Fried Pickles and the Fuzz by Calico Daniels Read Free Book Online

on, Carl, I just need a little more time to get the down payment… Yes, I understand… No, it’s fine, I’ll just have to figure something else out… Yeah, thanks for your help.”
    Bronson forked up another bite of fish just as Heather marched through the swinging door. She stopped the moment she spotted him.
    â€œYou. This is all your fault.” Anger flashed in her beautiful blue eyes.
    The fork froze on its journey to his mouth. “ What’ d I do?”
    Fists planted on hips , she strode over to him, jerked the fork from his hand , and tossed it over her shoulder . “You just had to be a cop. Just had to issue an ultimatum about Gus. You couldn’t just leave well enough alone, could you?”
    â€œI’m the s heriff. It’s my job to make sure that the laws are followed and the folks in Big Creek are safe.” He reached for another fork , but she beat him to it, slapping her hand down on the utensil , effectively blocking him.
    â€œOf course you are. But this isn’t the big city. Things work a little different out here in the boonies. We all look out for one another and sometimes we just accept what is , whether it’s against the law or not.”
    â€œI turned my head long enough about Gus, but come on, he was beginning to really irk folks in town with his constant wandering and getting into things.”
    Heather braced her hands on the counter and leaned toward him. “Who complained? Mrs. Pearson? She gripes about the Christmas lights on the s quare . Says they cast an unflattering glow on her car during the season.”
    â€œShe’s not the only one. Bud called too.” He inched back in his seat , and she leaned closer.
    â€œBud? Seriously? That old fart has a moonshine still in his basement. Who else? Tom Parker? Edna Stiles? You should check out their tomato patches in the spring. Bet you’ll find more than Beefsteaks growing in there.” She straightened and backed away from the counter. “If you’re going to enforce the law , then do it across the board, Sheriff.”
    Silence hummed in the café. They stared at each other, neither saying a word.
    Finally, Bronson reached out and closed the lid on his dinner then stood. “I’m sorry , Heather. I didn’t realize that giving you a deadline for Gus was going to cause this many problems.” He picked up his takeout box and stepped away from the counter. “But I’m not backing down. It’s dangerous, not only for Gus , but for everyone in town, to just let him wander around. I would hate myself if he caused an accident or even a death because I did nothing. I hope you understand.”
    â€œYeah, I hope you do, too.” She grabbed a cloth and started wiping down the counter.
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?”
    Heather sighed. “I think you should either keep taking your meals at the station or find another place to have supper.”
    â€œBut this is the only café in town.”
    She glanced up, her gaze locking with his. “I know.”

 
Saturday
    Â 
    â€œYou banned the s heriff from T he Pickle?” Beth Ann stared wide-eyed . “What in the world were you thinkin’? The man was really just doin’ his job when he threw Gus in the clink. I might not like the fact that it’s caused you this much heartache , but still. ”
    â€œ I know. I was just so tootin’ mad , and it’s obvious that I wasn’t thinkin’ clearly or I wouldn’t have blown up at him like that .” Heather groaned and rested her head against the cool surface of the stainless counter in the café kitchen. “I sent Erma over to the Police Department with his dinner last night , and she brought it back. Said he’d already eaten.”
    Beth Ann chuckled. “Likely story. The only place besides T he Pickle in this town to get anything to eat is out of the hot box at the gas