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her home early. Make it sound as if she’s doing you a favor. Afterwards, you can go back to your spying from the shadows routine.”
       Taylor touched his badge. Being a cop wasn’t just his lively hood, it was who he was. “Are you sure this isn’t an ethics violation?” 
       Flo grinned. “Not even and infraction.”
     
       Chapter 9
     
       Despite the nagging feeling that this was going to come back to haunt him, Taylor took Flo’s advice and drove to the Mathews’ farm. If he were honest with himself, he’d admit it wasn’t because of his job. He wanted to see Farrah Mathews again. Perhaps it was because he had been alone for so long. Maybe it was because she was so beautiful and didn’t seem to know it. He loved how tall she was. She had to be at least six feet tall. It could have been because of her inner strength. Whatever the reason, he drove a little faster than necessary.
       He pulled into her driveway blowing the horn on his Camarro. “Hello! Is anybody home?”
       The family dog came running from the barn barking and growling with Farrah close behind. Leather work-gloves covered her hands. “That’s enough, Champ.” She carried a crowbar in one hand and a hammer in the other. “Sheriff Taylor?” She wiped sweat from her forehead. “What are you doing here?”
       He stepped out of his car. “I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me. Someone told me about this place called Hank’s Joint. Do you know it?”
       Farrah dropped her tools and removed her gloves. “It’s a local nightspot. I’ve heard it’s a lot of fun.”
       He leaned against the hood of his car. “I take it that you’ve never been there.” 
       She drew her eyebrows closer together. “No one under eighteen is allowed in.” 
       “I thought you were eighteen.” His heart nearly stopped at the thought of asking out someone not considered an adult.
       “I am,” she answered.
       Relief washed over him. “What stopped you from going after your birthday?” He folded his arms and stared at the ground. There was barely five years between them. Yet, he felt dirty for having this conversation with her. He felt like he was betraying Lianna.   
       “Sherriff.” She took a step forward. “Are you asking me out?” 
       Her voice sounded musical. Her smile belonged on the cover of magazines. Taylor jerked his head up. “No.”  
       “Ookayy.” She took a step back. “Don’t get offensive.”
       Taylor’s mouth dropped open. He was quick to cover it with his hand. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
       She stared into his eyes.
       He thought he saw a spark of humor. A wicked sense of humor. It looked good on her.
       “How did you mean it?” 
       She thinks I’m a freaking geek. “Let’s face it. A guy like me doesn’t--” 
       He felt heat covering his ears as he stared at the ground. “Well, I’m not that good at socializing, and I thought since--”
       That’s not right either. I should’ve practiced before driving out here. Taylor took a deep breath. “It’s like this. I’m about as popular as a third-grader with head lice.”
       That was stupid. He moved his head forward. “Since you’re the only one in the county who will actually speak to me, I thought maybe you will show a little mercy and rescue me from the displeasure of my own company.” Embarrassment made him hot under his collar. He was sure his face was crimson.
       Farrah hesitated.
       Taylor became more nervous. He wiped perspiration off his top lip. Upset with himself for acting so stupid, he felt like some school boy about to get turned down by the prom queen. He was a grown man for Christ’s sake. He should’ve shown her some style.
       “Sounds harmless enough.”
       “Really?” He grabbed his car door in an effort to steady himself from the shock. Maybe she likes geeks.
       “Yeah, I’ll be ready in a flash.” She ran into the