Authors: Unknown
The sheriff colored fiercely. He stepped closer to the limo and leaned forward to get a better look at Annie. “Sam was right; you do have a mouth on you,” he said, “but as an elected official, sworn to protect the citizens of this town, I do not appreciate you acting disrespectful to me.”
“Let’s get something straight, Sheriff,” Annie said. “First of all, I’m no threat to
anyone.
I don’t own a weapon and never have. You are free to search my vehicle.
“Secondly, I have the utmost respect for law officials, but I will not tolerate being publicly ridiculed just so you can look like a big shot. Further, I don’t know that you aren’t some kind of nutcase who would actually hang me in the courthouse square, shoot me, or lock me up for the rest of my life so I consider that a threat. However, I do have rights so I’m allowed to call my attorney, and when he is finished with you, you’ll regret ever laying eyes on me.” Annie smiled. So what’s it going to be, Sheriff?”
“She’s good,” Darla whispered to Sam.
Sam shrugged. “Not bad,” he said.
In a flash, Sheriff Hester’s demeanor changed. “How’m I supposed to know this automobile belongs to you?”
“You could give her sodium pentothal,” Marge suggested.
Annie didn’t hesitate. “This vehicle belongs to my father. I borrowed it.”
“You borrowed it,” Hester said flatly. “Who is your father?”
Annie glanced at the woman beside him, Marge something-or-other, who was clearly the town gossip. “I would rather not say at this time.”
Hester seemed to understand. “Okay,” he said to the crowd. I want everybody to back away from the vehicle. Not you, Bic,” he added quickly. “You keep looking under the hood; see what you can find out.” Bic nodded and went back to what he was doing.
“As for the rest of you, if you insist on hanging around you can stand on the sidewalk. You, too, Marge,” he added. He looked at Sam and Darla. “I would appreciate it if you two would stay put.”
“That’s not fair!” Marge said.
“They’re witnesses,” Hester said, sounding irritated with her, “
not
that I should have to defend my decision. Now move to the sidewalk or go home,” he added.
Marge gave him a dirty look but did as she was told.
Sheriff Hester turned back to Annie. “I hope when you speak to your attorney you’ll tell him I did not drag you to the station for questioning, that I allowed you to sit in your daddy’s comfy limo with the window rolled down only a few inches, and that I assured you every word would be handled in the strictest of confidence. This is not how I normally conduct my, um, interviews.” He produced a small notebook and pen. “Now, then, where were we?”
“You asked me to give you my father’s name,” she said. “It is Winston Hartford. I am Katherine Anne Hartford, although I prefer to be called Annie since it is less formal.”
“And where are you from, Miss Hartford?” Hester asked.
“Atlanta.”
Sam let out a low whistle. Darla and Hester looked at him.
“What? Hester asked. “Am I missing something?”
“Depends,” Sam said, not taking his eyes off Annie. “Your father wouldn’t happen to be in the iron and steel business?”
“Yes,” Annie said.
“Very impressive,” Sam said.
“Do you know her father?” Darla asked before Hester had a chance.
“I know of him,” Sam said. He looked at Hester. “Miss Hartford is heir to one of the biggest iron and steel companies in the southeast.”
Annie blushed. She always felt uncomfortable when people discussed the family finances.
Harry hooked his thumbs inside his belt. He seemed to ponder Sam’s words. “If that’s true, then I’m very impressed, but without a driver’s license or other form of ID, there’s no way to prove it.”
“You can’t disprove it,” Sam said.
“My father’s picture, as well as his business and other ventures are all over the Internet,” Annie said. “As is information about me.” She looked at Hester. “I would hope that would serve as an I.D. for now.”
“
For
now
, what I’d really like is for you to step out of the car,” Hester said.
Annie paled at the thought. A number of people were still watching from the sidewalk, including the nosy blabbermouth, Marge. Annie would be the laughingstock of the town once they saw her in all her wedding garb. “I would rather not,” she said.
The sheriff looked surprised. “Is there a problem? Are you handicapped in some way? Do I need to send for a wheelchair?”
“No, nothing like that,” she said quickly. “It’s just—”
“I have been very patient with you, Miss,” he said. “Now, please remove yourself from the vehicle.”
Giving an enormous sigh, Annie hit the automatic door unlock and reached for the handle. The sheriff stepped back as she opened the door and tried to extricate herself from the front seat of the limousine. Her cheeks flamed a bright red as the crowd stared in disbelief. The woman in the waitress uniform hurried over and tried to help her. Once Annie was out and standing among them, everybody stared.
“Oh, my Lord,” Darla said. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
Annie longed to crawl beneath a large rock and never come out.
Sam stared as well at what looked to be hundreds of yards of white satin and lace that made up the most elaborate bridal gown he’d ever laid eyes on. She still wore her veil although it hung askew, and her tiara looked as though it was barely hanging on. Seeing her face in the light was almost humbling. Her facial bones were delicate and very feminine, her skin flawless and glowing. Her mouth was full and sexy as hell. He could not help but stare openly.
“Jeez, Louise,” Bic said, having come around from the front of the car.
He looked at Sam, and whispered, “Would you get a load of that crown on her head? She must come from royalty.” He bowed low in respect and nudged Sam to do the same.
“That’s not a crown,” Darla said. “It’s a tiara. A lot of brides wear them. I’ve never see a pink one.”
“She looks like a bone fide princess to me,” Bic whispered, still bowing. “How you reckon she managed to get that bride’s dress in the car with her?”
Sam shook his head. Had he been a betting man, he would have wagered against that possibility. “Beats me.” He looked at Bic. “Would you stop bowing for Pete’s sake!”
“Well, now,” Sheriff Hester said, clearing his throat loudly. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this before. Are you supposed to be somewhere, miss, um—” He paused.
“No, Sheriff, I don’t have anywhere I’m supposed to be,” she said. “I fled the scene. That’s how I ended up in this predicament.”
“Honey, that dress is to die for,” Darla said. “I know you didn’t buy it off no rack. And I have to say,” she went on, “Kim Kardashian’s gown doesn’t hold a light to you.” Darla looked at Sam. “Am I right or am I right?”
He gave Darla a blank look. “I don’t know anybody named Kim.”
“Oh, good grief!” Darla said. “What’s the use of having all those flat screens if you don’t keep up with the hottest TV shows?”
“It’s one of those Reality TV shows,” Hester said. “My wife watches it.”
Sam knew nothing about Reality TV, but he knew that Annie’s bare shoulders reminded him of fresh cream. The gown was formfitting and jeweled from the waist up, revealing ample breasts and a trim waist. From there it flared like a bell. A very large bell, he thought.
The woman, Annie, caught him staring and looked amused. Or maybe Sam just
thought
she looked amused because he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She was a vision. Nevertheless, he felt foolish. “Yep, that is some dress,” he said. “Only two things missing as far as I can tell,” he added, “the groom and the church.”
Darla glared at him. “Samuel Aaron Ballard, that was downright rude!”
Annie met his gaze. “Yes, it
was
rude.”
“Don’t listen to ol’ Sam,” Darla told her. “Last time he saw a bride, she was running fast as she could in the opposite direction.”
Sam looked at Darla. “Thank you for airing my dirty laundry on Main Street,” he said tersely.
“Would you two stop fussing long enough for me to do my job?” Sheriff Hester demanded. “Besides, I think it’s time we gave Sam a rest about his fiancée running out on him. After all, that was years ago.”
A sudden smile curved Annie’s lips, and two dimples appeared. Sam felt as though a rug had just been pulled out from under him.
“Excuse me, Sheriff,” Bic said. “May I speak to the lady one second?”
Hester looked greatly annoyed with the interruption. “Is it important, Bic?”
“Concerns her car.”
“Is it bad?” Annie asked.
Bic gave another low bow. “I’m afraid you done blowed a head gasket, your um, highness,” he said. “The part don’t cost all that much, but I’ll have to take the head off the engine. I usually charge six bills for that, but for you—” He leaned closer. “I’ll do it for half that price. I would like to have good relations with your country.”
Annie did not know what to make of the man’s behavior. “Excuse me, Mr.—”
“Bic,” he said. “Just call me Bic.”
“I’m Annie. And you need not bow.” She saw that he was staring at her head. “Oh, the tiara?” she said. “It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just an adornment, of sorts.” She paused, feeling embarrassed for the umpteenth time in one day. “As for the limo, I can’t afford to have it repaired right now. I don’t have any money with me.”
Bic didn’t look the least bit bothered by that fact. “That’s okay. I can go ahead and tow it over to my garage, and we can discuss payment when you’re ready. And under less stressful circumstances, I hope,” he added and smiled. “I just want you to know that most folks in this town are real friendly.”
Annie thanked him, then, turned to the sheriff. “So, what’s it going to be?” she asked.
Sheriff Hester looked at Sam and shrugged.
“Okay,” Sam said. “I think we can settle this easily enough.” He regarded Annie. “Do you swear that this is your father’s vehicle, and, if so, are you planning on returning it to him in a timely manner?”
“Yes, I swear it’s his vehicle, and, yes, I plan to return it once I make repairs,” she said. Annie was almost glad she didn’t have the funds because she wanted to give her father time to cool off, although, realistically, that was not likely to happen. He would never forgive her. Ever. And it wasn’t as if her father desperately needed the limo since he had a Rolls-Royce and a Bentley claiming two slots in their six car garage.
Sam turned to the sheriff. “See, Harry? The young lady is just borrowing the family car.” Sam looked pleased with himself. “You can’t arrest her for that.” He leaned close to Hester. “Well, I suppose you could if you decided to play hardball with her,” he whispered, “but you’re going to end up looking like the bad guy.”
Sam didn’t know why he was going to bat for the woman; after all, she was a complete stranger, and she had not gone out of her way to be friendly. Besides, he knew Harry wouldn’t lock her up. But he figured as long as he had an audience gawking from the sidewalk, he might as well do some fancy lawyer work and drum up a little future business.
He reached into his shirt pocket for his business card and passed it to Annie. “Give me a call if I can help. Also, I’m part owner of a used car lot in case you need, um, a reliable vehicle. Which seems to be the case,” he added and pointed across the street where a construction trailer was surrounded by cars, trucks, SUVs, and even a couple of motorcycles.
She looked confused. “I thought you owned a restaurant.”
“Yes,” he said, “and we’ve got the best food in town.”
“This card has you listed as an attorney.”
“He’s a multi-tasker,” Darla said.
“You might want to hang on to my card in case Sheriff Hester has a change of heart and decides to haul you in.”
“Harry better not arrest her,” Darla said, cutting her eyes at the sheriff. “If she goes to jail, I go with her.”
Agnes Moore, the town librarian, joined in. The crowd had circled the car again once Annie stepped out in her bridal gown. “I’ll not only go to jail with you ladies, I’ll notify the Friends of the Library and ask for their support.”
The Petrie sisters, both elderly, stepped forth, almost shyly. “You can count us in,” Edyth Petrie said. Sister Ethyl nodded vigorously.
Annie was touched. She had never met the women, but they were eager to help her if need be.
“Enough already!” Harry shouted. “I’m not going to arrest her, but I don’t want to hear any bellyaching if she decides to take off in one of your pickup trucks.”
Sam caught the sheriff’s eye and shook his head. The man just kept digging holes and jumping into them.
“You know what your problem is, Sheriff?” Darla said.
“No, but I’m sure you’re about to tell me.”
“You’ve spent so many years looking at suspects and thinking the worst of people that you’ve forgotten how many good and kind people there are in this world. I’ll take full responsibility for Miss Hartford,” she said. “She can stay at my place as long as she likes. And she won’t have to steal anyone’s pickup truck because she can use my car.”
“Not without a driver’s license,” Hester reminded her.
“And that brings me to your other problem,” Darla said. “You can be a real jackass when you put your mind to it.” Darla smiled at Annie. “Okay, it’s all settled. You and I are going to be roommates.” She paused. “But let me warn you, it’s not going to be nearly as nice as what you’re used to. I’m not rich, but I love my job and I have more friends than I know what to do with so I guess you could say I’m rich in a different sort of way.” She fished a set of keys from her pocket, removed one from a silver key ring and handed it to Annie.
Darla looked at Sam. “I need a favor.”
“Don’t you always?” He suddenly smiled. “Your timing is perfect. You just told Annie you love your job.”
“Don’t let it go to your head, Sam,” she replied. “Anyway, if you could please drive Annie to my place so she can change clothes that would be great. Lord knows she can’t go traipsing around dressed like that.” Darla paused and gave the dress a once over. “Although, as wedding gowns go, you struck pure gold with that one,” Darla added.