“Are you still pretending we have one?”
“What do you think is in my past?”
Darius stared at his father. “Was it really that easy for you to forget?” He walked out of the room without waiting for an answer.
Doreen gripped the coffeepot harder as she watched Simon advance toward the bakery counter at Books & Bakery Saturday morning. Her hand shook as she refilled Sheriff Alonzo Lopez’s mug.
“Thank you, Doreen.” Alonzo gripped Doreen’s wrist in a firm but gentle hold.
Doreen glanced at the sheriff’s mug, now filled to the rim with coffee. She gasped. “I’m sorry.”
The sheriff released her wrist. “No harm done.” His calm drawl soothed her.
“But I didn’t leave room for your creamer.”
Laugh lines around his dark eyes deepened. “I’ll make room as I drink the coffee.”
Doreen collected his empty breakfast plate. Her smile faded as Simon joined them. She glanced at the copy of The Trinity Falls Monitor he carried.
“Morning, Simon. What can I get you?” From the corner of her eye, she caught Alonzo’s sharp look. It made her regret her cool tone.
“A cup of coffee, please, Doreen.” Simon settled onto the stool beside the sheriff. “Good morning, Alonzo.”
Alonzo gestured toward the paper Simon rested on the counter between them. “I saw the article about you.”
Simon’s eyes lit with pleasure. “Did you, now? What did you think?”
Alonzo sipped his coffee. “It was interesting.”
Doreen listened to the exchange as she set the dirty plate in the bucket beside the coffee station. She placed a mug in fr
ont of Simon and filled it with coffee.
“Would you like to sign the petition to add my name to the ballot?” Simon whipped out the sheet of paper he’d tucked into the newspaper.
Doreen couldn’t read the look in Alonzo’s eyes. “There’s no soliciting in Books and Bakery.”
Simon glanced at her. “Trying to stifle your competition, Doreen?”
Her lips trembled, but she managed not to ask, What competition? “This isn’t about my campaign, Simon. The Trinity Falls Town Center has a no-solicitation policy.” Doreen gestured toward the front of the store. “It’s posted clear as day on each shop’s door.”
She could read the expression in Alonzo’s eyes now. It was relief. The sheriff drank more of his coffee, then stirred cream into his mug.
Simon nudged the other man’s arm. “I’ll bring the petition by your office later, Sheriff.”
Alonzo picked up his coffee. “I have this weekend off.”
“Oh. That explains why you’re not in uniform. Well, I’ll bring it by Monday, then.”
“The sheriff’s department has a no-solicitation policy also.” Alonzo drained his mug, then stood to take his bill to the nearby cash register.
Simon frowned. “How’s a person supposed to get their petition signed?”
“I’m sure you’ll think of something.” Doreen attended to the sheriff’s bill at the register. “Enjoy your weekend, Alonzo.”
Alonzo accepted his change. “You do the same, Doreen.”
Doreen closed the register as she watched Alonzo disappear into the bookshelves. He looked so different out of uniform—approachable, relaxed, sexy.