Small Town Hospitality

They had barely made it to a clear section of sidewalk and brushed the snow from their pants when a big Chevy Suburban police cruiser was already pulling up.

“That was fast!” Grace says.

“Small town.” Emma explains. “Either the sheriff or one of the deputies is never more than a few blocks away. Heck, they probably heard the crash.”

Out from the cruiser steps a muscular square jawed deputy standing well over six feet tall. “Well, well, well.” He laughs. “Not even in town a day and you're already causing problems.”

“Brock?” Emma exclaims. “Oh my God, Brock! You're a deputy now? You!?”

The man chuckles, a big warm booming chuckle. “Hard to believe, isn't it?” He steps over the bank of snow and onto the sidewalk and approaches with his arms wide. “Thomas! Emma! Welcome home!”

Emma hugs the big man followed by a hearty, if a bit ****, handshake from Thomas.

“Brock was our star athlete back in the day.” Emma explains to the others. “And the biggest damn trouble-maker our school had ever seen.”

He grins. “That was a long time ago.”

“Not that long.” Emma quips. “Wow, a deputy already? I never would have guessed.”

Meanwhile Grace was taking a good long look up and down this hunky tall, dark, and handsome lawman. She clears her throat loudly and nudges Emma.

“Oh.” Emma says. “This is Grace.”

“A pleasure!” Grace flounces forward and offers him a hand. She giggles at his rough country manners as he shakes her slender hand in his big mitt instead of kissing it. “You might have seen me on Insta. I'm kind of a big deal.”

“I'm sorry?” He blinks at her blankly. “Insta?”

“Nevermind.” Christopher steps in with a handshake of his own. “My name's Chris. We're friends of Tom and Emma. Here for a bit of rustic charm during the holidays.”

Thomas cringes a bit at how condescending Chris made that sound.

“Well good to meet ya Chris.” The deputy nods. “Newcomers are always welcome in Camelot. I know your stay will be a good one.” He looks around and takes a big breath in through his nose. “A little slice of paradise.”

“It could have started better.” Thomas gripes as he looks at his SUV.

“Ah! That's no big thing. Don't let it spoil your trip.” Brock waves as if the crash was barely an inconvenience. “Leave me the keys and I'll have Leroy tow it over to his garage. He'll have her fixed up in no time.”

“Oh! Uh, great.” Thomas says at the unexpected courtesy. “Should I leave a credit card number or...”

“Don't worry about a thing.” Brock says brightly. “You can figure out all the details later. He knows where your parents live after all. Ha! Come on. Load your stuff up in the cruiser and I'll give you all a lift.”

“Geez.” Grace mutters. “I wish the cops were this nice back in the city.” Then with a coy smirk. “Or this hot.”

Brock just laughs and waves them on. “Come on now, you're getting cold out here. Let's get you folks home.”