Colby loved Becca. She was the fun one who never had to discipline him and could just feed him popsicles all day.
I’d love Becca too.
“Miss, can I get a side of bacon?” I looked over at the table next to the door and smiled, nodding. It wasn’t my section, but I could certainly put in that order for them.
I dashed to the terminal on the counter and added a side of bacon for that table before I picked up the fresh pot of coffee to make my rounds.
Just as I topped off the last cup at one of my tables, a chill swirled into the café, and I looked up to see a handsome man walk in, flanked by three men in uniforms.
Becca was right. The men on Fireweed were a breed apart. My gaze instantly returned to the man in the middle as they took a table in my section.
Apparently, the Please Wait to be Seated sign didn’t apply to the Fireweed police force. I walked over to the table and smiled at the table of four.
“Would you like coffee this morning?” I asked, clutching the pot tightly.
All four men turned their empty cups right side up.
“Sure would.”
The same voice from the previous afternoon froze me in place.
I was standing at the sheriff’s table. The same sheriff who’d heard me babbling about riding stallions and men and…
Where’s his cowboy hat?
I cleared my throat and felt a blush slowly creep up my face. “Great.”
I refused to look in the sheriff’s direction as I poured coffee in each of their cups.
“Do you gentlemen need a bit more time or—”
“You know…” The man’s sexy voice moved down my soul like a magnet. “I think even though it’s breakfast time…” His voice trailed off, forcing me to look in his direction.
I swallowed hard when our eyes connected, feeling an instant spark. One that I hadn’t felt for over ten years, if even then.
When his green eyes fastened on mine, I nearly had to use the table to prop myself up. He wasn’t merely good-looking.
Oh, no.
This man was gorgeous.
So gorgeous, I didn’t even know where to look.
Between the sensuous look teasing me behind his gaze, his perfectly full and pouty lips, and his chiseled jawline, ugh…
This never would have happened had it not been for Becca. There never would have been a foolish discussion about an equine in a grocery story had it not been for her. I fully blamed my best friend for this.
The sheriff parted his lips to speak, and I held my breath as he repeated himself.
“Even though it’s breakfast time, I think I feel like today’s pasta.”
Every mild tingle I had before from this man turned into a manic explosion of electricity pulsing through me for absolutely no reason.
The man wanted noodles.
So, what?
It didn’t necessarily mean he was referencing our little foray in the pasta aisle.
With my cheeks on fire, I mumbled a quick, “Good choice,” and took the other officers’ orders.
By the time I reached the terminal to input the orders, I’d talked some sense into myself. There’d be no reason in the world that the sheriff knew I was the woman in the store. He only saw my back.
Granted, he might have recognized my voice like I recognized his, but I doubted it.
He had more important things to do than torment a newcomer.
I touched the screen to hit Submit on their orders and felt the sheriff’s gaze on me. I looked up quickly, and our eyes connected for a brief moment before he turned his attention back to the officers.
I watched him slowly drink his coffee, nodding now and again, and I realized I was crushing on a man I’d never involve myself with.
My life was too complicated, and I didn’t need any law enforcement to get tangled in my business. I also knew my ex-husband would be less than pleased with a development like that as well.
Not that it should matter.
But it did.
Because my ex could make my life and my son’s life a living hell. He’d already proven that the last several years. We didn’t need to hop back on that merry-go-round.
I let out a sigh as another order was called out, and I got myself back in the game. I’d pour the sheriff some coffee, deliver his pasta, and send him on his way.
Simple as that.
As I delivered food to another table, I swore I felt the sheriff’s eyes on me. As I slid the last plate in front of a customer, I glanced over my shoulder to see the sheriff smiling in my direction.
I turned around and grabbed the pot of coffee and headed over to the table for refills. When I arrived, the three men glanced at their boss, and all hid smiles as the sheriff pushed his nearly empty cup forward.
“Thanks.” The man’s simple word of gratitude should have done nothing to me.
Instead, that word filled me up and turned me upside down in an instant. It was just the way he said it…all gruff and all business yet somewhat inviting.
I filled up his cup and walked back to the coffee stand, counting on the distance to work in my favor, which it did.
There was no invitation. Fireweed’s police force was grateful for some caffeine to start the rest of their day.
I straightened up and let out a huff and reached for their orders that had just been called by the cook. I placed all three breakfast dishes and a plate of pasta on the tray and made my way toward the men.
“Oh, looks great,” one of the policemen said, smiling as I placed his order of pancakes and sausage in front of him.
“Great breakfasts here,” another policeman agreed as I slid his breakfast burrito to him.
“Indeed.” The sheriff nodded as I placed his plate of pasta primavera in front of him.
“Would you like any hot sauce for your eggs or Parmesan for your pasta?” I asked the table, avoiding the sheriff in particular.
“We’re good,” one of the men said.
“Perfect.” I started to spin around when the sheriff spoke.
“I’d love some parmesan to go with my pasta.”
I looked at him, which was a complete mistake, and nodded frantically before going to fetch the cheese I never should have offered.
“Hey, Claire.” The owner, Sally Montgomery, stepped in front of me, and I gasped, so wrapped up in my own world. I didn’t expect to see anyone in my direct sightline. “Just wanted to say that you’re doing a great job. You’re really hustling out there.”
Pride filled me, and I smiled. “Thank you. I’m just so grateful for the opportunity.”
“My pleasure. I can tell you like interacting with the diners.”
I nodded. “I do, but I also really need to get some cheese to table six.”
“Far be it for me.” Sally stepped to the side and grinned as I reached for the Parmesan and hustled over to the sheriff.
“Let me know when,” I told the sheriff.
I swore I heard some low, sexy guttural response from the sheriff, but he didn’t seem to move a muscle, and none of the other men seemed to have noticed…
So, now I imagined things, which was always celebrated as a single parent.
My son depended on me to be his protector, to be coherent, focused, and not distracted.
I looked down at the pile of shredded cheese on top of the pasta and sucked in a breath at the mountain of white.
“Do you still want me to keep going?” I asked, continuing to shred.
“Well, I said something about a minute ago, but…” His voice trailed off, and there was a bemused twinkle in his gaze.
“Oh, my gosh. I’m so sorry. Let me get you another—”
He held up his hand and shook his head. “No need. I actually love cheese.”
I stared at him in horror, realizing I’d spaced out so much just by being near this man that I didn’t even know he’d been talking to me.
The sheriff continued, “I love cheese, and I love pasta.”
The other
policemen nodded in agreement.
“Are you sure?” I asked, swallowing down my embarrassment.
“Absolutely.” He smiled, and I finally allowed myself to breathe again.
“I’m really sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He dug his fork into the pile of Parmesan and took a bite, nodding in my direction to prove his point as I made my way to the counter.
“I think you might have caught the eye of the sheriff,” Sally whispered, and my eyes widened.
“What? Why?” My expression fell. “What makes you say that?”
“He can’t keep his eyes off you.” She wiggled her brows, and I laughed, shaking my head.
“I think that has more to do with an embarrassing moment at the grocery store yesterday more than anything.”
“Tell me he didn’t arrest you for shoplifting.” Sally’s eyes widened.
I laughed nervously and shook my head. “Uh, no. I think that would be more than embarrassing. Probably would include some jail time.”
“Phew.” Sally looked relieved. “I’ve heard employees’ sticky fingers when you’re a business owner can be a real problem.”
I scowled at her and shook my head. “I’m sure it can be, but you don’t have to worry about that with me.”
She patted my shoulder and smiled. “I know. I just…” She shook her head. “This is my first business, and I can’t believe it’s going so well. My friends and family back in Oklahoma told me I was crazy for wanting to open a restaurant, of all things.”
I glanced around the bustling café and grinned. “Well, I’d say you proved them wrong.”
She nodded in agreement. “So far, so good.”
“As long as you keep sticky fingers out of your business.” I winked. “In all seriousness, the incident at the store had to do with my friend being loud and obnoxious about my nonexistent dating life. Mr. Lawman happened to have overheard.”
Sally chuckled. “Well, you certainly caught his attention.”
I rolled my eyes and smiled. “Lucky me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go hide out next to this nice family of four in my section.”
After I’d finished up with the hungry family, I wandered over to the policemen’s table, noticing they’d all finished their meals, even the cheese king.
“Is there anything else I can get you?” I asked. “More Parmesan, perhaps?”
The sheriff laughed and shook his head. “Believe it or not, I think I’ve had my fill.”
“I believe it, actually.” I grinned, our eyes connecting.
But this time, I remained in control of myself.
I slid the bill on the table and smiled at the men. “It was nice meeting you all, but I hope I never need your services. Oh, and the pasta’s on me today.”
The sheriff smiled and placed his card on the tray with the bill. His eyes slid to my nametag, and he smiled. “Thanks, Claire.”
My gaze accidentally tumbled to his ring finger, which I noticed was bare, and I hid a smile.
“Anytime, Sheriff. Maybe just remember that if I happen to do a rolling stop or something.”
“Are you trying to bribe your local law enforcement officers?” The sheriff asked, a smile tipping against his lips.
“Uh, no.” I laughed. “Not with loads of cheese or a free meal. I’m pretty sure I could get more creative.”
When the words tumbled out, I so wished I could pull them back in. They came out all wrong and not how I meant them.
“So not what I meant. Oh, my gosh. I meant like a piece of pie or—”
“Claire, it’s okay.” The sheriff smiled.
“I would never proposition or solicit or…I mean, like maybe teasing about a slice of cake, but I—”
The sheriff laughed and shook his head. “Claire, I promise. We know what you meant.”
I let out a nervous sigh and trundled over to the terminal to run his card as I wondered if maybe I could be a dishwasher instead so I’d never have to run into the beautiful sheriff again.
Chapter Three
“So, tell me all about your first day as an official waitress.” Becca sat in front of me in my apartment, grinning too wide for her own good.
“It was great.” I let out a wistful sigh. “Until the sheriff and his posse showed up.”
Becca’s eyes widened. “You mean the one from the store yesterday?”
“That’s the one.” I grinned, glancing at the clock. “Probably the only one in a town this small.”
I had about thirty minutes before I had to pick up Colby from school.
I frowned. “And he ordered pasta.”
“He didn’t.” She slapped the kitchen counter. “The nerve.”
I nodded. “He did.” I took a sip of tea.
I’d stopped by a local tea store on the way home and met the sweetest ladies. It felt like Fireweed island was where all the kind and happy people in the world landed. Now, my goal was to become one of them.
Maybe it was the tea.
I took another sip.
“And?” Becca prompted.
“That’s about it.” I smirked. “Until I tried to proposition him. Or at least that’s what it sounded like. I started joking about rolling stops, and it just went downhill from there.”
“I think we need to work on your flirting skills.”
“I don’t flirt.”
“I think that’s painfully obvious.” Becca grimaced.
“But I don’t want to flirt.” I grabbed a piece of forwarded mail and glanced at it. “I need to get settled into my new life here on Fireweed, find other moms to hang out with, shuffle Colby to playdates, and do a good job at work.”
“I bet the sheriff shows up again at the café. Then what?” Becca asked.
“I take his order, serve him, and go on about my day.” I let out a sigh. “Even if it’s fun to tease about, we both know I can’t waste time dating.”
Becca shrugged. “We don’t both know that. You can, and you should. Being a mom doesn’t mean you have zero attraction to the opposite sex.”
“If I tell you I’ll make dating a priority starting in October, would you leave me alone about it?” I teased.
“I would if I believed you, but I don’t. I know you too well.” She grinned and walked over to the fridge and stared inside. “I don’t think you should write off finding a nice man someday. Whether it’s the sheriff or not, I think it’s completely unrealistic to pretend you can never date again.”
I let out a slow breath and nodded. “I love you dearly, but I’m not going to waste my time or anyone else’s because in my heart, I know I’d never let myself open up again. It would be a futile exercise for all involved, and Colby doesn’t need to see his mom prancing around—”
Becca spun around with a slice of processed cheese pressed between her fingers and placed her free hand on her hip. “You’re sneakier than that. Colby would never know you’re prancing around.”
I giggled. “True.”
“Do you find the sheriff attractive?”
I chuckled. “Do bees buzz?”
Becca giggled, and I pushed my cup of blueberry tea toward her. “Try this. It’s incredible.”
She shrugged and shook her head. “I’m not a big tea drinker.”
“Just try it.”
Becca grunted but reached for the cup and took a sip. “Wow. That’s incredible.”
“Isn’t it? It’s from a local tea shop.” I stood from my chair. “Two sisters own it, I think. They’re so sweet.”
I reached for my purse, but my pulse spiked when I realized how light it was.
“Oh, no.” Panic bolted through me as I searched through my bag.
“What?” Becca asked, rushing over. “What’s wrong?”
“I left my wallet and phone at the tea shop.” I shook my head. “Or it fell out in the parking lot.”
“Don’t panic. We’ll leave now and—”
I reached for my keys right when my doorbell rang.
“You expe
cting someone?” Becca asked, and I shook my head.
“I ordered some stuff online, but I didn’t think it would get here for a few days.” I wandered over to the door and realized it didn’t have a peephole.
“Hmm.” I glanced at Becca and shrugged. “Who is it?”
“The sheriff.” A man’s low growl pierced through the door.
My pulse soared even more, and I swung the door open.
“Is everything okay? Is my son okay?” My hand pressed against my heart as I searched the officer’s expression for any sort of hint.
He held out an empty hand and smiled. “Your son is fine.”
I let out a huge sigh and shook my head. “You shouldn’t go around town scaring people like that.”
The sheriff laughed and glanced at Becca. “I’ll try to remember that. Weren’t you at the store the other day with…?” He pointed at me, and I scowled.
“I do have a name.” I waved my hand in front of his face. “Claire? Remember? It was on my nametag.”
The sheriff flashed a coy grin and nodded. “Yes, I remember your name, which is why I wanted to deliver these to you.”
He handed me my wallet and my phone.
“Where’d you get these?” I asked, taking them from him.
“What? No thank you?” He laughed and leaned on the door.
“No–I mean, yes. Thank you.” I frowned and opened my wallet to check to see the cash still inside.
“I stopped by to refill my tea supply, and Holly mentioned that a newcomer left her wallet. She was trying to figure out a way to track you down.”
“And Holly is…?” Becca asked, and I turned to watch my friend sizing up the sheriff.
“One of the sisters who owns the tea store.”
“Technically, Maddie owns more of—” The sheriff stopped himself. “Well, it doesn’t matter.”
“Thank you for returning these.” I held up my items and felt relief finally spread. “We were just about to leave to go track them down.”
“So, he knows your name,” Becca began, “but you don’t know his?”
“I know he’s the sheriff, and that’s enough.” I pursed my lips as he held back a laugh.
Discovering Love on Cranberry Lane (Island County Book 11) Page 2
