I stand and extend my hand while she places a cup of coffeeon the counter for him.
“Ah, yes.We met, didn’t we?”
“Yes, sir.We did.”
“Is something wrong, Sheriff?”
“No, sir.I actually stopped by to ask your daughter to havedinner with me.”
She turns sharply, her eyes shooting daggers at me.
“Well, don’t let me stop you.”
She turns the look on her father.
“Daddy!What happened to my overprotective, gun-totingfather who used to chase off all my boyfriends?”
“Well now, honey, it’s a little too late for that.”He picksup his coffee and walks off, calling over his shoulder, “You can’t put the rainback into the cloud.”
“Oh, my God!”she shrieks in mortification.
I throw my head back and laugh as she stands therespeechless for the first time since I met her.
“I can’t believe he said that!”
“Here I was thinking I was going to be your first.”
“Don’t you have criminals to catch?”she snaps.
“I guess that’s my cue to leave.”
“You guess right.”
“Eight?”
“I can’t.I’m working ’til ten.”
“I’ll pick you up after your shift.”
“Fine.I’ll get a ride with Jan.”
“I guess a good-bye kiss is out of the question?”
“Again, you guess right.”
She follows me back to the front door and proceeds to slam itin my face.I chuckle as I make my way down the steps.I’m going to have myhands full with this one.
***Casey***
He walked into the bar, and I tried my damnedest not tostare at him… too much.I can’t help it.He’s so fucking hot!Even at eightthis morning, he looked utterly jumpable in his khaki uniform.Only the thoughtthat Daddy was in the next room kept me from doing delicious things to him onthe kitchen counter.He’s alone; for once, Charlie and Brick aren’t with him.After talking to a few of the patrons, he finally makes his way over to me.
“Miss Bryan.”
His smile makes my stomach do a backflip.
“Took you long enough to say hello.”
His smile turns into a grin, and he reaches over the bar totuck my hair behind my ear.That previous backflip is nothing compared to theartistic floor exercise going on right now.
