Dogwood Days (14 page)

Trent elbowed him again. “Is he always this weird here?”

“Unfortunately. Do you like cobbler, Trent? I’d have to see what fruit Uncle Sherman has available.”

“I love cobbler. But don’t go to any trouble for me.”

“Nonsense. Your first meal in Holly Creek needs to be amazing. Don’t tell the mayor I said so, but we try to keep newcomers.” She winked and turned back to the kitchen.

Charles shook his head from his position at the counter where he was preparing a marinade for the meat. “I’d pretend she was teasing, but she’s not. We do like to keep folks.”

“Hate to say it, but I’m afraid there’s about as many prospects in Holly Creek for me as there is for Jefferson.”

The mayor sent a look Sherman’s way that had Jefferson turning his gaze to his uncle. Uncle Sherman didn’t look happy. His leaving would be tough this time. For both of them.

“I’ll get the grill started. Jefferson Lee, would you chop the vegetables for us?”

“Sure, Charles.”

Trent stayed at the table while the rest of them busied themselves with dinner preparations. Jefferson checked his phone a couple of times, but he didn’t have any messages from Zane. He’d hoped the accident wasn’t as bad as Zane thought, but it looked like it was a bad one since he hadn’t heard a word. He was tempted to ask Charles if he’d heard anything but figured he shouldn’t. With a sigh, he chopped the vegetables and started a pot of water boiling for mashed potatoes.

“What are you moping about?” Clover asked as she mixed the batter for the cobbler.

“Nothing,” he answered.

“Oh, plans with the sheriff?”

“No, he got called over to Woodville.”

“Too bad. Looks like we have enough for him as well.”

“I’ll let him know if he contacts me.”

“You really like him, don’t you?”

“I do. Course, I’m also thinking that I’ve got to find a job, and that has me worried.”

“I called a friend up at Fairwinds to see if they had any openings, but they don’t. I was hoping you could find something there and still work on the blog. I know you’re enjoying it, as much as you pretend otherwise.”

He shrugged. “I checked at Fairwinds too. It’s okay. I knew there weren’t prospects here. I’m hoping I can find something close, though. Maybe. Nothing yet.”

Trent cleared his throat, and Jefferson looked guiltily in his direction. “You aren’t coming home, are you?”

“I am. I have to. I’d have told you if I wasn’t.”

Trent frowned. “Maybe something will open up at… what did you call it? Fairwinds?”

Clover nodded. “It’s the big resort just up the mountain. Half of the town works there.”

“So maybe they’ll have something soon. You never know.”

“Trying to get rid of me?” Jefferson teased.

“Nah. Well, it’d be nice to get rid of the papers. Honestly, Jefferson, no one needs to read that much. Plus, they’re a fire hazard all stacked up. Trust me, I’m a fireman. I know these things.”

Jefferson snorted, and Clover let out a giggle. “You can’t deny Jefferson Lee his reading material, Trent. He’d wither and die.”

Jefferson’s phone buzzed, and he pulled it out to find a message from Zane.

Will be very late. Sorry about tonight. Miss you.

Be safe.
Jefferson sent his reply and turned back to his chopping with a sigh.

TRENT WHIMPERED
from his position on the porch swing. He’d collapsed onto it and put his head on Jefferson’s lap the moment they got back from setting up Clover’s booth.

“She’s not nice,” Trent whined. “Everything hurts.”

“Aww,” Jefferson crooned. He petted Trent’s chest and tried not to laugh. “I warned you.”

“That furniture weighed five thousand pounds. No, ten thousand.”

Jefferson gave the swing a gentle push and tried even harder not to crack up. “It’s those muscles, Trent. You shouldn’t be so pretty and bulgy.”

“But the hot guys like my muscles. How did I say yes to her? I am not attracted to women, so it wasn’t that. Please explain this to me. Use little words. Even my brain hurts.”

“It’s the wonder that is Clover Crofton. I really did try to warn you.”

“I know you did. But then she looked at me and I couldn’t say no. Is she a voodoo priestess? Is that it?”

Jefferson cackled. “Sometimes I wonder.”

“You should be more careful. She’ll make a voodoo doll and stab you in the balls or something.”

“Nuh-uh. She’d just stab me in the balls herself. She’s violent like that.”

Jefferson looked up when he heard a car pull to a stop in front of the house and couldn’t hide his smile when he saw the sheriff’s cruiser. Zane stepped out with a murderous expression on his face.

“Huh. Wonder what he’s mad about.”

“Who?” Trent asked.

“Zane. He’s here.”

Jefferson waved as Zane stomped up the walk and onto the front porch.

“Jefferson, may I have a word with you? Privately.”

Jefferson figured he could make a case for Zane’s glare being the cause of global warming.

“That depends,
Sheriff
. You going to lose the glare?”

Zane glanced down at Jefferson’s hand where it rested on Trent’s chest, then back up. He made a funny little growling sound. Oh, the big green monster was attacking.

“Jefferson Lee,” Zane grumbled.

“Fine.” Jefferson thumped Trent on the chest. “Up, you dork.”

“Uh, J, you going to be okay?”

“Yep. Scowly pants over there is about to get a piece of my mind. I’ll be fantastic.”

“Oh crap,” Trent said. He sat up and shook his head. “Sorry, man.”

“Sorry for what exactly?” Zane sneered.

Oh this was just precious. “Trent, don’t answer that. Zane, why don’t we head inside.” Jefferson smiled, and Zane flinched. As it should be. He’d learned a thing or two from Clover, after all, and the arctic smile was top of the list.

Zane followed Jefferson through the house and into the dining room.

“What can I do for you,
Sheriff
?”

Zane’s glare softened, and a confused look joined it. “Who is that?”

“That’s Trent.”

“Jefferson Lee.”

“Yes,
Sheriff
?”

“Would you quit calling me Sheriff? I don’t like it.”

“Not sure what to call you, then. Asshole is coming to mind, but I hate to go that far until I give you a chance to explain.”

Zane deflated. “Selma Jane called.”

“Yeah? And?”

“She said some guy was walking around the festival with you, and he had his hands all over you.”

“Oh did she now?”

“And so I came back.”

“Uh-huh. Because you thought… what, exactly?”

“I wasn’t exactly thinking.”

“Uh-huh. Trent’s my roommate and one of my best friends. Which you’d have learned if you hadn’t come stomping up here like an idiot.”

“I just… I don’t have any right to say so, but I don’t like someone else having their hands on you.”

“Zane, I can promise you that yours are the only hands I want on me right now. But I’m a touchy-feely kinda guy. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt this time, because we’ve never really had a deep talk about this kind of thing, but I’m also a one-man kind of guy. And you’re pretty much that man right now, so take that for what it’s worth.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, you big dork. Now, if you don’t get over here and kiss me, I’m going to call one of your deputies to come arrest you for cruel and unusual punishment.”

Zane grabbed Jefferson and pulled him close. He leaned his face into Jefferson’s hair and breathed in. “Sorry I’m such an idiot. I just freaked out a bit.”

“Yeah, well, I’d have freaked out worse. So there’s that.” He turned his head and trailed kisses down Zane’s cheek to his mouth. “Can we make out now? Or you still got some talking to do?”

Zane didn’t need to be asked twice.

Jefferson expected to be devoured, but Zane held him tight and kissed him gently. Heat built from Jefferson’s lips and settled all the way down to his toes. He’d never been kissed like this before, like it meant something. He clutched Zane’s uniform shirt and held on.

Zane pulled back to pepper kisses along Jefferson’s jawline.

“What are you doing to me, Zane?” Jefferson murmured.

“Same thing you’re doing to me, I suspect.”

Jefferson heard the front door open, and Trent called out down the hall. “Jefferson? She’s coming this way. Please tell me I can come inside and hide.”

“Come on in. We’re in the kitchen.”

“Who’s he hiding from?” Zane asked.

“I’ll give you three guesses, and the first two don’t count.”

“Clover.”

“And he got it in one.”

Trent ran into the kitchen. “She’s coming this way. Save me.”

“She lives down the block, you know. She’s probably going home for something.”

A knock sounded at the front door.

“Or not,” Zane said.

“We’re not here,” Jefferson said. He grabbed Trent’s arm and dragged him toward the pantry.

Zane laughed and waved down the hall as the front door opened. “Hey, Clover.”

“Sheriff Zane! So good to see you. Where’s Jefferson Lee?”

“Hiding from you in the pantry at the moment.”

“Zane!” Jefferson flung open the door and glared. “That’s it, you’re back to being Sheriff.”

Zane shrugged. “I can’t risk my cobbler privileges.”

“Oh, her cobbler is good,” Trent cooed.

“Trent! There you are. I was hoping I’d find you two here.”

Trent whimpered. “Hey, Clover.”

“Now, don’t start that nonsense again. I
was
going to offer you lunch, but not if you’re going to be a big baby like Jefferson Lee.”

Trent perked up. “Lunch?”

“Yes, lunch. But if you aren’t hungry….”

“Oh, I could eat. Jefferson, you in?”

“No, you go ahead. I’m fine right here. Besides, Zane and I need to get to the parade. My blogger duties start when the parade does. I promised Uncle Sherman.”

“We’ll be done in time for the parade, Trent, don’t worry.” Clover smiled, and Trent deflated.

“You’re going to make me carry things again, aren’t you?”

“Only a few. But don’t worry, I’ve gotten us some better help than Jefferson Lee.”

“Hey! I helped.”

“Sure you did, sweetie. Come on, Trent. Beau’s meeting us at my place.”

“Oh, I’ve heard about Beau.” Trent looked over at Zane and pulled a face. “Uh, I mean….”

“It’s okay, Trent. Go drool over the hot redhead. I’m finding I like brunettes a whole lot more these days. It’s fine.”

“See you later!”

Trent and Clover left, and Jefferson leaned back into Zane.

“Now, where were we?”

“We were about to leave so we could help get the parade set up. And by we, I mean me. Because I’m going to be late, and I’m the first car. Driving the mayor’s convertible.”

“Oh, aren’t you fancy.”

“I’m apparently the only one he trusts enough to drive it.”

“Well, it is a classic.”

And it was. A 1959 Chevy Corvette. The car had made Jefferson drool the few times he’d seen it in person. Charles kept it locked up in his garage. He probably had ninjas in there protecting it full-time. Charles loved that car. A lot.

“It’s a beautiful car. So you think it would be really rude of me to ask you to ditch Trent tonight and come over to my place?”

“Pretty much. But it’ll be even ruder when I tell you I’m going to. He’ll be fine. He’s a big boy. Besides, Clover had her cupid hat on again, I bet.”

“Heaven help us.”

“Hey, it worked for us.”

“Yeah, but she wasn’t trying to get us together. She was working on your uncle and the mayor.”

“Good point.”

“Now what was it Trent was saying about a hot redhead?”

Jefferson smirked up at Zane. “Oh, you mean little ole Beau Granville? I think he must have sat on a pile of sugar, because he sure does have a sweet ass.”

“You did not just say that.”

Jefferson cackled. “I really did.”

“I’m not sure if I should be jealous or horrified.”

“Let’s go with horrified. Although in my defense, some guy at a club did use that line on me once. I’ve been saving it for the perfect moment.”

“And the perfect moment was describing Beau Granville?”

“It’s really not my fault. You started to do that growly, scowly thing again.”

“I did not.”

“Yep. Sure did. Green is not the most flattering color on you.”

Zane growled.

“See?” Course, he didn’t admit that the noise had sent little sparks of pleasure through him. God, the man was too much.

Zane pulled him close again. “Wait until later. I’m going to make sure you never notice anyone’s ass but mine ever again.”

“That a threat or a promise?”

“That’s a guarantee. Now let’s go before I get distracted again.”

Jefferson grabbed Zane’s hand, and they made the quick walk down to the corner of Main Street where the parade would begin. They easily found the mayor’s cherry red convertible. One of the deputies was standing guard over it. He looked slightly terrified.

“Carson, everything okay?” Zane asked.

“Do you know how many people have tried to touch this car? All of them, Sheriff. All. Of. Them.”

Jefferson snorted.

Zane squeezed Jefferson’s hand and shot him a warning glare.

“Don’t worry, Carson. I’ll take over from here. Why don’t you head down to Cherry Street and make sure everything is going smoothly?”

“Oh, thank God. The mayor said he’d be back in five. That was ten minutes ago.”

“I’ll go find him,” Jefferson said. “He’s probably with Uncle Sherman somewhere, and I need to get the camera.”

Zane pulled him close. “You going to stay out of trouble?”

“That depends. You going to cuff me later if I’m bad?”

Zane groaned and rested his forehead against Jefferson’s. “I’m not even sure why I try. You’re always going to win word wars, aren’t you?”

Jefferson shrugged. “I’m a man of many words, what can I say?”

Zane cupped Jefferson’s cheeks in his hands and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Stay out of trouble.”

“I’ll do my best. No promises. You be safe. Don’t scratch the mayor’s car. If you do, he’ll kill you, and I won’t get laid tonight. Priorities.”