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He obeyed, shoving his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know what to say. He’s having a great summer and doesn’t want the party to end.”

“Hoping to get arrested is a rather extreme measure to ensure it, in my opinion.”

Waylon nodded. “Yeah, that’s not like him. At all. Emmett’s not the type to look for trouble. He follows the rules to a tee. I’m serious. The kid wouldn’t so much as leave the cap off the toothpaste. Sure, he’s met new friends and he loves it here, but he has family and friends at home and…”

“What?” I prodded.

He shook his head as if sorting his thoughts. “The other day Em mentioned wanting to stay and said Mr. La Rue’s advice was to think outside of the box.”

“Me?”

“No. Your dad. He’s a retired police officer, right?”

I widened my eyes comically. “Are you saying that my father told Emmett to draw butts on my sidewalk?”

“Well…no, but also…yes.”

I puffed up my chest, primed to defend the very notion that my father would condone even the most minor offense. The man I’d grown up with was a freaking drill sergeant. I wouldn’t have dared draw a chalk stick figure near the police station knowing my behind would be on fire.

But my dad wasn’t that guy anymore.

“Well, I⁠—”

Waylon held a hand up and offered a smile. The effect was devastating. The worry was gone, replaced with wry humor. I’d thought Wood Hollow’s newest logger was a good-looking man, but those dimples and the twinkle in his eyes put him in a whole other category.

“No, this is on me. Emmett’s having a blast in Wood Hollow, and apparently this is his way of finagling a longer stay. Not sure why he immediately turned to the dark side, but I’ll talk to him.”

I snort-laughed. “It could have been worse. A few years ago, a couple of high school seniors drew shaving cream dicks on the car of a Pinecrest rival. Those dingdongs seemed to forget there’re cameras everywhere in Pinecrest. They didn’t think they’d get caught and hadn’t considered the consequences.”

“What d’ya do?”

“Put ’em on car washing duty. Every car in Pinecrest High’s lot got a complimentary wash the next day. A little embarrassing, but the punishment fit the crime…no lasting damage to either party.” I hooked my thumb meaningfully. “I think the same applies in Emmett’s case, so…I’ll let him off with a warning. Like uncle, like nephew. You Gibbons boys are trouble, eh?”

Waylon waggled his brows and damn, my dick swelled on cue. Shit. I liked this guy. No…worse. I was attracted to him. Not good. This was what happened when you worked too much and your social life consisted of carpooling teenagers and barbecuing with married friends. I had to get out more.

I stood to avoid getting caught staring and escorted Waylon to the front desk with some corny line about returning to the fight against crime on the rough streets of Wood Hollow. He snickered politely and offered his hand.

“Thank you, Chief. I appreciate this. If you don’t mind, I’ll grab Emmett so he can apologize to you and⁠—”

“Later.” I pointed out the window at the kid doused under the spray of the garden hose. “If he traipses water into the station, Shawna here will lock you both up.”

Shawna winked. “That’s a fact.”

“Okay, then…thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” I turned away, but at the last second, I blurted, “Maybe we’ll see you at the flag football end-of-season party.”

What the hell am I doing? Walk away. No more talking.

“Uh…maybe.”

“Yes,” Shawna gushed. “You have to come! It’s a blast. There’s all kinds of yummy food, music, games for kids and adults, and…”

I tilted my chin and made my exit, leaving Waylon in Shawna’s capable hands. There’d be no mooning over sexy lumberjacks on taxpayer dollars, damn it. I had work to do.

“I’m dating again.”

Oh, for fuck’s sake.