Stillborn Armadillos (John Lee Quarrels Book 1) by Nick Russell

anything special. I certainly didn't plan on becoming a cop but it beat driving truck or working construction or anything like that. I just fell into it."
    "Was that before or after you married the sheriff's daughter?"
    "Before. I knew Emily before I got the job. It's a small town, everybody knows everybody. But we didn't start seeing each other until after I'd been a deputy for a year or so."
    "And how does your father-in-law feel about the fact that the marriage is... whatever it is?"
    "He doesn't really understand it. He's a small town politician. Don't get me wrong, he's a nice guy, but his world ends at the county line. He and I get along okay for the most part. I don't think he blames me for the separation. He just wants things to go back to the way it used to be."
    He didn't tell her about D.W.'s reaction to finding his younger daughter at John Lee's house the other morning. He felt very comfortable with Shania, but that would have been too much information to share.
    "And how about you?"
    "What do you mean?"
    "Do you want things to go back to the way they used to be?"
    John Lee had to think about that for a moment before he could answer. "To be honest, I don't know. There was a time when I was crushed, when I'd have done anything to get her back. And she has come back a time or two and spent the night, then she just disappears again."
    "Do you still love her?"
    "I love her, but lately I find myself wondering if I'm still in love with her."
    That was true. How could he go to bed with Beth Ann if he was still in love with Emily? It was a question he had asked himself more than once.
    "Okay, you've given me the third degree. What about you? Is a jealous husband going to be coming through the door any minute now with blood in his eyes?"
    Shania laughed and shook her head. "Nope, no need to worry about that."
    "No husband?"
    She shook her head.
    "No boyfriend?"
    Again with the headshake, but before he could ask anything else, she added, "And no girlfriend either, just in case you were wondering."
    This time they both laughed.
    "So how come a beautiful, intelligent, professional woman like you is still single?"
    "Why, thank you sir," Shania said with a smile. "I don't know. I was busy with school and getting established in my job. I never had time for a serious relationship. I mean, I've dated a few guys, and there have been a few sleepovers in my life, but not many. I'm not saying I wouldn't want to find the right man someday. But he hasn't come along, and I haven't been out looking. Like I said, it is what it is."
    They chatted through their meal, talking about everything from their work to the kinds of music they enjoyed, to their favorite movies and books. Finally, they realized that it was getting late and they were the only people still in the restaurant except for the staff, who occasionally looked at them, wondering how much longer they would be.
    Shania wanted to split the bill, but John Lee wouldn't let her. They had walked to the restaurant, and when they got back to the parking lot at the state crime lab, he opened her car door for her and said, "Thank you, I really enjoyed tonight. And thanks again for all the information on the skeletons and all that."
    "No problem, John Lee. I enjoyed it, too. You're a nice guy. For a good ol' boy white deputy sheriff, that is."
    They laughed and he extended his hand to shake hers. Instead, Shania, leaned forward and hugged him.
    "You drive careful going home, John Lee. And if you ever get back this way again, look me up. Here's my card. My cell number's on the back."
    "I'll do that," he said with a big smile. "I'll darned sure do that."

 
     
    Chapter 14
     
    He took the slower route home, US Highway 19 to Perry, where he picked up US 27 and then turned east on local roads into Somerton County. It had cooled off enough that he could drive with the windows down, and as his headlights cut through the dark he thought about his dinner with Shania. She was one of the most