Page 148 of Banter & Blushes

“What did you say?” Caroline leaned back; her eyes were wide as she perched on the edge of his leg.

“I know we’ve only known each other for just a few weeks, but I’ve met no one quite like you. You snuck up on me, but I’m glad you did,” he confessed, sincerity in every word.

Caroline placed a hand over her heart, feeling the flutter beneath her palm. “And you went to talk this over with your folks?”

“Yeah,” he confessed, tracing the soft curve of her cheek with the back of his hand. “I convinced them to come down for Memorial Day.”

“Wow,” she breathed, her voice barely more than a whisper, threaded with awe and surprise.

“If I haven’t made it clear, Hollis, let me spell it out for you now. I love you, Caroline Hollis.”

“I wasn’t sure after I just blurted it out,” she admitted, her heart racing.

“I was surprised, but I love you,” he affirmed, sealing his words with a look of pure devotion. “As for the other. You are an excellent mayor because you care about this town. I know as much as they like to instigate things, there is no one on the council who will let you fail.”

“Not even for a free space?”

“Not even for a free space.”

Just then, the lights flickered, and the buzzing overhead made them both jump.

“Did the rain end?” she asked, pulling her hand back and running her fingers through her hair. “Do you think we can get out?”

“Do you have your charger?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Since the power is back, give your phone enough juice to make a phone call. I’ll work on the door.”

Caroline hesitated, and he thought he saw tears fill the corners of her eyes. “I’m sure Gigi has called everyone by now,” she said with a forced laugh.

“Is that how you want to play it?”

With a deep breath, she gave him a soft smile. “Time to charge the phone, I guess.”

“Chicken,” Beck teased, and kissed her lightly enough to make her heart trip over itself.

They both stood. Beck attempted to open the door with renewed determination and was about to give up when a new sound joined the chorus of pounding fists.

“Caroline? Beck?” Their names came over a loudspeaker.

Beck squinted and looked out the window. Blue and red lights flashed near his truck.

“STONE?”

The sheriff appeared outside the door. “Back up, Beck.”

“Thedoor is swollen.”

Caroline appeared next to Beck. “And the lock is jammed.”

“Got it.” He made a motion for them to move and with two solid kicks, the wood snapped, slamming the door open.

“Hey, Grayson,” Beck said, shaking his hand. “We are glad you stopped by.”

“Looks like I found the Bonnie and Clyde of Bluebell Bay,” Grayson said, crossing his arms as they emerged.

“You got a problem, Sheriff?”

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