Page 14

He cocks an eyebrow, and I lower my voice. “Making her go to church.”

That earns me a loud laugh. “Is that legal?”

“She hasn’t questioned it yet.”

André nods, seeming impressed. “Not bad, Tucker.”

“They don’t give those badges out to just anybody.”

He’s still chuckling as he passes me a small paper bag. “Emberly made beignets. Take a few for the road.”

“Thanks.” I put the plastic lid on my cup. “I’ll be around. Holler if you need anything.”

He shakes his head. “If you’d told me this time last year I’d ever be glad to see a cop, I’d have called you crazy.”

It’s a compliment I’ll take, and I tip my coffee at him before heading out the door. I’ll stop in and check on each of the stores along Main Street before I head out to the beachfront strip to finish my rounds. It’s the off-season, so our days are gradually slowing down.

From now until spring break, my job is pretty quiet. Wyatt is busy helping a guy with toilets and plumbing supplies when I stick my head in to say good morning. He’s tied up, so I move along, down the row to Emberly’s shop.

Again, a little bell rings as I enter the store. Emberly is at the large table in the back, her chestnut hair gathered on top of her head as she rolls out what looks like white paste. Tabby is at the counter, pecking on a calculator with a pen in her hand.

“Morning, ladies.” Her head snaps up at the sound of my voice, and she frowns again.

“How long does the pattern of behavior have to occur before it’s considered stalking?”

“Just doing my job, Tabitha.” I take a few steps inside when Emberly, looks over her shoulder and gives me a friendly smile.

“Good morning, Chad! Did you try the beignets today?”

I hold up the small brown bag. “André hooked me up. I’m finishing my coffee.”

“They go with the coffee!” She waves her hand over to where a carafe stands in the window. “We’re combining forces. He gave me some of his coffee.”

She takes my cup and crosses the large, open space to get me a refill, and I stop at the counter where Tabby is suddenly very focused on number crunching.

“Web design and accounting?” I lean over, looking down at the notebook in front of her.

Straightening, she slaps it shut. “You might be surprised to learn girls can do math and computer science. Even if they don’t wear glasses.”

“I’m not surprised.” My eyes flicker to her red lips before returning to those fiery green eyes. “I bet you can do whatever you want.”

That melts her. I don’t know why I have a one-track mind toward this girl all of a sudden, but I just go with it. What the hell? “I’ve got Friday night off. I’d like to cash in that rain check if you’re free.”

“What rain check?” Her voice is quieter, defiance gone.

“From lunch yesterday. Go out with me on Friday.”

“I told you no.”

I confess, her immediate rejection stings a little, but I see the fear in her eyes. It eases the blow somewhat. “Really?” I can’t wait to hear her excuse this time.

“I… I promised Emberly I’d keep Coco.”

“Tabby!” Emberly is with us again, handing me the fresh coffee. “Coco can stay at Mom’s Friday night.”

Tabby cuts her eyes at her friend. “But I promised—”

Emberly shrugs. “It’ll be a good reason for me to call it an early night. Besides, you haven’t done anything fun in—”