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He wouldn’t guess an experienced actress would blush. It was pretty. “And I am a deputy sheriff. We’re observant.”
“I’m taking a little vacation.”
“Coconut cookies.” Koa set a plate down. “Enjoy.”
Hollis glanced at him and smiled. Then she threw a cautious gaze around the cafe.
Sawyer leaned in. “I’m not planning to tell anyone who you are.”
Relief covered her face. “Thank you, Deputy…Lane, right?”
“It’s Sawyer.”Shit. He shouldn’t have said that.
She smiled, and it hit him in the gut. He’d seen it on screen, but in real life, it was even better.
“And I’m Hollis.”
“Not Holli?”
“That’s just my undercover name. I don’t think I look like a Holli.”
He nodded. “Hollis suits you better.”
“It was my grandmother’s maiden name. My brother was Cavendish, so I think I got the better deal.”
“Agreed.” He noted thewas, but didn’t pry.
She leaned her elbows on the table. “Are you from Hawaii, Sawyer?”
“No. I’ve been here almost a year. I’m from Montana originally.”
“You’re a long way from home. Were you a cowboy?”
He laughed. “No, my dad worked in construction.”
“Your parents still there?”
“No. My dad passed away a few years back, and my mom moved to Florida.” He’d bought her a little condo, and she loved it.
“I’m sorry about your dad,” Hollis said.
He nodded. “He’s been gone a while. Good, salt-of-the-earth man. He was a good dad.”
“Sounds like you were lucky to have him.” There was a wistful note to her voice.
He studied her closer, but she lifted her coffee and glanced away. “I’m just glad that my mom’s happy in Florida. She has good friends.”
“No siblings?”
“No. Mom and Dad tried for more, but it didn’t work out.”
She sipped her coffee. “So how did you end up in Hawaii?”
“I got out of the military and was looking for something different.” In reality, he’d been hanging on by a thread. Afraid he was going to lose it. “My cousin is married to a Hawaiian woman. He loves Maui, and convinced me to come.”
“And you became a deputy sheriff, and the rest is history?”
“Something like that.” He sipped his own coffee. “I like it here.”