Seth and Emma met 20 days ago.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

As they walked, Emma leaned her head against his arm. He glanced down. "Tired?"

She straightened up. "Sorry."

"Not a problem." He exhaled. "Hungry?"

"I'm starving. I was just thinking about dinner."

"Why don't I pick something up?"

"Because I have a lot of leftovers from Sunday, especially ham." She glanced at him. "There aren't any potatoes left. I ate them all."

He grinned. "We'll have ham, but only if you allow me to help."

"The way I feel right now, you can do the whole thing."

"Good."

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 20

Thursday morning proceeded as usual. Seth parked in front of Winters and turned off the police cruiser. "You didn't mention Ronald Calhoun last night."

"I don't want to think or talk about him." Emma stared through the windshield. "Maybe he's in town to visit his mom and then he'll leave."

"Having a plan might be a good idea."

"If I had a dog like Ace, I wouldn't need to worry, would I?"

Chuckling, Seth shook his head. "You're not giving up, are you?" He got out, walked around the cruiser, and opened her door. "I'd better get to work." As he opened the bakery door, he said, "I'll be in later. Have a good day."

"Thank you. Be safe. Think about the dog."

He grinned. "I will."

Emma watched him walk away. He's definitely one of the good guys.

Keith walked up behind her. "Is there a problem?"

"No. Everything's good. Just thinking about how nice Seth is."

"That he is. Are you making beignets this morning?"

She glanced at the clock. "I am. I'd better get busy."

*****
Midmorning, Ms. Sadie walked in and glanced around. "Emma, I don't see my boyfriend. Have I missed him?" She pointed to her shoes. "I have my dancing shoes on."

Emma hugged her. "Chief Carter must be busy. He hasn't been in. I'm sure he'll be here before long. He survives on coffee. Want your usual while you wait? As soon as he comes in, I'll start the music."

It wasn't long before Emma noticed Seth and Jake walk in. She smiled and motioned toward Ms. Sadie.

Seth grinned and walked over to Ms. Sadie and held out his hand. "May I have this dance?"

Ms. Sadie giggled. "Of course. I was afraid I'd missed you."

Jake walked up to Emma. "Start the music."

The song repeated twice, and then Seth and Jake went to their usual table. Emma brought them coffee and their pastries. Jake pointed at Seth's beignets. "How do I get one of those?"

Emma smiled. "All you need to do is ask."

"Then I'm asking. I want to see why my buddy likes them so much."

Returning with one, Emma waited until Jake tasted it. "Does it pass your inspection?"

"You make these?" After she nodded, he said, "It's really good."

"Is it better than your peach Danish?"

"It's close." Jake took another bite. "I might have to order both."

Seth chuckled. "Then you'll have to run an extra mile."

"True, but only when I'm here. Are we going to fit in a run this afternoon?"

Facing Emma, Seth asked, "Has Calhoun bothered you today?"

She shook her head. "I haven't seen him."

"Good." Seth checked the schedule on his phone. "We should have enough time around noon."

"What about lunch?" asked Jake.

Seth faced Emma. "Could we still get lunch about one-thirty or maybe two?"

"You two are a mess. You both know I'd see that you get lunch no matter how late you are. If I'm not here, Mom or Dad would too." Her name was called. "I need to get busy.

*****
Around five-forty-five, Ronnie walked in Winters and reached his arms out to hug Emma. "I heard you get off around six o'clock. Why don't we go to dinner and catch up?"

Emma backed away from the attempted hug and studied the front door. "Hello, to you too. I have plans." She prayed, Please God, don't let Seth be late tonight. I know he and Jake had a busy day.

"Sorry, hello." Ronnie squinted. "That's hard to believe. You used that excuse last night. You're busy two nights in a row?

"I am."

Seth's muscular body filled the door frame as he stood inside the door and studied the situation. "Emma, you ready?"

"Yes, as soon as I finish clearing my table."

He nodded.

Ronnie walked up to Seth and offered his hand. "Hello. I don't think we've met. I'm Ronald Calhoun. I'm sure Emma's mentioned me. I'm her former boyfriend, her first love. You know what they say about first loves. One never gets over them."

"Seth Carter. She's never mentioned you."

"I understand you're the police chief. I can't picture Emma dating a police officer, let alone the chief."

Emma walked up.

Seth kissed her cheek. "Ready?" When she nodded, he put his hand on the small of her back, led her to his cruiser, and opened the passenger door. "You okay?"

"Yes." She paused. "You left the impression we're dating."

"I'm hoping it'll cause him to leave you alone. Is that a bad thing?"

"No. Thank you." She released a deep breath. "It'll spread through the rumor mill and get back to Peggy."

He chuckled. "Maybe it'll solve both our problems."

Silence continued until Seth pulled in front of Emma's garage and parked. "I hope you didn't mind my familiarity."

"It was fine." Pink touched her cheeks. "I enjoyed it, a little."

Seth shook his head. "A little?" He got out and opened her door. "You can quit blushing any time." He offered her his hand. This young'un's a mess.

As Emma unlocked the front door, Molly ran up and jumped on her. "I missed you too." Then Molly rushed out the door to Ace and they romped and played.

Seth sighed as he answered his ringing phone. He spoke for a few moments before he said, "Sorry. I'm needed back at the station." He glanced at the cruiser, then at her. "I have a question, but it'll have to wait."

"No problem." As he turned to leave, she said, "Be safe."

"I will." Seth called Ace to bring Molly to the house. As he entered the cruiser, he added, "If you want, I'll call and let you know I'm home, unless it's really late."

"I'd appreciate it."

*****
It was close to eight-thirty when Seth called, "I'm home."

"Thank you for letting me know." Emma heard a loud bang in the background. "Everything okay?"

"I put dinner in the microwave. It blew up. See you in the morning."

"Bye."

*****
Later that evening, Molly ran from door-to-door barking and growling. Emma searched out each window but saw nothing. No matter what she tried Molly wouldn't settle down.

Eventually, Emma called Seth, "I'm sorry to bother you but Molly won't stop barking. It's not her normal barking, she's even bristled. She's done this for over a half an hour. She's really upset. I've never seen her like this. I've looked out the windows and don't see anything."

"Ace is pacing."

"Could he be upset because he hears Molly?"

"It's possible. I'm looking out the windows. I don't see anything." He paused. "I'm on my way. Don't unlock the door, until I let you know I'm there."

"Okay." Emma watched from the window and saw Seth and Ace jog down the lane. She switched to a back window when they went behind her cabin.

A few minutes later, Seth called, "You can open the front door." She opened the door, and he holstered his weapon. "I didn't see anything. Ace caught a scent. Has Fur Ball quieted?"

"She did about the time you went around back."

"Good. In the morning, I'll check for tracks."

"Thank you. Think it was an animal or a person?"

"I don't know."

"Thank you for showing up."

"Anytime." Seth turned to leave but paused. "Can I ask something?"

"Of course."

"You told me you dated Calhoun for a few months." He shook his head. "Never mind. It's none of my business."

Emma touched his arm, and then pulled her hand back. "I thought we agreed as friends we'd discuss things, so they don't affect our friendship."

Seth petted Ace. "You're right." He swallowed. "Calhoun stated he was your boyfriend and your first love. Then he mentioned how someone never gets over their first love. Was he your first love?" He turned. "Never mind. It's none of my business."

"Seth." Emma waited until he turned back, and their eyes met before she continued, "Ronnie could be classified as my first boyfriend. Really my only boyfriend. I never loved him. No, he wasn't my first love."

Emma faced the couch. "I know it's getting late, and we both need to get up early, but let's sit." After they sat, she continued, "My first and only love is Daddy. No other man has captured my heart."

"Keith would be a hard act to follow."

"I agree, but I have a feeling there's a man out there who can do it." Emma watched Molly so she avoided eye contact. "I believe God created a true love for each of us. How about you?"

"I agree."

"You've mentioned, you've been hurt and it's hard to trust women. Did you believe she was your soul mate?"

"As things continued, I realized how wrong she was. Getting over her was easy. Getting over the anger at myself for being so stupid was the hard part. I questioned myself. It made me realize I should never compromise my faith or values."

Emma tilted her head. "I remember you told me never apologize for who I am or my values."

"I believe that. No man worthy of you would ask that." Seth stood. "It's late and you're still recovering. You need to get to bed." He swallowed. "Maybe someday, I'll tell you about it."

Emma nodded and held Molly. "Thank you for coming down."

Seth opened the door. "Anytime. Goodnight. I'll be here at six-thirty."

"I'll be ready. Goodnight and thank you again.


Alcoa PD Git Up Challenge








******
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.

Winters - the bakery/bookstore Emma's parents own.

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

George Elliot - city council member, from old money, and father of Marc Elliot

Marc Elliot - troubled teenager

Ronald Calhoun - dated Emma her senior year of high school