Being a police officer in Ramona Falls can be boring. I’m not complaining. I know the big city guys have it much harder, but I’d love to investigate something other than a missing bike, an overdue library book or someone skating on a frozen lake when they shouldn’t be.

Right now, I’m parked inconspicuously on the outskirts of town, drinking warm coffee and listening to the chatter from the police scanner. Burlington is dealing with a drug bust, fire, and burglary, while I’m hiding in the bushes at the speed zone sign, waiting to catch someone with a lead foot.

I aspired to work for a bigger force, but when you have a family, you tend to make sacrifices, and when Heather… well, being a single parent really keeps you grounded. You’re no longer making decisions for yourself, but also for your child and what they need. Their needs always come first.

My radar gun points at the oncoming traffic, calculating the speed of the people driving into town. Most of them are tourists, coming to check out our quaint little town and the massive amount of decorations our mayor insists we put up. Honestly, though, I like them. They help me get into the spirit for the most part and they make Holly smile. Seeing Holly smile can really change my outlook sometimes.

I laugh when vehicles suddenly change their speed. It never fails. They ignore the change of speed warning and partially slow down after the speed has changed. Most of them do, except for this car coming toward me. Not only is the speed excessive, but also they’re talking on their cell phone, which is against the law.

My adrenaline pounds as I flip the switch for my light bar, opting to keep my sirens off. I don’t like to use them because it strikes curiosity in the neighbors, and more often than not, they’ll come outside to be nosy. It’s like getting a gold medal if you’re the one to start the rumor mill in town. Unbelievably, women vie for this position, driving us men crazy.

Pulling out onto the two-lane highway, I press the accelerator, mostly because I can, to get behind the offending car. I radio in the license plate and hold my position until the driver pulls over.

Finally, the driver signals to pull over and I do the same, slanting my SUV a little to avoid being hit by oncoming traffic.

“It’s registered to a rental agency. Hold, and I’ll have a name for you.”

“Thanks, Eileen. They’ve stopped, so I’m going to go have a chat.”

“Roger that.”

Every step I take toward the car is methodical. I’m checking for anything suspicious, listening for any odd sounds coming from the trunk or seeing if there’s any recent damage done to the car, considering they were speeding away from something.

I tap on the window and lean down. The piercing green eyes of the woman in the driver’s seat knock the wind right out of my sail. These are orbs I would know anywhere, yet I haven’t seen them in ten plus years, not since our high school graduation. She smiles, and the simple act increases my adrenaline rush. For a moment, I feel like I’m a grasping for air.

“Fish, is that you?”

I take a step back, looking up and down the road, waiting for my colleagues to come out of the bushes to tell me they’re playing some sort of practical joke on me because none of this makes sense. Why would Ramona Falls’ biggest celebrity speed through town?

That’s when it hits me, like a ton of concrete blocks. Not only have I pulled over the town sweetheart, but I’m going to be public enemy number one for doing so.

Placing my hands on her door, I lean in, trying not to stare at her out of fear I might fumble my words. “Laney?”

“Yeah. Don’t you recognize me? I know it’s been—”

“About ten years,” I inject. I think every teenage boy in Ramona cried when she packed her bags and left for Hollywood. Each of us had aspirations of marrying her. Of course, I have the dubious title of saying I’ve dated her, even if it were only for a few months. Back then it felt like an eternity.

“Of course I do. I’m just a little taken back by seeing ya. What’re doing here?”

“I’m home for Christmas,” she says, holding her hands up as if it’s no big deal. It’s a huge deal. Massive, really. Once word spreads, people from all over will flock to our little town, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. Not to mention, the mayor will likely have us increase our police presence to protect her, which means overtime.

“Well, it’s really good to see you. I bet your parents are happy to have you home.” As soon as the words come out of my mouth, I realize I should’ve known she was coming back. It’s not possible her mother kept this a secret. If you want to know anything about everything, Astrid Du Luca can tell you. “I’m surprised I hadn’t heard you were coming back.”

“Spur of the moment. The mill probably hasn’t reached you yet.”

I nod in agreement. “I’m gonna need your license and your rental information, Laney.”

“What?”

I run my hand over my beanie, moving it back and forth until it’s in a comfortable place. “You were speeding and talking on your cell phone. I gotta call it in.”

Laney rolls her eyes before she starts rummaging through her bag. She’s mumbling something, and from what I can gather by her hand flailing about, it’s not pleasant. Her hand juts out the window with a small stack of documents. I take them and thank her as I head back to my patrol car.

As soon as I type her name into the Spillman database, her most current picture from The Department of Motor Vehicles pops up and I find myself once against staring, getting lost in her auburn hair and remembering the time I tried to count the freckles on her cheeks and nose. We may have dated for a few months, but have been friends our entire lives.

“Base to 8 2 4.”

“Go ahead,” I radio back.

“For all things holy, please tell me you did not pull over Delaney Du Luca,” Eileen screeches into the radio.

“You pulled over my sister?” Dominic chimes in before I can even respond to Eileen.

“Fisher, I’m not sure I hear this correctly. Did you pull over the woman who put Ramona Falls on the map?” our chief asks next.

I rest my head against my steering wheel and count to ten. “Why did it have to be me?” I ask my empty car while my co-workers continue to squawk at me through the radio. When they finally grow silent, I reach for my handheld and press the button.

“She was speeding and talking on her phone.”

Apparently, it doesn’t matter, according to the chief. He’s yelling into the radio, and anytime he takes a break, either Dom or Eileen start in on me. With my tail between my legs, I get out of the car and walk back to Laney. I tap on her window again and motion for her to roll it down.

“Here ya go, Laney.”

“No ticket?”

I shake my head. She doesn’t need to know I’d likely lose my job if I gave her one. Okay, that’s may be a bit far-fetched, but I will suffer years of verbal attacks because no one forgets anything here. “Look, I know you haven’t been home for a while, but we’re handsfree here so just watch yourself when you leave town.”

“Thanks, Fish. I really appreciate it.”

With what redeeming quality I have left, I go back to my car. The standard procedure tells me I need to radio in and clear the scene, but I can’t stomach the ridicule. It’s bad enough I have to face my peers when I get back to the station.

As luck would have it, I follow behind Laney’s car, and being the law-abiding citizen she is, she goes under the speed limit. I’m tempted to go by her, but Chief is big on us setting an example for the youth in the community. Still, when I signal to turn, I honk and wave at her, hoping she’s not too upset with me.

Growing up in a small town, you’re afforded certain liberties. Knowing the local police unit is one of them, even if they live in another town. For the most part, the members of the force have usually been our neighbors. For Dominic and Delaney, their father became mayor while we were in high school, and while Laney didn’t do anything wrong, Dom tested the limits many times. I was right there along the side of him too, always trying to see how far we could go before someone busted us.

My cell phone rings. It sits on my dash so I can see who’s calling. A picture of my mother flashes at me, and I press the green button and hit speaker so we can talk.

“Rough day?” she asks.

“Word spreads fast.” I sigh.

“It’s Ramona Falls.”

“I know. Sadly, there isn’t anything I can do about it. I was doing my job.”

“I know. Do you want to come for lunch? Holly is about to go down and eat now.”

The thought of spending some time with Holly brings a smile to my face. “I’ll be right there.” I hang up, and this time I do exceed the speed limit so I can get to the school in time.

My mom is waiting for me as soon as I pull up. She motions me to follow her in, even though I know where I’m going. A few kids say hi, and a couple of teachers scowl. Perfect. I’m going to go down in Falls history as the officer who pulled over Delaney Du Luca. Never mind the fact she was breaking the law.

The cafeteria is bustling with students. Mom and I get in line behind a class and wait for the staff to put our lunch onto a plate. It’s some version of a turkey dinner, not that I mind. I actually enjoy the mashed potatoes.

“Holly’s this way. She’ll be excited to see you.”

I’m glad my mom thinks so. Every day I sense a change in her. Holly was forced to mature to levels her friends aren't at yet. She's going to want more independence soon, and I’m not even close to the stage where I’m ready to let go. She’s seven, not ten or fifteen. I still have time to be her daddy and not the man she’s pissed at because she can’t go out on a date. Yes, I will be the father who investigates who his daughter is dating.

“Hi, Grandma,” Holly says as soon as my mom sits across from her. Holly’s head turns slowly at my looming statue.

I smile and set my tray down.

“You can’t sit here,” she says so matter-of-factly that I pick the tray back up.

“Why not?” I ask as if I’m the new kid in school trying to sit at the popular table. I look from Holly to my mom, who shakes her head and closes her eyes briefly.

“Because you arrested Delaney Du Luca, Dad! Who does that? Are you trying to make it so I don’t have any friends? Huh?” Holly throws her hands up in the air in the most overly dramatic fashion I have ever seen.

I look back at my mom for help. She doesn’t offer any but does move over so I can sit next to her. I don’t want to make a scene, but Holly needs to know she can’t speak to me this way. After sitting down, I lean close to her, hoping she can hear me clearly, and that other eavesdropping ears aren’t listening.

“It’s my job to keep the streets of Ramona Falls safe, and if that means pulling someone over for breaking the law, I’m going to do it. It doesn’t matter who it is. The law’s the law, Holly.”

Sitting back, I start to think I’ve done a fairly decent job until I see the look on Holly’s face, followed by tears. “Daddy, she’s my favorite, and you’ve ruined everything.” She storms off, leaving her lunch untouched. My mom quickly follows, leaving me at a table with ten other seven-year-olds.

“Hey,” I say, waving, but they’re throwing daggers at me. “Right. I’ll just eat my lunch then.” This is likely the last meal I’ll ever eat. I expect my lynching to happen by dinnertime, all because our town sweetheart had to break the law.