Was it different from hers?
“What would be truly shallow would be to not look under his pretty face and see the real man underneath. He’s a good man. He’s a kind man.”
Joel’s eyes softened and he moved to sit on the couch. “Well, if you’re happy with him, then I’m happy for you. I truly mean that, Roxanne. You seem different. More relaxed.”
She took the chair across from him. “I assure you I wasn’t a few minutes ago, but I’ve come to realize that I’ve got no control over this. So hit me. You’re here about a job, I take it. Not to try to rekindle our romance.”
One shoulder shrugged. “I can see that wouldn’t work. But no, I came down to talk about a new position that’s opening up. You would be back with your old team, and you would get a promotion.”
It was everything she’d wanted in the beginning. “Tell me more.”
“You wouldn’t be leading the team, but you would be second in command,” he explained. “The captain who took over is very enthusiastic about working with you, and you would have other duties.”
“Other duties?”
“You would be offered a seat on the committee for dealing with sexual harassment claims.” His expression had gone earnest. “I was wrong. I was shortsighted, and I didn’t listen to you because it made me uncomfortable. I am sorry about that. I truly am. I’m working with brass so the next woman who faces what you did has an easier time.”
Her heart constricted at the thought. It was everything she’d wanted for so long, but something was holding her back. Not something. Someone. Two months ago she would have jumped at this chance and now she was cautious because Zep was a part of her life. “I need time to think about it.”
He sat back, his jaw dropping slightly. “That wasn’t the reaction I expected.”
He’d probably thought she’d cry in pure joy. “I’ve made a home here. I’m only just starting to realize that. This would be a huge move. I’ll admit the job is something I’ve dreamed of, but I need some time to think about it.”
“I’m afraid I can’t give you much,” Joel admitted. “They want to fill this spot quickly. I’m here to prep you for the interview, which is happening on Monday. It’s another surprise from your parents. You’ll fly back with us, and you have an interview Monday afternoon. Though you should know the job is yours if you want it. They’ll go through the process, but I assure you, you’re the one they want.”
There it was. She’d briefly been comfortable, but the low-level anxiety she’d been dealing with all day was back because the moment to choose was here and she wasn’t ready for it. “When would I start?”
One shoulder shrugged. “It’ll probably be at least two weeks before you get a formal offer, and then if you haven’t put in your notice, they’ll give you another two weeks, though I can’t imagine you would need to put in two weeks here. I’m sure the sheriff can find someone.”
“No, he can’t. It’s hard for him to find good staff out here.” And according to him, it was nearly impossible to find women officers.
She’d helped three women leave their abusive partners. Lila had made it easier by opening a women’s shelter, but would those women have gotten that far if the only officer they could talk to was a man?
It wasn’t that Armie or Major or the other guys didn’t care. They did. But sometimes it was easier for a woman to trust another woman.
What would Papillon lose if she walked away?
Her father and mother would say that didn’t matter, that she needed to do what was best for herself and her family.
But Papillon had kind of become her family, and it was sad that she’d only started to realize that when the time had come to make this decision.
“Well, that’s not going to be your problem because what I’m offering you is the best and brightest. The captain taking over is nearing retirement. He’s going to groom you for his job. Within five years you’ll take over, and from there the sky’s the limit. Think about that.” He stood up. “We should get back to your party or your new boyfriend will think I’m coming on to you. He looks like the jealous type.”
He wasn’t. Not in the traditional “no one touches my woman” way. Zep didn’t get nasty if she talked to another guy. He trusted her.
Was she ready to let that go?
But the job was everything she’d worked her whole life for.
She stood and got ready to go back to the party. She needed to talk to Zep. He would help her figure this out.chapter fourteenThree hours later, Roxie was frustrated beyond all belief.
The party had gone off without another hitch and everyone had gotten along. She’d even received a nice gift from her parents, a watch she’d been wanting for a long time. One of the high-tech ones.