Caught by the Sheriff--A Clean Romance

by Rula Sinara

  Eve’s and Jordan’s eyes met briefly. They broke eye contact faster than a camera flash.

  “I’m going to go to the kitchen,” Eve said.

  “Me too. Sister’s orders.” Jordan followed her.

  Carlos looked after him and did a double take. The edge of the tiny red Valentine’s envelope Eve had given Jordan at the bonfire was sticking out of his back pocket.

  Maybe fate wasn’t always the bad guy after all.

  * * *

  JIM TAPPED THE end of his pen against his desk. He knew where Faye was.

  Man, he loved money. There was nothing he couldn’t get done because he had the means of doing it. Deep pockets made for deep connections, including the best private investigators. Ones who could hack website tracking programs and find out where “visitors” to a site were logging in from. When it came to a business like Faye’s, customers were local, for the most part. Any online visitors from other places stood out. It narrowed things down beautifully. It wasn’t hard for his PIs to connect more dots after that. Technology made it so easy and small towns meant shorter resident lists to go through. Lucky for him, it turned out that Faye happened to have gone to college with one such resident. Bingo.

  He had warned Clara not to mess with him. To respect the privacy of their family unit. Talking about what went on between the walls of a person’s home with others wasn’t acceptable. It breached privacy. Caused people to judge what they didn’t fully understand. It gave them power against you. Why couldn’t she have simply listened to him? She was ungrateful. The way she took everything he provided her with for granted really ticked him off. Seriously.

  He had accomplished more than his parents ever thought he could. The corner office. The sleek mahogany desk and oriental rug he’d won the high bid on at an estate auction. He didn’t dare keep items like that at home. They weren’t meant to have food and drink spilled on them. They were meant to impress people in high places that he needed favors from when they stepped into his office. His decor, down to the collectible pen he’d just used to sign on a high-profile client, set the stage. He was respected here. His in-laws respected and appreciated him, even if his parents—and his wife—didn’t.

  He loved being at work, whether in this office or addressing a jury in a courtroom. He loved the admiration and deference he received. Such an irritating contrast to how he was treated when he got home every evening. Being asked to take garbage out or help start dinner, his wife in an old T-shirt and no makeup on, the baby crying. What had she been doing all day? Spending his hard-earned money? Every week there was some sort of new knickknack lying around that she insisted would make life easier for her or Mia. How much did a kid Mia’s age need beyond diapers and food?

  He placed the papers on his desk, then lined up his pens with all the clips facing the same direction. It would be a couple of days before he returned, depending on the weather. It had been snowing heavily up at the cabin when he left Clara this morning. A blessing from the heavens. He had been locking her up in a comfortable room with plenty of food, drinks—even an espresso machine—whenever he had to go to the office or show up for a court case. He had to make sure she didn’t wander off, even though the place was quite remote. But he’d be gone much longer to find Faye and get his daughter back. And for that, he was grateful for the snowstorm. It had been coming down hard enough that he knew he needed to make it back to town before the roads weren’t passable. The unpaved one leading from the main road to the cabin couldn’t be plowed.

  Under normal circumstances, it would have annoyed him, but right now it was perfect. Just a little extra assurance that no other lost soul would find their way to the cabin. No deliveries. No mail. And with temperatures dropping and the early spring snowstorm blowing in, there was no way she’d make it anywhere on foot if she did get out. Not with her ankle as swollen as it was.

  He dug his nails into his leather satchel. He hated when she made him do things like that. He didn’t keep her in that room when he was around. He set her free, within the confines of the cabin. And he had warned her not to go outside. It wasn’t his fault that she didn’t listen—again—and she had tripped on a rock when he yanked her back toward the cabin. He wasn’t to blame. He’d even carried her the rest of the way to the door. He’d given her an ice pack and wrapped it up for her. Kissed the injury to show her how tender and caring he could be. All she had to do was follow his rules. That’s all. People who followed rules didn’t get punished. That’s how life worked. No standing in corners. No principal’s offices. No getting grounded. And, as the people he prosecuted learned the hard way, no jail time.

  He’d have everything under control again soon. He’d have his daughter home. He’d kindly explain to Faye how the numbers added up if she didn’t fall in line. He could have her business go under in no time. The right inspector would have it shut down. A write-up on any violation that came to mind would ruin her forever. Maybe he’d add animal abuse to her list of crimes.

  He already had an affidavit signed by Clara stating that her twin had always had it in for her. What he had to do to get her to sign it pained him. It really did. But she had eventually caved in. The injuries? Faye’s doing. People would believe it. The woman was strong for her size. A result of handling all those big dogs. His excuse for not filing an Amber Alert? Family. He was a forgiving, compassionate family man who chose to trust that his wife’s twin would do the right thing. He had been giving her a chance, for the sake of her good parents. He was benevolent.

  He could have her put away for such a long time for kidnapping and impersonation. Faye out of the way. That’s when it would finally be safe to bring Clara back home. That’s when she’d finally understand that he was the person she was supposed to be loyal to. Not her sister. His wife and child, by his side for his future campaign.

  He locked his office door and headed down to his car. North Carolina’s coast. He pulled a photo of his little girl out of his wallet and placed it on the console. He’d show it around if need be. He’d find her. He started the ignition and revved the engine because he needed to punch something hard.

  “Mia, honey. You’ll be home with Daddy really soon.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  FAYE WALKED UP from the beach, Nim in her carrier, and Pepper on leash, toward Castaway Books. She had parted ways with Carlos after lunch at Chanda’s. He had headed for the precinct and she had told him she’d take Pepper for a walk with Nim. That way, she could have Pepper back at his place before walking the other dogs later this afternoon. She also really wanted to see Eve. She needed someone to talk to about whatever was happening with Carlos. She still hadn’t been up-front about Nim, so that might skew Eve’s advice, but still. Faye didn’t have anyone else. She tapped on the door and cracked it open, not wanting to take Pepper inside. Laddie was the only one who ever went in the store, as far as she knew. In fact, he was in there now, ears perked at the sight—or scent—of Pepper.

  “Hey, Faye. Did you enjoy the beach?” Eve asked.

  “Yeah. It was nice.”

  Laddie came to the door and touched noses with Pepper.

  “We just finished story time. Gray can’t get here for another thirty minutes to pick him up. He and Mandi had an appointment up at the hospital in Nag’s Head and are on the way back. I told him you were busy today. Laddie likes them older, huh?” she teased.

  “That or Pepper is a cougar.”

  Eve laughed.

  “You can bring her in. The kids are all gone and the only people shopping are Chanda and Nora. They’re upstairs in the science section looking for coffee table books with dogs and cats that they can put in the waiting room at the vet clinic. Slow day over there.” Faye entered. The shell-and-bell chime jingled as the door closed and Eve pulled her behind the counter. “I’m so glad you stopped by. I need to ask you something about Jordan. I need advice,” Eve whispered, pointing upstairs to remind Faye that his si
ster might overhear.

  “Later, then?”

  “It’ll be after closing, but yes, we’ll make it a girls’ night. You, me and Nim. My sofa, chips and ice cream.”

  “I’m walking the pack later, but I can make some pasta for dinner and have it ready by the time you finish here,” Faye said.

  “Sounds great to me,” Eve said. “Thank you.”

  The door chime tinkled again and she jumped, until she realized it was Jordan. She moved aside and let him in.

  “Hi, Faye. Eve. Nim.” He tapped his finger on Nim’s nose, earned a smile, then stooped down and gave both Pepper and Laddie ear scratches.

  “Hey.”

  “I was just leaving,” Faye said, looking between the two of them.

  “Please stay,” Jordan said, shoving his hands in his pockets and shifting his weight side to side. “If I’m going to throw this out there, I might as well have witnesses. For my protection, because I’m not exactly sure how you’ll react, Eve, but I want everyone to know how I feel. I’m all in or not. It has taken me all afternoon to get myself here, and Faye, don’t let me go until I say what I came to say.”

  “Jordan—” Eve tried to point upstairs and warn him of the two women there, but he was fired up and kept going.

  “It’s like you wrote in the card,” Jordan said. “The smallest gesture can turn a single moment in time into forever. It took fixing your door for you to let me in a little. And I’m hoping you let me stay. I like you, Eve. More than like you. Always have. I’d never hurt you. Never. And I promise to keep Shamu out of your shop if you’d let me into your life.”

  Eve looked like she was about to cry. She pressed her hands to her cheeks, then to her chest.

  “Promise me you won’t,” she said.

  “Won’t? But I thought—”

  “Promise you won’t hurt me and you won’t keep her out of here. I’m thinking she’d make a pretty great store mascot, at least until she’s older and starts drooling. Wet books don’t sell. Hopefully, we can count on Faye to help train her, for short visits.”

  “We,” Jordan said. “Can I read into that?”

  Eve had her arms around him in less than a second.

  “Stay. Be a part of my life. I more than like you too. Have for a long time. I can’t imagine a day without you. And I have a pretty great imagination,” she added.

  “I love that about you,” Jordan said, wrapping his arms around her.

  “You do, huh?”

  “I do.” He kissed her. “Is this what it feels like? A moment that’s turning into forever?”

  “I want every moment we spend together to be that special and magical.”

  “I promise.” He kissed her again.

  Laddie made a noise that sounded like he was trying to state his approval. Faye’s eyes filled with tears. She was so happy for them. Genuinely happy. She only wished her sister could experience that kind of love. She prayed that when Nim grew up, she’d find someone who would love her unconditionally. Someone kind, gentle and with a pure heart.

  “Hallelujah. Finally,” Chanda said, appearing from the stairwell. “I need some orange cake to celebrate. Come on, Nora. Let’s go raid Darla’s stash.”

  “You heard all that? You were in here? Can’t a guy get some privacy in this town?” Jordan asked.

  Chanda just gave him a big sisterly hug and kiss, then did the same to Eve.

  “I’ll save you two some cake. Maybe.”

  “Caca,” Nim chimed in, reaching her hand toward Chanda. Chanda ruffled Nim’s hair and chuckled.

  “We really have to work on you saying ‘cake’ and ‘cookies.’ Until then, it won’t be as sweet as you are, but I’ll save you some cake too.”

  * * *

  FAYE SAT CROSS-LEGGED in the sand, digging a moat around the castle she was building with Carlos and Nim. A moat like the one she wished she could build around Clara, Nim and herself. Maybe with a dragon to help protect them from Jim.

  Pepper sat near them watching, the end of her leash next to Carlos, just in case she decided bird chasing was in her future. Or in case Laddie went out for a jog with Gray. Laddie and Pepper had taken quite a liking to each other during the bonfire.

  Yesterday had been wonderful. Eve had been in a particularly good mood last night. She ended up going out to dinner with Jordan, and Carlos had been on duty, so Faye and Nim had an evening alone. She had searched the internet again for any sign that Jim had reported her, but found none. It was strange. She knew why he hadn’t turned her in, but just the same, instead of feeling relieved about it, it was starting to give her the creeps. Like he was up to something else.

  “I’m not sure what gave me more of a rush, the plane ride yesterday, or lunch afterwards. Seeing Jordan, Eve, Nim and the critters all cozy on Chanda’s couch, or seeing Jordan and Eve finally kiss,” she said.

  “Maybe I need to remind you what the best part of yesterday was.” Carlos leaned over and gave her a kiss.

  “Mmm. You’re right. The kiss was more of a rush than any of those other things. But you have to admit, Jordan and Eve dating is pretty sweet.”

  Nim smacked her sandy hand to her mouth and swung it out. Faye blew her a kiss in return, then picked up the bottle of bubbles Eve had given her and blew a cluster of them in Nim’s direction.

  “Maybe puppies really do attract women,” Carlos said.

  “Shamu is an irresistible puppy, but I think it was the note Eve had written in that card, plus setting them up with the lunch at Chanda’s, that got him to open up.”

  “Do you know what she wrote?”

  “‘The smallest gesture can turn a single moment in time into forever.’ Eve was convinced, back when she gave him the card, that he wouldn’t even read it.”

  “He wouldn’t tell me what it said, so I assumed that he hadn’t.”

  “I didn’t know until yesterday. She wouldn’t tell me either. They certainly had us wondering.”

  “Don’t you love a mystery.” He said it flatly, like a rhetorical question.

  Faye hesitated as she made circles in the sand. Was he implying something? Was he referring to her past?

  The sun had passed its zenith and was hovering over the sound side of the island. The sun still set rather early in February. They weren’t the only ones still on the beach, though. A few tourists had trickled into town today and were taking walks closer to the surf. More town visitors would start spending weekends on the beach, Carlos explained, in order to train for the local run in March. Running on sand was different from running on pavement or dirt. Crowds were good for business, but not for her nerves. What if one of them was someone Jim had sent to hunt her down?

  “No,” Faye muttered under her breath.

  She was done with mysteries. She wanted to know where her sister was and she didn’t want to keep living a lie. But enlisting Carlos’s help would have to be an all-or-none scenario. She had run it through her head a million times. If she was going to have him help her find Clara, he’d need to know everything. And with Jim’s connections in the police force, he’d quickly learn that Faye was going after him. And he’d retaliate. Take it out on Clara, no doubt.

  But Carlos had told her he had connections too. Was it possible for him to help without the wrong people getting wind of it? Or was he tied to protocol? Could she risk it?

  “What was that?”

  “Nothing,” she said. “I’m just glad Eve got through to him. In a good way. She built a bridge with words.”

  A bridge like the one that had carried her over rough, dark waters to reach Turtleback. A bridge to family. The kind she never thought she wanted or would be cut out for.

  “I’m sure Shamu softened her heart.”

  “Eve’s heart is soft. It’s her mind that’s hard,” Faye said. “But you’re right. Dogs are the best. Loyal, forgiving and giving
.”

  “You need your own.”

  “I don’t know. I can’t, really. Not if I end up having to move again and again to avoid...my past.” It was getting harder to lie to him. She couldn’t even get the word ex to leave her tongue anymore. “The good-owner award is all yours. It’s so wonderful that you adopt elderly dogs. You have no idea. You have a giving heart.”

  “You’re a giver, Faye. Look at how you’ve dedicated yourself to your little girl. And I have no doubt—because I saw the reviews that time I checked out your website—how much your clients, both dog and owners, loved and counted on you.”

  She thought of the “review” Jim had left and felt sick.

  “Your compliments aren’t as deserved as you think.”

  “Have you ever given to a pet charity?”

  “Well, yes, but—”

  “Did you treat all your canine clients like assembly line work?”

  “What? No! I knew them each by name, sent them cards addressed to them—not their people—and talked to them as I worked. I loved every one of them. But it was my job. I got paid to work with them. It’s different with you or Jordan or the others. You’re not paid to have pets.”

  Loved. Past tense.

  It hit her that she’d never be able to go back. Even if by some miracle she did, her reputation would be ruined. She’d have to sell just to cover legal expenses. And it wasn’t possible to run a business like that from a jail cell. She’d probably already lost her clientele to competitors anyway.

  But if by any chance she did make it back home, she’d rebuild. She had started her business from scratch before and she could do it again. Because she loved what she did. Because, she realized, she was capable. She didn’t have to be afraid of failing. Her job in life wasn’t to prove herself. It was to follow her passion and use it to help others.