Trusting The Sheriff

Abby would have hurried if she could, knowing what a mess she must be. Strubly, in Deitsch. Disheveled. Her apron was askew, hair tumbling out of the bun, and when she lifted a hand to her head, she realized her kapp had slid back. Then, of course, she must have bits of grass in her hair and on her skirts.

Once inside, she mumbled, “Excuse me for a minute,” and hustled for the downstairs bathroom. A small mirror hung there, allowing members of the household to check to be sure their hair was smooth, or kapps and bonnets in the proper position. Indeed, she had to pick blades of grass out of her hair, which she finger-combed and reanchored before settling the filmy white kapp back on her head, leaving the ties dangling. She made a face at herself, dismayed by still pink cheeks.

By the time she reached the kitchen, Onkel Eli and the sheriff were both digging into huge pieces of schnitz pie, made from dried apples. The sheriff paused when he saw her, a forkful halfway to his mouth. His eyes narrowed slightly as his gaze swept over her, head to foot and back up again, bringing renewed warmth to her cheeks.

Her aunt spoke to her in Deitsch. “Sit, Abby. You must eat, too. Hot water I have on for tea. Eat yourself full, and no nonsense about you not being hungry. You hear me?” She slid a plate in front of Abby as she sat beside Onkel Eli.

“I hear you,” Abby said meekly, in English.

Sheriff Tanner looked amused. Had he understood the Deitsch? Abby wondered.

“Your sergeant called me,” he said. “Asked me to make sure you’re doing okay. He was worried that they’d let you out of the hospital too soon.”

“With family, she’s better off,” Aenti said fiercely.

“Yes, I have no doubt.”

This smile for her aunt transformed an astonishingly handsome face that had first seemed grim to Abby. He had high cheekbones, a strong jaw already showing a hint of brown stubble, a thin nose that might have a tiny crook, as if it had been broken at some time, and a mouth Abby had trouble taking her eyes from.

“Who wouldn’t rather lie in the sun than a hospital bed?” he added.

“It did feel good,” Abby admitted. She took a small bite, seeing Aenti Nancy’s nod of satisfaction. Once she’d chewed and swallowed, Abby met his eyes. “How did Sergeant Donahue choose you?” If he heard some sharpness, she didn’t care.

“We knew each other years ago. I was with KCPD before I became sheriff here. Mike is sure I must be bored.”

“Maybe he’s right, if you had enough time on your hands to drive out here to see whether I was in dire straits or up and walking.”

Her uncle’s eyebrows rose, but he didn’t say anything. The sheriff’s twitched, too.

“I like to get out and drive around my county,” he said mildly. “Say hello to people. Haven’t spoken to Eli in a while.”

That might all be true. Abby didn’t even know why she was bristling. And being rude.

No, she knew, all right. She’d reacted to him instantly in a way she never had to any man. It made her uncomfortable. She didn’t really know how to flirt, and shouldn’t anyway in case he was married. Or, even more likely, not attracted to her. And then there was the idea that Sergeant Donahue had sent him. The sergeant she’d trusted, who’d stood at the foot of her hospital bed looking at her with suspicion and something stronger. Dislike? Anger? And suddenly now he’d become considerate, deeply concerned about her well-being? Abby didn’t think so.

Caleb Tanner drained his coffee. She saw that he’d finished his pie, too.

So she said politely, “Thank you for coming. You can tell him I’m fine, but no, I haven’t remembered anything.”

He studied her with eyes that she decided were a very dark green flecked with gold and possibly whiskey brown. With a nod, he said, “I’ll tell him.”

He thanked Aenti Nancy for the pie, said a general goodbye and walked out, Onkel Eli accompanying him.

Abby sagged and closed her eyes.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.