We pull up in front of the police station at 7:40. My restless 4 year old immediately starts squirming and trying to unbuckle her car seat. I quickly get out and move around the vehicle to assist her.
"Can you hold the flower for Miss Beth? So I can get the muffin basket and cookies?" I ask while handing her the flower
"Yes ma'am" she replies with a big nod.
"Go step up on the sidewalk please." I direct her as I move to the back to get the muffins and cookies
"This is for Miss Beth. She works for my uncle Jur. It's a pink carnation. I picked it out myself. They're my mommy's favorites. We'll second favorite. Her favorite flowers are lilies." I hear Nina rattling off.
Thinking it was odd for her to be talking to herself in such a manner. I look up to see her speaking to a man that I don't recognize. Since we live in such a small town I’m not used to seeing people I don't know. I hurry over to her, so he knows she's not alone, scolding myself for raising a child that could never meet a stranger since she'll talk to anyone.
"She's very talkative, sorry if she chatted your ear off." I smile swiftly and move Nina toward the front door before he even gets a chance to reply.
The man stunned for just half a second follows up behind us quickly then around us to the door.
"Here, let me get that for you." He says as he reaches for the door handle.
"Thank you Mister!!" Nina says
I give him a small smile.
As soon as we are through the door Nina lets out a happy squeal and dashes toward the reception desk.
"Miss Beth! Miss Beth! I brought you a flower! It's pink carnation! They’re my favorite!" Nina said excitedly as she ran to hug Beth.
“Oh thank you Nina!” Beth says “Morning Dot!”
I smile at her
She then notices the man who followed us in and shifts back to a professional tone. “Good morning, it’s Jonathan is it?”
Before he gets a chance to answer a booming voice comes down the hall.
“Did I happen to hear a little monkey out here?” Roger’s command voice fills the whole station.
“Uncle Jur! We brought COOKIES!!” Nina says excitedly.
“You did? Really? What kind? He asks crouching down so he’s face to face with her, knowing full well we were bringing chocolate chip cookies on his request.
“Chocolate chip!” Nina responds enthusiastically “Your favorites right?”
“You are correct, little monkey.” He says and stands back up. “Thank you so much Dot. That was really quick, they must be very fresh!” He says as he turns to me.
“Yeah well, ya know I’m kind of the best.” I say with a laugh “I figured the best way to welcome someone with cookies was to do it first thing in the morning.”
“Speaking of welcoming someone, I see you’ve met our guest of honor, the newest member of the BSPD, Detective Jonathan Peters” Roger motions to the man.
“Ya know I just noticed that would be our abbreviation” He says with a small laugh “It’s JR by the way Detective Jonathan Peters is so formal for someone I assume is well known to the station? He says as he turns to me.
I hand the plate of cookies to Roger then turn to JR and extend a hand.
“Dorothy Greene, people call me Dot. Nice to meet you Detective.” I say tension fully leaving my back now that I know he’s not some random stranger.
“Dot here is my sister-in-law, she and my wife own a little bakery/florist here in town.” Roger says to JR.
“Odd combination” JR replies.
“Posies and Pastries on Market St. We’ve got coffee too, none of the fancy stuff though. Anyway, Roger wanted cookies and used you as an excuse to get some, but I thought you might enjoy something just for you.” I say and extend the muffin basket to him. “Sherry Lynn, my sister, makes a mean blueberry muffin!”
“The blueberry ones are mommy’s favorite, that’s why she picked them out, but the chocolate chip ones are my favorite.” Nina says as she comes up beside me. “What’s your favorite muffin Mister?” She asks up at JR.
“She has a thing about favorites.” I say to him as he squats down to speak to her.
He smiles up at me then turns to her.
“Well sweetie, my favorite is blueberry just like your mommy. My name is JR by the way, what is yours?” JR says while crouching to her level.
“My name is Nina Greene!” Nina says as she extends her small hand to him.
“Well Miss Nina it is great to meet you.” JR says shaking her hand then standing up.
“Okay Roger I need to get this cutie to camp, so I’m gonna run some cookies over to Dad’s office then head out.” I say redirecting the conversation.
“Well actually, I was going to walk JR over there to meet him, mind if we walk over there with you?” Roger says
“No problem, just gotta grab the cookies out of the car.” I say as we head to the door.
“And Mrs. Shelly’s flower” Nina squeals
YOU ARE READING
Sunset in a small town
ChickLitSingle mother and business owner, Dot grew up in the small town of Boulder Springs. She moved away for college, but returned to raise her children with her family's support. JR is a detective who is trying to get away from the politics of police dep...
