When Audrey’s hands clenched, she realized she was awfully angry for an outsider to the town. But she wasn’t an Outsider, not any longer. She had jobs, friends, and people who’d helped her.

She’d do her darndest to help them in return.

Two women walked into the grocery’s recessed doorway.

With a smile, Audrey moved out of their way and onto the sidewalk.

Officer Baumer was strolling away, his back to her. Yes, she’d identified him correctly.

Oh boy. Gabe wasn’t going to be pleased. Her stomach tightened because she’d have to tell him the bad news.

After crossing the street, Audrey entered the municipal building.

Two people were seated outside the health clinic doors. Behind the reception desk, Regina pointed an elderly man toward the municipal office. “Go there, and George will help you with the licensing paperwork.”

“Thank you.” The man walked around the desk and headed to the back of the building.

Audrey lifted her hand. “Hi, Regina. Is the chief in? I need to talk with him a minute.”

“He is. Go on in.” The receptionist pressed a button on her desk, giving the chief an alert that someone was entering the station.

Inside, Audrey crossed the room Gabe called the bullpen and found him at his desk.

Even seated, he looked powerful. She wasn’t sure why. Sure, he was tall and muscular. His strong jaw held the shadow of a dark beard—and his expression was often ruthless. The broad chest covered by the khaki uniform shirt, the badge, the heavy-duty belt with the weaponry—he had all the trappings.

But, even when laughing, even when in jeans and a ripped T-shirt, he had an air of authority. Of being someone to lean on.

The badge merely acknowledged what he was.

He rose as she entered, then came around the desk with a frown. “You’re upset. What happened, sweetheart?”

It was troubling…and heartwarming…that he could read her so easily.

As he drew her to him, he smelled of the pine soap he used, freshly laundered fabric, and overwhelming masculinity.

Wrapping her arms around his waist, she leaned into him.

His steel-hard arms tightened, pulling her against his heavily muscled body. “Audrey?”

“Everyone else still stumbles over my name. Why don’t you?”

He huffed a laugh. “You never seemed like a Julie, and I realized it wasn’t your real name. Audrey sounds like you.”

Cops. Of course, he’d never been comfortable calling her by a name he’d known was false.

“I don’t think your name is what brought you into the station.” Amusement was clear in his smooth baritone. He stroked a warm hand up and down her back.

She leaned her forehead against his chest. Would hearing about Earl hurt him? He never talked about the officer as if they were friends, but still… They worked together.

“Tell me, Goldilocks.”