Can You See Me?

by Nikki Vale

  “Great, let’s go,” she says walking to the front door. I don’t understand what all the rush is about. Like she told Mom and Grandma, I live here now. I’ll have time to meet people. But I don’t say anything, I just follow behind her. If she’s happy, I’m happy.

  When we reach the entrance Summer bursts through the front door of the establishment like she owns the place. I scan the room quickly taking in my surroundings when my eyes land on a man leaning against the bar. My step falters slightly as I take in his long lean frame clad in fitted jeans and a red flannel shirt with his dark hair curling up the sides of his well-worn baseball cap. Even from this distance, I can see the crystal blue color of his eyes, it’s almost startling. He has a few days growth of beard and it in no way detracts from his good looks, it just makes him appear more rugged. I feel an instant pull of attraction and quickly tamp it down. A guy like that is the last thing I need.

  Summer waltzes straight up to the man. “Hey, Cooper. What are you doing here on a Wednesday night? I usually don’t see you till the weekend?” She asks, snatching the beer from his hand and taking a sip. An unwarranted knot of jealousy forms in my stomach at her familiarity with him.

  “I came by to see you,” he tells her in the lowest sexiest voice I’ve ever heard.

  “Well, Cooper you’re in for a treat. I’d like for you to meet my sister Skye. Skye this is Cooper Talbott,” Summer says, making the introductions.

  I stick out my arm for a handshake and look directly into his eyes out of habit. His eyes are just as beautiful as I first suspected, I could get lost in them. I’m waiting patiently for him to take my offered hand but he just looks at me. Do I have something on my face? I tip my head to the side in confusion, about to retract my hand when he says. “Nice to meet you darlin’.” His southern drawl surprises me. He just became ten times sexier in my book.

  “You’ll get used to the Southern type drawl that some people have around here. It’s funny. Before I moved here I never would have imagined people in Southern Illinois had a drawl,” Summer randomly comments.

  “I like it,” I automatically reply. Great. Why did I say that? I hope Cooper doesn’t think I’m flirting. Suddenly I realize that Cooper’s name sounds familiar. “Is this the guy you were talking about earlier?” I ask Summer.

  Too late, I realize we’re talking about Cooper like he’s not standing right here. He’s so quiet it’s easy to exclude him from the conversation. But it’s not as easy to ignore his good looks.

  “The one and only,” Summer replies. I nod my head in acknowledgment. Yeah, that’s what I thought. He’s definitely not a guy I should become interested in since the whole female population of Acorn Grove is already in love with him. I’m not up for the competition, especially of that magnitude.

  “Hey Mitch can you get me an apple martini and a sweet tea for my sister here,” Summer asks the bartender. She reaches for her purse to pay for the drink.

  “I got it,” Cooper says, putting a twenty on the bar. That was sweet, he seems like he might actually be a nice guy.

  A girl wearing skin tight jeans and more makeup than RuPaul walks up behind Cooper. “If you’re over here buying drinks handsome, I’ll take one,” she remarks, hands on hips popping her gum. I can tell this girl is trouble by her snotty attitude.

  “Who’s your little Indian friend Summer? Did she get lost and wander off the reservation?” she taunts me. Why the hell is this woman trying to pick a fight with me? I don’t even know the lady. Her friends are snickering behind her like a bunch of high school girls. The fates are testing me. I’m trying to be the kind of daughter my father would be proud of, and the universe is intent on putting obstacles in my way.

  I can tell Summer is about to go at this chick with fists flying, so I grab her by the wrist to keep her from physically retaliating. “Just ignore her Summer,” I tell her through clenched teeth.

  “Yeah, listen to Pocahontas. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt,” The girl sneers. “You ever seen a squaw with curls,” she asks snidely, addressing her followers. I feel her suddenly grasp a handful of my hair and snatch it forcefully.

  The next thing I know I’ve face planted the woman into the bar an inch away from Cooper’s elbow and I’m holding her in an arm lock from behind. I didn’t even have time to think. I just reacted on pure instinct and now I’m worried that I’ve just given myself a bad reputation in this town, or even worse, criminal charges. I quickly release the girl and step away from her.

  “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean to do it. It was a reflex. But don’t you ever put your hands on me again,” I calmly advise her.

  The girl slowly lifts her face from the bar and wipes at the blood that’s dripping from her nose “You all saw that! She assaulted me. I want to press charges,” she rants at the crowd that has gathered around.

  “Looked like self-defense from where I’m standing sweetheart, and my police report wouldn’t say otherwise,” Cooper smoothly informs her, still leaning against the bar chewing on a toothpick with his arms crossed over his chest, cool as can be.

  “Go on back to what you were doing ladies and gentlemen, there’s nothing to see here,” he instructs the small crowd that gathered around to see what all the commotion was about. The girl has already gathered her things and her followers and high-tailed it out of the bar.

  “I’m so sorry about that Sherriff Talbott. I didn’t mean to hurt her,” I apologize to him using his title because I feel that the situation warrants it.

  “She had it coming,” is all he says. He really is a man of very few words. But I guess you don’t need a lot of words if a few will do. I watch him take his wallet out of his back pocket and pull out a card. He grabs a pen from the bar and writes on the back of the card and hands it to me. Then he touches the tip of his baseball cap, nods his head in farewell and heads out the front door.

  “Damn Skye, you went all badass ninja girl on Hailey,” Summer says full of admiration. “You’re always all peaceful and serene that I forget you’re a trained assassin,” she laughs taking a sip of her martini.

  “Shhhhh. Don’t say stuff like that, people might actually believe it. I’m not an assassin,” I say a little louder than necessary, just in case. “I was trained to use the least amount of force necessary to control a situation but once a person puts hands on you, self-preservation is a top priority. It’s been drilled into me so much it was second nature to react the way I did,” I explain to her.

  “Whatever ninja girl,” she winks at me. I just ignore her comment.

  “Who was that Hailey girl anyway? Does she normally pick fights with strangers?” I ask, taking a sip of my now watery, less-than-sweet, tea.

  “She’s your classic mean girl from high school, except all grown up. I think Cooper dated her a few times then dropped her like a hot potato. I guess she didn’t like the way he was looking at you and decided to start some mess,” she states flippantly.

  “The way he was looking at me? That girl has serious issues, he barely looked at me. He bought you a drink, not me,” I remark in disbelief.

  Summer laughs. “From where I’m standing Hailey was right on the money. Cooper couldn’t pry his eyes off of you with a crowbar. He bought my drink because he knows employees get non-alcoholic beverages on-the-house. I saw the way he affected you too. You can deny there were sparks if you want to, but I almost got scorched just standing next to the two of you. It was an instant attraction from both ends,” she teases, poking me in the side and making me laugh.

  “Whatever you say Summer. From what you told me every available and even unavailable woman in this town has her eye on that man,” I retort.

  “Uh huh, and what was that card he slipped you before leaving? I’m guessing his phone number, right?” she asks trying to snatch the card from my hand.

  “In a manner of speaking, yes, he gave me his number, but only because it’s a business card and happens to have his number on it, as all good business cards do” I flip it ove
r and look at the back of it. “On the back, it says Emergency Dispatcher interview tomorrow at ten o’clock in the morning. Yep, he wants me so bad he’s offering me a job,” I say mockingly.

  “Hmm, well are you going to go for it?” Summer asks in all seriousness.

  I look at her incredulously. “I thought I would have to scrounge this town looking for a job and the Sherriff practically throws one in my lap. You’re damn right I’m going for the interview!” I state with emphasis. I’m definitely not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. I’ll take it with gratitude and send a thank you note.

  “If you get the job tell them you can’t start till Monday because I need you to help with the entertainment for Dawn’s birthday party on Saturday. We’re having it here at AG’s. What better place to have a 21st birthday than at a bar? You’ll help me, right?” Summer pleads, poking out her bottom lip in a pout.

  “Of course, she’s my sister too. Is it a surprise or does she know about it?” I inquire.

  “Oh, she knows about it. She practically begged me to throw it for her. She wants to show off in front of all her friends and she knows Mom and Grandma Rose don’t have the money. I get a discount and I still had to work a couple double shifts to pay for her shindig,” she admits, revealing a little information about everyone’s financial situation.

  “What’s going on with Mom and Grandma’s finances?” I ask. This seems like a good time to broach the subject since she mentioned it first.

  “Grandma Ruth was doing fine until she got sick. Her retirement money pays the mortgage and the rest of her normal bills, but she couldn’t afford the medication and hospital bills that rolled in when she got sick. Mom used a lot of Dad’s life insurance money to help get her out of debt, but that’s almost gone now too and the medical bills just keep coming. I help with what I can, but I don’t make a lot and I’m paying my own college tuition,” she shrugs sadly.

  This is what I was afraid of. My grandma shouldn’t have to worry about mortgages and medical bills. She needs to concentrate on enjoying whatever amount of life she has left. I feel my eyes starting to mist and I blink back the tears.

  “Aw, now come on. Don’t cry. I knew I shouldn’t have told you so soon. We’re big girls we don’t cry,” she chides. “Especially not female ninja assassins,” she cracks on me and I smile a little.

  “I think I just need some rest,” I fib. I’m tired there’s no doubt about that but it has nothing to do with my being overly emotional. My life has been turned upside down, I’m an outsider in a small town, I’m unsure of my future and my only surviving grandmother is dying. I’m feeling displaced and I’m having a hard time processing my emotions.

  “Okay then. Let’s head upstairs and get some rest. We’ll see what tomorrow brings us,” Summer says cheerily.

  Chapter Four

  Cooper

  It’s snowing this morning and it’s colder than a witch’s tit outside. I hope Skye doesn’t have to walk to the police station for her interview. AG’s Bar & Grill is located downtown like most businesses in Acorn Grove so it’s only a stone’s throw from here, but I wouldn’t even attempt to walk across the street in weather like this. I glance at the clock in my office and take a sip of coffee from my thermos. It’s a quarter till ten; she still has time to make it.

  I rub my hand across my chin as I look out my window for any signs of her. I shaved this morning but I can already feel the scratchy stubble trying to surface. I don’t even know why I bothered. Yes, I do. Trying to clean up for the interview with Skye this morning, and it didn’t go unnoticed by my assistant Sally. She made a sly comment about my fresh shaven face and neatly groomed hair when I came to work this morning. I swear the good-natured, robust, fifty-year-old woman should be a detective on the force instead of an Administrative Assistant.

  I hear Skye coming before I see her. She’s driving Summer’s ratty old truck, that can be heard from miles away. The red color makes it easier for me to spot through the snow and I exhale a breath of relief. I hadn’t realized I was worried that she wouldn’t show up, until just now.

  “Good morning Miss. Can I help you?” I hear Sally saying outside my office door where her desk is located.

  “Yes, Ma’am. My name is Skye Williams, I’m here to interview for the position of Emergency Dispatcher,” she informs Sally.

  “Oh so you’re the one,” she comments knowingly. “Here fill out these papers and we’ll be with you shortly,” Sally instructs Skye.

  Sally walks to my office door, walks in and closes it gently behind her. “Sir, beauty is here to tame the beast,” she says jokingly. “I see why you took the time to get all spruced up this morning,” she teases.

  I choose to ignore her ribbing, clearing my throat and shuffling papers around on my desk. “When she’s done with the paperwork, have her come right on in Sally,” I instruct her. I drink a couple more sips of coffee and strum my fingers on the cherry wood desktop. I’m nervous like I’m the one interviewing for the position. In actuality she’s guaranteed the position; I am the Sherriff after all. This is all just a formality.

  I hear a soft knock at the door. “Sherriff Talbott, your 10 o’clock appointment, Ms. Williams,” Sally formally announces Skye. Sally likes to tease me and she thinks of me as her son, but she knows when she can play around and when it’s time to act professionally. She leaves the office, closes the door behind her and returns to her desk.

  I stand up and put out my hand. “Good morning Ms. Williams it’s nice to see you again,” I formally greet her. It feels forced and stiff but it’s my job. She shakes my hand with a warm firm grasp. “Please have a seat,” I motion to the chair behind her.

  “Can you tell me a little about your work history?” I ask her. I think I know but I’m anxious to hear her confirm it.

  “I recently separated from the Air Force after six years due to completion of service. I was a Security Forces Patrol Officer. Most of my experience is conducting normal police duties, but I don’t wish to continue down that career path, Sir. I feel that I’m better suited to the position I’m interviewing for as an Emergency Dispatcher,” she says in response to my question.

  She confirmed exactly what I thought. She’s prior military and Law Enforcement. “Most enlistments are four years. Did you extend your enlistment? And why do you no longer want to be a patrol officer?” I probe her.

  “I extended for two extra years because at that time I wasn’t sure if I want to make the military a career yet. I decided that I wasn’t cut out for police work because I don’t like conflict,” she says the last part and smiles sheepishly. “I don’t like conflict, but sometimes it likes me,” she shrugs her shoulders as if to say, hey, what can you do?

  “I noticed how you tried to avoid confrontation last night and how calm you remained even when the situation escalated and that’s why I think you’ll be good for this job,” I tell her honestly. “Emergency Dispatchers need to be able to stay composed when they receive information about emergency situations and they need to be able to relay that information clearly and succinctly over the radio.”

  “You’ve got the job,” I inform her.

  I know Summer is throwing a birthday party for their younger sister Dawn this weekend and I’m sure Skye wants to go. Skye needs to fill out the proper paperwork before she can start the job anyway.

  “You can start Monday,” I tell her.

  I stand up and she follows my lead and sticks out her arm for another handshake. I grasp her soft hand in mine and gently rub my thumb over the back of her hand. “Thank you,” she says sincerely. Something about this woman touches me. She’s kind and soft yet I know she can turn lethal if provoked. Unlike most of the women I know, she doesn’t invite drama into her life, she tries to avoid it.

  I escort Skye out of my office and instruct Sally to give her the necessary in-processing paperwork and leave my door open as I turn and retreat back to my desk.

  That was relatively painless. I would normally have someon
e from personnel do the interviewing, but it’s not unheard of for me to interview people from time to time. I have to admit, they’re usually not women because I don’t want the rumor mills to get started, but I wanted to learn more about Skye. Now I’ll have all her paperwork without having to be obvious about it by asking personnel for a copy.

  I look down at the interview questionnaire she filled out before coming in for the interview. She’s 25 years old. Good, younger than my 32 years, but not too young. Her home address is the same as Acorn Grove’s Bar & Grill. She must be living in the apartment above the bar with Summer. As I’m skimming over the form I hear someone address Skye outside my office.

  “Hey there, it’s Skye, right?” I hear a man’s voice ask her. It sounds like Deputy Jon Dark Star. This peaks my curiosity so I lean over in an effort to see, and hear better.

  “Yeah, that’s me. Your kissing cousin,” she replies teasingly. Kissing cousin? What? I witness Jon turn an impossible shade of red beneath his brown complexion. Now that she mentioned it, they could be related. I look at her paperwork again. She checked Native American, Caucasian and Black on her questionnaire and I know Jon is part Shawnee so it’s possible they’re related. At least, a man can hope.

  “Sorry about that yesterday. I don’t know what got into me,” he apologizes to her. “Are you applying for a job here?” he asks, curious.

  “Yeah, I just had the interview. I start Monday as an Emergency Dispatcher,” she informs him.

  “That’s great. Maybe we can hang out and have lunch or something sometime,” he suggests, smiling flirtatiously at her. Nope, they’re definitely not related. My hand starts to clench and I realize I’m crumpling her paperwork in my fist. I lay it on the desk and attempt to smooth it out. The damn pretty boy is going to swoop up Skye before I even get the chance to get to know her. I sigh and run my hands through my hair in exasperation.

  “Stop your fretting and do something about it Cooper,” Sally says from my doorway. Damn woman, always watching everyone like a hawk. I hate that I’m so obvious. “Don’t worry sweetheart, you’re only transparent to me,” she says, reading my mind.