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She fidgets with her napkin. “I’d rather not make a scene in such an exclusive establishment.”
“I don’t care about any of that, damn it.” I pound my fist on the table, and everyone turns their head in our direction. So much for ignoring Sheriff Thompson.
He spots us and offers us a friendly wave and a smile. What the… I shove my chair back and throw my napkin down.
“Caleb, stop,” Meredith calls after me.
“Sheriff Thompson,” I say as I arrive at his table. “Can I have a word with you? Outside.”
The man has the audacity to look offended. “Now? I’m on a date here, McAllister. If there’s an emergency, call the station.”
“Are you fucking serious right now?”
“Watch your tone, young man.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Or what?”
One of the waiters runs over and grabs me by the arm. “Excuse me, sir, if you don’t calm down and return to your seat, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
I grit my teeth. It takes every shred of willpower I have to turn around and walk away.
“This is not over yet,” I tell Sheriff Thompson as I march back to our table.
Meredith looks at me with a mortified gaze. “Caleb, why did you do that?”
“Because I can’t stand a man who isn’t completely devoted to his girlfriend, that’s why,” I say as I angrily break a breadstick in half.
Her shoulders slump, tears brimming in her eyes. Shit. I’ve made her feel even worse about all of this. I should think first before I react. My brothers keep telling me, but I keep forgetting.
“Sheriff Thompson isn’t treating me wrong. He’s not my boyfriend. I made that up.”
My eyes widen in surprise. “What? But… why?”
She shakes her head, her gaze full of fear. “I wish I could tell you why, but you have to trust me, Caleb. If I tell you, I could risk everything. My life is at stake here,” she adds in a whispered voice.
I reach across the table, gently taking her hand in mine. “I can’t deny that this is a lot to process, but I trust you, Meredith. I won’t ask any questions if you don’t want to tell me.”
“Can’t tell you. There’s a difference,” she says.
We spend the next minutes in silence, me feeling horrible about how I treated Sheriff Thompson. I don’t know what came over me. It was like a primal reaction. A need to protect Meredith’s feelings at all costs.
After another minute, Meredith locks eyes with me. A smile plays on her lips. “Did you really think I’d fall for a guy more than twice my age?”
I laugh. “Why not? It happens all the time. There’s nothing weird about it. And don’t forget that you’re gorgeous, smart, and funny. Any guy would be lucky to have you. I bet men fight over you all the time.”
She snorts. “Yeah, right.”
“I’m serious. You’re special, Meredith. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. I’ve only spent two days with you, but it’s enough to know that you’re amazing.”
Her cheeks color pink. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
My phone pings with a message just when our elk tenderloins arrive. It’s from Wren. Uh-oh.
What the hell, cousin?
I send her a sad emoji face back paired with the words I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.
I know Wren won’t stay mad long, but I do feel ashamed for how I acted earlier. I better buy her and Sheriff Thompson a great present to smooth things over.
