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After we finish our elk tenderloins and share a slice of blueberry pie made from locally sourced blueberries, I settle the bill and go to apologize to Sheriff Thompson.
“I come in peace,” I tell him in an effort to lighten the mood. “I wanted to apologize for before. I mistakenly thought Meredith was your girlfriend.”
He frowns, and then he nods in understanding, much to my surprise. “I understand. Let’s both forget this as soon as possible.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, and Caleb?”
“Yes?”
“You better not charge me for my drinks the next time I visit your bar,” he says with a wink.
I laugh. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Meredith gives the Sheriff a small wave from her place by the door, and he gives her a friendly nod. They might not be in a relationship, but something definitely is up with these two.
“I’ll walk you home,” I tell Meredith.
“Thanks.”
We head outside and start walking in the direction of her rental, but then she stops in her tracks, eyes wide with panic.
“What’s wrong?”
I follow her gaze to a dark figure leaning against the hood of a car.
“Call the cops. Now,” she says, her words sending chills down my spine.
Chapter Five
Meredith
As I sit on the curb, still reeling from the realization that I mistook an innocent man for the one I’m set to testify against, a wave of shame and embarrassment washes over me. How could I have let the stress surrounding the case drive me to such paranoia?
Thankfully, the cops were very understanding and discreet. One of them pressed the business card of a local therapist in my hands before he left. He’s probably right about me needing to seek help. I already went through numerous therapy sessions, but I’m not healed from my trauma yet. Far from it.
Caleb remained calm and composed during all of it. It puts me at ease to know that he’d protect me if something serious would ever happen.
“Come on, let’s get you home,” he says.
I get up from the curb and let him walk me back to my house, without any interruptions this time.
“Do you want to come inside for a hot drink?” I ask when we arrive, hoping he’ll say yes.
I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m too shaken up to be alone right now.
“Sure.”
He follows me inside and I brew a pot of coffee. “I feel like I owe you an apology.”
“You? Why?”
I lick my lips. “I’ve been nothing but a hassle. First, you had to teach me everything about being a bartender, then you found out I lied about having a boyfriend, and then I thought I was being stalked by a killer on the loose. I promise you I’m not normally like this.”
He puts his hand on mine, sending a hot jolt of need through my body. “It’s okay. I’ve met way crazier women.”
I laugh at his joke. “Caleb, I’m serious. I wish I could tell you why I’m acting this strangely. It pains me to keep secrets from you. I’m not who you think I am.”
