Hocking Hills {EXCERPT}

Chapter Three

I didn't think I'd seen the last of Dylan the deputy. And of course I was proven right when he approached me the following morning in the parking lot of the motel.

"Miss Barnes." I heard a masculine voice say from behind me while I was walking out to my car. It startled me at first. I hadn't seen anyone walking or standing around when I nearly recognized the familiar voice.

He was coming from the entrance lobby of the motel. Oh, god. I groaned softly. If he came back to speak with me while he was in uniform then it could only mean one thing.

The morning sun gleamed off his hair making it more noticeably blonde. It was trimmed short and the ends of his hair slightly curled against the back of his neck. He didn't have his sunglasses on this time as he approached me. For some reason I was a little more aware of his physical appearance. The uniform definitely gave him a different look. He seemed less...approachable.

"Miss Barnes," he said once again before stopping about two feet away from me.

"Yes?" I tried looking as if I couldn't understand why he was even there.

"Could I please see your registration?"

"My what?"

"Your registration." He raised his hands to his waist, resting them on his holster. "Please."

He made it sound like he was asking out of courtesy but I didn't get that vibe. I knew the reason he was asking for it.

"Why would you need my registration when I'm not even driving?"

"I have my reasons. Now, please, Miss Barnes. May I see your registration?"

I stood there looking him directly in the eyes. The dark blue color intensified even more from the morning sunlight. With him standing so close I could see a distinct black ring around the iris. I even noticed the small dimple in his chin. A warm tingle shot through my gut. I realized that was the moment I became more aware of him.

I thought about refusing to let him see my registration but I knew it wouldn't be worth it. I then glanced down at his nametag that read: McKenna. He was a deputy sheriff in what seemed to be a small rural town in Hocking Hills and I knew no one. It wouldn't be hard to figure out who would win the argument.

Dread washed over me as I moved to open the passenger side door. I sat on the edge of the seat keeping both feet firmly planted on the concrete as I opened the glove compartment. Since I'd only had the car for a few weeks I didn't have much inside to make an attempt and pretend I couldn't find it.

"Here," I said handing it to him as I tilted my head. He didn't say anything once he took it from me.

I already knew what he was looking for so I remained where I was and just sat there looking at the pavement waiting for the accusation, not knowing how I was going to defend it. And I didn't think I could.

He handed it back so quickly I didn't know what to think until he said, "It's nice to see you registered your car with your real I.D."

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh I think you know what I'm talking about Miss Barnes. The one you gave me yesterday was a fake I.D. unless you can explain why your registration has you four years younger?"

"Maybe you looked at it wrong."

"Nice try Miss Barnes."

"I don't have a fake I.D.," I said, knowing I could say it with a straight face.