Page 3 of Arrested By the Deputy

He makes a noise in the back of his throat. "You're going to have to make this right. Everyone in town loves her. They won't stand for this, and although you were well within the scope of doing your job; I think you know what you might need to do."

Sighing heavily, I nod, even though he can't see it. "I'll apologize."

"You'll do more than that. You'll take her out to dinner, make sure that everyone can see it. We can't deal with this kind of bad press regarding you, Cal. You're a really good cop, but you let your emotions get the better of you, and that's dangerous."

I respect my boss more than I can say, so I'm going to do this, but I'm not going to love it. "Alright, when would you like me to reach out?"

"We released her this morning. Consider it your most important job this afternoon when you come on shift. In fact, I'm willing to move you around so that you don't have to work overnight."

I've been on overnights since I started. Every single time I've asked to move, I've been told that the newest officer takes this shift. That's how I know this is serious. "Okay, I'll go see her. I'm sorry about this." I run a hand through my hair. "People are all the time on me about being too lenient."

"Kid, I get it. I really do. It's hard in your first couple of years. You're trying to find the cop you want to be, balanced with the cop you need to be. We all struggle, but most of us weren't getting our careers going with a fucking Facebook group that likes to critique every single thing we do. I'm not sure why they've focused on you as their favorite to ridicule. But we have to get some of this heat off of you."

I know why they've focused on me, but that's for another day. "Alright, I'll get the situation rectified."

We speak for a few more minutes, and then I hang up. My gaze rakes over the comments again, but this time there's a new one.

Hazel Monroe (Butter My Biscuit):Thank you all for defending me. I appreciate it more than you know, and I thank everyone who offered to help once they realized what happened. To be clear, I don't blame Cal, he was just doing his job. I do wish he had used discretion though. As has been stated, I did make sure Earl was paid, and the event venue got the product they needed. Since I've been awake all night, I won't be at the shop until late afternoon if anyone needs anything, but my staff is there. Again, thank you for all the support.

She ends the message with the little heart hands that have gotten so popular. And while I appreciate that she gave me a bit of a pass, I have a feeling that when I go see her this afternoon, she won't be nearly as nice.

Heading into the bathroom, I shower and shave, looking the best I can for what feels like is going to be the biggest showdown of my life.

CHAPTER 3

HAZEL

"Are you okay?" Tiffany asks me as I come into the shop a little after two in the afternoon. Tiffany started out as a high school student who just wanted to make a few dollars to put gas into her car. She's turned into the driving force behind our social media, and one of the reasons we are so booked and busy.

"I'm fine," I assure her, leaning into the hug. "Never thought I'd go to jail, but here we are."

"Were they nice to you?" She looks me over from head to toe, seeming to want to make sure everything is right where it should be.

"Yeah, they were actually very nice. All of them had something to say about Cal arresting me. I'm really trying to let go because I know he has a job to do, but it's so damn annoying," I grumble. In more ways than one. I've had a crush on that man since we were in high school, and I could never get him to pay any attention to me. Let me do something remotely illegal and he's right there with lights and sirens.

"I know. I'm annoyed for you. But have you been looking at what's going on in Spotted in Whispering Pines?" She smirks, glancing down at her phone.

"I have, you probably can't see it because there are so many comments, but I commented too. I'm interested to see what Cal does since all those people have had something to say about it. You know he doesn't like it when others are critical of his work."

Tiffany looks up, gazing out of the front window of the shop. "Guess you're going to figure it out soon. Deputy Doody is here."

My stupid heart flutters in my chest. It usually does, although last night it didn't. Probably because I was so worried about what was happening. But right now? I'm back to enjoying the way this man fills out a uniform. He's so damn hot that it should be illegal. A snort works its way out of my throat when that thought comes to mind. Illegal? Heh. "Let's see how he's going to grovel, shall we?"

He's slow-rolling it into the bakery. Almost as if he's worried about what type of reaction he's going to get when he steps over the threshold. Which is fair. If I were him, I'd be worried too, and although I understand why he did what he did, I'm still slightly pissed about it. The two of us eyeball each other as he walks in, and closer to me.

"Hazel," he says, dipping his chin into his chest.

"Cal," I answer back, crossing my arms over my chest. "What can I help you with?"

He tucks his fingers into his bullet proof vest, and widens his stance in an effort to come down to my level. This is obviously uncomfortable for him. It is for me too, but I won't make this easier. He made this bed, he can lie in it. "First of all, I want to apologize for arresting you."

"You were doing your job," I remind him.

"I was, but I could've used discretion. The same type I got a bad rap for previously. I probably should've let you explain what the hell was happening, and taken some personal accountability for that."

He's surprising me with his carefully chosen words. This isn't how I expected this to go at all. I'm sure he's seen the uproar in our local group, but I didn't expect him to bend like this. "Thank you, I accept your apology. I didn't even have to see the judge. The Chief let me out when I explained to him what happened, and Earl came in, telling him that I've done this before, and we have a system. It was inconvenient, but it didn't scar me for life or anything."

"I'm glad," he says on a chuckle. "Still I'd like to apologize. Please let me take you out to dinner."