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mechanic. The man’s expression grew serious and he scratched a few more things on the clipboard in his hand.
    “I didn’t realize Miss Foster was a friend of yours, Sheriff. I’ll make sure her car is first up in the rotation tomorrow morning.”
    “He’s not my friend.” Her protest came tumbling past her lips before she could censor it. It sounded mean and a little desperate. Her cheeks flamed and she had to take a few deep breaths before speaking again. “What I mean is, Sheriff Monroe is everyone’s friend of course, but I don’t want any special favors.”
    The mechanic looked at her strangely, his bushy dark brows pulled down in question. “It’s no trouble. I’m happy to do the sheriff a favor.”
    “Thank you, Ray. I appreciate it,” Jared interjected smoothly before turning back to Misty, his keys dangling from his fingers. “Looks like you need a ride. I’m going off shift in a few minutes so I can run you home.”
    Misty wanted more than anything to object but the fact was she did need a ride. She just didn’t want it to be with Jared Monroe. She could always get a cab.
    “Um, thank you,” she replied awkwardly. “But I really need to stop at the grocery store. That’s what I was coming into town for.”
    “That’s fine. I need to finish some end of shift paperwork. How about I pick you up in front of the store in about half an hour?”
    He’d swept away her objections so easily she didn’t have any choice. Numbly she nodded and turned to the mechanic who was watching them with great interest.
    Dammit, this would be all over town by dinnertime. She didn’t need this in her life.
    Wait…I’m moving to Seattle.
    The small-minded people of Fielding weren’t her problem any longer, but of course Jared would have to deal with them.
    He looked more than capable.
    She signed the paper that the repairman shoved in front of her before following Jared out to the sidewalk in front of the garage. Fumbling in her pockets for her gloves, she carefully avoided his gaze.
    “Is half an hour enough?” Jared asked.
    “Plenty of time. I’ll be out front.”
    As far away from the large windows as I can be. I don’t want everyone to see this.
    “See you then.”
    Jared ambled down the block to the sheriff’s office and Misty stood there watching his large, powerful frame until he turned the corner and was out of sight. She’d vowed to stay away from him and now he was giving her a ride home.
    In front of the whole town.
    Once again…nothing good could come from this.

    Senior deputy and second in command, Knox Owens was waving a piece of paper in the air when Jared walked into the station. Sighing, Jared snagged it from the man’s hand as he walked by. This was going to keep him from getting his paperwork done tonight, he could just feel it. Knox had a grim expression which wasn’t the norm for the usually easygoing deputy.
    Jared patted his empty breast pocket looking for the glasses he needed to read these days. Not yet forty, he’d decided growing older officially sucked when he’d found himself holding paper at arms’ length simply to be able to make out the small type. They were missing as usual so he slapped the paper back on Knox’s desk.
    “Just read it to me.”
    “It’s Boyd Hicks. He got parole.”
    “Shit,” Jared said softly. Boyd Hicks had always been a dangerous man. Now he was a dangerous man with little to lose. It was a recipe for very bad things. “When?”
    “A few days ago,” Knox answered flatly as Chris Marks, another deputy and the son of one of Jared’s best friends, joined them. He was on second shift today. “Think he’s on his way here?”
    “Who is Boyd Hicks?” Chris asked, settling his hat on his head.
    Knox handed the paper to the junior deputy who perused the contents. Jared leaned against a desk and rubbed his suddenly throbbing temples. This was bad news.
    “Boyd Hicks is a career criminal that we put away about five years ago,” Jared