“No. And everyone I tried is tied up at the moment.”
Her eyes lit up. “Cool. I’ll be ready in a sec.”
“You’re not going on any calls with me. So don’t get your hopes up.”
She hurried to her room, then reappeared about ten seconds later wearing pink flip-flops. “Ready!”
The child was entirely too excited about going to work with him. Other than the occasional speeder or fender bender, he didn’t have many calls on weeknights. Corinthia was a peaceful little town and he intended to keep it that way.
They climbed in the car and patrolled downtown. The recent renovation of Main Street had given it a much-needed face-lift. New paint, new awnings, pots overflowing with flowers, all made it fresh and inviting.
Most businesses had shut down around five. But a few remained open—the pizza place and Faith’s coffee shop among them. Even at seven o’clock, the summer sun and the muggy heat zapped everyone out on the streets. Life seemed to move like molasses in July and August.
Gabe waved to everyone he drove by. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Chelsea did the same.
It reminded him of when she was a toddler and used to sit perched in her car seat in the back of his cruiser and wave every time they passed someone—flapping her little fingers toward herself.
Those were the days. Back when he thought he and Tina would have a lifetime together. When he thought nothing bad could touch him again.
Chelsea pointed across the street. “Look, Coffee Time’s still open. I’d love some hot chocolate.”
“You’re kidding. It’s ninety-two degrees out.”
“Let’s stop and see Faith. Please?”
Why did his daughter have a sudden interest in their next-door neighbor and her coffee shop? “I guess. Nothing much going on around town right now.”
When they walked into the café, Faith hopped up from a table where she sat with Natalie. When she saw it was them, her smile wilted. She was obviously still mad at him.
He nodded their direction. “Ladies.”
Faith met them behind the counter. “Didn’t you find anyone to watch Chelsea?” She appeared distressed at the notion.
“No. But we’re having a nice time patrolling.”
Chelsea grinned up at him. “I’m a good deputy.”
Faith brushed some coffee grounds off the counter, then grabbed a towel to wipe up a spot he couldn’t see. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t help. Natalie and I—”
Gabe’s radio squawked. “Excuse me a minute,” he said, then he headed outside to take the call.
“Whatya got, Wanda?”
“Possible prowler at the Emersons’,” the dispatcher said before rattling off the address. “Empty house. They’re on vacation.”
“Thanks. I’ll head there now.” He hustled back inside.
Before he could say anything, Faith held up her hand to silence him. “Go. I’ll take her home and watch her and will come back to close up after your shift.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” She gave him a crooked smile, then waved him away. “Now, go. Go protect your town.”
The warmth on her sweet face and in her aqua-colored eyes—and the fact that she was saving his hide at the moment—pierced through his protective gear and right to his heart. A part of his heart that had been cold and dead for a long time.
He locked away the feeling. No time to analyze it, anyway. He had a prowler to catch.
Chapter Three
At nine o’clock that night, Faith sent Chelsea to get ready for bed. But by nine-thirty, she decided to go check on her. She just couldn’t imagine the girl having to put herself to bed, even at age twelve.
Chelsea sat on her bed with wet hair, wearing her pj’s, with a book in her lap. The stuffed animals and dolls that had most likely graced her bed sometime in the past sat abandoned on a rocking chair in the corner. Somehow, the pink-dotted swiss bedspread and curtains didn’t seem to fit, not with the posters of the latest teen heartthrob on the walls.
“Wow, look at you. You’re all ready.”
“Just call me Miss Responsible. And be sure to tell Dad.” She gave Faith a silly wink, then laughed at herself.
“Believe me, I will.” She folded the bedspread back to the foot of the bed. “Do you need anything before I tuck you in?”
Chelsea shrugged and looked down at her book as she twirled hair around her finger. “I don’t think so.” Her hesitation was just long enough that Faith knew she actually did want something.
“What is it, Chelsea?”
“Well, it’s been a long time since anyone dried my hair. Dad’s too spastic—gets it all tangled. And I never ask my regular babysitter, because she’s usually studying or cleaning the house. And, well…” She continued to twirl strands of wet hair in a circle.
Faith gestured toward the hallway. “Come on. I’ve never gotten to do the girl-hair thing.”
Chelsea’s face lit up and she clapped her hands like a young child. She hopped off the bed and raced to the bathroom.
As Faith scrunched Chelsea’s curls and blew hot air over them, Chelsea chattered over the loud whir of the motor. “I called Valerie tonight. She invited me to a party at her house—a boy-girl party.”
Faith snapped off the hair dryer. “So is this a first, having boys at a party?”
She grinned and nodded. “I hope I can go. Gotta ask Dad.”
Faith could only imagine how Gabe would react to this. “Just be sure to find out all the details first. Like, making sure her parents will be home.”
“I don’t know everything for sure yet. Except that Parker will be there.” The last was said in a joyful, singsong voice.
Chelsea could count on the fact her dad wouldn’t be happy about that. Faith bit back a smile as she turned the dryer on. Once the hair was dry, she pulled a brush through the silky waves. “There. All done.”
Chelsea fluffed her curls. “Nice job. Thanks, Faith.” But her interest in her hair was short-lived. She turned away from the mirror and looked up at Faith. “Will you tell my dad about the party for me? It seems like anytime I try to talk to him about anything but studying or church, he goes into cop mode.”
Dodging further involvement as mediator, she said, “Like any dad, he loves you and wants you to be safe. To be happy.”
“Well, I won’t be happy unless he lightens up a little.” She walked back to her room and climbed into bed. “I really, really want to do this. And maybe I could even spend the night at Valerie’s afterward.”
Faith had loved slumber parties. And regular parties—especially the boy-girl variety. In high school, she’d loved to dress up and go to dances, to hang out with friends, to go out on dates.
But then she got pregnant. So she knew all about wanting to socialize yet being unable.
Still, Gabe would understandably be concerned. She sat on the edge of the bed. “I’ll mention it to him. But be prepared for a no.”
“I’m used to hearing no. We’ll just have to change his mind.” She hugged Faith. “Thank you. I’m so glad you came tonight.”
Before Faith realized what she was doing, she kissed the top of Chelsea’s head. A motherly