The Witch Weekly Part 9

Chapter 14.

I walked back to the Laylas shop as fast as my short legs could carry me. Without bothering to stop inside and explain all thatd happened, I climbed into my car and took off, despite Madrina and Layla peeping out of the storefront windows.

Thankfully, a handful of new cars had appeared in the lot, a few heads bobbing past the windows which meant Layla couldnt leave her business alone to follow me.

I drove faster than I probably should have, cruising out of the parking lot, and I was halfway across town when I heard the sirens kick into high gear behind me.

Not now, I groaned, applying the brakes and veering my car to the side of the road. Flicking my eyes toward the rear view mirror, my back shot ramrod straight at the sight of a familiar face in the cop car behind me. No. No-no-no-no-no.

The Chief glared from behind the wheel of his cruiser, slowing down at the same rate, pulling to the shoulder on my tail.

I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel, debating my options. Most likely, hed give me a ticket. Then, hes probably lecture me for another thirty minutes about all sorts of rules. Honestly, I didnt try to irk the man, or purposely ruffle his feathers, it just happened. Except, I didnt have time for it to happen now, I had a case to solve and a story to write.

I waited until wed both come to a complete stop. When the Chief had one leg out of the vehicle, I made my move. I stepped on the gas pedal and zoomed off down the road, praying he wasnt too angry, shouting out the window that I would pay all my fines and more.

Thankfully, the streets were empty, and I put a few miles between the Chief and myself before hed stepped back in the car. As soon as Id crested the first hill, I turned the car onto a well-used horse trail. It was large enough for a vehicle, but invisible to the tourists.

Pulling the car to a stop, I took one look in the rear view mirror, sighed, and rested my forehead against the steering wheel. I banged it up and down a few times.

In my haste to escape, Id forgotten that the Chief and I used to come here together as kids. Tourists might not know about this little hideaway, but the Chief did. Judging by the sound of his approaching vehicle, he hadnt forgotten it, either.

The two of us had grown up together in a small community on the west side of Fairyvale. Wed been best friends as kids, bringing firecrackers and picnic baskets to this secret hideaway when we were young. When we were old enough to understand the appeal of beer, wed brought that, too.

Now, I was trapped.

I threw the car into park and stepped out of the vehicle, my hands raised above my head. Im sorry, okay?

To my surprise, the Chief didnt have an immediate response prepared. He, too, climbed out of his vehicle and crossed his arms. He looked at me, his expression a mix of nostalgia and sadness.

Thats what it looked like, at least, until it faded, replaced by his usual annoyed grimace. Which was a shame because when the Chief smiled, he really was a handsome devil. A devil whod been my first kiss, a long time ago in this very same clearing.

I shook the memory from my head, lowering my hands to my sides. I took in the familiar view. The clearing had changed a bit since we were children, though its beauty was still intact.

Finally, since the Chief didnt seem to be snapping handcuffs on me anytime soon, I gave him a wry smile and took a few steps towards our old hangout.

Where are you going? he asked, his voice tighter than I expected as I walked toward the forest. I think we can handle our business out here.

I havent been here in ages. I thumbed toward our secret hideout just inside the trees. What about you?

Youre ignoring my question.

Youre ignoring mine. I turned towards the circle of trees, all of them these beautiful, gorgeous weeping willows joined in a continual ring of long, dancing branches. I pushed aside a handful of branches and made an opening big enough for a grown man to fit through. I held it back then stood off to the side, turning to look at the Chief. Are you coming?

He stood next to the cop car, inhaling and exhaling without opening his mouth. Finally, he tilted his head to the side and took a few steps forward. I dont know why Im not arresting you right here and now.

Because you remember how much fun we had here together, I said, my voice soft. You want to see if its all still the same.

What makes you think that?

Because I feel the same way.

The Chief paused as he stepped one foot through the doorway of the Weeping Willow. His breath came in erratic spurts, and he smelled just like I remembered. Fresh, clean, a little bit minty.

Without realizing it, I found myself easing towards him for no reason at all. Just before I tipped over, falling into him, the Chief raised a hand and rested it against my hip. Too low to be friendly, too high to be suggestive. Friendly, with the potential for more.

This time-out doesnt get you out of trouble, he murmured, his voice a low rumble in the quiet of the cove. Im going to pretend you didnt just try to evade the police for the next few minutes for old times sake. The second we step back out of here, youre getting a ticket for speeding.

I nodded, since my words didnt cooperate. His hand on my hip seemed to have short circuited a few of the wires in my brain. So I forgot all about thinking, and followed the Chief into the hideout.

He led me to the small log where we used to sit as children. Around us the weeping willows stood tall and majestic, a clear pond splashed in the center of the clearing. The water was as transparent as gla.s.s, and only tiny ripples across the top told me it was a liquid. Underneath the surface, rocks that shone like marbles gave off a colorful glow and made tiny rainbows dance across the surface. It had hardly changed in all of these years.

Look. The Chiefs voice pulled my gaze from the pond where a smoky mist hovered above the surface, prisms of light distorting the reflections from the water. Its still here.

I followed his pointed finger to the edge of the log, where two sets of initials were carved into the wood with a heart around them.

I sat down on the log and pulled him down with me. That was a long time ago, huh?

Very long.

So much has changed.

So much.

Except in here. I scanned the clearing. Its like this place has frozen in time.

The Chief nodded. Im glad that it did. I like coming back here; I cant believe its been so long.

We never had a reason to come back, I said, offering a light laugh. In fact, the only reason we did is because I was running away from you and ended up here.

Fate?

I shook my head. No such thing.

He raised his eyebrows. You dont believe in fate?

I hesitated. One of my best friends was the best wedding planner in the country and had built her business on true love. My other BFF owned a lingerie store that spurred romances galore. Layla and Belinda do, I think. But Im different.

Youre unique, Ill give you that.

I nudged him with my elbow. I dont think you meant that as a compliment.

The Chief had a teasing smile on his face but when he looked over at me, he shook his head and the smile faded to a contemplative expression. I do mean it as a compliment.

My whole job, my whole career is about breaking down myths and fairy tales and lies and the truth behind them. I just dont know if I can find it in me to believe in fate. Theres always a story beneath the surface.

Just because theres a story, and just because that story might be a difficult one, that doesnt mean you should give up on it.

How do you know when to give up, and when to give everything? I asked, more to myself than anyone else. When it comes to love, I mean.

You have to feel it. You cant prove it. You cant write a mathematical equation. You cant you cant look at it like a project, Rosie.

Mmm.

I see you dont agree with me.

Just because I dont believe in fairy tales doesnt mean that I dont believe in love, I said. Ive been to enough of Belindas weddings to know that sometimes, once in a blue moon, people can find that special someone. I just think its rare. Its not fate, or destiny, or any of that voodoo junk. Its just plain old, random luck. Sometimes people win the lottery, but most of the time they dont.

Thats a very depressing outlook on life.

Thats why I work hard at my job, I said. I can control that. Im pa.s.sionate about it, and Im not sitting around waiting for Prince Charming to sweep me off my feet. Im going out there, and Im finding stories and making things happen. Hopefully, someday, Ill make a difference in the world. Thats exactly why I need to write this stupid blog series on love. If it goes viral, thatll give me the opportunity to work on some stories Im truly pa.s.sionate about.

I work hard at my job, the Chief said. I like to think Im making a difference in the world, but that doesnt mean Ive given up on love.

My shoulders stiffened, and I refrained from looking over at him. You havent?

Maybe Im the stupid one. I suppose we wont know until its too late.

For what its worth, I think you do make a difference in the world. Leaning forward, I plucked a few strands of gra.s.s from the ground and played with them. My hands needed something to do, and if I didnt keep them busy, I worried Id reach over and hug him. You do a good job.

That means a lot, Rosie.

We lapsed into silence again. My mind was mostly blank, but after a while, it led me down a dangerous path of what might have happened if the Chief and I had chosen different paths through life. I wondered what he was thinking, if it was anything close.

I was hardly speeding, I said. Whyd you come after me?

You were going ten miles over the legal limit.

I always go ten miles over the legal limit. You know Im a safe driver; youve never pulled me over before.

Im worried about you.

Worried about me?

You are stubborn. You believe your friend has been wronged, and that puts me in a tough situation. I want to protect you, and I want to take care of everything. Ill do my best to make sure we get the murderer. The investigation is not over, Rosie, so you have to be patient.

She didnt do it.

He shook his head. Im just trying to do my job.

Thats why we dont get along, I said. You follow the law so closely that sometimes I think it blinds you. Im sorry, thats probably too harsh and I shouldnt have said it, but its true.

Upholding the law is my job. I believe in the law, I believe in justice, and I believe in following the rules.

I know! I turned to him, my heart racing as I rested my hands on his shoulders. Youve got to believe me when I tell you that I think you are an amazing chief of police. n.o.body deserves the job more than you do. Youre honorable, and youre truthful, and you work hard to make sure justice is always served.

He looked at the ground, waiting for the rest of it.

I also believe that sometimes laws need to be bent and rules need to be broken in order to find the facts. Sometimes, finding the truth requires digging deeper than whats on the surface.

If all of the evidence points to Jos guilt, I have to listen to it.

What about in here? My voice rose as I laid my hands on his chest, covering his heart. Werent you the one who was just telling me that we have to feel love? We cant a.n.a.lyze it?

His eyes trailed down to where my hands rested on his s.h.i.+rt.

Isnt this the same thing? I pleaded. You know Jo. You know she wouldnt do this.

Its different.

Its not.

Look, I hate to have to play the cop card, but stay out of this, Rosie. Okay? Its for your own good.

My lips fell into a firm line. Well, you dont have to worry about me tonight, remember? I have a date. You know, to a.n.a.lyze love and things.

The Chief turned a pained expression on me. Give me your word youll stay out of it.

I told you, Im busy tonight.

I dont believe you.

Why not?

The three of you girls, back at the Witches Britches"I heard talking about hiding something from me. If its information about the case, I need to know.

I had a sudden idea thatd hopefully distract the chief. Maybe you shouldnt make a.s.sumptions, Chief. We werent talking about the case.

He groaned, and then stood up. If not the case, then whats so important you have to keep it a secret from me?

The fact that I still have a crush on you. I stood too, and I pressed a finger to his chest. We were talking about boys, and I was saying how I didnt want to go out tonight because I wasnt interested in this stupid blind date. Layla asked why, and I said I still had a crush on you. Thats why.

The Chief opened and closed his mouth a few times.

Hope youre happy. I spun on my heel and walked towards the ring of weeping willows, letting myself out. Layla convinced me that I should still go on the date because that way, it might help me get over you.

Rosie! The Chief called after me, but I was already high tailing it towards my car.

I slipped inside and turned on the ignition, peeling away from the horse trail and taking a b.u.mpy path over the gra.s.sy pasture until I had could jump onto the main road.

Chapter 15.