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“I wouldn’t have parked there if I’d known it was a violation,” Mia said. She shook her head. At the end of the day, it was still her fault. She’d parked in a fire zone, but she honestly didn’t see the red. Something Deputy West didn’t seem to care about.
“He walks around like he owns the damn town and that ticket was Kyle’s cleats money and because of our argument, I got to the game last night to see the final twenty-seven seconds.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I can lend you the money if you need.”
Mia sighed. “No, I appreciate it, but the point of all this is to support Kyle. I’m his guardian and I want to do this. I will talk to Annie about seeing if I can pick up another shift.”
Even though Mia knew it was a long shot. She was already working as much as Annie could give her and it still was barely enough to get by. She’d been on the hunt for a second job and so far, it wasn’t looking good.
“I may know of a job opening,” Jen said and Mia couldn’t help but snap her head up. “The city council woman came into the bank the other day talking about how she wished she had someone to head up this year’s Santa Sleigh Drive.”
“Really?” Mia said and didn’t care that there was desperation in her voice. Getting to help plan a city event would be huge. Because so far, Sweet Hill didn’t really have a use for her particular skill set. Which wasn’t much to speak of.
Mia’s mother taught her two things when she was young: One, Mia was the single reason her mother hated her life. And two, people, especially men, would only value Mia for one thing—her body.
The only thing she knew about her father was that he was an older man who spent a weekend in town, knocked up her mom, and took off. Mia was the reminder of that night and everything her mother lost, including her own future. And she blamed Mia until the day she died.
Mia touched the locket around her neck. The only thing good she had of her mother. She never gave it to Mia specifically, but it was the single piece of jewelry she owned and for whatever reason, Mia deluded herself into thinking maybe her mother would have wanted her to have it.
She shook her head, snapping herself out of the pity party. She couldn’t change the past. She couldn’t change who her mother was or how she treated her. But she could try to change how people saw her. Because Mia was tired of relying on her body for tips. She was more than that, and was desperate to prove it.
Sweet Hill wasn’t Seattle and maybe that was a good thing. Building a life, the kind she could be proud of and support Kyle was her priority. This job may integrate her with the community and be just what she needed for her new start.
“Yeah, Santa’s Sleigh Drive has outgrown the grassroots effort. Last year it was so big, the city didn’t have enough vehicles to distribute everything donated and some of the food went bad.”
“That’s too bad,” Mia said. And it was. Santa’s Sleigh Drive was an annual fundraiser put on by the town that helped families in need during the holiday season. They collected coats, toys, and food from the community so that come Christmas morning a truck could deliver a Happy Holiday in a box to families who needed something to be merry about. Most importantly, it gave kids, like Mia had once been, something special under the tree and on the table.
“I guess it hasn’t been super organized in the past,” Jen went on. “I don’t know the details of the position or what it would pay, but it’s worth a shot.”
Mia nodded, making a mental note to call the council woman and set up a time to meet with her. Hopefully it came with a bit of money. Anything at this point would help. But the prospect of getting to be a part of the community? To show that she wasn’t the rebel teen she once was and that she was interested and excited about making Sweet Hill her home.
“Thank you so much, Jen.”
For the first time since she got here, Mia had a bit of a bright spot in her day. It was a long shot, but it was something. And with her record of striking out lately, she’d take the small dose of hope she could get.
“Now that you’re in better spirits, back to Deputy Stuck-Up.” Jen smiled. “If I were you, I’d try to stay on his good side.”
Mia shook her head. The one drawback to a small town was that everyone knew everyone. It could be a good thing in certain instances, but if the Deputy already had her number, Mia was at a deficit in her hopes to gain the town’s approval.
Yes, she wanted to fit in and be seen as a valued member of society, but she wasn’t going to get walked on.
“Why should I be nice to him?”
“Because he?
??s running for Sheriff, and from what I hear, he’s unopposed.”
Of course he was going to be Sheriff, and Mia’s reputation with the current Sheriff wasn’t perfect. Branch had hauled her in over curfew and suspicion of Minor In Possession back in the day. But he was always kind, honorable and gave Mia a fair shot.
“Now the Deputy is following in Branch’s footsteps,” Mia said. Only Deputy West seemed uptight and didn’t seem to care what Mia had to say.
“Tate’s a good guy. Similar to Branch, only younger and hotter.” Jen winked.
“I think Tate’s ego is bigger than his—”
“Night stick?” Jen filled in with a smile. “Not from the rumors I’ve heard. I don’t think Deputy West is lacking in any area.”
Mia tried to roll her eyes again but a small grin slipped out instead. She couldn’t help but remember just how non-lacking Tatum was. He had an effortless presence that engulfed her, despite her being raging pissed. Like his demeanor was one that solicited instant respect and authority. Kind of hot if she were being totally honest.
