of coffee and resupplying trays. Every time her cash register rang, it was a separate little thrill. And when she bagged up a half a dozen muffins for a customer who claimed she'd never tasted better, Nell had to order herself not to spring into a dance.
"Thanks. Come back soon." Beaming, she turned to the next customer.
That was Zack's first impression of her. A pretty blonde wearing a white apron and a mile-wide smile with winking dimples. It gave him a quick and pleasant little jolt, and his own grin flashed in response.
"I heard about the muffins, but I didn't hear about the smile."
"Smile's free. The muffins'll cost you."
"I'll take one. Blueberry. And a large black coffee to go. I'm Zack. Zack Todd."
"Nell." She scooped up one of the to-go cups. She didn't have to shoot him a sidelong glance. Experience had taught her to read a face fast and remember it. His was still in her mind as she filled the cup.
Tanned, with faint lines fanning out from sharp green eyes. A firm jaw with an intriguing diagonal scar scoring it. Brown hair, a little long, with a bit of curl that was already sun-streaked in June. A narrow face with a long, straight nose, a mouth that smiled easily and showed a slightly crooked incisor.
It struck her as an honest face. Easygoing, friendly. She set the coffee on the counter, casting him another glance as she plucked a muffin from the tray.
He had broad shoulders and good arms. His shirt was rolled up at the sleeves and faded from sun and water. The hand that curled around the coffee cup was big and wide. She tended to trust big hands on a man. It was the slender, manicured ones that could strike so lethally.
"Just one?" she said as she bagged his muffin.
"One'll do me for now. Word is you just got to the island yesterday."
"Good timing for me." She rang up his order, pleased when he opened the bag and sniffed.
"Good timing all around if this tastes as good as it smells. Where'd you come in from?"
"Boston."
He cocked his head. "Doesn't sound like Boston. Your accent," he explained when she simply stared at him.
"Oh." She took his money with a steady hand, made change. "Not originally. A little town in the Midwest-outside of Columbus. I moved around a lot, though." Her smile stayed in place as she handed him his change and receipt. "I guess that's why I don't sound like I'm from anywhere in particular."
"Guess so."
"Hey, Sheriff."
Zack glanced over his shoulder, nodded. "Morning, Miz Macey."
"You get 'round to talking to Pete Stahr about that dog of his?"
"Heading that way now."
"Dog as soon roll in dead fish as he would in roses. Then what's he do but run right through my hanging wash. Had to do the lot of it again. I like dogs same as the next."
"Yes, ma'am."
"But Pete's got to keep that hound on a leash."
"I'll have a word with him this morning. You ought to get yourself one of these muffins, Miz Macey."
"I just came in for a book." But she looked at the display, her lips pursing in her wide face. "Do look tasty, don't they? You'd be the new girl."
"Yes." Nell's throat was raw and hot. She feared her voice sounded the same. "I'm Nell. Can I get you anything?"
"Maybe I'll just have a sit-down with a cup of tea and one of those tarts. I've got a weak spot for a good fruit tart. None of those fancy teas, mind. Give me good orange pekoe. You tell that Pete to keep his dog out of my wash," she added to Zack. "Else he'll be doing my laundry."
"Yes, ma'am." He smiled at Nell again, kept his eyes on her face deliberately as he'd noted how quickly it had paled when Gladys Macey had called him sheriff. "Nice meeting you, Nell."
She gave him a little nod. Kept her hands busy, he noticed, but not quite steady.
Just what, he wondered, would a pretty young woman like that have to fear from the law? Then again, he thought as he walked downstairs, some people were just naturally skittish when it came to cops.
He scanned the main level, spotted Mia stocking shelves in the mystery section. Either way, Zack decided, it wouldn't hurt to ask a few casual questions.
"Busy in here today."
"Mmm." She slid paperbacks into slots without looking around. "I expect it to get busier. Season's just underway, and I have my new secret weapon in