Damaged

3

Jessie stalked out of the diner, her anger flaring as she thought about the audacity of that woman to question, to judge her.

She made it to her car in record setting time. There was a voice of a woman shouting for her to stop. She didn't dare look back as she unlocked her door, setting her food down gently on the passenger seat.

Suddenly there was a hand on her shoulder and Jessie froze, abruptly turning around as she pushed the perpetrator back. Demi reacted instantly catching the woman's arm, gently pushing her up against the car as she stared deeply into the panting woman's eyes.

Jessie flinched at the movement her head falling to the side waiting for the impact of the blow that never came.

"I'm not going to hit you. " Sheriff lovato whispered dropping both of her hands, putting some distance between them as she stepped back. "I just want to help you, I know a place where you can get cleaned up. I'm telling you any cop outside of this town will pull you over if you don't get that blood off your shirt and cover the bruise. Plus I know you're tired."

Jessie listened and she knew the woman standing in front of her was right. She was tired and hungry. But she didn't trust the cop and she really couldn't risk staying anywhere too long.

Knowing that this woman was persistent and most likely wouldn't let her leave until she had a proper rest and clean clothes she slowly nodded. "Just one night."

And the sheriff genuinely smiled showcasing her perfect white teeth. "Follow me in my car."

Jessie gave the woman a strangle look as she slipped into her car and began following the strange sheriff to her place.

The town was small and filled with mostly unpaved dirt roads. As she drove deeper into the town she got a chance to see all the shops and Farmers markets they had. Along with more of the towns people, it reminded her of home back on the farm as a child and she could feel the tears prickling in her eyes at the thought.

Her car came to a sudden stop , that jolted her forward after nearly hitting the sheriffs car in front of her. Jessie's eyes widened, she unbuckled her seat belt stepping out of the car and shutting the door behind her as Sheriff Lovato made her way towards the woman.

"Nearly mowed me down," She chuckled hands on her hips. "This is it, are you just going to stand there or are you ready for your tour?"

Jessie smiled lightly, "Let me just grab my things."

She made sure to hold the bag with her important essentials aka her money and passport. As they walked up the hill that led to the house Jessie had to admit that it was your cute typical two story farm house with a huge porch. The smell of cattle was the first stench that hit her as she grew nearer.

Demi held the door open as jessie entered and the woman had to admit she was surprised by the decorations that filled the house. It was brand new, yet still felt homey.

"Keaten? You here boy?" The sheriff called. Jesse stared at the woman curiously until she heard the galloping of a large animal and braced herself for the dog that emerged from the foyer.

It was golden retriever, who at first briefly stopped at the sight of the new guest before greeting his owner with kisses and barks. Jessie watched on as The Sheriff played with the dog, despite herself a smile stared to form on her lips.

"He's a cute little boy isn't he?" The Sheriff cooed, urging the woman to pet him. Jesse took a tentative step towards the dog, kneeling as she slowly pet his head.

"He is rather cute. " she admitted to the woman who just chuckled as she threw a nearby toy immediately getting a reaction out of the dog as he ran to retrieve it.