Page 88 of Need You
“It’s a little tight,” Delaney agreed. “But it’s nice to be outside.”
“I suppose,” Rita said. “But it would’ve been better at the hall or in the theater, which reminds me: how are those costumes coming?”
A shout went up and Delaney stood on tiptoes to see what was happening. All five of the contestants were covered in berry filling. One of them had moved on to his next pie, causing all the hoopla.
“They’re done,” she told Rita. “I’ve been meaning to deliver them to the theater.”
“Done? Wow, you’re fast.”
No, the costumes had just been a nice distraction from her real job. “I’ll bring them over next week.”
“Great,” Rita said, and ran off to talk to one of her friends.
“What are you doing?” a familiar voice buzzed in her ear.
It should’ve seemed obvious. “What everyone else is doing, watching the pie-eating contest.”
“You can’t see back here.”
Colt took her hand and led her through the crowd. He didn’t have to push or shove; people voluntarily separated for him.
“This doesn’t seem right,” she whispered.
“I Figure I May as well use my clout as chief while I still can.” He grinned, and she nearly melted in a puddle at his feet. How did he manage to do that, especially when he hadn’t talked to her in a week?
“Congratulations.”
He fixed her with a what-are-you-talking-about stare. “For what?”
“The kayak race. Second place—a pretty good showing for someone who thought he would lose . . . and stopped to save a life.”
“We were disqualified.”
She looked at him, dumbfounded. “What do you mean disqualified?”
“You go in the water, you get disqualified.”
“But you went into the water for Chip.”
He shrugged. “Those are the rules.”
“Did you know that before you came in second?”
“Of course I did.”
Then why the heck did you kill yourself to get to the finish line?Did she really need to ask?
“Anyway, we only tied for second. Not a good showing—a joke.”
“Are you a sore loser, Colt Garner?” She stared up at his rugged face and thought the man was too handsome for his own good. He hadn’t shaved and dark bristle covered that square jaw of his. So much masculinity in one package.... It woke up parts of her she hadn’t remembered having.
“I’ve gotta get back to work,” he said, without answering her question, and started to back away.
She noticed he’d changed out of the polo and shorts he’d worn for the kayak races into a Glory Junction tee, a pair of jeans, and his gun belt, signifying he was back on duty.
“Tonight?” He did that chin bob thing he was so fond of.
“I’ll be there.” She couldn’t wait to see him perform. Even if it turned out that he wasn’t much on the ears, he was easy on the eyes. So easy.
