“Hello,” she said, sweet as pie.
I swivelled around in my chair, just in time to see the look fall from her face.
Her mouth parted slightly, eyes going wide as they locked onto mine. She clutched her bag tighter to her chest, knuckles whitening.
She was dressed like a teacher straight out of a storybook—dark navy dress that fell well past her knees, a white collar neat against her throat, and a soft grey cardigan that clung to her shoulders like it belonged there. Her shoes were flat, practical, and made the quietest little sound when she shifted her weight.
Sensible. Careful.
She looked exactly how I remembered her… just a little more mine.
“You’re the sheriff?” she asked, voice catching.
“Yes,” I said calmly, nodding to the chair in front of my desk. “Please, take a seat. How can I help you?”
She didn’t sit. Her gaze flicked to the chair, then to the door—and she made a run for it.
I was faster.
By the time she reached it, my hand was flat against the wood, blocking her exit.
She froze, breath catching, and for a moment we stood there—just inches apart. I could smell the hint of something warm and floral clinging to her skin. I could almost taste her breath. If I moved just a little closer—
But no.
My little mama needed to be wooed.
She ducked beneath my arm with a sharp movement and darted around to the far side of the desk.
I turned, slow and easy, and locked the door.
“I—I want you to leave me alone,” she stammered.
“No.”
I turned to face her fully.
“For all I know, you could be carrying Baby Mercer in there.”
Her back went rigid, and her arms shifted—her bag dropping from her chest to rest protectively over her stomach.
“Baby Morgan,” she said tightly, chin tilting up like she wasn’t terrified—like she hadn’t just revealed too much.
“So you admit to keeping my baby from me,” I drawled, stepping just a little closer.
“What? No. I don’t even know if I’m pregnant.”
That was something I needed to work on.
“You know we’re going to keep bumping into each other.”
My voice stayed calm. Even. Certain.
“You’ll meet my family. My niece will be in your class next year. Grammy loves you—she’s already told me everything.”
That made her shift. Flustered again.
Grammy had that effect on people.
