CHAPTER 38

John hung the phone. "Arthur!" he called.

Arthur appeared from the back room.

Mrs. Kriger just called. Fred is missing again and she's worried."

Arthur frowned. "He's at the bakery. That's where he always. She won't let him have sweets at home, so he always goes there.goes, because she won't let him have sweets at home. You'd think she'd have figured that out by now. I do this about once a month."

"I'm surprised he can walk that far considering his old age." John shook his head. "Just take him home, then quickly return, for I need to go to the church."

Arthur hooked his thumbs in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. "You're spending a lot of time with Ms. Lily."

Before he could reply, the door opened and an attractive woman in a dark suit walked in and looked around.

Arthur slipped past her. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Instantly John knew who the woman was ---Charlotte's mother. She'd finally arrived. The resemblance was striking, the same patrician features and blond hair, except the mother's hung like a bell around her face.

"I'm looking for Sheriff John Stark," she said in a smooth, sophisticated, no-nonsense voice.

He stood. "I'm Sheriff Stark."

She pulled a letter from her big leather purse and laid it on his desk. He noticed the governor's emblem on the envelope. Good grief, did the Lily's do anything without involving the governor?

"I'm Charlotte Lily's mother, and I demand that you immediately release my daughter."

"She is not in jail."

"Where is she?"

"Doing community service."

"This is ridiculous." She slung the strap of her purse over her shoulder. "I would like to see my daughter, please, and I would like to have her released into my custody."

"Well, Ms. Lily---"

"It's Thompson."

"Ms. Thompson," he said through clenched teeth, "your daughter had the option to leave weeks ago, but she decided not to. She made the choice."

She tapped the letter with one, long, manicured nail. "I don't think I'm making myself clear."

John looked down at the letter and back to Ms. Thompson, who was expecting him to fold like a country-bumpkin sheriff. "Ms. Lily has accepted her sentence and I'm here to make sure she serves every minute of it. It's called the law, Ms. Thompson."

She bristled just like John knew she would. "I would like to see my daughter. Now, please."

John reached for his hat. "I'lI take you to her."

"I have my own car and I intend to take my daughter home with me."

John resisted the urge to jam his hat on his head. This woman was just like the Charlotte he'd met weeks ago, the one who thought the world revolved around her. As he led the way to the church, John realized he'd crossed a line he'd sworn as a lawman to never cross: he'd become personally involved with a prisoner in his care. He now had to step back and question his motives and his intentions.

As he opened the door to the classroom, childish voices rang out, "'Jeremiah was...'"

In one sweeping glance, Ms. Thompson took in the scene of children carefully applying paint to a wall as they sang. Charlotte was on a ladder, adding fluffy white clouds to a blue sky.

"What's going on here?"

"Mother." Charlotte immediately came down the ladder. "Time for a snack," she said to the kids. "I'll be right back."

Alice waved at him and he winked at her. His child was happy. But now.

John and Ms. Thompson followed Charlotte outside. John closed the door.

"What are you doing here?" Wiping her hands on her t-shirt, Charlotte questioned her mother. He looked away from her breasts. He had to look away from a lot of things he'd allowed to happen in the past few days.

Charlene Thompson seemed taken aback. "Did you think I wouldn't come once Henry told me what had happened?"

"I suppose." Charlotte shrugged. "I just assumed I'd be home before you returned from your cruise."

'She's planning on leaving.'

Charlene eyed her daughter from head to toe. There was paint on her face, arms and legs, even in the blond hair held back with a clip. Her T-shirt, shorts and sneakers were also paint-spattered.

"What's happened to you?"

"What do you mean?" Self-consciously, Charlotte tucked loose strands of hair behind her ear.

"You look awful."

Charlotte visibly stiffened.

"Get your things," Charlene added in that authoritative voice. "I have an order from the governor that you are to be released immediately." She spared John a glance. "And this hillbilly sheriff has to honor it."

"Mother, please..."

Something froze inside John. Charlotte didn't defend him, and he felt the pain of that. The line between them became a whole lot wider. She didn't belong in his world, and he certainly didn't belong in hers. He saw that clearly now.

"Get your things. We're leaving," Ms. Thompson stated.

"I'm not leaving," Charlotte said.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm not going anywhere until I've paid for my crimes."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"I'm not. I really mean it."

Charlene moved closer to her daughter. "I know you're impulsive and that you're angry with me."

"I'm not angry anymore," Charlotte replied. "You have a right to marry any man you choose. I'm sorry I acted so childishly?"

The 'oomph' went out of Charlene's power. "Darling, let's go home."

"Mom, please respect my wishes." Charlotte voice rose with confidence. "Go back to your husband. I wish you both years of happiness. I really mean that"

Charlene was speechless. John thought that was probably rare for her.

"For months you've been telling me to be an adult, to grow up. Well, I'm doing that. I'm finding my own way and facing a lot of my faults." She drew in a deep breath. "I'm sorry I skipped out on your wedding."

"Darling, I understand."

"Then go home. I'll be there when I've finished my community service." She looked down at her paint-stained appearance. "I'd hug you, but I'd get paint all over you."

Charlene touched her daughter's cheek. "I love you, darling."

Charlotte smiled. "I love you, too. Now I have to go. Paint is drying and kids are waiting." Charlotte opened the door, flashed John a smile and gave him a thumbs-up.

He didn't respond. Whatever they'd shared was over. Really over. It should never have started in the first place. He'd let his emotions rule his head.

His plan now was the same as it had been weeks ago to get Charlotte Lily out of his town.

And out of his heart.