Replies to reviews
vrskaandrea: You will have to wait and see for yourself ;)
VegasGranny: Yes. He will definitely need a plan. :)
Mick and Claire arrive at the Mills house. It's been a long drive, the cab got there early hours in the morning. Claire sleeps on the Englishman's shoulder.
The driver holds out his hand.
"Money sir."
Mick nods and hands over a big chunk of cash. The driver takes it and places it in his money bag.
"Have a good day sir." Mick says.
"You to sir." The driver answers satisfied with the money his made.
Mick shakes the girl's shoulder.
"Claire we're here."
Claire groans and wakes up.
"Already? That was quick."
"You were asleep." Mick said chuckling slightly.
Claire opens the car door and gets out.
"I need a bed." She mutters.
"Claire."
Claire looks over and sees Jody standing by the door.
"Jody." Before the Sheriff could respond, Claire runs and wraps her arms around the older woman. "I'm so sorry." The girl sobs.
Jody nods aware about what happened recently. She hugs back letting Claire cry into her chest.
"It's okay. I'm here." She runs her fingers along the strands of blonde hair. "I'm here." She repeats. Claire pulls away and looks at Jody. Jody notices dark circles under the girl's eyes. The girl looked exhausted. "Go and get some rest Claire. We'll discuss this later."
Claire nods and wipes her tears. Jody steps to the side and let's the young hunter in.
"She is a very lucky girl." Mick says.
"Yes." Jody says. She eyes him up and down. "You must be Mick Davis. Sam told me you were coming."
"Yes. Claire, she has learnt a lesson from all this. But, the bite. Don't be hard on her. It wasn't her fault."
" I'm angry she lied to me but..." The Sheriff sighs. " No way I would be hard on her. The girl has been through a lot. I'll give her some time before we talk about it. "
"Good idea."
Jody cocked her head.
"Why don't you come in?"
Mick shakes his head.
"Oh no. Wouldn't want to intrude."
"I insist. You had a long drive. At least let me make you a coffee."
I'm sure one cup won't hurt. Mick thought.
"Okay but you really don't have to do this."
"Just get in." Jody says with a smile. Mick steps in. "Please remove your coat. Make yourself comfortable."
Mick hangs his coat on the hanger and sits down. Shortly after, Jody walks in with two cups of coffee.
"You looked like a man who likes his coffee strong."
She places the mug in front of him. Mick takes it and sips the hot steaming liquid. He puts the mug down with a look of distaste.
"Oh um..." He coughs . "That's umm strong .Oh..." He again coughs. "Strong indeed."
"Oh let me give you something to sweet it up."
A bag of biscuits gets put on the table. Mick picks up a biscuit and smiles.
"Chocolate. You like the chocolate biscuits huh."
"Uh huh. Got them a few weeks ago from Donna. We were both eating it while discussing a British guy who shut her down." Mick pauses halfway through the biscuit. Jody raises her eyebrow. "Yes Mick. I already knew who you were. Donna told me all about you. These are the biscuits you gave her. I decided to keep them hoping I was gonna meet you. Well here we are."
"You spoke to Donna?"
Jody sits opposite him.
"Course I did. I'm her friend. That's what friends do right. We chat. Donna came to my door in tears. Heart broken. "
"Sheriff Mills."
"Jody."
"Jody." Mick sighs. "We barely knew each other."
" Yet you nearly kissed. " Mick raises his eyebrow. Jody nods. "Yeah know about that to."
"It was a mistake."
"No need to waste your breath telling me. Donna told me everything." Jody leans forward. "You knew about her ex Doug yet you still played with her feelings."
"I did not. Did you really think I wanted to cut her off. I didn't but I had to."
"Ah yes Donna did you say you were hiding something. What is it?"
"Can't tell you. It's personal."
"So personal that if you told her, she wouldn't look at you the same way."
"That's right."
Jody scratches her chin.
"So we got a guilty conscience." Mick lowers his eyes. "Mick. You know telling someone does make you feel better. It's not good to bottle it up."
"There is some things that should never be mentioned." Mick takes a deep breath. " Donna. I had no problem with her. I told you there is nothing wrong with her. I only knew Donna for a little while but... "
He goes quiet.
"I know that look. You still have feelings for her."
Mick groans in his mind. He hasn't thought about this for weeks. He pushed Donna to the back of his mind and now all those feelings have returned to the surface.
Mick shakes his head.
"These feelings, I should not be experiencing. This talk shouldn't even be happening."
Mick stands up.
"Sit down." Jody orders .Mick sits down. Blushing bright pink. Jody stands up and sits next to him. "Donna admitted to me she was falling for you." Mick closes his eyes. "Now she feels stupid."
"I'm sorry." He whispers. "I really am. I wish it could have ended better."
" I would really like to know what the big secret is. To me you look like a reasonable guy. "
If you knew what I did. You wouldn't find me reasonable.
"You love her right?" Jody asks.
Mick sighs.
I been wanting to avoid this question.
"Donna is a nice woman. A good sheriff."
"You are not answering the question. Do you love her?"
Mick looks at Jody. His mind was screaming yes. But the Englishman felt there was no point admitting his feelings.
"It doesn't matter." He answers. "She's better off without me." Mick stands up. "I told her she will move on. I'm sure she will move on. Donna is an attractive woman she is bound to get someone."
Jody sighs.
"It's a shame. She really took a liking to you. Said she found you sweet. " Again Mick groans. This talk was really playing with his emotions. "What if we talk to her, together. Would that be better? " the Sheriff suggests.
Mick gets his coat.
"Jody. I get you are trying to help but some relationships can never be formed. What happened between me and Donna, was a mistake. My mistake. Don't drag her back into it. I will simply just say no again. I'm sorry." He puts on his coat. "I really must be going. I wish Claire a quick recovery."
Jody shakes her head and stands up. She couldn't let it go. Jody wanted to know why Mick wanted Donna far from him as possible.
"Mick."
Suddenly her phone rings.
Perfect timing. She thought with a sigh.
Jody answers.
"Hello...yes...Deputy Stover what's the problem?...Whoa slow down...What!...Okay I'll be right over. "
The call ends. Jody lowers her phone. Her face goes pale. Mick who stopped by the door frowns at the Sheriff.
"Is everything okay?"
Jody looks at him.
"It's Donna."
Mick let's go off the door handle.
"Donna? " Worry appears on his face. "Has something happened?"
"Donna, she's missing."