Red Tape by Michele Lynn Seigfried Read Free Book Online Page A

annual fireworks started. This is the life , I thought. This is what I love about this town. My family and friends, good food, the ocean air, and fireworks. I felt totally relaxed. I wished every day could be this way.
     
    * * *
     
    I was up at five o’clock in the morning, before the baby stirred. I tiptoed to the kitchen and put her bottle in the warmer. I selected a Wild Mountain Blueberry K-Cup. I needed the caffeine—I was feeling the effects of last night’s two glasses of wine. I popped a couple of Tylenol and had barely enough time to finish my coffee when Mandy woke up. I took care of her needs, then showered and dressed. It was getting hot outside so I had selected a gray skirt and a green short-sleeved top to wear.
    I picked up the morning newspaper outside of my front door on the way to drop off Mandy. The Town of Sunshine had hit the headlines again. “Egg on Her Face” was the title. I quickly skimmed over the article. Mr. Crazy Eyes was arrested for the egging. I wasn’t sure if he was immature or a nut case. I texted Bonnie after I buckled Mandy in her car seat: Front page, lol. A few beats later, I got a reply: I know! What a wacko. Mayor is probably pissed!
    There was a mound of paperwork waiting for me in my office—not only my work, but the administrator’s work too. I secretly hoped I wouldn’t hear from the mayor all day; she was sure to be in a bad mood. I was in the middle of signing purchase orders when I looked down at my shirt. Crap! I thought. My breasts were leaking. I didn’t have that problem while I was breast-feeding, but with having tried to stop, the milk just started leaking out. I wasn’t prepared for this. I didn’t think to buy any leakage pads to prevent myself from having this mishap. I reached for my tissue box. Empty. Double crap! I really needed to start bringing an extra shirt to work. I thought that I could possibly dry my shirt with the hand dryer in the ladies’ room for the time being. If not, I would have to run out for an early lunch to change. I folded my arms over my breasts and ran out of the door with my head down. I was walking fast and before I knew it— crash . I smacked right into the chest of Officer Williams. I turned bright scarlet. I had never felt more humiliated in my life!
    “In a hurry?” he asked.
    I mumbled, “Yes,” and took off at full speed to the bathroom. I stayed in there, cleaning my shirt and hiding from him until I knew the coast was clear. I did not want to have to explain why my boobs were all wet. He was young and single. I’m sure he never experienced parenthood and I surmised he was clueless about the inner workings of the female breast. He was probably getting quite the laugh at my expense at the moment. I did my best, drying my shirt with the hand dryer. It didn’t look too bad. I padded my bra with toilet paper, then peeked out into the hallway to see if the coast was clear. Through the main doors, I could see that Officer Williams was outside in the parking lot, talking to the mayor. I hurried back into my office before anyone could see me.
    Bonnie started on me right away. “Ah, I see you bumped into Mr. Drop-Dead-Gorgeous,” she said sarcastically.
    “I’m mortified.”
    “I don’t think he noticed.”
    “I hope not!”
    “He is a hottie, but there’s something about him I don’t like.”
    What? How could there have been something about the most perfectly made creature on Earth that she didn’t like? I knew he didn’t talk very much. He wasn’t as friendly as Tex, but in my opinion, that made him a little more mysterious and very intriguing. He was the type of guy who could have had any woman in the world. I supposed I had to admit to myself that I did like this guy and certainly wouldn’t have minded it if he asked me on a date. Because I wanted everyone to think I was okay being a single mom and that I was independent enough to take care of myself, I refused to tell anyone that I didn’t want to just