“So she should have graduated in ’87, right?”
Michelle nodded.
Guy looked away toward the window. Michelle sighed and took the time to study him. He didn’t look like he was getting much sleep. How did he juggle being the town sheriff and a single father to twin girls? She knew Nana Baker helped out, but it still had to be rough.
If they had stayed together, what would their kids have looked like? She placed her hand on her stomach as her thoughts swirled. Her eyes focused on the love knot encircling her finger. She gulped.
Does he still have his ring?
She shook her head to clear the thoughts. “Do you know anyone in town who graduated then?”
“Actually, I think Holly’s mom did.”
“Who’s Holly?” Was she somebody special?
“My secretary.”
Michelle ignored the feeling of relief that coursed through her at the new information.
“She tends to talk a lot. Comes with having young children. You latch onto any adult conversation.” He waved a hand in the air. “Anyway, her mom went to the high school in the eighties. I think Holly’s a few years younger than me so maybe her mom would know Chloe’s.”
“That’s great.” She tried to force cheer into her voice, but she couldn’t help but wonder how often he and Holly conversed. Don’t be ridiculous. She’s his secretary. They were bound to talk and talk often. “When can you ask her?”
“I’ll do it when I go back.”
“Okay, thanks for the help.” She looked at the door and then back at Guy.
He stared back and took a step forward.
Why isn’t he leaving? Did he not recognize the universal sign of dismissal?
“Did you need anything else?” She placed her left hand on top of her right. His gaze lowered and it was all she could do not to shift in her seat.
“Thirteen years is a long time to hold onto material things.”
“Sometimes we have no choice.”
“What could possibly prevent you from getting rid of something that would bring bad memories?”
“Weight.”
He frowned at her. “What are you talking about?”
“What are you talking about?”
Guy rubbed the back of his neck. “Chelle belle, why are you still wearing my ring?”
She hadn’t heard that name in years. Judging by the look on his face, he was just as surprised to have said it. Her insides quivered liked the tin man’s legs after facing Oz. She felt her breathing shorten as her skin flushed. She looked around the office noting the muted grays and oranges. Anything to forget how electrifying ‘Chelle belle’ had sounded rolling off his tongue.
How she had let Chloe talk her into the color scheme, she had no idea, but it worked. Everyone who stepped into her office commented on it. But right now, the comfort of her office wasn’t providing its usual escape.
“I can’t get it off,” she replied hoarsely.
His eyebrows raised and his mouth rounded into an ‘o’. He walked over to her desk and took her hand.
Don’t shiver, don’t shiver, don’t... The chill ran up her back. Thank God she wore long sleeves. They hid the goose bumps rising up her arms.
Guy turned the ring around and in one fluid motion, slipped the ring off.
Michelle blinked at her hand, noting the knotted tan line. She held her hand to her face, amazed at how much lighter it felt. How naked and bereft.
It came off.
She looked up and met Guy’s jet-black gaze. She had no clue what to say. “Thank you?”
He gave her a curt nod and walked out.
It wasn’t until much later, she realized he had taken the ring with him.
Chapter Eight
Guy twirled the promise ring in his hand. She still wore it after all these years. He snorted. Well not now, since he commandeered it from her. He shook his head, remembering the excuse she used. With one twist around the finger, it had slipped right off.
When he had slipped it on her finger the first time, he had meant it as a promise to love her. Then life happened and the need to escape Freedom Lake had him running without a backward glance. No calls. No emails. No letters. Nothing.
He had been free and loved every moment of it.
Only it hadn’t taken long for the novelty to wear off. Pretty soon, he found himself back in church, where he met Charlene.
Charlene.
His eyes darted to her picture on his desk. Her spiral curls framed her face and fell to her shoulders. A smile graced her lips. Guy imagined the girls would look more like her as they grew. He could already see her in their smile. Hopefully, they would get her temperament as well.
What would Charlene have thought about the boy he’d been? Just on the cusp of adulthood, he had ruined the one relationship he had once cherished. In one night. A groan gathered in his throat.
All this thinking messed with his brain. He needed to focus on something he could change. Something he could work for that would show he wasn’t a bad person. A thought entered his mind as he thought of Chloe’s situation.
Guy got up from his desk and opened the door. His secretary looked up and sent a megawatt smile in his direction. She held up a finger as she continued her phone conversation.
“I appreciate you notifying me....no I’ll see it when I pick her up. Okay, thank you again.” With a click and a turn, she faced him looking attentive. “Did you need something, Sheriff?”
He cleared his throat. “Um...is everything okay?”
She waved a hand toward the phone. “That was Sam’s daycare. She had a little accident, and they had to notify me. It’s nothing major.”
“Glad to hear it.” He stared at her, noticing for the first time she had gray eyes. “I uh...I had a question to ask you.”
“Sure. What’s up?”
Was it his imagination or did her eyes twinkle? He took a deep breath. “I was wondering what year your mother graduated.” He rushed on as the light in her eyes dimmed. “You see I’m trying to help
