Protector - Laurel Dewey [119]
Jane looked at the card. “Right. We better get this frozen food back to the house.” Jane and Emily started down the aisle when Sheriff George rounded the corner. Jane quickly pulled her leather jacket around her chest to make sure her holster and Glock were covered.
“Well, we meet again!” Sheriff George exclaimed.
“Anne, this is our sheriff!” Kathy said, getting between the two of them. “Sheriff, this is Anne Calver and her daughter, Patty. They just took residence today in the old Cooper house.”
Sheriff George shook Jane’s hand with gusto. “Glad to have you two in town!” He bent down to shake Emily’s hand. “And hello to you, Patty. My goodness, are you as smart as you are pretty?”
Emily looked at Jane for assistance, then turned back to the sheriff. “Yes?” she said, not sure of her answer.
The sheriff let out a hearty belly laugh. “I never had anyone answer that question before! Where are you two from?”
“The Denver area,” Jane answered, playing it cool.
“Denver! Well, I guess you’re in for a bit of a change livin’ here in Peachville! Is there a Mr. Calver?” asked the sheriff.
Kathy looked eagerly at Jane. It was painfully obvious she wanted to ask the same question. Jane was just about to speak when Emily spoke up.
“He died in the Calgary Stampede in Canada and he’s buried in Denver,” Emily said, sounding overly rehearsed. No one said a word. The silence was so thick, you could cut it with a chainsaw. Emily decided to add information. “He wasn’t a rodeo clown. He was a rodeo cowboy. Mom didn’t want to marry the rodeo clown even though he made her laugh.”
For once in her life, Jane was speechless.
“Well, Mrs. Calver,” Sheriff George said, slightly stunned by Emily’s information, “we’re glad you chose Peachville to start your new life.”
Jane nodded and pressed on. Emily tried to slide around the sheriff but his girth forced her to bump against a shelf holding pencil boxes. Her elbow dislodged several of the boxes, bringing them crashing down and spreading colored pencils across the linoleum. Emily turned to the falling pencils and fixated on them. Her pupils enlarged in fear as she stood paralyzed.
The child’s awkward reaction didn’t escape either Kathy or the sheriff. Jane noted their reaction and gently placed her hand on Emily’s shoulder. She jumped and pulled away from Jane in a fearful posture.
“You alright there, sweetheart?” asked the sheriff.
It took Emily several seconds to get her bearings. She realized she’d zoned out and didn’t know what to do. “Yes. I’m fine. Sorry about the pencils.”
“Well, darlin’, there’s nothing to pickin’ ’em up,” the sheriff said reassuringly as he knelt down and collected the pencils.
Kathy stared at Jane, her smile slightly fading. Her look was one of concern mixed with apprehension. Jane caught Kathy’s penetrating eye and felt her gut tighten. Jane somberly purchased the grocery items and quickly left the store with Emily.
“I’m sorry,” Emily said quietly, upset with herself as she got in the car.
“It’s okay,” Jane replied in a gentle voice, putting the last of the food in the car.
Jane got in the Subaru, shoved the key in the ignition and quickly backed out of the parking space.
“I can’t believe that happened in front of them,” Emily said, deeply concerned.
“It’s okay, Emily. You can’t help it.”
“They must think I’m weird.”
“Oh, believe me kid, I have a strong feeling that at least one of them is more concerned about me right now.”
Chapter 18
By the time Jane and Emily piled all the frozen food from the Mountain Melon Market into their freezer and unpacked their suitcases, it was almost eight o’clock. For a house that sat right on the main drag, Jane had to admit that it was very quiet. Between the park across the street and their backyard that led into the open space, it could almost be considered pastoral.
When Emily announced that she was hungry, Jane let her choose which frozen entree she wanted. While it cooked, they sat across from each other at the kitchen counter and devoured a