The Sheriff's Little Matchmaker Page 14

  Sasha had to laugh at that. “Yeah, she’s a bit young for your dad.”

  Evie gave her a sly look. “But you’re not, and you’re not going out on any more dates with Uncle Ethan.”

  Sasha put her arm around the little girl’s shoulders as they walked up the steps. “Who told you I wasn’t going out on any more dates with your Uncle Ethan?”

  “I heard him and Papá talking about it. Uncle Ethan said you and he were just friends. Then he told Papá it was a good thing, because Papá is old.” Evie opened the front door and stopped to look up at Sasha. “But Papá isn’t too old to go on dates, is he?”

  “No. Of course not. I think your daddy and your uncle like to tease each other.”

  “Yeah, that makes sense because Uncle Ethan said ‘Ow, cut that out’ after calling Papá old.” Evie giggled, her shoulders bouncing. “They sure do like to do stuff like that.”

  “Yeah, brothers are like that.”

  Evie tilted her head. “Do you have any sisters or brothers, Miz Honeycutt?”

  “No, I don’t.” Her parents had been older when she was born. As an only child, they’d doted on her. Was that why she’d picked someone like Jimmy to marry?

  “I wish I did.”

  “Maybe someday you will.”

  “Yeah, as soon as Papá gets married.”

  The thought of Remy and Evie sharing their lives with another woman pained her. What if he picked someone like Deirdre Simmons?

  “Your dad’s getting married?” Theresa appeared in the doorway and glanced up from the cell phone clutched in her hand. “Is that why you’re leaving?”

  Evie heaved a deep sigh. “No. I told you I was going to Miz Honeycutt’s because he’s at work.”

  Sasha turned her laugh into a cough and covered her mouth. “I’m sure Sheriff Fontenot told you I’d be looking after Evie for a short while.”

  “Oh, yeah. Sure.” Theresa nodded. “He said he’d call me when things got back to normal.”

  Normal. How could things go back to normal? From the moment their lips met, her world had tipped on its axis. Getting to know Remy had made it worse… He wasn’t a memory from her girl’s weekend that would fade with time. He wasn’t an aberration but a real man. A man who wasn’t going to be easy to forget if this went wrong.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Sasha carefully laid out the ingredients for supper on the counter. As she double-checked that she had everything, she listened to Evie in the other room reading one of her books to Henry. How easy it had been to slip into a pattern in the three days Evie had been with her. Although he was busy taking up the slack left by sick deputies, Remy stopped by during breaks. Two nights he joined them for supper, giving Sasha a taste of what it would be like to truly be with Remy.

  Her cell phone buzzed, and her heart did that little trippy thing when she saw Remy’s name light up on the screen. She inhaled and slowly let it out, trying not to sound as breathless as she felt. “Hello.”

  “Sasha. I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time.”

  His voice had sounded a little breathless when he’d said her name, and she had to swallow before she could answer. “No. I was going to start some supper.”

  “That’s why I’m calling. I was planning to stop by on my break. I can pick up something if you’d like. I appreciate you watching Evie and don’t want to burden you further by feeding me every night, too.”

  “It’s no bother.” She rushed to reassure him. Eager much? “I’m starting supper now and can make enough for all of us. What time will you be coming?”

  “What works best for you?”

  As usual, she wanted to melt into a puddle of hormones on the floor at his seductive tone. “Give me an hour.”

  “You got it. See you then. And, cher, don’t make any dessert. I’ll bring it with me.”

  She stood staring at the phone in her hand, waiting for her heartbeat to get back to normal. What did he mean by that? Evie was here, and he knew it. Maybe he meant nothing more than what he said, he was bringing dessert.

  Shaking her head, she plugged the charger back into the phone and started assembling the chicken potpie Evie had requested. After putting it in the oven to bake, she removed her apron and set the dining table.

  The front door opened. “Sasha? Evie?”

  “In here,” she called but went to greet Remy before he made it to the kitchen.

  He was striding down the hall carrying a foil-covered pan. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

  Leaning forward, he kissed her, causing the foil wrapping to crinkle.

  Even the chaste kiss left her breathless and craving more. She was becoming addicted to his kisses. To distract from the X-rated images popping up in her mind, she took the pan and lifted the foil. “Ooh, cake. Homemade?”

  “Floy dropped it off at the station and Rachel didn’t want—”

  “Papá, you’re home.” Evie came running from the sun-room to greet her dad, who gave her a big hug and smacking kiss. “I was reading my book to Henry.”

  Remy laughed. “And does Henry enjoy Eloise’s adventures, too?”

  Evie made a face. “He just likes lying in the sun.”

  Remy’s gaze met Sasha’s, and they both laughed.

  The domesticity tugged at Sasha’s heart. How easily she could imagine spending evenings together, sharing meals, sharing events from their day. Would Remy share from his? She recalled how she’d always talked about her day, something funny one of her kids had said or something going on with a fellow teacher, but Jimmy never shared. He always said he wanted to leave his work at the station. She’d felt left out. As if he’d closed off an important part of himself and wouldn’t let her see beyond the curtain.

  “What’s in there?” Evie pointed to the pan.

  “Dessert,” Sasha said. “Mrs. W baked a cake and brought it to your dad.”

  Evie clapped her hands. “Ooh, can I have some?”

  “After supper,” Remy said.

  “Why do we always have to wait for the good stuff?” Evie pouted.

  Remy glanced at Sasha and winked. “The good stuff is always worth waiting for.”

  Sasha’s heart skipped a beat before taking off again on a merry dance.

  “Why don’t you take it into the kitchen for Miss Honeycutt,” Remy suggested. “Set it on the counter.”

  “And wash your hands,” Sasha told Evie as she handed her the pan.

  “Okay.” Evie gingerly took the pan in her outstretched hands.

  Remy draped an arm around Sasha’s shoulder as they made their way more slowly into the kitchen. “I talked to Henderson today, and he expects to be back tomorrow, so that’ll relieve some of the pressure. Maybe I can get Rachel to stay in the building.”

  Sasha frowned. “I thought you put her on desk duty.”

  He pulled her close against his side and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “I did, but I got back this afternoon from patrol and found out from the dispatcher that she’d gone out on a call of a possible break in.”

  “What happened?” She’d spotted the color rising in his face and suspected there was more to the story.

  “I went over in case she needed assistance, but it turned out to be a false alarm.” He shrugged.

  “And?” Sasha prompted. She knew he was holding back.

  Remy laughed. “She read me the riot act. Told me, pregnant or not, she’s good at her job.”

  She placed her palm over his chest, reveling in his warmth and gratified he’d talked about his day. “I have a feeling you’re concerned about all of your deputies.”

  He grunted and she laughed. “You’re just a big ole softy.”

  He took her arm and twirled her around so she was facing him and then he pulled her against his hard chest. “Who’re you calling a softy, cher?”

  She tipped her head back so she could look up, and he kissed her again. The timer on the oven dinged, and they jumped apart and laughed.

  She patted his chest. “No
w go wash your hands.”

  The affronted look he gave her had her giggling. “Sorry. Force of habit. But you are the one with the station full of sick deputies, and Evie and I have a field trip tomorrow.”

  “Good point,” he said and headed for the hall bathroom.

  Evie entertained them with stories about school while they ate. As soon as the meal was over, she teased for dessert.

  “Would you like coffee with yours?” Sasha asked Remy as she sliced the chocolate sheet cake.

  “Yes, but let me get it, cher. You were probably on your feet most of the day.” He jumped out of his seat.

  “Thanks. I know you must be exhausted, too.” She pointed to the cabinet with the coffee. Oh man, all he’d done was give her a questioning look and she’d known what he wanted. That’s what couples did: they communicated without words.

  A lump in her throat, she put a piece of cake on a plate and handed it to Evie.

  “Can—er, may I take mine to the porch and sit with Henry?” Evie glanced toward the open door to the sun-room.

  “Sure, but don’t let him have any. Chocolate isn’t good for cats.”

  “I won’t.” Evie carefully carried her plate to the other room.

  Sasha cut two more pieces of cake while Remy put a coffee pod in the coffeemaker. “So, how are things going with the department? Other than the obvious manpower shortage, that is.”

  “A kid was cautioned for shoplifting at the convenience store on the edge of town this afternoon.”

  “Cautioned?”

  “Yeah, the only reason the clerk called us was because the kid was stealing cans of tuna fish.” He set two mugs of coffee on the table.

  She sat down across from him. “That’s an odd thing for a kid to steal.”

  “Normally it’s candy. He tried calling the kid’s parents but their phone had been disconnected. The clerk couldn’t leave the store unattended and was worried, so he called us.”

  He took a sip of coffee. “Turns out the kid was feeding a stray cat. He’d asked to keep it, but his mom said they couldn’t afford it, so he was sneaking food to it.”

  “So what happened?” The convenience store clerk’s concern was just one of the reasons she enjoyed Rose Creek. The gossip might be overwhelming at times, but everyone looked out for one another and would happily give aid to a neighbor.

  “I let the kid off with a warning.” He finished his cake and tossed the crumpled napkin on the plate, then sipped his coffee.

  “Remy!” she sputtered. How could he be so calm about all this? She threw up her hands. “What about the poor cat? Where was this? Maybe I could—”

  Grinning, he captured one of her flaying hands and coaxed her onto his lap. “Calm down, cher. Such distress over a stray.”

  “I can’t help it if I—”

  “Sshhh. I called Ethan. He’ll see the cat gets whatever care it needs at no cost.”

  She blinked back tears. “But…”

  “I spoke with the boy’s mom. She’s not mean, just trying to make ends meet.” He hugged her and whispered in her ear. “The boy can keep the cat.”

  “He can?” Her gaze met his.

  He nodded. “The clerk said if the boy helps him keep the newspapers and magazines stacked neatly, he’ll pay him in cat food. And Ethan’s agreed to donate vet care. Or send me the bill.”

  She blinked back moisture and sniffed. Not for the cat, but for the man. How was she ever going to resist Remy Fontenot? “Thank you.”

  He sighed. “Wish I could stay, but I need to get back to the station.”

  “I wish you could stay, too.” And she meant it. “Want to take some cake back with you?”

  “No, but I will take this,” he said and kissed her.

  …

  Sasha drove through town on her way home, home to her now quiet house. The deputies had returned to work, and Sasha and Henry’s life and routine had gone back to normal three days ago. Sasha had a feeling the cat missed Evie’s presence as much as she did. Yeah, and it didn’t hurt that Remy had dropped by as much as possible, but she’d be seeing him tomorrow night. He’d asked her to go on a proper date with him, and she’d accepted.

  Another three days and the school year would be over, and she’d signed a contract for next year. For good or bad, she was in Rose Creek. Although she hadn’t yet made arrangements to sell her home in New York. She wasn’t sure what was holding her back on making that last step.

  Sasha’s heart sped up, and she slowed her car. Parked in her driveway was Remy’s SUV with black and white markings. She tried to tell herself it was because the sight of a police car would automatically cause a reaction, but she knew that wasn’t the complete truth. The possibility of seeing Remy acted as a defibrillator every time. Her emotional well-being was in so much trouble. Her fresh start was beginning to look a lot like Groundhog Day.

  Remy got out of his SUV when she pulled into the driveway and parked next to him. He came around the back of her car, briefly laying his palm flat against the rear panel as he passed and approached her door.

  She watched the gesture in her side mirror and lowered the window, intending to play along. “Is there a problem, officer?”

  “What makes you ask that, ma’am?” He still wore his sunglasses.

  “I saw what you did.” Her painful memories of uniformed lawmen were being replaced with fresher, more pleasant ones, but lurking deep the more stark ones remained, like his seemingly innocuous gesture.

  He wrinkled his brow in puzzlement.

  Leaning her head out the window, she hitched her chin toward the back of the car. “Leaving fingerprints. Are you expecting trouble?”

  He chuckled and rested his hand above her door. “You’ve been causing me trouble from the moment I set eyes on you, cher.”

  “And how would you rate my performance?” Bold much, Sasha?

  He removed the sunglasses. “Are we talking kissing or troublemaking?”

  Her heart beat rapidly, but she continued. “They’re one and the same, wouldn’t you say?”

  “Maybe I ought to cite you for that mouth of yours.” His eyes gleamed.

  Recklessness made her say, “The school year is almost over, and my job is intact, so do your worst, Sheriff.”

  “Was that an invitation?” His eyebrows flickered.

  “No, but this is.” She opened her car door, forcing him to take a step back as she stepped out. “Would you like to come in, Sheriff? I have cake.”

  He stood staring at her, his lips slightly parted.

  “What? Do I have something stuck in my teeth?” She ran her tongue along her front teeth.

  Remy rested his hands on his duty belt. “I’m trying to figure out what sort of euphemism cake represents.”

  Her knees failed to hold her legs straight, and she leaned against her car door. She glanced at the ground, half expecting to see herself melting into a puddle. Get a grip, you’re a grown woman for crying out loud.

  She inhaled. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I meant it literally. I made cupcakes for today’s party and kept a few extras.”

  “In that case, lead the way.” He stepped aside and motioned for her to go ahead of him.

  In the kitchen, she set a plate of cupcakes on the table and put a pod in the coffee maker before excusing herself to go in the bathroom. She checked her appearance in the mirror and finger combed her hair. Was she really going to do this? Instead of putting the brakes on, here she was getting in deeper and deeper.

  Back in the kitchen, she put creamer and sugar on the table for Remy’s coffee. His voice drifted in from the sun-room. Was he talking to her cat? She went to the doorway and peeked in. Her heart expanded in her chest. Sure enough, he was petting Henry and carrying on a one-sided conversation.

  “I think he misses Evie.”

  Remy straightened up and turned toward her. “I would have thought he’d enjoy the peace and quiet.”

  Sasha shrugged. “Evie brightened up the place. Coffee’s ready.�
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  He followed her back into the kitchen. “I came to tell you I need to drive to Austin tomorrow to deliver a package for a task force I’m—”

  “Austin?” She pressed her lips together. He’d come to cancel their date. “That’s a bit beyond your jurisdiction, isn’t it?”

  He took a seat at the table. “Yes, but this is a federal task force, so there’s technically no jurisdictional lines.”

  She nodded and put cream into her coffee. “May I ask what you’ll be doing in Austin?”

  “Like I said, it’s just dropping off a packet of evidence.” He stirred sugar into his coffee and lifted the cup.

  She blinked. “Okay. Well in that case, we can do dinner some other night.”

  He set the coffee down, untouched. “Cher, you didn’t let me finish. Since we were planning on a date anyway, I’d like you to come with me. It won’t take long to drop off the package, and we can take in the sights before coming back.”

  “What about Evie?” She folded her empty cupcake wrapper into fourths. Going out of town was a big step, wasn’t it?

  Am I ready for that?

  “Charlotte said she can come out tonight to watch Evie.” He took Sasha’s hand, the one playing with the wrapper. “It’s just for the day. We’ll leave first thing in the morning and be back tomorrow night.”

  “How come you can’t just overnight the package?” An entire day together? She pinched her lower lip between her teeth.

  “Chain of custody.” He sipped his coffee.

  “I see.” And she did. He was asking to take them a step further. “It does sound like fun. I’ve never been to Austin. I’ve heard it’s quirky.”

  “It won’t take long to drop off the package, and we’ll have the rest of the day to explore.” His gaze flicked to hers.

  She rubbed her fingertip over the fold in her napkin. “That sounds like fun. I didn’t have anything planned for tomorrow, and Henry will be okay for a day.”

  “If you’re worried, Charlotte and Evie can check on him.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s necessary, but I’ll give you the spare key I had made just in case.”