Page 40 of By the Book

She sits beside me on the stairs, looking out at the town as well.

“You didn’t need to follow me,” I tell her.

“I did, because Tripp couldn’t. But I personally think I’m better company anyway.”

A laugh escapes me as I glance over at her. “How can people talk about him like that? And how can he stand it?”

“People are going to say whatever they want in the moment. When the job is easy, they’ll praise him. When it’s hard, they’ll blame him. These things don’t bother him.”

“They bother me,” I admit.

She smiles and nods. “Well, then he’s lucky to have you.”

I open my mouth to object; she makes it sound as if we’re together. But I can’t deny that Tripp does have me. He has my heart, whether he realizes it or not. He has for as long as I’ve known him.

Chapter 17

Tripp

“Isn’t it going to be bad if the criminal knows specifically where the law enforcement is located?” someone asks.

I stifle a scoff. I’m stuck in here, answering ridiculous questions, while Ivy is out there, flustered by something. Fitzy had called me back up to map out where the emergency stations will be around the festival, a diagram stretched out between him and Chuck at this moment.

“It would be worse if a citizen in need of help can’t locate said help,” I reply curtly. These town meetings are easily my least favorite part of the job.

Pointing at five street corners on the map, I turn back to face my audience. “These locations are equidistant apart, easily accessible, and near all the activities you’re planning. That’s where they’ll be.”

“Thank you, Sheriff,” Fitzy offers. It’s my cue that I am free to leave the stage once again. “Alright, last thing on the agenda is voting on the final activity list.”

Andthatmeans I won’t be needed again tonight. I keep walking past my deputies and slide out the door. My boots click as I make my way down the hall. I can’t be sure where they ran off to, but it’s a safe bet that they exited the annex.

I reach the town hall lobby and catch the faint hint of laughter. It’s a familiar, sweet melody that fills the air. Ivy. I follow the sound to the main entry.

Pressing through the front doors, I stumble upon the woman I was looking for. Seated on the front steps, Ivy and Millie are huddled together in a fit of laughter.

“He did not!” Ivy giggles.

“He did, right on his face,” Millie nods in confirmation.

I have the faintest suspicion that they are talking about me. Clearing my throat, I crouch down behind them. Ivy turns at the sound, the smile on her face stretching wider as she takes me in.

“Millie was just informing me of the time you had to get stitches on your chin after a battle with a rouge alpaca,” she says, reaching out and dragging her fingers faintly along my jaw.

Her gentle caress sends a shiver running through me as I lean closer. I’m desperate for any scrap of contact she is willing to give me, drawn to her magnetic pull.

“Thanks, Mill,” I mutter, unwilling to look away from Ivy’s shining eyes.

“Anytime!” My chipper deputy jumps up from her spot. “I’ll give you two some space.”

“Millie,” Ivy starts, “thank you. Really.”

“My pleasure, I’d love to get that coffee soon.”

“Definitely,” Ivy agrees.

Dropping down onto the step, I give her a nudge with my knee. “Are you okay?” I ask.

“I should be asking you that.”

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