LITMIR.BIZ

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now. Eat up, both of you.” The phone rang, and Marge gave them an apologetic look. “Sorry. Dig in. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes. Don’t want to lose a customer!”

      She hustled down the hall, leaving a heavy silence in her wake. The ticking of the clock on the wall seemed magnified as Christine picked up her fork and surveyed the overflowing plate in front of her, trying to formulate a plan of attack.

      “Marge’s breakfasts are generous.”

      At the sheriff’s comment, Christine looked his way, then dropped her gaze again to the food. “More than.”

      “She won’t be offended if you take some home.”

      Once again, she was struck by the man’s insight. And by his civility. Despite her “keep your distance” cues and her rudeness—she hadn’t even thanked him for coming to her rescue last night, after all—he’d shown up today to drive her back to her truck. She doubted that was one of the local sheriff’s required duties. Perhaps he was just being kind. But she was more inclined to believe there was some hidden agenda or ulterior motive. There usually was, based on her experience with small-town cops.

      His assessing perusal was disconcerting, so Christine tried to focus on her food. By the time Marge returned, she’d managed to put a slight dent in the omelet. The sheriff, on the other hand, had demolished the cinnamon roll. A few miniscule crumbs were the only evidence it had ever existed.

      “Well, you certainly made short work of that.” Marge propped her hands on her ample hips as she sized up Dale’s plate.

      “What else can a man do when faced with the world’s best cinnamon roll?” He grinned and took a sip of his coffee.

      “Hmph. I think you picked up a knack for that glib Hollywood flattery while you were in L.A.” The flush of pleasure that suffused Marge’s face, however, belied her chiding comment. “As for you, young lady…” She inspected Christine’s plate. “I suspect you’re still feeling a bit under the weather.”

      “I’m not much of a breakfast eater.” Christine avoided giving the woman a direct response. “May I take it home? This will be enough for me for the next day or two.”

      “No wonder you’re so thin. I should follow your example. But I like food too much.” Marge gave a hearty chuckle and lifted Christine’s plate. “I’ll wrap this up for you.”

      While the older woman busied herself at the counter, Dale leaned back in his chair and regarded Christine. “I talked to Al at the garage. He pulled your truck out of the mud first thing this morning. From what he could see, there didn’t appear to be any damage.”

      “Thank you.”

      The words sounded forced, and Dale sent her a quizzical look, trying to get a handle on her attitude. She’d been fine with Sam, related well to Marge and Cara. He was the problem, it seemed.

      But he suspected there was more to it than that, considering the woman had been in town two months and few people had caught more than a glimpse of her. Although he’d asked his mother a few discreet questions when he’d picked up Jenna last night, she hadn’t known much about the organic farmer, either. The reserved Christine Turner was an enigma to the friendly folks of Oak Hill.

      What had produced that wariness in her soft brown eyes? Dale wondered as he studied her. What had made her guarded and cautious, unwilling to mingle with the residents of her adopted town? And why was his presence a source of tension and nervousness?

      Dale suspected she’d been hurt at some point in her life. He’d seen that look of distrust, anxiety and uncertainty on a woman’s face before. His own wife’s, in fact, on occasion. Though he’d opened his heart to her, his love hadn’t been enough to overcome the problems in her past. To mitigate her cynicism and convince her that he could be a source of emotional support. To banish the demon of depression that had plagued her. Perhaps this woman, too, had suffered a similar trauma.

      If she had, he felt sorry for her.

      But he also knew there was nothing he could do to help her, just as he’d been unable to help Linda.

      Not that she wanted him to, of course. Christine Turner had already posted a large Keep Away sign. And he intended to honor it.

      Because the last thing he needed in his life was another woman with problems.

      Christine finished the note to Marge and pulled out her checkbook. When she’d prepared to leave the B and B a few days ago, Marge had refused to let her pay for the room. While Christine hadn’t wanted to make an issue of it in front of the sheriff, she didn’t intend to take advantage of the woman’s kindness and hospitality. She could afford a night’s lodging. And she didn’t want to incur any obligations, to owe anyone anything that could be used to manipulate her. Not that she suspected the affable Marge of such intent. But she hadn’t suspected it of Jack, either.

      Gazing out the window of her small, two-story farmhouse, Christine suppressed the shudder that ran through her as she thought of the man who’d wooed and won her in a whirlwind courtship that had fulfilled every romantic fantasy she’d ever had. Elegant dinners, dozens of roses, winging to black-tie events on the company plane he’d often piloted. She’d felt like Cinderella.

      But her fairy tale had worked in reverse. First had come the happily-ever-after part, then the bad stuff. Her world had crumbled as she’d realized that Jack’s interest and attentions had been a sham, a carefully crafted plan to win a woman who would meet his father’s approval and pave the way to the top spot in the family-owned business.

      Sudden tears stung her eyes, and she swiped at them in anger. She’d done enough crying, and enough regretting, to last a lifetime. The past was behind her, and tomorrow would be better. Fresh Start Farm was up and running, and while she’d never get rich on her small-scale operation, it allowed her to spend her days in a wholesome environment, in fresh air and open spaces. The income from the farm, combined with the modest returns on the investments she’d made with her smaller-than-expected inheritance from Jack, would allow her to live a comfortable, independent life. One in which she didn’t owe anyone a thing. Including Marge.

      Pulling her attention back to the present, Christine wrote out the check and signed her name. Her maiden name. That was still an adjustment, after using Barlow for four-and-a-half years. But a good one.

      After tucking the check into her note, Christine sealed the envelope and affixed a stamp. That was one obligation out of the way.

      As for the sheriff—he’d gone above and beyond in his assistance, and she didn’t want to owe him any favors, either. Writing a check wasn’t an option, but she recalled his mentioning a young daughter. Maybe she could send the child a gift to repay the debt. A picture book, perhaps. She could order an appropriate one on the Internet and have it shipped to the sheriff’s office.

      Satisfied with the plan, Christine pulled on a wide-brimmed hat and headed outside. For the first few days after the accident she hadn’t felt well enough to work in her garden. Now she had to make up for lost time. But as she stepped into the warm sunlight and drew a deep breath of the pungent, spicy air wafting from the rows of neatly planted herbs, she didn’t mind in the least.

      There was nowhere else she’d rather be. Here, she was safe. And free.

      Chapter Three

      “Package came for you while you were out, Dale. I put it on your desk.”

      The sheriff looked over at his deputy as he closed the office door against the lingering summer heat of early September. “Thanks, Marv. And thanks for covering for me.”

      “No problem.” The deputy stood and stretched. “You sure you don’t need me to stay a while longer? Alice is finally putting her foot down about that rose arbor I said I’d replace after we moved here last year, and she’ll be waiting for me with saw in hand when I get home. But it’s too hot for a garden project.”

      A

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