"Look there," her grandmother said, pointing down the street. "That's Debra and she's already got a parking spot. You're driving like the bus driver at the retirement home. Get a move on, girl."
Tess felt her blood pressure spike, and the fear of competition took over. It was just like every sporting event she'd ever tried to participate in while at school. She was never as fast or aggressive as all the other competitors, and she could still hear the criticism in perfect Russian as it boomed over the cheering crowds.
She screeched to a halt right in front of the Clip n' Curl's doors to avoid the pressure, and she let her grandmother out with only seconds to spare. She saw Debra pick up the pace, but she'd had a hip replacement last year and couldn't move as fast as Tatiana. Tess unbuckled and reached over to pull the door closed since her grandmother had left it open in her hurry, and she immediately felt the relief of being alone.
Tess shifted the air vents so they blew on her armpits, and then crept along the street, hoping someone would pull out. She got lucky at the end of the block nearest the courthouse, and somehow managed to squeeze the Suburban into a space that was clearly meant for a much smaller car.
She grabbed her purse from the backseat and had her handle on the door when the door opened for her. Cal Dougherty stared at her through the window, and she let out a quiet sigh, thinking she would've been better off all around if she'd pretended to be sick for the day.
"Hello, Cal," she said, sliding out of the Suburban.
"I figured I'd let you get parked before I tried to get your attention. I could hear you muttering in Russian from the open car door."
"It's been that kind of morning."
"I just wanted to make sure I didn't freak you out about asking you to dinner yesterday morning."
"Oh, no," she said. "I always get accused of crimes and hit on at the same time. Story of my life."
He rolled his eyes and fell into step beside her as she made her way to the Clip n' Curl. "No one's accusing you," he said. "But you've got five men working for you that you don't know a thing about."
"Six," she said, thinking of the not-so-dead body who she was assuming would become her employee.
He raised his brows at that. "I've run background checks on them."
"For what?" she asked, horrified. "That's a violation of their privacy."
"You're a single woman with five . . . six . . . very dangerous-looking men living right under your nose. I wouldn't be looking out for you if I didn't do some checking."
"It's still rude," she said, even though his thoughtfulness went a little ways in helping repair the damage of his accusations the day before. "But I appreciate you thinking of me." She paused again and pursed her lips before asking, "So . . . did you find out anything?"
He grinned and shook his head. "Nope, clean as a whistle, every one of them. Too clean if you ask me. But I don't want to start digging and get in over my head. I can tell you with certainty they're skilled. I can recognize men who are trained to fight."
"And why would you be able to recognize men like that?" she asked.
He just smiled again and said, "I wasn't always sheriff. Do you mind if I head over to your place and check the transport van? I'm assuming it's back?"
The change in subject threw her off guard and she stopped in her tracks. "Cal Dougherty, I thought you said you weren't accusing me? I take back all those nice things I was thinking about you just now."
"Nice enough to go to dinner with me?"
She narrowed her eyes at him and his smile widened.
"I don't know why the men I know think it's so gosh-darned funny when I get mad. But no, I won't go to dinner with you. Ever. Unless it's potluck at the church, and then I guess I won't be able to help it, but it doesn't count because there will be lots of people around."
She was babbling again. It was the first time in her life she was actually anxious to get inside the Clip n' Curl.
"That's harsh. But probably best. I've got dinner plans tonight anyway. I don't think she'd be into a trio."
Tess's mouth dropped open and she shook her head. "Help yourself to the van. I'm sure one of the guys can let you in if the door is closed. And stop running background checks on my employees. They're all very nice men who don't accuse men of crimes and try to double book me for dinner. Don't be a cad, Cal."
He winked and shrugged. "I'm pretty sure that's why Victoria divorced me. Catch you later."