Caught by the Sheriff--A Clean Romance Read online

  He wished he could rephrase that but it was too late. He had meant to put her at ease, not imply that she wasn’t feeding her child enough. He hoped she didn’t take it that way.

  “Thank you. I, um—”

  Carlos held up a finger as a message came through on his shoulder radio. Some tourist was trying to surf despite a warning not to. One of Damon’s water rescue crews was on it but the individual was giving them trouble. He was needed on the scene.

  “Sorry about that,” he said, apologizing for stopping her midsentence. “Don’t think anything of it. Darla, could you just put it all on a tab for me and I’ll take care of it later? I need to head out.”

  “No problem,” Darla said, handing him his bag. “I’ll take good care of her for you. You have such a cutie there!” She turned her attention to Faye and Nim. Faye’s cheeks had turned about as rosy as the frosting on the strawberry cake sitting in the glass case under the counter. Carlos ducked outside before the heat in his own cheeks showed through.

  Man, he really did hope his paying for her purchase hadn’t been taken the wrong way. Not just by Faye, but Darla. Take good care of her for you? That implied...something. He wasn’t sure what, but Faye wasn’t his. He was simply trying to be kind. He had acted out of concern. That’s all.

  He rubbed the back of his neck and stomped over to his vehicle.

  Then why had he actually considered lingering at the bakery with her, before the call came through?

  “You’re just taking your job seriously. Way too seriously.”

  * * *

  TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. The longest day and night of her life and she’d already started today on the wrong foot. Why in the world had Carlos Ryker paid for her bakery order? Had Eve said something to him? She’d promised she wouldn’t. Even if she didn’t, she’d said that the sheriff had noted the marks on her wrist. He probably felt sorry for her. Paid for her breakfast out of pity. She hated that. She didn’t want anyone taking pity on her. She was strong and capable. She was trying to do the best that she could. She didn’t need to depend on anyone. She could hold her own. That’s why she was working to make a few bucks. Work. Not a hand-me-down.

  “What can I get you? Faye, right?” Darla asked.

  “Wow. How’d you know my name?” The hairs on Faye’s back prickled. Carlos hadn’t mentioned it while he was in here.

  “It’s a small town.” Darla’s smile was genuine and kind. She flipped her thick, blond French braid over her shoulder as she bent down to get a new pastry box. Faye liked the way she’d braided in a red ribbon. It would be forever before her own hair was long enough to style like that. Darla popped the flat pastry box open. “Eve was in earlier for an herbal tea to go. I have a blend that’s good for sore throats. She mentioned that her best friend was in town and that she’d send you over to try something. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “You too.” She felt a little better. At least Darla hadn’t seen her name on the news or plastered with a rough sketch on street posts. Eve hadn’t mentioned a sore throat. Though she did hear her sneezing three times before she left the house early this morning.

  “What would you like?”

  “Anything filling. Oh, gosh. Are those cream cheese pastries?”

  “Yep. We have blueberry-topped cream cheese ones too.”

  “I’ll take one of those and a black coffee to go. And one of those sugar cookies. You can just put it on a napkin and save the box. It won’t last long. Thanks.” She figured sugar cookies were soft enough for Nim to enjoy. She hoped she was right. Darla didn’t show any hesitation or disapproval, so it was probably okay. Except for the sugar, maybe.

  “Would she like a milk with the cookie?” Darla suggested.

  “Oh. Yes. Sure. Thanks.” Why hadn’t she thought of that? She’s not judging you. She just suggested a drink. It goes with running a food business.

  She pulled out a tip and added it to a glass jar shaped like a gull with its beak open. A tip was the least she could do, even if Carlos had insisted on paying.

  “Are you coming to the Valentine’s bonfire tomorrow?” Darla asked.

  “I don’t think so. This little one will probably be asleep. Fingers crossed. She’s been up on and off since three this morning.”

  “Poor thing. Maybe she’s teething.”

  “Maybe.” Faye made a mental note to look into that possibility. She had no clue about kids’ developmental timelines. “Thanks.” She took the pastry and coffee and slipped outside. One bite and she was in heaven. Nim had eaten her breakfast before they left this morning, but Faye had been too busy seeing to the baby’s needs to realize just how hungry she was until she had caught the aroma from the bakery wafting down the street.

  A chilly gust of wind snapped at her face, then died down to a breeze. She set her goodies on an iron bistro table outside the shop long enough to secure the snap that kept the hood of Nim’s winter jacket shielding both her head and neck.

  “Mi!” She tried undoing it.

  “Nim, leave it alone. I might work up a sweat walking dogs, but you won’t. Here.” She dug in her jacket pocket and pulled out the rubber dolphin key chain Eve had given her to use for the spare key. It was big enough not to choke on. “Play with this instead. We need to hurry up before we’re late.”

  The dolphin went straight into Nim’s mouth.

  “Well, that’s one way to go swimming.”

  She ate her pastry in less than a minute, tossed the napkin in a trash bin by the store and headed down the street in the direction Eve had pointed out earlier. Not hard to figure out, since the only other direction to go in would have led them straight to the boardwalk and beach.

  She was supposed to pick up Bison first, then Casanova, then swing by the vet clinic to get Laddie. They’d all go back in the reverse order. She could do this. She felt at home doing it. Grounded. In control. The pack leader, for what it was worth. Most important, she’d be able to make enough to pay for things like filling her gas tank. She needed to have it full just in case. Whatever cash she had on her would be rationed for Nim’s needs. Diapers, food and any clothes she might outgrow. Faye had no idea how long they’d be in hiding.

  She also needed to try to find Clara without getting tracked. Could calling cards be tracked? Place of purchase and call? She took a deep breath of cold air and tried to center her thoughts. Yeah. They probably could. Maybe not by Jim himself, but if he initiated an Amber Alert, no doubt the authorities would be able to track any calls put through to anywhere associated with her sister, like friends, cell phones, hospitals. Or he could hire a private investigator. Where are you, Clara?

  What if her computer searches had been traced? Her calls from Eve’s place? No. She was overthinking. It wasn’t her laptop. She’d used Eve’s. Eve wasn’t a suspect. Faye was pretty sure he had no idea where she was. But he was looking. If he’d gone to the police, Carlos would have identified her already. Jim was waiting. He was hoping to get to Faye first. That meant he had something to hide. He didn’t want an investigation. He knew Faye wouldn’t hurt Mia, so he wasn’t worried about that. It bought him time. Although he’d eventually have to come up with a valid reason for not reporting a missing child sooner, if Faye didn’t make contact.

  But what was he hiding? His history of abuse? If he was abusive and domineering at home, she wouldn’t be surprised if he was the same at work. Were there other women he controlled? With the whole #MeToo movement, maybe he was extra worried about his career. There might be other women besides Clara whom he had mistreated who could speak out. Clara had mentioned once that he had been having a lot of meetings with various congressmen and local delegates. Was he considering public office? Was that why he needed to keep Clara from reporting his spousal abuse? Maybe even create sympathy for himself in the process? Wife with mental health issues and Jim trying to raise his child without her?

  Faye tossed her cof
fee cup in the next bin she passed and muttered a curse. She quickly covered Nim’s ears.

  “You didn’t hear that. Do. Not. Repeat.”

  “Da—”

  “Nope.” She touched her fingertip to Nim’s lips. She had no idea if Nim was about to repeat the curse word or if she was trying to say “Dada”...or which was worse at the moment. “Don’t say that. Look! Birdie!” She pointed to a swarm of swallows that gracefully traced the edges of incoming clouds as they dipped and dived in the sky above them. Nim pointed toward the flock, thankfully forgetting whatever she’d been trying to say.

  They passed a doctor’s office and headed four shops down where the sign read Krinks’ Hardware. Easy enough. She entered and was immediately faced with an overweight, slobbery dog. He barked, just once, then lay down on the spot, letting her know walks weren’t his thing and not his idea of how to spend his Saturday.

  “You must be Faye. People around here just call me Krinks.” He offered his hand and gave hers a firm shake. Krinks was a large man with more facial hair than head hair. He had a toothy smile, wind-chapped lips and rounded cheeks that all came together in a way that made her wonder if he posed as the town Santa each year.

  “Nice to meet you. I take it Bison isn’t fond of walks?”

  “What gave it away? The way he’s trying to disappear into the floor or his weight? He’s on a special diet Dr. Zale prescribed last summer, but he knows how to sniff out the lunches my staff keeps in the back work and storage room.”

  It was a hardware store. He had a wall of locks to her left next to one of those machines for making key copies. She wondered why he didn’t put a lock on the backroom door, but she didn’t say anything. It was her first dog walk. She didn’t need it ending before it started on account of insulting the owner.

  “Perhaps he’ll find he likes them when friends are involved. The energy and motivation of a pack.”

  “I hope you’re right. I’ll get his leash.” He handed it over, then clapped his hands and called to Bison. The dog gave him a dirty look and stood reluctantly, but didn’t approach.

  “Could I purchase these first?” She chose a pair of sunglasses off a rack by the door and set them on the counter. She didn’t bother trying them on. They looked big enough to keep anyone she didn’t want from recognizing her.

  “Sure thing,” Krinks said.

  She pulled out a ten from her pocket and handed it over. Krinks rang up the purchase, then grabbed a leash that had been dangling from a hook near a short hall at the side of the store that led to a restroom. He hooked it onto Bison and gave her the handle.

  “And who’s this little one?” he said, giving the top of Nim’s hat a gentle pat. He seemed taller the closer he stood. Bigger. Chill. Eve wouldn’t have suggested walking his dog if he wasn’t a nice person. But people thought Jim was nice too. Appearances could be deceiving. Nim clung tighter to the dolphin key chain and buried her face against Faye’s chest.

  “My daughter. Nim,” she added. It wasn’t like she was giving a toddler’s name to a stranger. It was a fake name. If anyone asked him if he knew of a girl named Mia, he’d be able to answer no. Besides, if she didn’t tell him, he’d find out anyway. The whole small-town thing. “Sorry. She’s shy.”

  “No worries. I have a granddaughter up in Nags Head about that age and she’s the same way. Cute as a button. Even when she scowls at her grandpa for telling her not to feed Bison her cookies.”

  “I bet he loves visiting her.”

  “Does he ever. Anyway, I need to get back to work. Do you want me to pay you per walk or per week?”

  “Is per walk okay with you?”

  “Sure thing. I’ll have it ready when you get back. Oh, and keep an eye. He’s an indiscriminate eater. If he starts sniffing where he shouldn’t... You know.”

  “I’ll keep an eye out. Thanks for trusting me with your best friend.”

  Krinks stood a little taller and looked fondly at Bison.

  “That, he is.”

  Faye put on her sunglasses, tucked her hand in her pocket, then held it out—empty—for Bison to sniff. The dog wagged and followed her without trouble.

  “How’d you do that?”

  “I have a small baggie with cheese in it in my pocket. Works every time.”

  She kept a straight face, though she wished she could take back the every time part. Darn it. She needed to think thrice before talking. Thinking twice wasn’t cutting it. Luckily, Krinks didn’t know enough to question her comment.

  “Well, I’ll be. I’ll admit. I’m not the best at training. I get so busy that I’m just happy to have him around. The company. You know? Enjoy your walk.”

  She had Casanova added to the pack within ten minutes and made her way to just beyond the edge of town where the veterinary clinic stood. There were several cars in the parking lot and a fenced area off to one side. She could see someone in scrubs taking a dog wearing a cone out to relieve himself. A woman came out with Laddie bounding right along beside her.

  “Faye?”

  For crying out loud. Everyone here knew her by name before she even met them. It was a little disconcerting. She let the dogs greet one another but maintained control of the leashes.

  “The pack must have given me away.”

  “All of these dogs have been patients here and I’ve never seen them so well behaved and under control. You’re a heck of a pack leader. I’m Chanda by the way. The office manager and receptionist all in one. Dr. Z is in the middle of surgery and told me you’d be by for Laddie.”

  “Nice to meet you. I didn’t bring an extra leash. I thought he’d have one.”

  “Laddie doesn’t need one. He won’t leave your side unless you tell him to. Unless he decides he has to for the greater good. He’s a town hero. Helped save Dr. Z and my friend Mandi, his wife, not too long ago. He’ll help keep the others in line too. And this must be Nim. I’ve heard all about you, sweetheart.” Chanda rubbed the back of Nim’s hand with her finger and Nim actually reached out to her.

  “She likes you.”

  “I love kids. Don’t have any of my own—I was told I’d never be able to, but that’s another story—though I helped raise my brother. I’m hoping he has a bunch someday. He would have good-looking kids too. But I doubt anyone could be as pretty as you are, sweetie pie,” she said, directing her attention to Nim once again.

  “Thank you. I think she’s pretty too. And sweet. When she’s not crying all night.”

  “Chamomile tea in a bottle and refrigerated teething rings. No kids, but I’ve done my share of babysitting,” Chanda explained. “There’s always children’s acetaminophen if she develops a fever or the pain gets too much for her, but I always like to try natural ways first.”

  Faye was beginning to feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, following the yellow brick road and meeting helpful friends along the way. All the while knowing that the evil witch and her monkeys were hunting her down. In this case, the evil one being Jim and anyone he had under his thumb. Would that make Eve the good witch of the north? She really needed more sleep. Or to stop browsing through children’s books.

  “Got it. Thanks for the suggestions. I bet Eve has chamomile at her place. And aspirin.”

  “Oh, no, honey. Not aspirin. Not with a child her age. Too dangerous. Most pediatricians warn new parents about that,” she said, frowning.

  No aspirin for kids. She didn’t know that either. Thank goodness she hadn’t tried any already. Chanda was going to think she was an idiot. A bad mother. Or maybe she’d suspect something was off.

  “Of course. I meant aspirin for me. All the crying and lack of sleep has been giving me headaches. I’ll try the chamomile and iced teething ring for Nim.”

  “Hon, you could probably use that tea to relax, as well. And a break. If you ever need a babysitter while you’re here, give me a call,” Chanda sai
d, her shoulders relaxing.

  “Thanks. I should get going.” Faye motioned her chin toward the dogs.

  “I need to get back inside, myself. I’ll be here when you return. It was nice to meet you, Faye. Help her out, Laddie.”

  Laddie wagged his tail, happy to have a job to do.

  Faye led the way back along the path she’d come from, then veered right down a trail that took them behind the main road through town and toward the beach. Tall reeds danced whenever the wind picked up, waving them along the sandy path and over a short dune that opened up onto an endless stretch of pristine beach. The town’s boardwalk lay a quarter of a mile to her right and beyond it were beach cottages, spread far and wide. She could see a blue one that had to be Eve’s from the backside, if she had her bearings right. To the north of her a short distance away, a black-and-white lighthouse stood like a sentinel, watching over several more beach houses that sat beyond it. Short fences made of what looked like reeds or bamboo marked off a couple of areas. She led the dogs past one marked with a sign that read Turtle Nesting Ground. Do Not Disturb.

  Wow. She’d read articles about sea turtle nesting habits and rescue efforts in the nature magazines she subscribed to and had sitting in the reception area of her business. It was amazing to see them in person. If only she wasn’t hiding—like a turtle in its shell—in this place. What she wouldn’t give to be able to stick around long enough to witness a hatching and watch baby turtles scrambling for the water. Nim would probably love it.

  “Ah. No.” She gave Casanova’s leash a gentle tug and Laddie trotted up to his side to make sure he didn’t cross the barrier. That Laddie really was amazing. It was as if he spoke English. Or could mind-read.