Since the lady who owned the Cozy Cottage was one-half of the pissed-off party, Emmett also knew that she and her daughter had left town for the night, and that meant there was no getting her checked in right now. Add in the burst pipe that had shut off access to at least one or two of the spare rooms, and they were up a creek.
Maybe water’s a too-accurate analogy. The town plumber wouldn’t drop everything to fix the pipe since he had other jobs scheduled, and that was when Emmett had been called in. A few of the local boys had at least slowed the leak, but pipes needed to be purchased from the next city over, and Fern was hopping mad the plumber wouldn’t bump her to the top of his list.
Fern had insisted that, with the Snowflake Inn booked, it was important she have spare rooms, and Emmett had inwardly rolled his eyes that she thought anyone would unexpectedly enter their tiny town and suddenly need a room. At one point it’d even been suggested that he drive to get the pipes, like he could simply abandon his post. Now he got to be the one to tell the woman across from him that there was no room at the inn. A little too ironic considering the time of year.
“The Cozy Cottage had to close for the night, but I’m sure we can find you a place to stay.”
“How far’s the next town? I can’t drive, but maybe if I get a taxi?”
“It’s a good hour’s drive from here. Not to mention it’s snowing pretty hard now.” He glanced at the guys who’d been so helpful at plying her with alcohol. “Jack? Don’t you guys have a spare room?”
His eyes flew wide. “My wife would kill me if I brought home a pretty girl I met at the bar, no matter what the explanation. I just got my bar privileges back, at that.” He glanced at her. “Sorry, Regina.”
She swiped a hand through the air, the don’t-worry-about-it in the gesture clear.
Emmett turned to Corbin.
“Don’t look at me,” he said. “I got more kids than beds, and the dogs occupy the couch.”
The other guy down the bar was married to Fern’s daughter, so Emmett couldn’t exactly ask them to do him a favor.
More head shakes all around, and he noticed that Grumpy had backed away before he could even ask. Great. He’d just promised not to arrest her, and not that he would, but he could hardly cart her to the jail to sleep on an uncomfortable bed in her wedding dress. Obviously, she’d had a hard enough day.
Taking her to his house? The words bad idea flashed through his head. Not only because he couldn’t stop thinking about how beautiful she was and forgetting that he needed to remain professional, but also because she shouldn’t go home with a perfect stranger who lived alone. He knew she’d be safe, but she was drunk, her judgment impaired, and he wouldn’t put her in that situation. In fact, if she accepted an offer like that, he’d have to lecture her about reckless decisions.
There was only one option, as he saw it. He only hoped it didn’t mean more of Friendship’s female citizens being upset with him.
“I have an idea. I’ve just gotta make a call …”
Chapter Two
Regina’s first thought upon entering the bar and grill earlier, only to have everyone stare at her, had been to run for the second time that day.
But then someone had shouted, “Hon, you look like you could use a drink!” And every time her smile had faltered, both during and after the retelling of her failed nuptials, the guys called for another shot, and she might’ve gotten carried away.
Mr. Hottie Police Officer placed his hand on her lower back as he guided her out of Grumpy’s but then quickly jerked it away. Apparently, she was the only one feeling the attraction vibes. Or maybe that was the alcohol. Given the dirty blond hair, kept short, the shaven face, the deep brown eyes, and the way he carried himself—almost as if he owned this town—she’d be attracted sober or drunk or any stage in between. But hello, she’d just gotten out of a relationship—understatement—and he was so dang serious. Which was something she’d been accused of being more times than she could count.
Can’t you just relax and have a little fun? Steve had asked after dinner a couple of weeks ago.
I’ll relax after the wedding, she’d said, the way she often put off her relaxation until the next thing was done, and then the next thing, until she couldn’t remember the last time she’d relaxed. About thirty or so minutes ago was rather blissful, but reality was knocking at the door now, and as hard as she pushed against the other side, it’d come busting in soon enough.
Regina stepped up to the back of the police car, but Sheriff Haywood opened the passenger door instead and guided her toward it. “You’re up front with me. And here.” He shed his police coat and thrust it at her.
“I don’t really feel cold.” Weird, because a layer of snow covered the ground and more of the white stuff drifted down around them, like they were in one of those pretty globes. An officer and a bride—not the usual snow globe characters, but it made her smile anyway.
“You’ve got goose bumps, so you’re cold. Just put it on.”
“A ‘please’ wouldn’t hurt,” Regina muttered, but did as he asked, and with the material still warm from his body, a different type of warmth rose up. The coat smelled nice, too, musky and woodsy, and if he wasn’t staring at her with a confused, frustrated expression on his face, she might’ve even lifted the fabric and taken a sniff.
He opened his mouth as if to speak, but someone walked by, and the sheriff’s gaze moved to them. He nodded at the guy. “Hey, it’s getting bad out, and the storm’s supposed to dump more snow. You need a place to stay for the night?”
“Thank you, Sheriff, but I’ve got somewhere to stay.”
The voice sounded familiar, and as the guy stepped into the puddle of lamplight, Regina recognized the hitchhiker.
“Hey, Gabe! You were totally right. That restaurant was the best, and the people here are the nicest.” She lifted a hand to the side of her face and stage-whispered, “Even if the sheriff is a bit grumpy.” She snorted a laugh. “Maybe he should own Grumpy’s.”
The sheriff glanced at her, and remorse crept in. He was helping her out and had offered Gabe a place to stay too. And right when she’d decided he was the gruffest person she’d ever met, he’d made that Bugs Bunny joke. So now she struggled to land on the exact right description for him.