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Luke Hudson leaned against his patrol car, which was parked in front of my Corolla. His head was bent over a little black book as he scribbled something. I had a moment of panic when I saw him rip off the paper and tuck it under my windshield wipers. I glanced around for a parking sign to see if I had parked there for too long. I jogged the last few steps to Luke and placed my hand on his arm. Feeling a little spark of electricity, I pulled my hand back in surprise. Something intense flared in his eyes as he turned his attention to me.

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“Sorry, am I not supposed to park here?” I asked, nervously licking my suddenly dry lips.

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“It’s only four-hour parking,” Luke answered, tipping his head toward the parking sign in front of his vehicle.

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I cringed when I saw the sign. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even see that. I don’t use the car much, either.” Everything in Chestertown was within walking distance.

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“There’s a lot behind the courthouse you can use for extended parking if you want,” Luke offered, helpfully pointing in the direction of lawyers’ row. Next to the courthouse, there was a line of one-story attached buildings, housing one law firm after another. At the end of the street, I could see a parking lot.

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“Okay, thanks.” I pulled the parking ticket off of my window. I knew there was nothing I could say to get out of the ticket now that he had written it. I didn’t read it because Luke stared down at me with eyes piercing right through me. His presence was overwhelming.

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Luke looked over at the inn. “Are you staying here?”

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“Yes, just temporarily,” I answered.

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“Do you need some help to find a place?”

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“Oh, no, Ashley from work referred me to Samantha. She has an apartment over the bakery,” I explained, pointing in the direction of the bakery and suddenly feeling stupid. Surely he knew there was an available apartment above the bakery. It was a small town, after all.

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“Okay, good. Let me know if you need any help with anything since you’re new to town.” He placed a hand on my shoulder and turned to go. His brief touch caused an involuntary shiver through my body.

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I was used to doing things for myself and not relying on anyone, but I liked his concern. Luke was already walking toward his vehicle and pulling open the door when I called after him, “Thank you for the offer, though.” I gave him a small smile.

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He nodded and his lips twitched with the beginning of a smile. He nodded at the paper I still clutched in my hands. “Don’t forget to take care of that.” Then he got into his car and pulled out into the street. I watched him go and then glanced down at the paper, which I had forgotten about until he mentioned it. I opened the folded paper, which looked like a parking ticket on the back, but instead of my information written out on the front of the ticket, there was a hand-drawn picture.