Page 5 of The Friendship Pact

“I needed some fresh air. I’m happy to help.” He rested the shovel against the house.

She handed him a large cookie tin with a snowman on the lid that said These Calories Don’t Count. “For you, my dear boy. You work too hard. I included your favorite gingerbread and a few sugar and shortbread cookies as well.”

Nick’s stomach growled. “Thank you. I’ll enjoy these while I watch the game I recorded.” Nick knew Ms. Johnston loved college sports, particularly the Minnesota Gophers. She knew her football and loved watching her alma mater. They’d had many lively discussions on the topic. He emphasized the word “recorded” so she wouldn’t divulge the score. So far, he’d managed to make it through the entire day without someone revealing it.

“I figured you hadn’t had time to watch the game. Mum’s the word.” She zipped her fingers across her lips and smiled. “Enjoy.”

His radio went off and he listened. “Take care, Ms. Johnston, and thanks again,” he said, lifting the tin in gratitude and stepping up his pace.

Nick hoisted his tired body into his SUV and groaned when Meg came on the radio. “Sheriff. 10-39 at Main and Birch, possible 10-69.”

Heaven help him. Nick replied, “10-4.” A possible drug bust. He flipped on his lights, left Ms. Johnston’s place, and pulled in behind his deputy’s squad car less than five minutes later. Illinois license plate. An uneasy feeling settled low in his belly. He hauled his tired ass out of the vehicle and walked up to a grinning Sawyer, who looked like he’d just won the lottery.

“Fill me in,” Nick said.

* * *

Kate shifted to look behind her. Another officer in a Ford Explorer was pulling up behind them. She bent forward and reached for her shoelace, using the trick her father had taught her to release the cuffs. Thank you, Dad!

A large mountain of a man with “SHERIFF” on his jacket walked past her window. Kate couldn’t get a good look at him, but enjoyed his sexy swagger.

What the heck is wrong with me? Granted, she hadn’t been with anyone since Jacques, and even that had been months ago. I wonder if he’s single. Who cared. He was nice to look at. It didn’t hurt to appreciate a man in uniform.

She watched the sheriff talking with Deputy Sawyer and inspecting the back seat of her vehicle. The sheriff ran a hand through his thick, dark hair, creating a sexy windblown appearance. He glanced in her direction. Kate could tell the sheriff wasn’t happy with his officer by the way the deputy studied his shoes. She couldn’t help but grin.

When the cruiser door opened, Kate dangled the handcuffs in front of the oh-so-sexy and irritated sheriff. He ground his teeth, didn’t say a word, and took the metal restraints from her. He tossed them to his stunned officer. “I’m sorry, Miss Davis. It seems there’s been a misunderstanding.”

The sheriff reached out to help Kate out of the car, and she placed her hand in his, wondering what his skin might feel like under the soft leather of his gloves. His eyes were the color of dark chocolate, and he had long lashes any woman would desire. Good thing she wasn’t made of snow, or she would have melted on the spot. Nick glared at his officer and began escorting Kate to her vehicle. She started to shake. She didn’t know if it was the cold or if her body had caught up to the adrenaline overload.

“Come on, let’s get you out of the cold. I’m Sheriff Nick Reid and if you’d like to file a complaint, stop by the police station. It’s a mile west of the church.”

“Thank you. I won’t be pressing charges.”

He kept her on the safe side of him, away from traffic. He smelled of fresh snow and pine. Yet the only thing fluttering through her mind was whether she had lied about her weight on her driver’s license. Of course she had. Though not by a lot.

Kate crawled in behind the wheel of her vehicle and started the engine, turning the heat on full blast. Sheriff Reid closed her door and placed a hand on the open window jamb.

She couldn’t help but stare at his strong jaw and close-cropped beard. She itched to run her fingers through his thick and wavy dark locks. Jacques’s hair was thinning, and it wouldn’t surprise her if he went bald in a few years. Hah!

The sheriff handed back her Illinois driver’s license. “Welcome to Deer Creek Falls, Kate.”

One side of his mouth tilted up, and her heart skipped a beat.

“Probably best to keep the catnip in a covered container instead of in freezer bags and open on the back seat.”

“I will. I don’t normally store it in the car.”

“So you’re a cat lady, huh?” His brow quirked.

Kate pursed her lips. “Yep. A spinster cat lady. You got me.”

She pushed the button to raise the window, and Sheriff Reid stepped back. He might be off-the-charts gorgeous, but he’d just lost brownie points. Didn’t he know better than to call a single woman a cat lady? She only had two; it wasn’t like she had an entire vehicle full of them. Men! This was one of many reasons she planned on staying single.

* * *

Nick grasped the steering wheel to help lift his aching limbs into his SUV and called dispatch to sign off for the day. He’d deal with his deputy later. All he wanted to do was relax on the couch with his feet up.

Damn. He was such an idiot. Why would he call her a cat lady? Normally he would let something like this go, not caring if he offended someone while doing his job, but he couldn’t. Her first impressions of the sheriff’s department didn’t sit well with him. He could only imagine what she must think of him and their small town. He didn’t know why, but it upset him.