Sheriff ✔

Chapter 10

"I wish I could take you to the carnival," he said wistfully, after a while of reading his newspaper and drinking his morning coffee in silence. I looked up from the Sears magazine I was thumbing through. He looked like he wanted to say more, so I remained quiet.

"Don't you think it's ridiculous that we couldn't go to the carnival together – even in a group, without drawing attention?" He was right, of course, but this was an old thought to me. 

I had grown up thinking a good number of societal restrictions were ridiculous, particularly being the brunt of them. But I appreciated that he was beginning to see the injustice of the society we existed in. It was like watching a child learn something for the first time.

"I really wish I could just take you to the carnival and show you a good time with no fear. I'm a pretty good shot and would most certainly win you prize or two." I couldn't help but smile. William had been very sweet, and it was wearing my reserve very thin. I was trying to keep him at arms' length to the best of my ability, but the best of my ability was very soon not going to be enough.

"That's very kind, William. Maybe one day this country will be like that." He sighed.

"So how is the shopping coming along?" he asked me. I beamed – I was undoubtedly having a blast. When I had stormed out of his house weeks ago, I had made a sharp, but truthful jab about the state of his house décor. He had taken it to heart and had recently asked me to redecorate from top to bottom. After much protesting on my part, I acquiesced. He gave me a budget, a few guidelines, and set me loose.

"Be sure to design it how you would like it, too." I furrowed my brows.

"Why – it's your house, William." He smiled, and his cheeks lit up red.

"Well, you're honestly home more than I am...and it will save us from having to redecorate down the road if and when this ceases to be the home of only a bachelor." His words were not lost on me.

"I'll try, Sheriff."

"It's coming along well. I'll place the order soon, after you review what I'm getting." He waved his hand dismissively.

"I trust your taste, doll. Surprise me." He grinned big, and I couldn't help but smile sheepishly back. William had a comforting handsomeness to him. He was tanned and well built, with a pleasant face. But he wasn't a vain man, and he overall had an ordinary charm about him. His face, smile, presence – everything about him had begun to feel familiar and...comfortable to me. In all honesty, I had borderline begun to crave being with him. These thoughts frightened me, but they were getting harder to ignore.

"Well, I'm going to be on duty making sure everything goes well at the carnival. I know we won't be able to be together together, but I'll be around." I was thrilled that I'd be able to see him, and my pulse quickened at the thought.

"Maybe you can even make up an excuse to talk to me," I chipped in.

He chuckled in response. "I'm sure your guard dog will make sure that doesn't happen."

I laughed awkwardly and didn't bother denying that I would be going with Charles. "He's a good friend. He's just looking out for me."

William shrugged and turned back to his paper. I knew he was trying to be nonchalant, but it was also very clear to me that he did not appreciate any time I spent with the sharp-tongued man. Charles was definitely a lot and getting together at the carnival would actually be us re-initiating our friendship. 

It had been rocky and awkward after the showdown at Gram's place, and though I had been able to move forward at the time, I felt more and more uneasy thinking about Charles and the venom he spewed. What he had said to William wasn't necessarily wrong, but that evening opened my eyes and made me aware that Charles was strident about a lot of things. And very prideful. And possessive...But I missed him and hoped things could be calm moving forward.