Chapter 14

Fourteen

Damon

I glanced over and saw Mrs. Friendly and Isla. I wasn’t sure why they were just standing there looking at us, but I moved toward them. “What’s going on?”

Mrs. Friendly walked toward me. “We just needed a break.” She looked toward Isla. “I’ll head back in there. Why don’t you take some time?”

McCrae grinned at me, then opened his arms. “Hey, I heard you took the job here. You look amazing!”

Was it stupid that I felt a tad jealous when she fell into his arms laughing? Of course, Isla and I had been in each other’s lives for a lot of years, and my brothers would always tease me about getting together with her. After all, McCrae was single and only a year younger than me.

Isla pulled back and laughed. “Look at you, McCrae. Pretty handsome yourself. I think it’s great that you ended up being a police officer.”

She turned, and her eyes met mine. Something passed between us. Attraction and chemistry. Things I couldn’t get away from. Last night, I had been falling asleep just thinking about her. Just remembering it made me dizzy.

McCrae chugged out a laugh. “I think it’s great that you’re back. I want you to know that you can always count on me if you need help.”

Her face softened, and she smiled. “Thanks. I guess you’ve heard everything about me already.” She gave me an accusing look.

McCrae seemed to pick up on her silent accusation and pointed at me. “He doesn’t tell me anything. I get all my information from the gossips in this town.” He cupped a hand and leaned into her, acting conspiratorial. “Just so you know, they’re everywhere.”

She grunted. “Don’t I know it.” She was wrapping her arms around herself and looking away.

I scowled at McCrae. “Dude, shut up. You’re being rude.”

McCrae threw up his hands. “Oh gosh. I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

She shrugged and walked back toward the swings. “It’s fine.”

McCrae gave me the kind of look that said he’d stepped in it, and he didn’t know what to do. I pointed him back toward the police station, and then I turned and followed her.

She sat down on the swing, looking sad. As if we’d never stopped doing this, I moved behind her and gently gave her a push. She gripped onto the swing and started pumping her legs. I pushed her harder, and when she swung back, she smiled at me and then laughed. Her laugh sounded amazing.

We did that for a couple of minutes, and then I slowed her, and she lightly jumped off.

She started walking back to the police station. “I guess break is over.”

Casually, I bumped her in the shoulder. “You okay?”

She nodded, looking forlorn. “I’m okay. I just … People say things about my dad and my situation and my mom, and to be honest, I have to better prepare myself.”

“What happened?”

She shook her head. “Oh, it was just Sonya the cat lady. She wondered who was taking over for Mrs. Friendly. I told her my name, and she recognized it. Then she asked if I was that girl who got beaten up by Sharon Harper’s husband.” She put up her hand before I could say anything. “I’m fine. I mean, of course people are going to recognize the name Isla. It’s not a common name. In fact, I guess I shouldn’t worry about changing my last name. I should probably worry about changing my first name; then I’d have a better chance of people not recognizing my past.”

I sighed, feeling bad for her. “Yeah, in my experience, you can’t really get away from your past. It’s just … there.”

She suddenly turned to me and put a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’m rambling on and on about myself, and I’m not thinking about things you have gone through in this town that probably hurt.”

I was pleasantly surprised that she had put her hand on my shoulder. I liked how easy it was to talk to her. “The way Missy ran off was hard on me. Hard on the boys. She wanted to go chase these dreams she had in California. Becoming this actress. I honestly haven’t heard from her in two years, besides confirmation of the divorce. Although it hurt bad when she just left, I would have to say that I have come into this rhythm of just being without her. Without the drama. She didn’t like being a mom. She always complained about simple things like putting them to bed or getting ready for dinnertime. They would almost trigger her. It got to the point where she would go out at night. At first it was community theater, and then it was all her friends she had to go hang out at the bar with. I don’t know why I’m rambling on and on about this.”

We were standing next to the door to the police station. A smile quirked at her lips. “Because we were once best friends. I mean …” She coughed. “But we’re fine now.”

“Yes, we are.” I had an idea. “Hey, my mom is watching the kids all day, but would you like to meet them tonight? We are going to the carnival at the fairgrounds. Do you want to go get a hot dog? We’ll do the ring toss, and I’ll try to win you a bear again.”

She hesitated, and then a huge smile filled her face as she punched me in the shoulder lightly. “Yeah right. You never could win me a bear. I had to win you the bear for, like, three years in a row.”

I laughed so hard, remembering the hit my ego had taken when I’d seen she was so good at the ring toss. “Whatever. I don’t remember it that way.”

There was something happening between us. I wanted to pursue this woman. That was clear to me.

She sighed. “I would love to meet your kids. I haven’t been to a carnival since I left. So, a hot dog and the ring toss sounds perfect.”

I opened the door for her and waited. “Okay, I’ll meet you after my shift.”