Seth and Emma met 12 days ago.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

As the aloe was applied, Seth told Ace to take Molly outside. When Emma finished, he lowered his T-shirt. "I forgot something. I'll be right back."

When Seth returned, he handed Emma a sack. "Maybe this will help."

She opened it and started to throw her arms around him but stopped. "Sorry."

Seth studied her. I'd like a hug.

Lifting up a moon-shaped night-light, Emma said, "Thank you, but you didn't need to."

Seth inhaled. "Last night you mentioned how dark it was. I thought night-lights would help. There's a dozen. Put them wherever you want." He watched Ace herd Molly inside. "I guess I'd better get home. If you need to, call. I won't mind. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thank you."

He nodded as he walked away.


TODAY'S POST

Chapter 12

Wednesday morning when Seth and Carl stood at their usual table, Emma had their X-large black coffees, the beignets, and apricot Danish ready and she delivered them to their table. Next to Seth's place setting she set a plate containing a dog biscuit.

Carl hugged her. "Good morning, bright eyes, and thank you."

Seth nodded and teased, "Your place was lit up like a Christmas tree last night."

Her cheeks flashed pink. "Did I use too many?"

"Not if they made you feel safe." Seth paused. "Sorry about my mood last night."

"Don't worry about it. You had a rough day. We all do sometimes."

Lifting the dog biscuit, Seth chuckled. "Ace is now officially the most spoilt K-9 ever."

"He deserves it. He's special." Emma picked it up. "He's waiting outside. I'll deliver it to him."

After she left, Carl whispered, "I haven't had a chance to ask. How'd the interview go yesterday with her biological mother?"

"I hope Emma never finds out about her."

"That bad?"

Seth nodded as Ms. Sadie walked in carrying a large bag. He went to her. "Let me help you with this. Where do you want it?"

Ms. Sadie touched his arm. "It's for Emma. I know she loves fruit, and it's expensive. She's so nice I thought I'd help a little."

His brow furrowed. I wonder what this is about.

Emma walked up and hugged her. "Ms. Sadie, it's nice to see you. Did you wear your dancing shoes?" When she giggled, Emma continued, "Coffee or dancing first?"

Taking the bag from Seth, Ms. Sadie said, "This fruit is for you."

Tears welled in Emma's eyes as she hugged her. "Thank you but this is too much."

"Dear, it's not. I wanted to do it." She handed it back to Seth. "Young man, put this wherever Emma wants it, then we're dancing."

"I guess in Dad's office." Emma watched Seth and then announced, "Line dance time. Let's get ready."

Once the music started, Emma led them as Seth danced beside Ms. Sadie.

After two dances, Emma checked her tables. When she got to Seth and Carl, she refilled their coffees. "Seth, thank you for being such a good sport."

"Not a problem. As soon as I finish this, I need to get back to work. If I don't see you at lunch, Carl and I'll be here around two o'clock.

*****
Just as Emma introduced 'Elmer' by David Mckee, Seth sat in the back, sipped coffee, and watched. Emma noticed and smiled.

Seth's eyes met hers and he nodded.

At the end of the story, Emma and the children discussed even though they all look differently they're all special, just like Elmer. Then she explained the outside expectations.

The folding chairs were set up with their backs touching the building. On each chair seat was a plastic bag containing wax paper with an outline of Elmer, different colored shapes and sizes of tissue paper, and glue. The children were to decorate their elephant in a patchwork pattern of their choice. They could choose to take their artwork home or leave them, and she would hang them around the bakery.

Emma interacted with the children as they completed their task and reminded them to remain seated on the ground in front of their chair.

*****
Carl joined them outside and brought orange traffic cones. He and Seth set them between the sidewalk and the street. They continually walked the curb to ensure no child darted into the street.

As the children finished and their parents picked them up, Linda Holton, the town librarian, and Peggy Barton, her assistant arrived.

Linda walked up to Emma. "I don't understand what you're doing. Children's reading programs are part of the library's responsibility."

"I didn't mean to overstep. I checked at the library and on-line. There's nothing about children's reading programs or any future date for one starting. I wanted to encourage children to read during the summer."

Peggy pointed to the sidewalk. "The only thing you're accomplishing is stopping the flow of pedestrian traffic. It's dangerous for children being this close to the street."

"The children remained close to the building. There's plenty of space for pedestrians to walk." Emma glanced at Seth and Carl. "Chief Carter and Officer Jones ensured the children were safe."

Rolling her eyes, Peggy said, "Of course, you'd find a way to involve Seth." She glanced at Linda. "We're lodging an official complaint. This can't continue."

They left.

Facing Seth, Emma asked, "Can they do that?" He nodded, before she continued, "It's not my fault they didn't do a summer reading program." She glanced at the chairs, started folding them, and placed them on a trolley. "I need to get these back to the church."

Seth and Carl helped load the chairs. Before they finished, Seth answered his phone. "Emma, it was Mayor Castle. I'm sure you'll be notified. We have a meeting tomorrow at one o'clock."

"Why would they do this?"

Carl said, "Because Peggy sees you as a threat to her relationship with Chief."

"I'm not a threat to anybody." Emma pushed the trolley down the block toward the church.

*****
Facing Seth, Carl said, "You know I'm right. Peggy's only pursuing this because she's sees Emma as a threat. She wants you."

"That's never happening."

"She's doing everything possible to make sure it happens. In her head Emma's a threat."

"I don't have feelings for Emma other than friendship."

Chuckling, Carl said, "I don't believe that any more than Jake does. I doubt you even believe it. We've all seen the way you look at her and how protective you are of her."

"We need to get to work." Seth collected the orange cones and went to the police station.

*****
Seth made and ate dinner as he stared out the back window toward Emma's house. "Ace, do you think Carl's right? Do I have feelings for Emma?"

Ace tilted his head. "Um."

"I'll admit I enjoy being around her. She's fun. But in a few months there'll be eight years between us. I can't have a relationship with somebody the same age as my baby sister. When Mom and Dad died, I helped raise Abbey. It wouldn't be right."

He carried his plate to the sink, rinsed it, and put it in the dishwasher. "I need to do something about Ms. Barton. Any ideas?" When Ace bared his teeth, he chuckled. "Probably not the best idea." Going out the door, he called, "You coming? We need to check on the girls."

*****
Before Emma answered the door, she splashed cool water on her face. Opening it, she said, "Come in, do you need more aloe?"

"Since last night, it's been pretty good, but probably could use a little." Seth studied her. "You've been crying."

Emma avoided eye contact and pointed. "The aloe's still on the counter."

Seth stepped in front of her. "This past week and a half, I've gotten to know you fairly well. Something's wrong." He hesitated. "Is it about Ms. Barton and Ms. Holton?"

"Neither care about whether I have a reading program or not. Peggy orchestrated this because you were there. If you wouldn't have been there, none of this would've happened."

"So, it's my fault?"

"Yes." She removed the hair elastic holding her braid together. "It's not. It's because Peggy thinks you're her boyfriend, and I'm in the way."

"She can think whatever she wants. She's not my girlfriend and not because of you."

Emma plopped on the couch. "If Mayor Castle sides with them, the kids won't have a reading program." Tears welled in her eyes. "The kids will be the ones who suffer."

Seth grabbed a few tissues from a box on the counter and handed them to her before he sat beside her. "You're right, but I think Mayor Castle will want what's best for the kids. You're providing that. As for Ms. Barton, I've tried everything short of being cruelly blunt. I may have to try that."

Drying her eyes, Emma said, "I'm sure the mayor's going to ask your opinion because it involves the sidewalk and street. Are you in favor of it?"

"I have safety concerns."

"But..." interrupted Emma.

"Let me finish, today it worked very well. As long as I can detail one or two officers, it shouldn't be a problem. I'm not sure I can always guarantee that."

"Beaverton's a quiet little town. Rarely anything happens."

'True, but we do have domestics, traffic accidents, and bar fights. A couple nights ago, we had an attempted robbery. Cedarville is our sister town. Jake and I help each other with support. If something happens during the time of your reading activity, I'd have to cover it."

"My reading program doesn't have a chance, does it?"

"I'm sure something'll come up."

"It better."

Seth got up and went to the refrigerator. "Think a bowl of ice cream will help?" He grinned noticing her braid gradually becoming looser.

Emma got up. "Couldn't hurt."

"I'll get it."

She accepted the bowl. "Thank you. When we finish, I'll put aloe on your back."

"Sounds good. While you do, I'll have Ace take the fur ball outside."

*****
I didn't realize how long her hair is. As Seth walked up the short lane to his house, he noticed the Crown Victoria parked on the road. Sure wish I knew who was watching and why.


HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE DAD'S OUT THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thank you Youtube for the video of a NYPD officer doing the Cupid Shuffle





*****
Character List:

Police Chief Seth Carter - hero and Beaverton's Police Chief

Emma Winters - heroine and waitress at her parents' bakery and bookstore, but just graduated college with a teaching degree.

Carl Jones - Seth's good friend and right-hand man

Susan and Keith Winters - Emma's parents and owners of Winters' Family Bakery and Bookstore

Molly - Emma's almost four-pound Pomeranian

Ace - Seth's German shepherd, a trained K-9

Pastor Pat - Pastor of the Church and Emma's Godfather

Jake Baker - Seth's mentor and Winters' family friend

Ray Hudson - Works at the bakery

Peggy Barton - Emma knew her in high school and is the assistant librarian, she's making a play for Seth

Linda Holton - the town librarian