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Yeah, she put some thought into that.

Just like I put all my energy into this morning to make sure we were on the same damn page.

I think we’re finally on the same page; we just haven’t talked about it yet.

“Looks like men’s clothes,” Maebelle adds. “The sheriff’s clothes.”

Okay, no shit, Maebelle.

Geezus.

“Roads were too bad,” I offer in case Adeline isn’t ready to have her name spread around town, thought it’s a little too late for that. “Adeline stayed at my place last night.”

“Good idea,” Agnes replies without hesitation or judgment in her tone. “No need to get soaked to the bone, right, Maebelle?”

“Absolutely not,” she drawls. “What are the two of y’all up to for the rest of the day?”

I narrow my eyes around both of them because I’m in my uniform, but I don’t start until later this afternoon. “Workin’.”

“Gonna be a long day for ya, Sheriff,” Maebelle claims. “Damage to folks’ property is a bit higher than usual due to the storm.”

“Everyone knows to call their insurance companies. I can’t—” One of Maebelle’s brows lifts and, yeah, most people know, but they’ll still call in to have me come out anyway.

“Might need a home-cooked meal when you’re off,” Agnes suggests, sliding her gaze to Adeline, who is already staring back at her. “Get ya energy levels back up.”

“Why, Agnes, that’s so sweet of you,” Adeline beams, but it’s fake as hell just by the way her eyes gleam with mischief. “You’re gonna make his favorite? Country fried steak?”

Agnes’s face pulls, appearing taken aback by her comment blowing back in her face. But she’s an expert, and she quickly overcomes it.

“Nah, sweetheart,” she coos. “I was referrin’ to you since the sheriff rescued you from the storm. He’s been doin’ a lot of that lately, hasn’t he?”

Adeline places her fork down, and the action wouldn’t be anything to notice, but she allows it to clank against her plate in aggravation. “I’d say he was doin’ his job.”

“Sure, sweetheart.” Agnes glances over at me with what I would describe as a menacing smile. “Enjoy the rest of y’all’s day. And your breakfast.”

She and Maebelle waltz away, giving Sherry the space she needs to refill my coffee and slide Adeline’s orange juice silently.

Then we’re alone.

And with these three women inserting their two cents in, now I feel like our table just got awkward.

“I was gonna take ya to Georgie’s to get a leash and a collar for the dog,” I tell Adeline to fill in the silence. “Some food and⁠—”

“Ya don’t have to do all that,” she quickly replies. “The last thing I want ya to deal with today are rumors that are gonna spread⁠—”

“I don’t mind rumors that involve you,” I blurt out because I don’t.

However, it is going to start some shit between me and her brother, maybe her father. Though I highly doubt the latter.

Briggs is protective over his sisters, even though he’s not the oldest, and I want to respect him.

But he’s not going to stop me.

“You don’t?” Adeline asks, seemingly surprised. “Well, I⁠—”

“Do you?”

“No,” she blurts out while she rocks her head. “I don’t…at all.”