“Take your time. Me and Grumpy can handle this.”
He chuckled and left the kitchen.
I went to the phone, and I called in the food order. Just as I hung up, the doorbell rang. Peering out the kitchen window over the sink, I couldn’t quite see who was at the door. I really didn’t want to answer it and get stuck talking to some kid selling cookies or magazines. But when the person rang the bell two more times insistently, I decided to answer it just so I could chase them away.
When I opened the door, a striking man of about forty stood there, smiling. He reminded me a bit of a wolf with his slate-gray eyes and short silvery-blond hair. To be honest, he was so confident and attractive I forgot all about chasing him off. Grumpy didn’t like him though; he was growling, and his little huff was up.
“I’m Liam James.” Little dimples appeared in his tanned cheeks. He gave Grumpy a wary glance and extended his hand to me. “So good to meet you.”
For whatever reason, I wiped my hand on my shirt before taking his. “I’m Maxwell Thornton.”
He peered over my head. “Are you home alone?”
“Er… no…” I didn’t really want to announce that my boyfriend was in the shower, so I just stopped talking, and an awkward silence fell.
He hesitated, peering at my bruised face. “Looks like you had a little run-in there, Maxwell.”
I touched my cheek. “Oh, yes. Long story.”
“I see. Are you registered to vote in Rainy Dale?” he asked, changing the subject abruptly. “Please tell me you are.”
“Yes.” I narrowed my eyes. “Why?”
“I’m glad you asked.” He held out a color brochure with his picture on the front. “How do you like living in Rainy Dale?”
Tricky question.
“Uh, it’s where I live.” I snatched the flyer from his hand, hoping he’d go away if I took it.
“I’ve lived here two years, and I’ve always loved the small-town feel of the place. The people are so warm and open-minded, don’t you agree?”
“You’re talking about Rainy Dale?”
“Yep.” He glanced around and lowered his voice conspiratorially. “The only real problem with Rainy Dale is lately crime seems to be on the rise.”
“Oh, well, I think it’s still pretty safe here.”
“The murder rate has absolutely exploded through the roof.”
“I mean, there have been some murders… that’s true, but…” There had been a rash of murders the last few months. I didn’t have the actual statistics on hand, but saying the murder rate had “exploded through the roof” seemed a bit dramatic.
“We need to clean up Rainy Dale.” His white smile widened. “What do you say, Maxwell? Will you help me make Rainy Dale a safer place?”
“Um… as I said, I think it’s still very safe here.” Who exactly was this guy? Frowning, I glanced down at the flyer he’d handed me. Looking more closely, I stiffened. On the front was a terrible grainy photo of Royce with a big red X over his face, and next to him, a smiling, flattering photo of Liam with a big green check mark. In big, bold letters were the words:
Vote for Liam James as sheriff of Rainy Dale.
I dropped the flyer as if it was hot to the touch and scowled. “You’re running for sheriff?”
Looking confused, Liam picked up the flyer I’d discarded. “Why yes, I am.”
I shook my head and pointed toward the road. “You should go. I’m not voting for you.”
He frowned. “Is there some reason you won’t give me your vote?”
Anger buzzed through me at the memory of that red X over Royce’s face. “I happen to like the sheriff we have, thank you very much. I think Sheriff Callum isexcellentat his job.”
Liam raised his brows. “Excellent? You don’t mind murders happening left and right?”
