One Hundred Mistakes (Aspen Cove #16) - Kelly Collins Page 0,3
get shopping for that ring and putting up that fence.”
Red’s eyes grew large. “I’m serious, man. That one,”—he thumbed behind him—“she’s a forever girl. If you just want a taste, then I’d say dine somewhere else.”
A little tornado of agitation spun in Merrick’s gut. He was raised by a single mother and had a little sister, so he was sensitive to women’s feelings, and no woman he knew would have found Red’s words flattering. Maybe the part about forever girl if used in a different context, like she was the kind of girl a man would want to keep forever, but that’s not what Red meant. He got his taste and moved on to another appetizer.
“You’re an asshole.”
Red shrugged. “I’ve been called worse.”
“I can see why.”
Red scowled. “Aren’t you supposed to be here to serve and protect? What part of your job does busting my balls fall into?”
Merrick straightened to his full six-foot-four-inch frame and stared down at Red. Most men would cower, but Red stood defiant.
“That would be the part described as serve and protect. Something you might not understand because I’m pretty sure the words respect and honor aren’t part of your vernacular.”
“My what?”
Merrick shook his head. “Look it up. It starts with a V in case you were confused.” That small tornado was growing in size and strength. He was generally an easygoing guy, but he didn’t have much tolerance for people who mistreated women or animals. “Do you want me to spell it out for you?”
“Now who’s being the asshole?” Red asked.
Merrick turned back toward the store. “I’ve been called worse.” He walked inside and straight to the cooler to grab a bottle of water.
“You okay?” The woman behind the counter asked. He hadn’t met her yet because she was a new transplant.
“Yep, just need a cool down.” He twisted the lid from the bottle and gulped.
“Hot from the kiss?”
He stretched his neck from right to left until several vertebrae clicked into place. “It started there but ended with a pain in my ass.”
Her perfectly plucked brows lifted. “I’d say your neck by the way you’re popping it. Turn around so I can see that ass.”
“What’s with you girls these days? First, one kisses me and offers me dinner, and now you’re jockeying to see my backside?”
She laughed. “No worries. I’m not in the market, but there’s nothing wrong with a little window shopping.” On the table in front of her were several pieces of paper. From a distance, it seemed like she was creating a to-do list, but Merrick was trained to pay attention. On the pages were lists all right, but not stuff she needed to do. The one closest to him had the heading “grossest food to eat.” She put a column from A to Z and started with Anchovies.
“You don’t like anchovies? Can’t have a good Caesar salad without them.”
“No small canned or jarred fish for me.”
She didn’t look like the small-town type. She was more Housewives of Orange County meets cast member of Survivor. Definitely out of her element in Aspen Cove, but then again, so was he.
He wiped the bottle’s condensation from his hand on his pants and held it out. “I’m Merrick, by the way, and you’re?”
“I’m JJ … Jewel. I’m Jewel Monroe.”
She was as much of a misfit as he was with her Hollywood looks and witness protection persona. She’d been hiding in Aspen Cove for a few weeks trying to blend in, but Jewel Monroe wasn’t someone that went unnoticed. There was a story to this girl, but he wasn’t sure he had time to figure it out.
“What brings you to Aspen Cove?”
“My Porsche Cayenne.”
Yep, there was a story there, but it would have to wait for another day. This one would need some interrogating. He plopped a five on the counter. She rang up his water and made change. “I’ll catch you later, Jewel.”
“I’ll be here, Merrick. Enjoy your pizza and beer.”
That woman was one to watch. She paid attention, not that the whole scene unfolding in her store didn’t draw it.
Now that he was officially off duty, he needed a beer. Across the street and a few doors down was Bishop’s Brewhouse. On his way, he stopped at his truck and took off his khaki uniform shirt, trading it for a navy-blue polo. He figured he had enough time to drink a beer before heading home for a quick shower.
He entered and found Doc sitting at the bar. He’d taken a liking to the older