Support Your Local Sheriff
Page 25
“I’m not a sergeant. And I don’t carry a gun yet,” she said. “I plan to complete the police academy over the next year.”
“Then I better watch out,” he said. “Or at least stay in my tent at night.”
They passed the loading platform for the cable cars, Tosha’s Homemade Ice Cream and the scrambler ride. Caroline began to wonder why she’d offered to escort him all the way to his tent like a lost kid. Maybe she should just point him in the right direction. She could tell him she’d be watching him and he would probably comply.
But it was a quiet night. And walking under the stars was pleasant. And she was completing the trespassing call she’d answered by making certain the perpetrator was secured for the night. She could zip up his tent and wash her hands of him.
“Too bad none of the vendors are open,” he said. “I’d like to buy you a soda to thank you for walking me home down the mean streets of Starlight Point.”
“You’re not in danger,” she said.
“I can’t see in the dark,” he replied. “I could fall and break both elbows, and then the new ride would be behind schedule.”
“Hard to believe you can’t manage in the dark when you wandered all the way to the construction site without a flashlight.”
He stopped, faced her and smiled. “You got me. How about taking a lap around the peninsula?”
“No.”
“It might tire me out and cure my insomnia. Then you’ll know I’m snoring away in my tent the rest of the night.”
Caroline pointed down the Western Trail and started walking again. “Not negotiable. I’m depositing you in the camping zone where one of my colleagues is on guard. I’ll have Big Kenny keep an eye on you.”
Matt sighed. “You’re no fun.”
“Not in my job description.”
They crossed the train tracks where an old-fashioned steam engine chugged past dozens of times every day, pulling passengers through a shoot-out with animatronic characters in a Western ghost town. Caroline enjoyed a mellow trip around Starlight Point in the open train cars on days when her feet were tired or she wanted to unwind, but most days she preferred buckling in for a heart-stopping ride on the roller coasters Starlight Point was beginning to be known for.
“I love roller coasters,” she said aloud. “And I’m still curious why a guy who builds them doesn’t.”
“I don’t just build roller coasters. I’m a construction engineer, which means I build whatever’s on the blueprints. I’ve built everything from playgrounds to senior citizen housing. This summer and winter, my job’s a roller coaster. I make sure it gets done correctly and on time.”
“Which is why you have insomnia,” she observed.
“Exactly. At this stage of the game, it’s like being in an abstract painting. And I think it’s only going to get worse.”
As they made their way along the Western Trail, they started seeing tents.
Matt stopped and whispered, “This is my tent. I think. They all look alike.”
“Oh,” Caroline said. She was almost disappointed. Of all the things she’d thought might happen during the overnight campout, she hadn’t expected a pleasant stroll under the stars with a mislabeled trespasser who built rides he didn’t plan to enjoy. He was charming, but she wished she hadn’t had to surrender the Loose Cannon folder as soon as she’d finally gotten her hands on it.
“Good night, then,” she said.
He smiled and leaned too close. “You’re going to stand here and make sure I go inside, aren’t you?”
“Just watching out for lions,” she said. She crossed her arms and watched him slide the zipper up and quietly crawl through the opening. As she walked away, she paused a moment and scratched on the slippery nylon tent.
Copyright © 2017 by Amie Denman
ISBN-13: 9781488012419
Support Your Local Sheriff
Copyright © 2017 by Melinda Wooten
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