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“Almost two years. I was just re-elected last fall for another two-year term.”

Jerica smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corner. “Sounds like they like what you’re doing.”

“Oh yes, but it was a scandal because I ran as a Democrat.”

Chuckling, Jerica shook her head in disbelief. “Why would that be a scandal?”

“No one runs as a Democrat and wins where I’m from.”

“So why did you do it?”

Bridget smirked. “One, because I had to in order to run. There was a Republican running against me. Two because I really am a Democrat. I just hadn’t registered until then.”

“This story gets more interesting by the second.”

“It’s really not that interesting.”

“I think it is.” Jerica gave her a hard look, hoping Bridget would open up. One thing she had learned about Bridget in her time at the hospital was she did not open up easily. This was the most straightforward and eye-opening conversation they’d had, which was saying something. Jerica would have to be patient.

“It’s not. I promise you.”

“Well, then, I’ll just have to wait and see what I can come up with.”

Bridget’s lips parted, and her gaze narrowed. “You do that. Where did Eli go off to?”

“Oh, I’m sure she’ll be back before you’re late. I’m sure you’re at least twenty minutes early for your appointment.”

“How did you know that?”

“Seems like something you would insist on. Never be late, am I right?”

“Yes.”

Chuckling, Jerica gave her a brilliant smile. “You seem like someone who is set in their ways, too.”

“You might be right about about that.” Bridget gripped the arm of the wheelchair tightly, her knuckles turning white. It was the only sign that the conversation was slightly uncomfortable. “Tell me about you, since you seem to know so much about me.”

“You’re a Sheriff, and you can’t read me?”

Bridget pulled her lip between her teeth, seeming to debate whether or not she wanted to take the bait. Finally, she raised an eyebrow in Jerica’s direction. “You’re bold.”

“Sometimes.”

“This is your territory, though, so it would make sense that you would be bolder here than anywhere else.”

“True.” Jerica was enjoying this conversation, the push and pull as they quietly flirted in a room full of people. “What else do you see?”

“You’re a kind and caring person. I don’t think you would have checked in on me otherwise.”

Jerica’s heart melted. Bridget may have been right, but it was so much more than that. She wouldn’t have checked in on any patient, but Bridget had been special from the start. She wasn’t quite sure she could explain it any other way. They had a connection, one that Jerica wanted to tug on and see how far it went.

“I also think you have an ulterior motive in mind, but I can’t figure out what it is.”

Squatting down so they were on a more even level, Jerica pressed a hand to Bridget’s good knee and squeezed. “You’re not entirely wrong. You made some hints the other day, before you were released, and I wanted to confirm them, as boldly as possible, you might say.”

“What hints were those?” Bridget’s pupils dilated, but her gaze was locked on Jerica’s.

Lowering her voice so it would be hard for others to overhear in case Bridget wasn’t as out as Jerica, she asked, “Do you like women?”