Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
She headed downstairs to talk to reception. But just as she reached the front desk, someone walked up to her. Turning, she shied back, her heart rate increasing wildly.
Then she realized the man next to her was wearing a sheriff’s uniform.
Was this the sheriff of Haven? Had she done something wrong? Was she not allowed to be here?
Okay. Calm down.
He hasn’t said anything so you don’t actually know what is going on. And from your research you know that he takes care of everyone in Haven, but especially women on their own.
That part made her nervous, too.
She’d moved here for his protection. So she shouldn’t be scared of him.
Right?
Sure, that made sense logically.
Emotionally? She was freaking close to peeing herself.
Which was not the look she was going for.
“Ms. Bridges?” he asked.
She looked him over. He was a good-looking guy. Seemed calm and rational, but who knew what he was like on the inside. She was well aware that people could mask their true thoughts and feelings.
Since she was one of those people.
“Yes. That’s me. Have I done something wrong?”
He gave her a gentle smile. “No, of course not. I’m Sheriff Jake Reynolds. I just wanted to talk to you for a moment if I may?”
Sure, it was worded as a question. But she could tell that it was really a command.
So she nodded and he gestured to the large common area of the hotel which had a number of comfortable looking sofas, magazines on the table, and a coffee table.
“Would you like a coffee?” he asked. “My treat.”
“Umm.” Wasn’t the coffee free?
“That was a joke, Ms. Bridges. Sorry, my wife said that I should try using humor when trying to put someone at ease so they’re not frightened of me.”
“Oh. Um, sorry?”
“Don’t apologize. I should just stick with what I know.”
“Which is intimidating people?” she asked dryly.
He shot her a look.
“Um, sorry?” she squeaked.
Horse seemed to sense her unease and leaned into her legs with a glare up at the man.
Shoot. The last thing she wanted was for Horse to get into trouble with the sheriff. So she patted him reassuringly and tried to hide her unease.
To her surprise, the sheriff huffed out a laugh. “I guess it might be. Although I’m not trying to intimidate you.”
“I hate to tell you, but you’re not doing the best job.”
“Hmm. Let me get you a coffee. You look like you could use one.”
She did? Great. And she thought she’d done a pretty good job with her makeup today.
He returned with two coffees and some creamer. She poured a lot of creamer into her coffee. He raised an eyebrow but said nothing as she took a sip and sighed.
Okay, this might help kickstart her brain.
“How can I help you, Sheriff?” she asked, watching him carefully.
“Call me Jake. We’re going to get to know each other well.”
“We are?” Alarm filled her.
“Well, if you’re still planning to move to Haven. Wouldn’t blame you if you changed your mind after everything that’s happened.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“I mean after your interaction with Ravina last night.”
“Oh. Well, I mean, that wasn’t her fault. It was mine. The rental doesn’t include animals. She can’t bend that rule for me. Even though I didn’t know I was going to turn up with a dog. And he’s only temporary. I think. If I can find his family. I’m rambling. Sorry.” She took a deep breath in and let it out slowly.
“You don’t have to keep apologizing to me,” he told her in a gentle voice. “Why don’t you have another sip of coffee? Seems you had an eventful night.”
How did he know about any of this? She couldn’t imagine that Ravina would have called and told him.
So there was only one way he could really know, right?
“Which one told you?” she asked with a sigh.
“Which one?”
“Which Jones brother? It was Eli, wasn’t it?”
“Ahh, yes. He sent me a message around one in the morning.”
“Oh, he didn’t call you this morning?” she asked casually.
Although his eyes seemed to narrow. So maybe she hadn’t sounded as casual as she’d intended to.
“No, he didn’t call me this morning,” Jake replied. “I was actually surprised not to find him here with you. He said he was staying here as well.”
“I guess he and Kellan got called away by something.”
“Did they?” He gazed over her shoulder for a moment. “Well, here’s the thing, Ms. Bridges—”
“Arabella,” she interrupted him. Then she winced.
Her father had hated being interrupted.
“Arabella,” he said with a nod. “Do you still want to move here?”
“Yes, if I can. I do. Really. I do.” Great. Now she sounded desperate.
He smiled. “Good. When you were emailed the rental agreement, you also had to read up on some information about Haven and agree to it, right?”
“Yes, right,” she replied, wondering where this was going.
“That information included that all women in Haven have guardians. A husband or father usually. But for everyone who doesn’t have an assigned guardian, well, I watch over them. That doesn’t mean I go around telling you what to do all the time. It just means that I’m here to keep you safe. With a few added extras. If you feel unsafe, you call the police. But I will also do my best to ensure that you don’t put yourself in danger. And if you do, well, we’ll have a few words. Understand?”