Page 4 of The Friendship Pact

Nick sent an overhead wave as he walked out the door. “Will do.”

He’d gladly share his cookies with Meg. She kept the department running, and ran interference when needed.

Coming from death and destruction in Afghanistan to mentoring rookie police officers and retrieving Christmas cookies from old ladies, Nick wondered if anything exciting would ever happen in this small town he called home.

* * *

The cats were restless and meowed more than they had the entire trip. They could always tell when Kate was stressed. “We’re almost there,” she cooed, hoping to settle them down. The snow-packed roads were treacherous. She shook the tingles out of her hands one at a time, caused by the death grip she had on the steering wheel.

She pulled off the freeway at the next rest stop, dug through the care package her aunt had packed, and spread some dried catnip in the carrier. “This should relax you two.” Too bad she had nothing to calm her own nerves. Almost there.

She removed her coat and sweatshirt. Her heated leather seats would keep her warm. In less than an hour, she’d reach her destination—her new home in Deer Creek Falls. The past six months had been a whirlwind of emotions and life-changing decisions.

Until life presented her with a new opportunity, she hadn’t realized how wrong she’d been to stay with Jacques. She increased the volume on one of her favorite songs, “Fight Song.” It was as if Rachel Platten sang only to her. She was ready to take back her life and prove that she’d be all right.

When she saw the Welcome to Deer Creek Falls sign, Kate released a deep breath, rolled her shoulders to relax, and mentally left the crazy-weather road trip behind. She’d made it.

Blue and red lights filled her rearview mirror. “What the—?” She glanced at her speedometer, certain she’d slowed down when the sign indicated a drop to forty-five mph.

I guess this is one way to introduce myself to local law enforcement.

She would have preferred bringing treats to the police station after settling in. She glanced back at her cats; Nyla rolled back and forth. Lucy was sprawled on her back, her legs stretched wide.

Kate pulled to the side of the road and waited for the officer to approach. Her heart pounded as she hit the button for the window and the chilly wind hit her in the face. She shivered, and goose bumps freckled her arms.

“License and registration, please.”

Kate assessed the officer. His name tag read Sawyer. Tall and thin, probably just out of the academy. He could probably use some muffins. She’d make him some if she got out of this without a ticket.

She handed over her information. “I’m sorry if I was speeding. I guess I got excited when I reached my destination. I’m new to town, I bought the old church on Main Street.” She rubbed her arms. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to have removed her coat. She wore only a tight white long-sleeved shirt.

“You have a broken taillight on your trailer.”

“Really? Someone must have nicked it when I was parked earlier, because when I left this morning, it was fine.” Darn, she hadn’t checked the taillight before she left her aunt’s house.

Officer Sawyer glanced into the back seat and moved his hand to his gun. “Please step out of the car.”

“What? Why?” She had respect for all men in blue and knew she shouldn’t question him. She’d been pulled over before, but she’d never been asked to step out of the car for a minor offense.

Not wanting to argue further, she released her seat belt and stepped out. “Can I at least put my jacket on?”

Ignoring her question, the officer spat, “Turn around. Hands on the car.” He frisked her, and to his credit, his hands only skimmed her body. Then again, if she were the criminal he thought her to be, he would have missed anything that could have put him in danger.

The next thing rookie Sawyer did was turn her around and secure her wrists in front of her with handcuffs. Weird. Kate, not wanting to outwardly smile, stayed solemn as he led her to the car. If her father weren’t a police officer, she’d be worried.

With a hand on her head, Officer Sawyer guided her into the back of his squad car.

Realization hit. Kate yelled through the closed window, “It’s catnip, you idiot!” The window muffled her protests. She hadn’t meant to call him an idiot, but she was beyond annoyed. All she wanted was to unpack and relax in her new home.

“No muffins for you!” she hollered.

* * *

Sheriff Reid pulled to the curb in front of Ms. Johnston’s Tudor home a block south of Main Street. He always admired the beautiful craftsmanship of the stately house. In her late seventies, Ms. Johnston stayed fit by walking the paths around the lake. A snow shovel rested against her garage. He knew she could clear her own walk, but even though he was tired and a little cranky, he grabbed the shovel and removed the snow from her sidewalk. He needed the exercise since he hadn’t had time to stop by for a workout at Ethan’s place. Ethan Reynolds, a former pro baseball player, had an amazing gym in the basement of his home and encouraged his friends to use it when they could.

Ms. Johnston opened the front door as Nick finished cleaning off the cement steps. “Oh, hon, you didn’t need to do that. But thank you.”

His former teacher still wore glasses on a chain around her neck, and her short white hair never had a strand out of place.