Page 26 of Chasing Shelter

“Don’t worry, Chief, I won’t tell.”

“It’s Sheriff,” I ground out.

Ellie’s berry-pink lips twitched. “Whatever you say.”

I didn’t move my hand from her back until I opened the door to the station and held it for her. As we stepped inside, Deputy Fletcher’s eyes went wide. “Jesus, Ellie. What the hell happened?”

She forced a smile. “Omelet making gone awry?”

“Do I need to have a word with Walter?” Fletcher asked.

“I’m fine, Harrison,” Ellie assured. “Just a stupid prank.”

The back-and-forth ate at me, something about the familiarity of it. I’d had no idea my deputy knew Ellie beyond her name and relation to Linc.

“Put out an APB,” I clipped, a bite to my words. Fletcher stiffened as I rattled off everything I remembered about the vehicle. “I want every free officer looking for that vehicle.”

“You got it, Sheriff.” Fletcher picked up his radio and began calling in the all-points bulletin.

“Come on,” I said, guiding Ellie toward my office.

“Why are you so grouchy? I’m the one who got egged.”

“Stop reminding me,” I growled.

Ellie huffed out a breath as we made our way through the bullpen. Beth stood at the sight of us. “Shit, Ellie. Are you okay?”

Ellie forced another smile. “You know, they say egg makes a good face mask.”

“Hit the streets and see if you can find anything that matches the description, eh?” I asked.

“On it, boss.”

“You too, Wright,” I called over to Will, who was pounding a breakfast burrito at his desk.

“Why? ‘Cause your girlfriend got pelted with an egg? Isn’t that a little below the department’s pay grade?”

Fury built fast and fierce, nearly stealing my breath. I didn’t deal with anger well. It reminded me too much that I was my father’s son. Ellie must’ve read something in my demeanor because she leaned into me, her shoulder pressing against my arm as she dropped her voice. “Easy, Chief. I got this.”

She leveled a glare on Will. “You obviously have no concern for the egg injustices of the world. Just look at half that breakfast burrito on your shirt. But what should we expect from someone who can’t even swallow before he speaks?”

Frank laughed and then let out a hoot. “Burn, Wright. She got you good.”

“And if you have a problem with the chain of command, you’re welcome to walk right out that door,” I growled. “As it is, I’ll be putting you on traffic duty for the rest of the week.”

Wright’s face turned a shade of red that was almost purple, but he kept his trap shut.

“Come on,” I gritted out.

Ellie followed me toward my office, and I ushered her inside. “I’ve got a bathroom through there.” I pulled out my bottom filing cabinet drawer and handed her a tee. This one readSparrow Falls LEO Baseball.

Ellie took the faded shirt, her fingers rubbing the fabric. “Careful, Chief, you’re not going to have any shirts left before long. Not that the women of Sparrow Falls would mind.”

Fuck.

The last thing I needed in my head was the knowledge thatEllie was thinking about me shirtless. “I think I’m safe. Go ahead and change. And it’sSheriff.”

Ellie rolled her lips over her teeth, fighting a grin. “Whatever you say.”

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