Sweet Hill Homecoming by Joya Ryan Page B

made something zing to life beneath the surface of her skin. It started in her belly and spread from the tops of her knees to the tips of her breasts.  
    “Forgive me, Miss Blake. The encounters I’ve had the pleasure of with you have been…”
    She arched a brow at him.  
    “Spirited.”  
    She couldn’t help but smile, then tried to hide it. He was charming. She liked his word choice too. A word like spirited made her feel less bitchy and more competent.
    “Why don’t I give you a ride home,” he said.  
    She stopped and looked at the entirety of the situation. Hot Deputy she wanted to taste as much as cuss out complete with cuffs and a badge? And he was being sweet to her? Bad combo.  
    “No thanks, Deputy.”  
    “Why?”
    “Because showing up at my apartment in a police car wouldn’t look good to my neighbors. People I’m trying to get to volunteer to help with Santa’s Sleigh Drive. Besides,” she eyed him, “I never know what to expect with you. Maybe you’ll ticket me for J-walking.”  
    He gripped the steering wheel. “ You don’t know what to expect with me ? I could say the same about you, Mia. But we won’t pull up with lights flashing and you’ll be in the front seat.”
    The seat next to him? Where she could smell him. Feel his warmth. See all those hard muscles just beneath the uniform and remember how hard and perfect he felt against her body?  
    Nope. Not a good idea.  
    “No thank you. I enjoy walking.”  
    She thought she heard him mumble something like, “Stubborn woman.” Then to her surprise, parked the car against the curb and got out.  
    “What are you doing?” she asked when he came to walk beside her.  
    “I can’t let a lady walk home alone, in the dark, carrying apples.” He moved to take the crate from her and she let him.  
    He seemed like he legitimately was concerned about her safety. The look in a man’s eyes when he was working an angle was obvious to Mia. And no such looked marred Tate’s face.  
    “It’s not that far. Besides, you really think someone will come mug me for apples?”  
    Tate shook his head and kept pace beside her. “It’s not muggers I’m worried about. It’s squirrels. They go crazy for these.” He patted the crate.  
    She smiled. “Well in that case, thank you for saving me from what would be a rabid gang of squirrels.”  
    “Just doing my job, ma’am, serving and protecting and all.”  
    His charming grin made her stomach flutter and as their boots scraped the pavement, keeping stride with each other, she couldn’t help but feel a little less cold, a little less alone with Tatum next to her.  
    “So what are you doing with these?” Tate asked and she looked up at him.  
    “Kyle is having some of his football friends over after the game on Friday. I’m making my famous dessert.”  
    He looked at her with wide eyes. “You bake?”  
    “Oh god no.” She shook her head. “No, I’m a terrible cook. This dessert is three ingredients and only requires a spoon to stir.”  
    “Well now I’m intrigued.” He nudged her elbow with his and she held back a soft giggle.
    “It’s a secret family recipe.”
    “I see. Well, I’m glad I can at least assist in the carrying of one of the said ingredients.”
    When the street light illuminated his face, Mia couldn’t help but stare for a moment. He looked so handsome and stoic. Like in another life he was the Sheriff of the old west. Fitting. Always on the lookout for criminals and damsels in distress. In that moment, she felt like that woman. The one that got the eye of the most respected man in town. But that wasn’t reality. Because though their history had been short, it was already less than spotless or easy.
    They took a right onto Pine Street, and only a few blocks down was Mia’s apartment. On the corner there was a sign sticking out of the yard with Tatum’s face on it.  
    “A lot of people come into the café and all I hear about is you