After that, my mom changed the subject. The rest of the meal was spent talking about my dad’s plans to make aesthetic improvements to the sidewalks and storefronts. My mom referred to it as the “Rockfish Bay beautification project.” She’d been appointed head of the beautification committee, and prattled on about an upcoming fundraiser she was working on.
By the time dessert was over, I was close to bolting for the front door. My stomach was still unsettled to the point that I didn’t even enjoy my cake. I still ate it, but now it sat like a rock in my stomach. I got up and began to clear the table, when the phone rang.
My mom went to answer it and called for my dad. When my dad made his excuses and left the table, I took that as my opportunity to leave. Cole stood as well as my mom reappeared.
“Thank you for dinner, Maggie,” Cole said to my mother. “It was great.”
I think the only thing Cole was thankful for was to be leaving.
“You’re very welcome,” my mom smiled. “Cole, would you mind helping Charlee carry this to her car?” She held out the cake platter.
I stifled a groan.
“Of course.” Cole offered a polite grin and accepted the dish.
I picked up the salad bowl. “Bye, Mom.” I wasn’t going to thank her for dinner. Not after that hour and a half of torture. She gave me another delicate embrace and whispered in my ear. “Be nice to him.”
Outside, Cole followed me to my SUV, waiting as I opened the door. “Charlee, about tonight—”
“I’m sorry,” I said, as I placed the salad bowl on the backseat and turned back to him.
He held out the cake plate. The exterior lights of the house lit the darkness enough I could see his mouth curve into a half smile. “Me too.”
I took the cake from him and put it on the seat. “This job’s not always easy,” he continued.
“I know.” I closed the door, removing the barrier between us.
His gaze searched mine, and I waited for him to say something, but when he didn’t, I asked the one thing I knew I shouldn’t. “Are you going to pursue the charges against Fern?”
His eyes hardened, effectively answering my question.
“Charlee,” he sighed.
“Don’t.” I held up my hand to silence him, and he grabbed it, wrapping it in his. Shivers raced up my arm. My gaze shot to his, and he dropped my hand, taking a step back.
I swallowed. “What did Preston say to you after I left the other day? I didn’t think you were going to let Fern go.”
He cocked his head to the side. “He didn’t tell you?”
I shook my head.
“Apparently, Judge Wallace has a thing for Fern,” he paused. “And has allegedly appreciated her moonshine on occasion.”
My eyes widened. “Seriously?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I guess. And he is on the docket this week. Preston said I could keep Fern in jail overnight and get the judge on my bad side, or I could let it go.”
My hopes lifted. “You’re going to let it go?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“But you released Fern,” I argued, feeling defensive again.
“For now. There are other judges,” he said quietly.
I stomped my foot.
“Charlee, don’t be mad.” He took a step toward me.
I looked up at him. “I don’t want to be.”
He chuckled. “I admire your defense of Fern, but I’ve got to follow the law.”
“I know, but—”
His finger touched my mouth, silencing my protest, and erasing all the thoughts in my head. This man was dangerous.
“Fern’s going to be okay,” he said softly, leaning forward ever so slightly. “I promise.”
It was all I could do to manage a nod.
“Goodnight, Charlee.” Cole winked, and headed to his truck.
I blinked into the night air, trying to process what had just happened. Cole’s truck roared to life as he backed out of my parents’ driveway. I stood there for a minute, still mulling over his startling behavior.
Cole, the hottie sheriff, was flirting with me. And whether that was because he was actually interested or merely trying to get me to back off, I didn’t know.
What I did know was that until Fern’s name was cleared, I had a job to do. And no amount of feather-light caresses or seductive glances that turned my insides to mush were going to stop me.
At least until after I recovered from thinking Cole might kiss me. Because I had to admit, the hunky sheriff made me feel like I’d lost my head a bit.
Chapter Seven
After a restless night of sleep, I got up early and began to mix up some bread. Baking usually helped to clear my head, if I wasn’t sampling whatever I was making, that is. And since I thought bread dough was disgusting, it was the perfect thing to make. It also gave me the opportunity to punch something. That always helped me feel better. Halfway through kneading my second batch of artisan bread, Fern made an appearance, her fluffy cat trailing close behind.
“Good morning, Charlee,” my aunt yawned. “Goodness gracious.” She eyed the bread dough raising on the counter and the ball I was currently kneading. “How long have you been up?”
“A while.” I added some flour and punched the ball again.
“Couldn’t sleep?” Fern asked as she shuffled to the sink to fill up the tea kettle.
“Yeah.” I blew a strand of hair from my face that had come loose from my haphazard bun.
“Oh, I almost forgot!” Fern tapped her feet, suddenly animated. “How was dinner? Your mother better not have said you looked puffy again.”
I threw back my head and laughed. “Even worse. Cole was there.”
Fern’s mouth formed a sly smile. “Was he now?”
“Yep, just Cole and my parents.” I punched the bread again.
“Well, what happened?” she prodded impatiently.
“When I got there, Cole came outside to help me carry the salad,” I began. Fern’s smile inched a little wider. “And he was nice.
