian’s wide smile made it seem there were too many teeth to fit in his mouth. “I’m just saying, this will be a hard winter, and we don’t know what’ll happen.”
“We’ll manage. Considering what your uncle and my father have done, and the sacrifices we’ve made. I believe in Deer Lake.”
“Your optimism is appreciated,” he said. “My uncle prizes security above all.”
I kept my smile polite. “Is that all you needed?”
He ran over for a strange conversation with no purpose. Was this an apology for ignoring Weston Foster or an attempt to submit one to Dean through me because he lacked the courage to do so himself?
“I want you to know, whatever happens, I’ll be here if you need anything.”
I twirled Dean’s wedding ring through the thick gloves. “Be careful how you talk to a married woman.” I winked and laughed. “We don’t need more rumors around here.”
He rolled his eyes. “And a happy one, I’m sure. Look, all I’m saying is if you ever need my help or support, you have it.”
My stomach recoiled for the first time since Dean’s return. “Should I be worried?”
He drew back, and I relaxed.
“We’re old friends, and I know your brother would want me to tell you. That’s all.”
“Thank you. That means a lot. I’ll tell Dean what you said. He’ll appreciate it.” He wouldn’t appreciate it. Not a single word. Dean threatened Julian’s life once, and he meant it. “I should go find Rose. We still have work to do today,” I said.
He raised a hand. “One more thing before I forget. There’s a town meeting tomorrow. The announcement goes out later today. Just a heads-up.”