Saving Cassie (Fairfield Corners) Read Free Page A

James,
all decked out in his sheriff uniform.  Woohoo, perfect time for some Barney
jokes!
    As I unlock and open the
door, I say, “Morning Barney, did you smell the coffee all the way over at your
house?  I was just getting ready to make some scrambled eggs for breakfast.  Want
some?”
    “No thanks, I already had
breakfast with my wife, smart ass.” James replies.  “I will take a cup of
coffee though,” as he sits at the kitchen table.
    “Such language from an
officer of the law.  I should report you to Sherriff Taylor,” I say, “Maybe he
can teach you how to speak to a lady.”  I pour and bring two mugs of coffee to
the table and sit across the table from him.
    “When you act like a lady
I’ll talk to you like one.  I remember your Gram washing your mouth out with
soap more than once when we were growing up.  Pot, kettle, black, works both
ways,” he says with a grin.
    “Are you here for a reason
or did you wake up this morning and decide I needed to be harassed today?”
    “Just had to prove to
myself that it wasn’t a dream, you’re really back for good.” He gives me a kiss
on the cheek and heads out the door, taking the coffee cup with him.
    An hour later I am at the
bookstore, going over the books with Mel.  Mel has been a godsend, keeping the
bookstore open while I went back to New York to say goodbye to my life there.  “I’m
so glad you were willing to keep the bookstore running for me Mel.  I’m going
to make sure you get some time off soon.”
    “I know you will.  Let’s
give it a couple of weeks until you feel comfortable with the way things are
running.”
    I smile at her as I glance
at the clock on the wall.  “Wow, look at the time, I’m meeting James for lunch
today.  Have Peggy come in some more hours so you can spend some time with Dan.
 I’ll be in early tomorrow, so sleep in and come in at 10 instead of 8.”
    “Thanks Cassie, I’ll do
that. See you tomorrow.”
    I walk down to the
sheriff’s office, noticing only one cruiser parked out front.  Good, Deputy
Miller must be out on patrol.  I need to talk to James about him; I still can’t
believe he gave me a speeding ticket.
    I pull open the door and
walk towards the receptionist, letting the familiar sights and sounds wash over
me.  “Hey Maureen, is James in his office?”
    “Hi Cassie! I heard you
were back.”  Maureen gets up and walks around the counter and gives me a hug, “Are
you doing OK?”
    At my nod she pats my arm
and goes back to her chair and sits down.  “The sheriff just got off a
conference call with the mayor.  Go on in.”
    I walk into James’ office
and plop myself in his lap and give him a great big kiss just to drive him nuts.
 I love it that James is turning bright red.  “Hey baby, have you told your
wife about me yet?” I say as a finishing touch.
    I hear someone clear their
throat.  I look over and see it’s the pain-in-my-ass deputy, looking at me like
I’m pond scum.  His hat is gone and the aviator sunglasses are hanging from the
pocket of his shirt.  I notice his blond hair, just long enough that the ends
are starting to curl as my eyes are drawn to his eyes, they are an intense blue
and it feels like they are looking all the way through me; seeing all my most
private thoughts.
    “I have that report you wanted.
 I’ll bring it back later,” he says, his disapproval of me evident on his face.
    “Now is fine Logan.” 
James clears his throat and murmurs in my ear, “Cassie, get off my lap!” before
continuing, “Logan, this is an old friend of mine, Cassie Holt.”
    “We’ve met.  I’ve got to
get back out on patrol.” He puts the file he was holding in James’ inbox and
turns and walks out of the office.
    James looks at me,
puzzled, “You’ve met?  You just got into town yesterday.  Why didn’t you
mention it?”
    “I was going to talk to
you about that.  He gave me a speeding ticket yesterday on my way into town.”  
I start pacing,