Nora Roberts Land(99)
“Jill, can I help make coffee?” Keith asked as they approached the counter.
Jill bounded toward them and swept him up in her arms. “Sure you can, if it’s okay with your mom.”
Peggy bopped Keith on the head with her gloves. “You listen to Miss Hale.”
“Okay, Mom.”
Jill pulled Keith around the counter. “Looks like we have some customers.”
As Meredith unwound her scarf, Tanner stopped her. He trailed his fingers along her neck as he slowly slid the white scarf off. Her green eyes warmed.
“Don’t make me arrest the two of you,” Peggy murmured. “At least let me get some coffee first.”
“Party pooper.”
“That’s me, Tanner. Let’s order.”
Keith chattered like a magpie as he helped Jill make their coffees. Meredith tensed next to Tanner when Larry Barlow strolled in. Knowing what he had done made it difficult to manage a poker face. Unfortunately Meredith’s sucked, so he nudged her.
“Honey, why don’t you grab us a table? I’ll bring the coffees over when they’re ready.”
He thought she was going to argue, but she gave a stiff nod. “Okay.”
Peggy put her hands on her hips, taking in the scene. Decked out in a green winter jacket with Eagle County’s Sheriff’s Department stitched on the front, Peggy would no doubt put two and two together.
“Tanner.” Barlow slapped his leather gloves in his hands.
“Barlow.”
The asshole lifted a brow when Tanner didn’t make introductions. “I don’t know you, ma’am, and I know most people in town,” he said to Peggy. “I’m Deputy Sheriff Barlow.”
She turned, flashing a girly smile. “Hi! I’m Tanner’s sister, visiting from out of town.”
Peggy’s fake feminine side creeped him out. Did she just bat her eyelashes? Dear God, she must be awesome at undercover work.
“Hi there,” Keith cried out, standing on the stool Jill had found for him. “What can I get ya?”
Barlow strolled closer. “Aren’t you a little young to be working here?”
“It’s not against the law, sir,” Keith said, shrugging, “so long as she doesn’t pay me.”
Barlow chuckled. “You’re correct, young man. Who are you?”
“I’m Keith. That’s my mom.” He pointed to Peggy.
The urge to prevent Barlow from talking to Keith was strong. Tanner didn’t think Barlow would do anything, but he wanted him to stay away.
This wasn’t a social call.
“You wanna ride in my police car?” Barlow rested his hands on his police-issue belt. “I do it for all the new kids.”
Peggy’s gripped Tanner’s arm when he took a step forward.
“Nah,” Keith responded. “I’ve been in police cars lots of times.”
Tanner’s insides cramped like he’d consumed bad milk. “Hey, Keith, why don’t you check on our order?”
Barlow straightened and tapped the counter. “You been arrested a lot, son?”
Peggy’s laughter trilled out. “Oh, that’s too funny. My kid loves cop shows. He’s taken a few rides. Honey, Jill looks like she could use your help. Don’t fall behind in your duties.”
“I’m not, Mom.” He turned back to Barlow with a frown. “I haven’t gotten in trouble, Officer. I ride in my mom’s car sometimes. She’s a cop too.”
Peggy’s fingers clenched Tanner’s coat. “Keith, honey. Why don’t you take this man’s order? I’m sure he doesn’t have a long break.”
She met Barlow’s gaze, and her smile dropped.
He smacked his gloves against his hand. “You’re a cop?”
“Yes, out of state. I’m only here for the holiday.”
Barlow scanned her body. “You carrying?”
“No.” She had her gun locked up in his house.
“You didn’t think about checking in with us?”
“As I said, I’m here on vacation. It’s nice to be away from the job. You know.”
Her appeal to professional camaraderie was worth a try. Maybe Barlow wouldn’t feel threatened.
And pigs would fly.
“Well, we don’t have much crime here. Do we, Tanner?”
He settled back on the balls of his feet and met Barlow’s stare dead-on. “I haven’t seen any in the police reports.”
Barlow’s mouth twisted. “Good to remember. We keep things quiet in Dare.”
“That’s nice to hear,” Peggy noted, her voice like rough gravel now.
“Here’s our coffee, mom,” Keith called. “I’ve got the bestest hot chocolate in the world.”