Bayou Dreaming (Butterfly Bayou 3)

Armie looked at Roxie, a fierce expression on his face. Although this was his fake angry face. “You did city business when you’re working for the department?”

She shrugged. “It was a slow morning. It was fill out grant applications or play solitaire.”

It had been a nice morning. She’d liked knowing Zep was in another room working on something.

Armie gave up with his fake anger and smiled. “You are always good with paperwork. It’s one of the reasons . . . well, one of the reasons I’m so happy you’re around.”

His smile had faded halfway through—the moment he’d started to say, one of the reasons I don’t want to lose you.

She wasn’t going to feel guilty. She hadn’t promised to stay.

Armie seemed to shake off his emotions. “And Zep can use the empty desk at the back. Feel free to come in whenever.”

“Thanks,” Zep said. “I want to start working on a page on the city website and start putting together a shelter. I’m going to get the kids involved. I’ve got plans for a fundraiser.”

Oh, she might have made a Leslie Knope–style monster. “You know we’re still months away, right?”

Months away. Would she even be here to watch him get his department started?

“I know, but I want to hit the ground running,” Zep said with a sparkle of pure enthusiasm in his eyes. “And we should go or you won’t have time to get ready for our dinner.”

Armie pushed back from his desk and stood. “That’s right. You’re having a birthday dinner with your parents tonight. I heard Seraphina’s planning something nice.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. “If I get through tonight, they leave tomorrow and my life can go back to mostly normal.”

“Yeah, it’ll be good to get back to normal.” Zep’s voice was light, but there was something about the way his jaw had tightened.

He was worried she meant something she didn’t—that they would go back to the way they were. Did she have a right to reach out and comfort him? Would it be a lie to say they would find a new normal, one that included their relationship?

Even though it might not be fair, she couldn’t stop herself from reaching for his hand. Maybe things would go back to normal once her parents left. No one from the force was calling her, so any offer of work was still up in the air, and if there was one thing she’d learned while living here, it was not to borrow trouble, as Dixie would say.

She was better at finding some peace because of this place.

“You ready?” He was staring down at her. “I promised your momma I would have you there at seven, and you’re supposed to wear a dress.”

“You own a dress?” Armie asked.

Sarcastic man. “I have a dress. You’ve seen me wear a dress.” She sighed and put her hand fully in Zep’s. “Okay, let’s get this over with.”

“Happy birthday,” Armie said with a mysterious smile. “I hope you have a good night.”

Okay, that was weird, but she let it go.

“Hey, and you two should remember that last year the town hall put security cameras in all the hallways,” he called out. “I really hope you cleaned that conference room after you were finished.”

She gasped and it was far more than just her face that flushed.

Zep merely grinned that shining god of the world grin of his. “I assure you we were just talking. Nothing more.”

“How did talking muss up her hair?” Armie challenged.

“I like to talk with my hands, Sheriff.” Zep was completely unflappable when it came to this. Which was good because she’d lost the power of speech.

“Yeah, I bet you do. And Roxanne apparently likes to talk with her shirt untucked in the back,” Armie said with a sly smile.

Zep hurried her out.

Maybe life would never really go back to normal.* * ** * *

Two hours later she sat in his truck as he drove toward the B and B.

He was completely quiet, his eyes on the road. He’d been thoughtful the whole time they’d gotten ready. He’d had to stop by his place for clothes, and while he’d picked up what he needed, she’d had a pleasant conversation with Delphine. They’d sat on the front porch, a glass of sweet tea in her hand, and talked while they’d waved to anyone walking by.

It had been a nice moment.

“Are you worried I’m going to kick you out tomorrow?”

He was quiet for a moment. “Well, I probably should go back to my place. There’s no real reason for me to stay. Don’t think I don’t want to. I do, but we’ve only been dating for a few days when you think about it.”

Her heart sank a bit. She’d thought he would fight her on it.

She wasn’t sure she liked reasonable Zep. But he was right. They’d only been “dating” for a few days, though they’d been circling around each other for so much longer. She held on to the one thing she knew that might forgo logic. “I’m hoping you’ll still help with Daisy. I’ve never trained a dog before.”