Caught by the Sheriff--A Clean Romance

by Rula Sinara

  “Did he try to fight you for custody?”

  “No. No, he wasn’t interested at all. Not the father type. He...uh...had an affair. Several, in fact.”

  She could weave a story if she wanted to. She was surrounded by inspiration. She wouldn’t be surprised if there was a book somewhere in the shop about a woman on the run with a child who wasn’t hers. Hopefully not in the children’s section, though.

  “Oh, man. You didn’t deserve having that happen to you. No one does.”

  “Thank you for saying that.”

  “If there’s anything I can do to help you get through this, just say the word. I’m here for you.”

  “You’re the best. I knew I could count on you to lift my spirits.” She felt like dirt. Muddy, worm-infested dirt. Scum. Keep your head about you. Clara is counting on you. You’re lying for her and a helpless child. Stay focused or you’ll screw this up. You can’t let her down.

  Eve cupped her hand over hers and gave it a squeeze.

  “Well, I’ll start with the truth. I love your short hairdo and the red really brings out your eyes.”

  Faye smiled, unsure of how to respond. Start with the truth? Rub it in. And here all her friend intended to do was to make her feel better. She fingered her new burgundy-red hair and a zing of panic shot through her. What if Eve mentioned to someone that Faye’s hair used to be long and brown? Within earshot of the sheriff?

  “Oh. Thanks. I wanted to try something different. My ex liked long hair. You can imagine why I didn’t hesitate to chop it off. But do me a favor and don’t tell anyone my hair was brown before. I’m trying to feel better about myself.”

  A part of her wished that this nightmare was all part of a wild dream. That she’d wake up and be right back at Dog Galaxy caring for pooches and Clara and Mia would be happy and healthy and Jim a super nice moral guy. Maybe that was the case in some parallel universe. Unfortunately, not this one.

  “Faye, I hate to tell you. That’s not a natural shade of red. However, you needing a change because of the past is not anyone’s business, so mum’s the word. And, just so you know, you look beautiful. I’m not used to seeing you in eyeliner, but you look wonderful. It makes your eyes pop. Feel good about yourself. Don’t let any guy ruin your self-worth and confidence. Got that?”

  What confidence? Funny that she’d tried giving Clara the same advice three years ago at her wedding rehearsal. She wished her sister had listened to her. The only thing Faye was confident about was working with dogs. She had either gotten fired or quit every job she’d tried to hold through college and the year after. The issue was politics. People stepping on each other, backstabbing, prying, complaining, beating around the bush... She hated it. People always seemed to want to pin someone down and get them to fit a mold. Jim did it to Clara. Faye’s parents had done it to both her and her sister. Employers did it all the time. Sure, she ran a business that tied her to one place, but it was her passion and her choice.

  Outside of work, she had always been free to do what she wanted. She had learned pretty fast that being self-employed was the only way she’d survive. She was surrounded by dogs at work. It was perfect. And they provided a sort of buffer between her and their owners. Doubly perfect. She might have more confidence than her sister, but that wasn’t saying much. She knew how to fake it sometimes or use anger, like when she had taken Clara to the police station, but the fact was that confrontations like that made her excruciatingly nervous. They depleted her. Left her limp and drained. It was a wonder her adrenal glands were still working after the kidnapping. She wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to let down her guard again. Or feel free.

  “You have always been straightforward, Eve. Sweet as pie, but straightforward. That’s what I love about you,” Faye said.

  “Ditto, my friend.”

  Eve stood up and held out a hand to Nim. The kid, surprisingly, didn’t hesitate to take it. She slid off Faye’s lap and toddled after Eve, who led her to the corner of the room where a miniature, lime-green wingback chair sat in a corner dedicated to board books. A mobile of fairies and stars dangled overhead. The entire room had a fantasy and fairy-tale theme, from a dragon and prince mural to fairies and woodland critters. Faye felt like she’d been whisked away to another land. Another world. She needed that feeling more than anything right now, if only for a moment.

  “This place is amazing. Do you live here?” Faye asked.

  “No, but I spend most of my time here. It was once a house, but got converted to a shop, as many of the stores along this row were, and I took it over. Each room has a theme. Upstairs houses reference books, military history, suspense and mysteries and downstairs I have this area for children’s books and two other rooms in the back for romance and general fiction. I tend to host reading time for the kids here. It gives parents a break, especially those trying to enjoy a bit of vacation in the summer. As for me, I have a place down the beach from here. It’s just a small, two-bedroom cottage, but there’s plenty of room for you to stay with me.”

  “I couldn’t put you out like that. I was planning to pay for a room at one of the B and Bs or rentals.”

  “Nonsense. Besides, I don’t think I could part ways with this little munchkin. She’s too adorable.”

  Nim eyed Eve from under her lashes. She had her thumb in her mouth and fingers curled over her button nose. Faye would make a terrible mother. She’d end up with all her kids in braces. She didn’t dare force Nim to stop sucking her thumb. It was a comfort thing and heaven knew both of them needed that right now. Surely, thumb sucking wasn’t keeping her from talking as much as other kids her age. Was it? Most kids didn’t hesitate to try to ask for something if they wanted it. Unless they’d witnessed or heard things—yelling or hitting—that scared them into staying quiet. Mia had always been quiet and shy for her age. Faye thought of her own work with pets instead of people. Silence could be a buffer too.

  “Well, let me pay you rent, then. I’m not sure how long I’ll be here. Maybe a few days. A week tops.” She hoped she had enough cash to cover the stay. She had used a huge chunk of it after she ditched her car in in the suburbs of DC, took a bus to North Carolina, then paid for the partly rusted Accord she had seen in a front yard with a for-sale sign taped inside the windshield. There was nothing like cash to satisfy a young, inexperienced seller and keep him from asking for too much personal information. Registering the car was something she couldn’t think about right now. She’d probably leave it behind if it came to that, but since no buses traveled to Turtleback, she had needed the four wheels. She’d also used cash to pay for a night at a motel just inside the border of North Carolina. She needed to be frugal.

  Eve went over to where her coat hung behind the checkout counter and pulled out a set of keys.

  “Take these. If you go left at the only intersection in town, then drive a quarter of a mile, you’ll see my place on your left. You can’t miss it. It’s bright blue with a yellow front door. And I have a policy, the first week with me is always as a guest. After that, we can talk. Though I warn you, I’ll try my hardest to get you to forget about rent. Seeing you again is a treat in itself.”

  “You totally just made up that policy.”

  “Guilty. But don’t argue. And seriously consider staying longer. It’s February and...” Eve sucked in her bottom lip and crinkled her nose. It took only a moment for Faye to realize what she was getting at. Valentine’s Day. And she was supposedly freshly divorced.

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ve got this. No silly holiday is going to bring me down,” Faye said.

  She couldn’t help but worry about what it would do to her sister. She had tried calling Clara’s cell phone again, using a prepaid card and a public phone at a rest stop in southern Virginia, but there was no answer and she didn’t dare call again from North Carolina. If Jim was tracking missed calls, she’d be laying out a trail of bread crumbs. What she need
ed was computer access so that she could try to track down whatever rehab center Jim claimed to have checked her into. Assuming he had been telling the truth. Clara had sounded so desperate. Was Jim trying to establish her as an unfit parent? Was he intending to take Mia from her? He was smart at his job and successful, but the man had an emotional IQ of zero.

  On second thought, maybe he was such a good manipulator because he understood emotion too well and used it to his advantage. He knew how to bruise a person’s self-esteem and break their spirit without ever looking like a villain. People like him sought out people who were weaker...less confident. Like Clara. Faye had tried to point it out to Clara once, but her sister had gotten defensive. She had insisted her marriage was just fine. She had even told Faye to get her own relationship to worry about. Those words had cut deep.

  “I don’t believe you,” Eve said. “Valentine’s Day annoys and depresses most singles and it’s gotta sting even more when it comes after a breakup. You can’t be alone. I won’t allow it. Besides, you being here means I won’t have to spend it alone either.”

  “You don’t have a boyfriend?”

  That was hard to believe. Eve was adorable with her pixie cut, big green eyes, welcoming smile and big heart. However, it wouldn’t have surprised Faye if Eve’s past work with abused women had made her skeptical of relationships. She and Eve still had a lot in common in that respect.

  “Nope. My hands are full enough with this shop. And most of the other singles in Turtleback are really more like friends. We’ve all known each other for so long. I had a summer crush two years ago, but he headed back to New Mexico after a week. Trust me, it was for the best. Anyhow, you, me and this cutie are going to spend February 14 together.”

  “Trust me, I won’t be depressed.” Well, maybe she would be, but not because of her fake divorce. For all she knew, she could end up spending Valentine’s Day in jail. Plus, she was worried sick about Clara. She rubbed her palms against her jeans. “Getting rid of toxic people in our lives is cause to celebrate. But I honestly don’t know if I can stay that long. We’ll see.”

  Sooner or later she’d need to make some money, and that posed a whole new set of problems. Job applications required giving information and showing ID. Her temples were beginning to pound even harder. Maybe catching up on some sleep at Eve’s was a good idea. Figuring things out would be easier if she wasn’t sleep deprived and suffering an adrenaline crash.

  “You came here to get away. Stick around and relax,” Eve insisted. “There’s a bonfire down at the beach every year on Valentine’s Day, weather permitting. If it’s too windy or rainy, everyone ends up crowding into the restaurant, but there’s nothing like standing in front of a glowing fire on a nippy night. And it’s not just couples. A bunch of us started it a few years back because we had nothing better to do on Valentine’s Day.”

  “Why do anything at all?” Faye said. “It’s such a commercialized holiday, isn’t it? It puts pressure on couples who half ignore each other all year only to cram all that romance into one day.”

  Even she had taken advantage of the day from a commercial point of view, tying red and pink bows on any dog she groomed or trained in the week leading up to February 14 and offering a discount for services. “Show your pup some love” was what she had printed on her coupons last year. Love at a discount. The concept was pitiful, in retrospect.

  “You’re being such a cynic. Since when were you so negative? Think of it as a reminder. A once-a-year spark to keep the flame from going out. Or a day to celebrate love for all. It doesn’t have to be romantic. It’s only a few days away. You’re coming with me.”

  “I don’t know. We’ll see.” Faye shrugged as she went to put the rubble of twenty or so books Nim had pulled off the shelf back in place. Hanging out at a bonfire and socializing was too much to wrap her head around after all that had gone down in less than twenty-four hours. Man, her head was throbbing like nobody’s business.

  “Don’t bother with picking up. I have time before opening shop. These shelves are here to be explored. Let her explore. She seems like the quiet book type. She’s in her element.”

  Maybe that’s all it was. Her niece was a quiet book type. Faye rubbed the back of her neck.

  “Yeah, not always quiet—you heard her scream earlier—but for the most part she seems content to play on her own. Not a big talker, which worries me sometimes,” Faye said, hoping that maybe Eve would have some insight. Eve folded her arms and watched Nim pushing books around until one with kittens on it grabbed her attention.

  “Ca!” Nim squealed. She looked up and smiled a rare, beaming smile at Faye and Eve before turning the pages with her slobber-soaked hand.

  “You know, I’m not a psychologist, but with my experience back in college, I saw a lot of kids who’d put up walls, emotionally speaking. Some dealt with the emotional burden of having been in an unstable home by rebelling and becoming difficult. Others became more withdrawn. They didn’t want to make waves or cause trouble. I have no idea how things were between you and your husband, but even babies can be sensitive to tones of voice, yelling, arguments... You get the idea. If that’s the case, I’m sure she’ll come around, now that you’re out of that situation. Don’t worry too much. Give her a little time. Or get her a pet kitten,” Eve teased. “Pets do have a magical way with connecting with kids.” She reached over and squeezed Faye’s shoulder. “It takes a lot of courage to leave a bad relationship. I’m proud of you. You should be proud of you too. You’re a strong woman, Faye Potter, and a great mom.”

  Faye nodded and swallowed back a lump in her throat. All she could think of was Clara. Clara was the strong woman. Not Faye. Maybe Clara wasn’t the most self-assured person out there, but she was the one who’d endured Jim’s treatment for the past couple of years. She was the one who’d taken a risk by contacting Faye because that’s what real moms did. They risked everything for the sake of their children. Faye was nothing but an imposter.

  “Thank you, Eve. For saying that.”

  “You look tired. Beautiful, but tired. Why don’t you two go to my place and rest from your long drive? Help yourself to whatever’s in the fridge. If you need anything, call me.” She handed her a business card with the shop number and cell phone on it. “There’s a grocer in town if you’d like something in particular for Nim.”

  Nim had abandoned the book, rolled on her side, then started whining as she stood. She got her balance in check, then toddled over to Faye and cried softly against her jeans. Faye scooped her up.

  How could she forget? The food jars and snacks in the baby bag were almost done. Maybe that’s why Nim was fussy right now. That and, no doubt, she wanted her “real” mommy. And a diaper change.

  “Gosh, I forgot. I need to change her. No wonder she’s upset. Do you have a bathroom I can use?”

  If that sheriff hadn’t walked in and thrown her for a loop, she would have remembered. Poor kid. It didn’t help that she’d consolidated their things into her duffel so that she’d have less to carry and because that diaper bag had been so identifiable. It had gotten thrown in a dumpster.

  “Absolutely. It’s right through that door behind the steps. But after you’re done, please take the keys and go settle in at my place.”

  “Okay. You win. I really appreciate it.” She put the keys in her pocket, adjusted Nim on her hip and disappeared into the bathroom. She put a dry diaper on her niece. “Now, let’s go settle you in and get you some food.”

  “Nanana.”

  “No idea what you’re saying, but it rhymes with banana.” Nim clasped her hands together. “Okay. Banana it is. Let’s go.” She made her way back up front. “Um, Eve. If anyone comes or calls around looking for me, could you keep them off my back? Act clueless, maybe? My ex didn’t take his loss so well and nor did his parents. I don’t want to subject Nim to any more stress.”

  That part wasn’t totally
a lie.

  There was a short pause, then Eve cocked her head and frowned. Faye really hoped she wasn’t raising her friend’s suspicion.

  “Yeah, sure. Of course. I’ve got your back,” Eve said.

  The rims of Faye’s eyes burned. She felt like she had been holding her breath since her sister’s message, and hearing that someone had her back made her want to cry away all that pent-up stress. But letting her guard down wasn’t an option. She was just tired. She hadn’t slept a wink. It was all catching up to her.

  “Thanks again.” She gave Eve a big hug, carried Nim, then exited the shop. A gust of wind caught her off guard and made her eyes flutter shut for just a moment. She opened them and glanced around to get her bearings and her back stiffened.

  Sheriff Ryker was sitting in his vehicle, parked just down the street...staring right at her.

  * * *

  CARLOS DIDN’T SMILE. He looked away when Faye noticed him. He didn’t want to freak her out. He certainly didn’t want her thinking he was suspicious. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. He hadn’t missed the way Eve had eyed her friend when Faye Potter had introduced herself and shaken his hand. And Faye had flinched ever so slightly when he’d brought up driving at night. And just now, when their eyes met through the window, he saw fear behind hers.

  She quickly strapped Nim into her car seat, then got in the driver’s seat and backed out. He didn’t need to follow her to know where she was headed. The left she took would lead her straight to Eve’s place. Good sign. At least he hadn’t rattled her enough to leave town then and there.

  He pulled out and in less than five minutes he was parked in his reserved spot at the police station. The entire lot held no more than five cars and the building needed updating that they couldn’t afford. It served its purpose, though. He didn’t need bells and whistles to get his job done.

  “Thought you were about to call in sick or something,” Jordan said, as Carlos walked in and threw his hat on his desk.