Page 201 of Taken Away

Savannah recovered first. "Good morning."

Anne smiled. "Mabel always hired pretty people."

Chloe laughed.

Savannah rolled her eyes. "Some things never change."

"No," Anne said, glancing around the winery lobby. "Apparently not."

The front door opened.

All three women turned.

Sheriff Burke Scott stepped inside.

Six-foot-two in worn boots and pressed denim, a tan Stetson shadowing his dark blond hair. His badge rode his belt instead of his chest, and he carried himself with the easy confidence of a man who had spent most of his life walking into rooms full of people having very bad days.

Burke spotted Savannah and Chloe immediately.

Then his gaze landed on Anne.

He stopped.

Anne’s expression brightened.

Well.

Now there was a handsome man.

Burke crossed the lobby. "Morning."

"Sheriff."

"Ms. Langford."

Anne tilted her head. "Burton Scott's boy."

Burke sighed, but the corner of his mouth twitched. "Yes, ma'am."

Anne laughed. "Oh Lord, you've got his eyes."

"I've heard that."

"No, honey. You've heard people say it." She pointed at him. "I'm telling you it's unsettling."

Savannah bit the inside of her cheek.

Chloe became very interested in a stack of invoices.

Burke shook his head. "My father would enjoy this conversation."

"He'd pretend not to."

Anne waved a hand. “Half the girls in Jackson County were crazy about your daddy."

Burke groaned. "Please don't."

"Oh, they were." She leaned closer. "Maggie Parker nearly started a riot over him once."