The Deputy's New Family by Jenna Mindel Page A

full-time cherry grower, he didn’t fit that role today. Dressed in crisp gray slacks and a cotton sweater, Adam looked as urbane as when he’d first knocked on Eva’s door over a year ago. Beth had been her roommate then, and she’d coaxed Eva to give Adam a chance. Now they ran Marsh Orchards together and would soon open a bed-and-breakfast to boot.
    Eva poked her in the ribs with her elbow. “So? What gives with Nick Grey?”
    “Nothing gives. His son is in my class and my mom watches Corey after school.”
    “And?”
    “And that’s it.” That was all it should be.
    “I don’t believe you.”
    Beth never could pull one over on Eva. “He’s a deputy sheriff.”
    “Oh.” Eva wrinkled her nose.
    She knew Beth’s criteria. She also knew how much her father’s death had affected her. Eva had been a strong friend through the tragedy. If not for Eva, Beth didn’t know what she might have fallen into trying to cope with the loss.
    “So...he’s off-limits.”
    “Pretty much.” Beth knew what it was like to wait at home and worry. She’d seen her mother do it most of her life. When Beth was old enough to understand the danger her father faced on the job, she had worried, too.
    Working in a relatively safe place like Northern Michigan hadn’t mattered in the end. They all had breathed easier after moving here, thinking the threat had been removed and her father was safe. But her dad hadn’t been killed on the streets of suburban Detroit. He’d been shot on a lonely stretch of back road in Leelanau County and left for dead.
    Eva squeezed her arm. “Well, your Mr. Grey just walked in the door and he’s headed our way. Maybe he doesn’t know he’s on your do-not-touch list.”
    Nick’s hair looked damp from a shower and he wore a long-sleeved navy shirt and jeans. Tall and lean, Nick wore jeans well. Even better than his sheriff’s uniform.
    “He knows.” Beth took a deep breath.
    Nick wanted to bring God onto the front burner of his life.
    Even more reason to like the guy.
    “Uh-huh.” Eva gave her a doubtful look.
    “Look, Nick doesn’t want to get involved, either.” With Corey’s issues, moving to a new town with a new job, Nick had more things to concentrate on than her.
    “And he told you that when? After you told him about your vow not to date policemen?”
    Beth rubbed her forehead. Since when had Eva gotten so smart? “I don’t know. Maybe.”
    And then Nick stood before them with Corey closing in right behind him. “Miss Ryken.”
    Beth smiled. “Mr. Grey.” They still didn’t call each other by first names. “Hi, Corey.”
    Eva’s eyes held amusement before she extended her hand. “Nick, was it?”
    He accepted it. “Yes. And you’re Eva Marsh.”
    “Soon to be Eva Peecetorini. In fact, it...”
    Beth gave her friend a pointed look. Would Eva get the hint not to invite Nick? They didn’t need any matchmaking. If Beth wanted him to go, she’d ask him herself. She didn’t need any help. Didn’t want it, either.
    “...is just a matter of waiting now.” Eva smiled.
    And Beth let out the breath she’d been holding.
    “Congratulations.” Nick nodded.
    Eva barely contained the happiness that perked and gurgled within her, ready to bubble over on them. “Thanks. Nice to see you both again. Bye, Corey.”
    “Bye.”
    Beth watched Eva sidle up to her fiancé. The two were rarely far from each other for very long. The music started and folks scattered into their seats.
    “After you.” Nick gestured for her to lead the way.
    They were going to sit together. And why shouldn’t they? They were friends, right? Despite Eva’s observation that Nick’s gaze had lingered on her at the pizza shop, they were friends. They were adults, too. They could handle attraction for each other and not act on it.
    Beth slipped into a pew next to her mom.
    “Morning.” Nick strategically placed Corey between them.
    “Good morning, Nick. If you’re not busy after church, why don’t you