“Never thought I’d have to instigate a no-reading-while-walking rule.” Ed shook his head.
“What? You can’t just make up rules!” She turned to Linc. “He can’t, can he?”
“Well, let’s see. He is the sheriff.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You’re the sheriff?” She gulped.
Ed nodded and she took a longer look at him. He was about an inch taller than Linc and just as broad with dark hair and gray eyes. He filled out that shirt of his nicely. She couldn’t believe she’d just thought that.
He’s a cop. The goddamn sheriff.
But he wasn’t in uniform right now, which made it easier to be around him.
“Even the sheriff can’t just make up rules like that.”
“Well, I was hired to protect the people of this town, including you, little miss. And this is the second time you’ve been in trouble, isn’t it?”
“Second time?” Linc asked in a low voice.
Uh-oh.
“We have to get going, don’t we, Linc? Sorry I crashed into you, Sheriff. It won’t happen again. Bye!” She slipped her hand into Linc’s arm and tried to move him.
It was like attempting to shift a mountain. The man was made of solid muscle. She let out a frustrated noise. “You could’ve just let me steer you away.”
“I could have,” he agreed.
The sheriff raised his eyebrows and turned to Linc. “The two of you are headed somewhere?”
“Going on a picnic by the river,” Linc explained.
“Ahh. I see.”
Something flashed over Ed’s face. She wasn’t sure what it was, but it looked almost like regret. That made no sense, though.
“Laid a claim, have you?” Ed asked.
“I’m trying,” Linc said.
Huh? A claim on what? What were they talking about?
“Sorry. If I’d known that I would have told you about pulling her over the other night for speeding.”
“What night was this?” Linc asked quietly. Staring down at her.
She had to stop herself from shuffling her feet in guilt.
“When she was at Sanctuary Ranch for Charlie’s bridal shower. Surprised you didn’t have her stay over. It was late for her to be driving home alone on that road.”
“We only just met that night,” Linc said, his eyes narrowing as he scowled at the sheriff, obviously not liking the rebuke in his voice.
She glared at the sheriff as well. She could look after herself, thank you very much.
Well, not really. But still. His words were worthy of a glare in her opinion.
“You move fast,” Ed observed.
“When I find something I want, I know I need to move quickly before someone else steps in and snatches it up.”