He nodded, leaning his back against the swing, breaking the intimacy of the moment.
“I’m sorry I didn’t trust you to take care of it.” That wasn’t entirely true, but I felt it was something Cole needed to hear.
He nodded again. “I understand what motivated you, but I really wish you would have let us handle it. We’d been collecting evidence, and just needed more to make an arrest.”
“But you arrested Fern,” I protested.
“Yes, I did,” he admitted. “But I also didn’t have a choice. I never thought she did it. I knew in time we would find the actual killer. In Fern’s case, I knew the evidence wouldn’t stick, but I needed something solid before arresting another suspect. Just so you know, I had a warrant to search Russell’s house and office. I would have gotten him.”
Did he realize how that sounded? Like Fern’s life didn’t matter. She was just the convenient scapegoat. I believed he would have eventually taken down Russell and Sting Ray, but at what cost?
“It was just political then,” I accused. “Does that mean you won’t have a backbone in the future?” The words escaped from my mouth before I could stop them.
Cole’s eyebrows pinched together in a scowl, but then surprisingly he relaxed. “I guess I deserve that. While I had my reasons for what I did, to you it must seem like I didn’t care.
“Charlee, you need to remember that I’m new in town, in a place where everyone who isn’t born and raised here is viewed as an outsider. When the district attorney tells me to do something, I’m going to follow that order unless it goes against the law. I know that it was a dirty play by Harper, and that there is some bad blood between the Mitchells and Kings,” he paused. “What’s that about?”
“I’m not exactly sure. I haven’t been around much during the past ten years. But if Harper is anything like the rest of her relatives, I can see why my family has issues with hers,” I said frankly.
Cole’s head fell back as he laughed. A deep, rich sound. I found it very appealing. He rested his arm on the back of the swing behind me. “And for the record, it was DA Hines that ordered Fern’s arrest. Not Harper. I don’t take orders from her.”
“But you will.” It was the unfortunate truth because in a few months Harper Mitchell, a woman I’d met twice and already loathed, was going to be Cole’s boss.
And even if there was a no-fraternization policy, I would bet good money that Harper would ignore it. She was a determined woman, and from what I could tell, she’d set her sights on Cole.
“Hey.” His arm lowered, draping across my shoulder. “It’s going to be fine. Don’t worry about her.”
“You keep saying that, and yet…” My thought dropped off as he leaned in, holding my gaze.
“Hasn’t it been so far?”
“Been what?” my voice came out a whisper.
Pathetic, Charlee. Pull yourself together. He isn’t going to kiss you.
“Fine. Everything has turned out fine,” he affirmed.
“True. Except for the bumps along the way, which included Fern getting arrested, and me almost drowning in the bay,” I replied jokingly.
He sobered, leaning back against the swing again. “When do you go home?” He changed the subject.
“I am home,” I sighed contentedly.
He looked confused. “I meant Portland, where you live.”
“I know. I’m moving back,” I grinned coyly.
He blinked a few times. “Really?”
I elbowed him playfully in the side. “Don’t act so excited.”
“That’s great,” he smiled, still a little stunned. “I’m just surprised. I thought you weren’t a fan of this town.”
“I haven’t been. But I’m ready to start a new chapter. I’m going to open my own bakery and catering business.”
I kept my answer short, not ready to get into what had led up to this. But I had a feeling Cole knew some of it already. He knew about my past with Kenny. Then again, what if he thought I was moving home to get back together with my ex?
I opened mouth to clarify, but his wide smile told me I didn’t need to explain. He wasn’t concerned with that. For all I knew, he couldn’t care less if I got back with Kenny.
“Good for you, Charlee. I’m really happy for you.”
“Thanks. Me too.”
“I guess this means I’ll be seeing you around more often. For personal reasons.” He blushed a little. “I mean, I hope you won’t be finding any more dead bodies.”
I laughed. “You and me both!” A gust of wind blew across the porch, and I shivered.
“You’re cold. I should let you get back inside.”
I wanted to say that I wasn’t, but he’d see right through that lie. Truthfully, my toes could have frostbite and I’d still want him to stay.
Closing the space between us, Cole kissed me. My heart stopped. He kissed me! Okay, it was on the cheek, but who’s keeping track?
“Good night, Charlee.” He rose from the swing. “Stay out of trouble, okay?” He winked, then walked down the porch steps to his truck.
No longer shivering, I leaned back in the swing and sighed. For the first time in ten years I felt like my life was headed in the direction I wanted it to. And as a bonus, there was a hot sheriff who seemed kind of interested.
Time would tell. For now, I was going to bask in the moment: I was alive, Fern wasn’t a convicted criminal, and Cole had kissed me.
Not bad. No, not bad at all.
The End
About the Author
B. L. Crumley was raised in a small town on the Oregon Coast, similar to the ones she writes about. She loves everything about the beach, and her favorite pastime is looking for sea glass. She also enjoys hiking, biking, reading, nature, and exploring new places (especially beaches). While her writing is fiction, all of the beaches, hikes, and hidden coves included in her books are real places (and definitely worth visiting). B. L. Crumley currently
