Lowering his bushy eyebrows as his lips turned down in a frown, Mr. Royer pouted. "Don't know what her problem is. She thinks the sidewalks are her personal property and her dog is the queen!"
Stifling a tired grin, Grant nodded his agreement as he walked back toward the SUV. "Next time, just walk in a different direction before Harold gets a sniff of her."
"Who? Petunia or Mrs. Busybody?"
"Either one, Mr. Royer. Either one," he chuckled.
Climbing back into the vehicle, he once more called in his location and began to drive slowly down the street. Head still pounding, he hoped he encountered nothing more than the dog walkers before he had a chance to make it in to the station.
The oldest part of Baytown was surrounded with Main Street on one side, closer to the small harbor, the Chesapeake Bay on another, where the public beach enticed townspeople and visitors, and a park situated in the middle of town. About fifteen years prior, a developer built a golf course community on a large farm and it was annexed into the city as well. On the other side, another developer built large vacation rental homes as well as a marina and a seafood restaurant.
Turning the corner, he noted a group of children riding their bikes toward the beach. Waving at the youngsters, he grinned-both at their early morning enthusiasm and the memories it brought back. Growing up in Baytown on the Chesapeake Bay, he had spent many hours running the streets, riding his bike, and hanging with his friends. The group of boys had been given the nickname Baytown Boys because where you saw one … you saw them all. Even their high school team's adopted the name. The group had dispersed after high school, most joining the military, before eventually coming back to Baytown to live.
He and Mitch joined the Army, while the two MacFarlane brothers, Aiden and Brogan, served in the Marines before coming back to take over the family pub. Zac Hamilton had joined the Navy before becoming the fire chief, and their friend, Callan Ward, was still with the Coast Guard, now stationed locally at Baytown.
Driving past the building housing the newly established American Legion, he remembered they had a meeting this evening. I hope we get started on the youth teams. I need to talk to Mitch about helping when I get to the station.
Grant rubbed his chin, realizing his morning shave had missed a few spots. His hand moved up to his forehead in an attempt to once more still the headache threatening. Drinking too much last night was a stupid thing to do!
The engagement party for Mitch and Tori Bradford had started at The Dune's Restaurant in the resort's golfing community, but then ended up at Finn's Pub. The dinner included family, friends, and some of the town's important residents. The mayor and his wife made their appearance, and of course gave a lengthy toast, which was more of a political speech than an engagement toast. By the time the dinner was over, the group of friends migrated into town to the pub owned by Aiden and Brogan.
I need to finish this pass by Main street and head into the station. I hope Mildred has some aspirin … and coffee. The thought of freshly-ground coffee enticed him as he passed Jillian's Coffee Shop and Galleria, but he knew he could not go in and risk the ire … or the condemnation of the beautiful shop owner. Not after last night's performance. Fighting the urge to drop his chin to his chest, he heaved a sigh. Yeah, I deserve this headache, he thought, his mind drifting to the previous evening.
Even when I kept my distance from her, I always noticed when Jillian walked into a room … and I noticed her last night. Lime green dress, tight in the right places, showing her tanned legs, nipped in at the waist-but wait! Who the hell had their hand on her waist?
Moving through the room quickly, I made a bee-line to the other side to gain a better view. Hmph! Some young, hot-shot asshole was standing next to her like he owned her. Fucking hell!
Turning on my heel, I saw one of the local waitresses standing alone near the bar, eying me. Stalking over, I was determined to hit the bar and if I managed to snag the waitress at the same time? All the better.
Yeah … that plan blew up because I kept my eye on Jillian and finally found a time to approach her. And berate her for her date. Not my best plan. I should have stayed away from her.
Sighing once again, Grant parked the SUV in the police station lot before climbing from the vehicle and making his way through the front door. The sight of Mildred Score, the indomitable receptionist and operator, greeted him. The fact that she was holding a cup of coffee and two aspirins in her outstretched hand only made him grin wider despite the glare of the fluorescent lights overhead.
"Oh, my God, Mildred, you're a lifesaver!"
With narrowed eyes, she shook her blue-grey curls at him and said, "I had a feeling you were tying one on last night. What on earth were you thinking, Grant Wilder? Drinking last night when you had patrol this morning!"