Perfect Risk (Mason Creek #1) - C.A. Harms Page 0,14

woman of this town so I shouldn’t be surprised. “What’s her name again?”

“Sadie.” I say nothing more. I wasn’t sure if my mother knew what took place all those years ago between her and I. But I had to think if she did, she’d be disappointed that I’d hurt her the way I had and then allowed the so-called friends I’d had to torture her.

“I think maybe you should take her out to breakfast to apologize for making her wear her coffee.” I almost laughed. “She seems like a sweet girl, came back to town so she could run the flower shop while her momma is down with a broken hip.”

I’d been on scene when the EMT’s were moving Ms. Michaels out after her fall.

“From what Aunt Mabel says, she’s single.”

I chuckled, “All right, Ma, but dinner soon.” My mother never liked Karlie, not when we were dating when I was in high school and she hated we were engaged. I knew secretly she was happy it was over.

I ended the call after she pushed a little more for me to ask out the pretty girl and grabbed my keys.

Twenty minutes later I was shuffling my younger brother in the door telling him I was done saving his sorry ass and next time I’d let him sleep it off in a cell. Little shit thought since I was on the police force he’d do what he wanted and I’d keep him out of trouble. If it wasn’t for my mother and her stress, I’d have watched his pathetic ass rot.

After a shower and another beer, I passed out with my mother’s words ringing in my mind.

If only asking Sadie out was that easy.

Chapter Eight

Sadie

* * *

“This property was once a larger home turned into four separate units. Two upstairs and two downstairs.” The agent held out his hand for me to accept as he helped me out of his large SUV. Cole Jackson was sweet, a little flirty, but tolerable. We’d been together for less than thirty minutes and I’d already caught him looking at me three times when he’d thought I wasn’t paying attention. It was more a slow perusal than an extended glance.

But he was harmless.

“They managed to keep all the older charm while renovating the property, but there are three other tenants and the access to those units all share the same main entryway and staircase.” Immediately I noticed the massive amount of children’s toys piled off to the left of the front porch, tucked under the staircase.

Now I love kids, honestly, I do, but the idea of hearing them screaming and running around wasn’t something I’d consider relaxing. One of the best things about having my own place was being able to lay down with a good book, or take a long hot bath without interruptions. I looked forward to doing that once again.

“The unit is downstairs?” I asked, thinking of the noise that I most likely hear taking place above me on a daily basis.

Cole looked back at me and smiled. “Yes, there is a one-bedroom unit available downstairs.”

The thumping of little feet above me, trampling around, not really what I wanted to hear in the early hours of the morning. I was already ready to move on to the next place, thinking this one was exactly what I didn’t want. But instead, I allowed him to show me the unit, and actually it wasn’t bad. Small, but I’d lived in a smaller place back in LA.

Leading us through the small space, I looked around, not wanting to appear rude. I smiled when he’d show me the unique ways the owner was able to make this large home separate units. It was obvious that Cole knew how to market a home. He was a little overly excited as if he himself was the one that hammered each nail and painted each wall.

After we were back inside his vehicle and we were moving on to the next property, he took the time to talk about himself. Yes, himself, and all his accomplishments, I tried not to roll my eyes. Honestly, he was a nice guy, just not a guy I would be interested in. I understood though, I was a new face. Granted I’d grown up here, but I’d been gone for years so the bachelors of the town were doing everything they could do to be noticed. The pleasures of a small town, the pickings were slim.

“This next property is a newly remodeled one-bedroom home.