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“Don’t worry, Sarah. Your speeding ticket still stands.”
Sarah gave him a beatific smile and went back to wrapping while she said, “If Donnie’s no longer with the department, shouldn’t that old ticket be torn up?”
Sheriff Roscoe laughed. “That’s not how the law works. You go too fast, you get a ticket and you pay the price. Next time, make sure there isn’t a next time.”
Sarah gave an exaggerated sigh.
“It was worth a try.” She smiled at her customer. The woman chuckled.
“Now,” the sheriff turned back to Bodie. “As I was saying before Lead Foot there interrupted,” he jerked his thumb in Sarah’s direction, “I’m looking for a good man to take Donnie’s place on my team.”
“Are you trying to hire Bodie?” Sarah was obviously not through with the conversation.
“I’ve got to replace Donnie to make sure someone’s around to write little speed demons’ tickets.”
“Oh.” Claudia joined in from where she was helping a customer. “You should hire Bodie. He could write Sarah tickets when she drives too fast.”
“I do not typically drive too fast. If I didn’t know better, I’d think there was a conspiracy to make sure I keep my car going at a snail’s pace,” Sarah accused, winking at her customer as she put her tissue-wrapped snowflakes into a bag. “Oh, the joys of living in a small town.”
“Isn’t it grand?” her customer asked.
“That it is. Wouldn’t live anywhere else,” Sarah agreed, handing the woman the paper bag. “Thank you so much for shopping with us. We hope everyone loves their snowflakes again this year and that we’ll see you next year, minus the discussion on my driving habits.”
While Sarah collected the woman’s money, Bodie regarded the sheriff.
“Think about it, son,” the sheriff suggested. “Be hard to find a finer place to live than Pine Hill.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I really am just passing through. I have a job lined up I’ll be starting in January.”
With Lukas at iSecure. He’d be back to making the world a safer place and helping his friend have more time with his wife and baby once Kelly delivered.
Though his work wouldn’t really make the world a safer place, he corrected his thoughts. More like he’d be making the person or persons he was hired to protect safer.
“I’ve read your background.” The sheriff’s cheeks turned a little pink as he seemed to recall why he’d performed a background check. “You’re more than qualified,” the sheriff continued. “Have more training than most of the men in my department. You change your mind and decide to stick around, give me a call. I’ll arrange an official interview.”
The sheriff handed him a business card, and they shook hands again.
Out of respect for the sheriff, Bodie put the card into his jacket pocket. He’d toss it later as he had no intention of calling the sheriff or of staying in Pine Hill. His life was elsewhere.
His gaze cut to Sarah and she motioned to where her father and Maybelle headed toward them. “Looks like our shift relief is on the way.”
Bodie glanced at his watch, surprised at how much time had passed while they’d been selling ornaments. Sarah greeted Maybelle and her father, kissing them each on the cheek.
“If you two hurry, you can catch the last half of the parade,” her father suggested.
“Oh, let’s.” She turned to Bodie and grabbed his hand.
He glanced toward Harry.
“The dog can stay with us if you want,” Maybelle offered, giving Harry a squinty-eyed look. “He won’t misbehave on my watch.”
Bodie doubted anyone misbehaved on Maybelle’s watch, but he shook his head. “Harry will go with us.”
At hearing his name, Harry’s head lifted and Bodie motioned for the dog to join him. Harry was immediately at his side, raring to go, and Bodie clipped the leash to his collar.
Straightening, he turned to a visibly excited Sarah and couldn’t resist grinning. “Let’s watch this Christmas parade you keep talking about.”
Chapter Twelve
