Page 2 of Beneath the Blue Moon

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Damn paperwork. This is the only part of my job I

hate. My annoyance is further compounded by a sudden, steady buzz in my brain.

I hear Mary talking to someone, but I push their conversation aside as the buzz

extends itself to encompass my entire body. A slow hum radiates from my core

and a shiver runs down my spine. What the hell is going on with me? I’ve

never felt anything like this before.

Movement beyond my door catches my attention, and I look up

to see Mary heading to my office. Can’t she handle the damn woman by

herself? This is not the time to bother me.

“Sheriff?”

“Yes, Mary?”

“There’s a woman out here raisin’ hell ’bout talkin’ to you.”

“About her missing father?”

Her eyes widen in surprise. Yes, I heard. All my senses—not

just my hearing—are heightened.

“You heard? Well, I tried to explain to her how it works,

but she’s bent on seein’ you.”

“Fine.” I sigh. “Send her in.”

I turn back to my computer screen, thinking about the time

I’m going to have to waste with this hysterical woman. The man probably just

went out for a drink or something to escape her. I don’t have time for this,

and with the way I’m feeling, I don’t have the inclination, either. The slow

hum gradually increases, becoming a hammering in my ears.

I smell her before I see her. It’s a sweet, subtle fragrance

that overpowers my entire being and sets my senses on alert. I take a deep

breath, my nostrils flaring as I get a waft of her sublime scent. It’s not

perfume or anything external. It’s her. Who is this woman?

I turn to face her, and it’s as if someone punched me in the gut, knocking the

wind out of me. Her scent wraps itself around me, rendering my body motionless,

my mind blank. She inflames my senses, leaving me reeling in a torrent of

emotion and… need. My heart skips multiple beats and proceeds to dance

erratically, banging against my ribcage.

Fiery red hair frames her heart-shaped face, and long lashes

curl over emerald-green eyes. Full breasts heave as she breathes heavily. Her

small waist flares out to generous hips, leading to long, shapely legs covered

by jeans that fit a little too snugly. She bites down on her full bottom lip

nervously. A lump rises in my throat, and for the first time in my adult life,

I’m speechless. I stare at her, desperately fighting every instinct to pull her

into my arms.

“Sheriff?”

Her voice. It’s like a song I’ve never heard but know the

lyrics to—one that’s already my favorite. Answer her, you idjit! Say

something! I clear my throat, standing when I remember my manners.

“Yes, ma’am. Sheriff Ethan McKenzie. Come in, have a seat.”

“Sheriff, I know I may sound hysterical, but you don’t

understand.” Her breath catches and tears pool in her eyes. The need to comfort

her burns through me. “My dad… He’s schizophrenic. Sometimes he doesn’t know

who he is, let alone where he is. He could be out there lost and scared.

I need to find him.”

Damn. “We’ll find him, Miss…?”

“Bryan. Casey Bryan.” She takes a seat in the chair opposite

my desk, helplessly wringing her hands. “His name is Luke and I’ve already circled

the town twice looking for him.”

“Are there any friends he may have visited, places he likes

to go?” I ask.

“We’re new here; he doesn’t know anyone.”

“Okay. Don’t worry,” I assure her. “Everything’ll be fine.”