Page 61 of The Formation of Us

“I always tell the truth, Adam.”

Of course he did. He was the sheriff. And he was a Grayson.

Adam took the rod, but his mind was on Rebecca’s father when he cast the line. The hook and sinker shot over the water and landed with a soft blip six boat lengths away.

“Nice cast,” the sheriff said, but Adam’s jaw was clenched. He didn’t know anything about a stupid parasol.

“A fish is going to need a steam engine strapped to his tail to catch that hook you’re reeling in. Go slow and steady.”

“Yes, sir.”

Adam drew the rod up and cast the line again.

“Something eating at you today?”

“No, sir.” He reeled slowly, but his heart hammered. The sheriff wouldn’t be happy to learn that Adam hated his brother.

“You remember the talk we just had about speaking honestly, don’t you?”

“Yes, sir.” And Adam had just vowed not to lie to anyone ever again. “I’m angry, sir, but believe me, you don’t want to know why.”

“Is that a polite way of telling me it’s none of my business?”

A sick feeling rippled through his stomach, but he’d made a promise not to lie. “Your brother thinks I gave a parasol to Rebecca because I’m trying to court her.”

The sheriff’s eyebrows lowered, but he seemed confused instead of angry. “Did you tell Rebecca you wanted to court her?”

“No, sir.”

“Did you give her a parasol?”

“No.”

“Are you being truthful with me?”

“Yes,” Adam said, clenching his teeth so hard his jaw ached.

“All right then.” The sheriff gave him a nod as if to say Adam shouldn’t worry about this. “I’ll talk to Radford.”

“You believe me?” he asked, shocked.

“Yes, Adam. I’m trusting you to be truthful with me. Now go on and cast that line. I’d like some fish for my supper.”

Stunned, mind reeling, Adam obeyed, but his hook had barely hit the water when the rod dipped.

The sheriff gripped the pole and gave it a quick upward thrust. “You got him.”

“A fish?”

“Either that or a mermaid.”

Adam winced at his stupid question. “Should I reel him in?”

The sheriff released the rod and shook his head. “This fella wants to run. We’ll have to tire him out before we net him.”

The fish was pulling so hard he was towing the boat! Adam panicked. “I don’t know what to do.” His heart pounded and he tried to hand the rod to the sheriff, who wouldn’t take it.

“Just keep your grip firm and don’t let him run the line out.” He looked at the reel, then at Adam. “When the line slackens, reel it in. If he fights hard, give him a bit of line to run with. He’ll get tired before you do.”