“Aw, come on.”
“I want a dragon like my uncle,” Walker says.
“Me too,” another boy exclaims.
“You see, you’re a trendsetter.” Brooke smiles, giving me a side hug.
I shake my head, wishing I could hide this side of my face.
“Chin up, buttercup,” Lizzy calls out, and I glare at her.
I’d like to shut her up another way, but I’m restricted from doing so. So I head off to check the perimeters of the campus to make sure nothing is off, and then walk around the festival, keeping everything safe.
Some of the teen students say hi to me as I cross them, and others are too engrossed in their conversations to even notice me.
I definitely enjoy going to the high school more, but even these students are great compared to the teens I used to work with.
Throughout the festival, children laugh and scream as they jump in a bounce house, others run around. Some are eating cotton candy and hot dogs. It’s the definition of happiness and camaraderie. Adults and children alike are laughing and enjoying themselves as they come together to support the school. I’ve never experienced something like this.
“Deputy Moore.” Sheriff McCall stops me. A woman, who I assume is his wife, stands beside him.
“Hi, Sheriff.”
“How are things going here?” His eyes linger on my face, and his lips quirk.
“Good, great. I don’t have much to do, to be honest. Everyone behaves.” I shrug.
“I see you’re enjoying the activities yourself.” He points to my cheek, holding back a chuckle.
“Uh, yeah.” I reach up to scratch my cheek and then think better of it. “The kids wanted me to paint my face.” I look around awkwardly.
“That’s good. Better you than me.” He laughs.
“Yup.” I press my lips together.
“That’s precious. So sweet of you to do that for the kids,” the woman says.
“Oh, this is my wife, Natalie. Natalie, this is Deputy Moore, our newest employee.” He introduces us.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” She smiles kindly, but I bet she’s heard all the gossip people in town like to speak.
“Nice to meet you as well.”
“Roy!” A woman calls out behind me, but in a split second she’s standing near him and staring at me. “You must be the new deputy.” She extends her hand and smirks.
“Sarah,” Sheriff warns.
“Let me meet him. After all, he’s been spending time with my daughter.” The woman arches her eyebrow, keeping her gaze on mine.
“Excuse me?” My eyebrows drip as I look at her, and then realization hits. This isn’t good. My eyes cut to Sheriff, but he’s glaring at the woman.
“With my daughter, Lizzy. From what I’ve heard, you two danced at the concert and had coffee together. She refuses to tell me what’s going on, so I’m taking over.”
“Sarah!” Sheriff growls this time.
“We’re just friends,” I say. “We work together, and she teaches my nephew,” I explain, hoping to talk myself out of this situation.
“Friends,” she says, giving me a knowing stare. “She’s friends with Luke. You are not friend material.”