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Riley snorted. “Do you have any idea who I am?”

“That’s what I came here to ask you.”

He scowled. “I’m a US Army veteran. I served my country for fifteen years.”

The sheriff arched a brow. “Am I correct in assuming you’re one of them veterans staying at Shane Owen’s place?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I thank you for your service, but you’ll understand if I still need to ask you a few more questions.”

Riley remained stiff in his seat. On the one hand it was nice knowing that Grace was looked after, but on the other, he didn’t like being the one people were suspicious of. He frowned at the sheriff and gave him a short nod.

“Is there anything wrong?” the sheriff asked.

“I’m going to have to ask you to elaborate.”

“The argument,” he clarified.

Riley lifted his chin. “Ah. Well, only time will tell on that one.”

The sheriff chuckled. “Humor me. Let me know what’s going on so I can put these folks at ease.”

“I don’t think you have any right to something that isn’t your business to begin with.”

The sheriff’s eyes narrowed and he peered at Riley with a stubbornness that was all too familiar. It must be something that was in the water.

Riley sighed. “I’m trying to date her.That’swhat’s going on.”

The man’s face spread into a wide smile. It didn’t even appear that he tried to hold it back. His lips twitched. “Son, you don’t know what you just got yourself into.” He patted Riley on his forearm and chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep your secret. The last thing you need right now is to have this whole town talking about the two of you.” He shook his head. “Have a good evening.”

Riley watched him walk away, confusion flooding his thoughts. What wasthatabout?

The waitress arrived with a plastic bag and held it out to him. He paid for it, then headed for the door. The room grew quiet once more. Small towns were the worst.

* * *

Riley ledGrace up to the front door of his small cabin and fiddled with the keys. This would be the first time he showed a woman—or anyone for that matter—his personal space. He gave her a small smile as he pushed open the door.

Holding out his arm, he nodded to the entrance.

Grace ducked inside and he followed after her, shutting the door behind him. She stood in the entrance, her eyes sweeping through the room from the small kitchenette to the even smaller living space. This cabin wasn’t built to house more than one to two people. While it suited him just fine, it wasn’t exactly the kind of place he thought he’d bring a girl to.

He stood beside her and gestured to the area. “Well, this is it. There’s a bedroom through that door. The only bathroom is in there, so…” Riley rubbed the back of his neck and gave her a crooked grin. “You want to eat at the table or by the fireplace?”

Grace shifted her focus from one location to the next, then smiled at him. “I’m always up for a picnic.”

“I’ll get the plates.” He made a beeline toward the kitchen and shot a look over his shoulder toward Grace, who was currently moving the small coffee table out of the way. “Do you have any blankets?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. The one on the bed?” He chuckled as she rolled her eyes.

“We’re not using the blanket from your bed to eat on.”

Riley grabbed two plates and put some silverware on them. He crossed the room and placed them on the coffee table with the food, then returned to the cupboards for some cups. By the time he returned, she was plating the food.

Grace sat across from him, her legs folded in front of her. She dropped her gaze to her plate and smiled as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “This is strange, isn’t it?”

It wasn’t strange at all. This was exactly what he had hoped it would be. But he couldn’t say that. Instead, he changed the subject. “How well do you know the sheriff?”