Digging Up Love With The Sheriff: A Sweet Spring Kisses Series Book by Sterling Evie

Author:Sterling, Evie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-19T00:00:00+00:00

11

Constance

I peer down the aisle at Fred Frederickson, who is perusing at the selection of sugary cereals, looking unenthused at any of the options.

I can’t keep standing here at the endcap, hiding like some peeping Tom. But at the same time, something is freezing me to this very spot.

It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him in Shelly’s Grocery. I’m sure the Fredericksons usually get stuff delivered or they take the time to drive out to Kroger where the selection is better. So I have to say it’s more than shocking he’s deigning to take in Shelly’s selection.

That’s not what has me pinned here, though, my heart racing and threatening to leap up my throat and out of my mouth.

I haven’t seen him since I found out what he’s doing to the Wilhelm House. And something inside me won’t let me just walk away.

I’m not a confrontational person. And I certainly don’t go out of my way to have casual conversations in the grocery store unless I’m cornered.

This, though…

Part of me wants to walk right up to him and demand he say it to my face. How he’s usurping our town’s right to its history for his own selfish devices. Then, when he inevitably tries to play it off like the smarmy businessman he is, give him a piece of my mind.

The other part of me wishes I could just turn around, pay for my basket of groceries, and get the heck out of here. Dad is probably wondering where I am with his Dr. Pepper he sent me out for.

Fred suddenly straightens and looks directly at me.

Crap.

I try to step back behind the endcap. What’s that going to do, though? Just going to affirm my spot as the town weirdo.

“Dr. Chaplin? Is that you?”

Too late. Don’t have a choice now. Have to face the music.

I lean around the endcap and try to put on my best Rory McEvoy smile, which feels wrong and strained. “Mr. Frederickson… good to see you.”

Fred smiles. “Oh, well this is a pleasant surprise, Dr. Chaplin.”

I take a few steps forward, letting my basket hanging in front of me like some sort of shield. “Is it?”

“Yes, I haven’t gotten a chance yet to thank you for your help when it came to…” He drifts off and grits his teeth, eyes rolling up. “You know…”

“The skeleton found on your property?” I ask.

Fred’s eyebrows snap up and he laughs loudly, but it sounds forced. “Well, yes, I guess it is best to just put it out there, isn’t it?”

I’ve never understood why people tiptoe around things. Interactions would move so much faster if we just said what we mean.

“I understand that you were there to help identify some of the remains. I know it doesn’t negate the severity of the situation, but I’m comforted for some reason that some of the bones weren’t human. Gives me hope maybe this is all some big misunderstanding…”

I stare at him. Take a few breaths. Say something, Constance.

“Ahem. Well. I was just here to pick up some cereal for my daughter.

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