Read Online Beach Town Trouble (A Port Grace Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Emily Page - Free Book Online Page B

yelled.”
    “You’re forgiven. Now shoo,” said Crimbleton, waving them off.
    Georgia froze when she opened Crimbleton’s office door to see Cooper, clad in his Port Grace police chief uniform, leaning against the wall near Rutherford’s desk. Both deputies were looking at him with something like awe, but Georgia thought it was probably his pristine uniform and authoritative stance rather than his movie star looks that were transfixing them. She, on the other hand, couldn’t help giving his dark hair, blue eyes, and square jaw an appreciative look despite her irritation.
    “Hey, Georgia,” he said, flashing his easy smile. “Julie didn’t know exactly where you were staying, so I figured I could probably find you here.”
    “What are you doing here?”
    “Yeah, what are you doing here?” said Ryan, stepping forward so that he was partially standing between Cooper and Georgia, his arms stiff at his sides.
    Cooper gave Ryan a once-over, and his smile slipped a little before he turned his eyes back to Georgia’s.
    “I’m here to help,” he said. “From our last few conversations, it sounds like you’re having a hard time finding what you need.”
    “You don’t have any jurisdiction here,” said Ryan. “How are you going to help us find anything we can’t already find on our own? And you’ve been talking to him about the case?” he said to Georgia.
    “Yes,” said Georgia, glaring at him. She did not like his accusatory tone. “Is that a crime?”
    “No, I just…”
    “He’s right, though, Cooper,” said Georgia, turning away from Ryan. “You didn’t have to come all this way. I mean, you’re the chief of police. You can’t exactly just up and leave to solve cases in another town, can you?”
    Cooper looked hard at Georgia, and his shoulders sagged. He gave her a sad smile and sighed.
    “Don’t you get that you’re not just anyone to me, Georgia?” said Cooper. “I’d do anything for you. You sounded so stressed when we talked last. I thought maybe I could help. Besides, you’ve been gone for a while now. I’ve missed you.”
    “I haven’t been gone that long, Cooper,” said Georgia, not liking where this was going, mostly because she did not like having an audience.
    “It feels like a long time to me,” said Cooper, coming across the room to take a hold of her hand. “I think about you all the time. You’re fascinating, Georgia. You’re so intelligent and professional. You astound me with the things you can do.” He reached up to gently touch her face. “You’re so elegant, like a woman from a bygone era, but you’re also modern and feisty and fun. I want to spend more time with you, Georgia. I want to be a part of your life. I want to be there when you need me. I want you to let me be there.”
    Georgia was having a hard time breathing. The things he was saying were stirring something in the pit of her stomach, but her eyes kept drifting to Rutherford and Peak, who were watching with smirks on their faces, and Ryan, who was pale and stiff as a board.
    “You mean you want a relationship,” she said, finally.
    “Yes.”
    “You’re asking me this now? Here?” she said, the frustration overtaking the fluttering in her stomach.
    “You sound mad,” said Cooper, taking a step back. “Why are you mad?”
    “Oh, I don’t know, maybe because you’re doing this here!” said Georgia, waving her arm to cover the whole station and all its witnesses.
    “I’m sorry, but I just wanted you to understand why I came. I’ve been trying to tell you for weeks. Why are you so angry? Do you not feel the same way? If not, just tell me. Why are you yelling?”
    “Because, Cooper, if you knew me at all, you would know not to do this here, now, while I’m working!”
    “Georgia, I want to be in a relationship because I want to get to know you,” said Cooper, the pain on his face assuaging her anger just a little. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
    “Well, you