Page 14 of Espresso Your Love
“Very, you heard about the goat incident?”
“Among other things.” She gives me a sly grin.
“I have a meeting with Chief Dobbs. Can I head back?”
“Absolutely, have fun.”
I squint my eyes at her. She’s acting suspicious. Well, more suspicious than usual.
I hear the buzz of the door, and I walk through the bullpen straight to the chief’s office. The chief doesn’t make me nervous, but this festival does. This is a make-or-break kind of event for me. If it doesn’t do well, I disappoint the whole town and ruin my chances of keeping this job. If I do well, I keep doing what I love in a town that I love—and potentially more, like those few jobs out of state.
I knock on the door, and his deep voice calls me in.
“Hey, Chief, I’m a little early. Are you ready for me?” I ask as I enter his office.
“Absolutely, Cassie. I have something I wanted to run by you.”
He’s asking for my opinion? I’m already crushing this meeting, and it hasn’t even started.
“Of course. Happy to help. What is it?”
“Well, I’m not getting any younger and thought I might let one of the other guys run this one. He’s experienced—actually, he’s more than qualified to run security on this. But you’re running this event, so I want your opinion. What do you think?”
“I think that’s a great idea, Chief.” I love the idea. Give someone else the chance to show themselves. And if he’s experienced then it won’t put my job at risk. It might just make it even better. “Who did you have in mind?”
He stands up from his desk and holds up one finger. He walks to the door and shouts, “Mitchell, can I have a moment?” He nods his head then turns and walks behind his desk again.
“Ethan Mitchell?” I repeat.
I’ve known Ethan all of my life, but I didn’t know about his extra qualifications. He walks into the room and trailing behind him is none other than Ryan Hayes. My Ryan. I mean, notmyRyan, buttheRyan. The Ryan Hayes.
Oh my Meadowbrook. An attractive man in a police uniform. Need I say more? Probably not, but I will. It fits himphenomenally, hugging his muscles. He’s clean shaven showing off his jawline that could cut you like a knife.
“Ryan?” I gasp.
“You two met already? Fantastic!” Chief Dobbs, who is clearly oblivious to my shock, says.
“Yes, we have,” Ryan says, with a smirk on his face. Clearlynotoblivious to my shock…and seems to be enjoying it.
No, he can’t be enjoying this. I can’t be falling for someone right now. This event is too important to be distracted by him.
“Hayes will run point, and Mitchell will be here if you need anything.” The chief nods his head. “Great, then I’ll leave you three to it.” He walks out of his office, and I can hear him rallying the rest of the officers together.
That’s when I notice Max sitting next to him. Poor Max; he’s adorable, but his human is a wildly more adorable distraction. He wags his tail slightly, raising his ear. His feet patter, like he wants to move, but he doesn’t. He’s so well trained! After a light whine, Ryan whistles to let him move from his spot.
Max walks up to me happily as I bend down and give him scratches behind his ears.
“You two already know each other?” Ethan asks, wrinkling his brow.
Ryan nods. “Yeah, we ran into each other at Coffee Loft yesterday.”
“And he left his wallet so I checked with Aunt Clara to see if he was staying there, which he was, and then she made me give him a town tour.” I cross my arms over my chest.
Ryan scoffs. “Made you? I thought I wasn’t that bad of company.”
It definitely was good company.
“Made me.”
