Page 12 of Caught With the Sheriff

I glance over at him as he picks up Claudia and twirls her around, laughing at her.

“I can come with you, Daddy. I promise I’ll be good.”

“I don’t know, kiddo.”

“I promise, Willow. I will be very good. I won’t touch anything at all. I’ll take Fred and he can guard the place while we’re there. I bet you’d love to have a dragon. I can even loan you Fred if you need him.”

My lips tremble and I fight the urge to laugh. I don’t think I’ve felt like laughing in forever.

Not since…

But I push that thought away. Nothing’s going to spoil my day today. I’ve had too much fun with Maggie and Claudia.

Jasper’s gray eyes find mine and he lifts one dark brow. I nod my head.

“As sweet as that is, Claudia. I can’t take Fred away from you. But if you want to come with us, I’m okay with that.”

I don’t know what’s going on. All of a sudden, I’m hanging out with people and laughing.

This isn’t me. But I’d sure as hell like it to be.

“Okay. Go get shoes on and meet me out here, kiddo. Then we’ll take Willow home.” He turns to Maggie who’s been watching us with this little smirk on her lips.

“You gonna be alright by yourself?”

“Of course I am. I raised you, boy. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

“Alright. We’ll be back in a little bit. Don’t let any strangers in.”

She rolls her gray eyes and turns to give me a hug. “He thinks he’s my boss just because he’s the Sheriff. I changed his damn dirty diapers, you know.”

“Ma!”

She grins at me and I have to fight to keep the smile off my face. “It was nice meeting you, Maggie.”

“I’ll be along to see you, sweetie. It was lovely meeting you. We’ll have to check out the rest of that show.”

I throw my head back when Jasper shoots us both a baleful look. “I would love that, Maggie.”

She smirks. “Don’t let that last thing throw you. You’ll find your voice again. Just let yourself relax.”

My smile fades and I fight the tears that spurt into my eyes. I sniff. “Thanks, Maggie. I’ll try that.”

“And for heaven’s sake, try and have a little fun. That will clear the cobwebs out of your head.”

“Got it.”

Claudia shoots past us and out the door. “Let’s go! Fred really wants to see Willow’s house.”

Jasper shoots me a smirk. “Let’s get you home, sprite.”

I can’t help smiling even when he touches my shoulder gently. He grins back and then follows me out the door.

Time to get home and see what the heck he’s been up to.

CHAPTER 5

Jasper