Seth and Emma met 13 days ago.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

NOT THE EXACT ENDING, BUT CLOSE.

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."

TODAY'S POST

Chapter 13 A

Carl and Seth went to the bakery for lunch Thursday. As Emma cleared their lunch dishes, Seth said, "Ms. Winters, we'll escort you to the mayor's office."

Emma tilted her head. "Would it be viewed as conspiring with the enemy?"

Chuckling, Seth said, "I could care less."

She glanced at the dishes in her hand and then her watch. "Give me ten minutes. I need to clean up a little."

At the fifteen-minute mark, Seth finished his coffee. "Should we wait?"

Grinning, Carl said, "You're an amateur when it comes to waiting on females."

A waitress walked by, and Seth held up his coffee cup. "Could I please get a refill?" He glanced at Carl. "We'll be waiting a while?"

"Yep."

Ten minutes later Emma left her dad's office and came to Seth and Carl's table with her almost copper colored hair flowing down her back to her waist. "I'm ready."

Seth's eyes widened. "Your hair...you look nice. I thought you didn't like dresses."

"I don't. As important as this is, I felt I should look professional. I'm afraid I'll be the only person fighting for the children."

Opening the bakery door for her, Seth said, "Not true. I'm in favor of what you're doing."

"As long as you're not busy."

"Emma, that's not exactly true."

"But you can't completely support it."

Seth set his jaw as he opened the city building's door. "My job's to support safety for the entire town."

As they came to the mayor's hallway, Peggy glared at Emma. "Of course, you'd show up with police escort. You can't do anything by yourself."

Making eye contact, Seth returned an icy glare. "That comment's uncalled for."

The mayor's secretary came out and showed them in. With everybody seated and greetings completed, Mayor Castle said, "Ms. Winters, I understand you started a children's summer reading program."

"Yes, Sir." Emma proceeded to explain the story and the art project.

The mayor grinned. "Thank you." He faced Linda Holton. "This sounds like a wonderful idea. What's your problem with it?"

"A summer reading club falls under the library."

"Six years I've been mayor, and the library hasn't had one. So, you're upset because Ms. Winters thought of it first. Is that correct?"

"No, Sir," interrupted Peggy. "We're thinking about the good of the town. We're upset because the art's done on the sidewalk. It's a hazard to pedestrians and a danger to the children. The bakery's on Main Street for heaven's sake."

Mayor Castle faced Seth. "If this is true, Chief Carter, why didn't you stop it?"

"It wasn't stopped because Ms. Winters set up the art project, so it didn't impede the flow of pedestrians. The sidewalks in that area are very wide. The children remained next to the building. There was plenty of room. Traffic cones were placed on the curb and two officers made sure the children stayed away from the street. Everyone was safe."

The mayor studied Ms. Holton. "Is this correct?" After she indicated it was, he said, "I don't understand why we're here. It doesn't interfere with library activities. There are none. According to the police chief, it wasn't a safety hazard. What's the problem?"

"Mayor Castle, I think Seth has more important things to do than watch children do art. Is that what we're paying our police chief for?" asked Peggy before she continued, "If a real crime happened, he'd be supervising children."

"Chief Carter, can you guarantee an officer will be available," Mayor Castle checked his notes, "every Wednesday until school starts from two o'clock until two-thirty?"

Seth glanced at Emma. "Sir, I cannot. If a situation arises, the police department would respond."

Mayor Castle cocked his head as he rubbed his chin. "Ms. Holton and Ms. Barton, there's no reason for you to remain here. You may leave. Ms. Winters and Chief Carter can work this out."

"But, but..." said Peggy. "Why does Officer Jones get to stay?"

The mayor glared and tapped his pen. "Ms. Barton, goodbye." As the door closed, he studied Seth. "It's none of my business, but there are rumors about her. You need to solve that problem."

"Sir, I've tried. So far nothing's worked short of arresting her."

Grinning, Mayor Castle said, "I hope it doesn't come to that, but it might." He hesitated. "I like the summer reading program idea. Let's see if we can solve this. I understand there's not room inside the bakery for art activities. Suggestions?"

Emma said, "I have an idea. I'm not sure it can be done."

The three men listened, as she continued, "Is there any way we can close that section of the block for that half an hour each Wednesday? Since it's for the children, I think the citizens would accept it. The street would be blocked so if a police officer can't be there, could a city worker stand there?"

Seth nodded. "It's the best suggestion I've heard. I could support that. Mayor, what do you think?"

"So, a city worker would be there only if the police couldn't be present?"

"That's right."

The mayor grinned. "That would work." He faced Seth. "I want police presence and interaction. The children need to see them as friends."

"I agree."

Emma smiled. "Maybe you could read a story."

Seth's eyebrows rose. "Don't push your luck."

Mayor Castle chuckled. "Seth, I have a feeling you'll be reading a story."

Seth shook his head, as Carl added, "He's beginning to learn how hard it is to say no to Emma."

Chuckling, the mayor said, "That's right, you're new to town." He grinned. "I've heard a rumor you've also met Ms. Sadie."

Standing, Seth said, "I need to get back to work. Ms. Winters, we'll walk you to the shop."

After goodbyes were said, Mayor Castle added, "Seth, seriously you need to do something about Ms. Barton."

"Sir, I plan to."


*****
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

Mayor Castle - mayor of Beaverton