Page 20 of The Deputy's Secret Double

He wondered how she was doing. Josiah had said she had visited him once in the hospital since he’d gotten out of surgery, but that had been when Price was on duty.

Word had traveled around that she’d been the one to find Josiah in the field, but Winnie had assured him that while a few more people had come to the coffee shop looking for her, JJ had seemed to stay out of the way of most people’s rapid-fire questioning. That was good, he’d decided. She probably needed some peace after everything she’d seen.

Price nodded to his own thoughts and went back to trying to figure out his next destination when the door to the coffee shop swung open. Corrie was indeed excited about something. She was visibly bouncing when Price made eye contact with her through the windshield.

She made a stop motion and was at his truck door all within what seemed like one quick movement.

Corrie wasn’t smiling but she wasn’t frowning either. Her voice however was sweet with the syrup of a favor.

“Hey there, Price,” she said. “This sure is fate catching you here.”

Price’s eyebrow rose at that.

“You do know my daughter works here, right?” he deadpanned.

She waved that off and dove in.

“I mean, when I need a really big favor, you just so happen to be around. It’s kismet!”

During high school, Price wouldn’t have called his relationship with Corrie Daniels that much more than an acquaintance thatsometimesbordered on a casual friendship. Now, in their thirties, he was starting to realize somewhere along the line that had changed. Corrie was now someone who looked after Winnie, teased him about his lack of a dating life, questioned his choices and, apparently, had no hesitation in asking for favors.

Price wasn’t sure if he liked this change.

Just as he wasn’t sure he’d like a favor that had her this animated.

He narrowed his eyes, suspicious.

“Fateandkismet,” he repeated. “If you saydestinynext, I’m out before I hear your ask.”

Corrie was unperturbed. Her question didn’t come with the fancy buzzword though.

“How do you feel about going to a fun little party tomorrow night as our plus-one?”

That surprised him. He didn’t know which point to land on first.

“Party? Our?”

She jerked her thumb back at the coffee shop.

“It’s a business bureau thing in the city, mainly meant to network. Originally, it was supposed to be Cassandra going but she can’t with the baby. Then I was going to go but, well, something just came up that I need to do instead.”

“And so you’re askingmeto go? You know I don’t work here, right?”

Corrie rolled her eyes.

“I’m askingyouto be the plus-one toJJ, who’s been nice enough to agree to go and schmooze a little on our behalf.”

Price was less sarcastic in his response.

“JJ’s going?”

She nodded.

“I’d send you with Winnie but it’s an adult soiree with drinks and the like. Plus, I figured since your social life could use a boost, it might be good for you to go too. That and I feel bad sending our quiet JJ out to battle alone.” Corrie slapped her hands together. “Y’all only have to fake nice and chat for an hour. You’ll have my gratitude for life. What do you say?”

Price didn’t have to think about it long.

“What’s the dress code?”