Strange Medicine (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #1)(6)

The kid stopped midswing and dropped the bat. His two friends took off running, but for some reason the one kid just stood there as I approached. When I was about four feet from him, he started to run. I lunged toward him and grabbed his arm. “Hold up, Riley.”

He stopped struggling and faced me. His face was red and his eyes wary. “It wasn’t my idea.”

“So then why are you the one swinging the bat?”

He exhaled and stared after his cowardly buddies. “It was a dare.”

I cocked my head. “Okay. Aren’t you smart enough to just ignore a dare?”

“I did at first. But they just kept at me. Travis said I was a pussy, and I said no I wasn’t.” He grimaced. “And then he said prove it.”

I frowned. “How does breaking the law make you not a pussy?”

He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Hell if I know.”

I knew Riley wasn’t a bad kid. He’d never done anything even close to causing trouble in town. He was the kind of kid who usually spent his Saturdays studying in the library. “Why are you worried about what someone like Travis thinks?”

He hung his head. “I don’t know. Mark and him started hanging out with me, and it felt kind of nice for once to have friends.”

“Riley, real friends don’t encourage you to do stuff that breaks the law.” I shook my head. “And they couldn’t hightail it out of here fast enough the second I showed up. What kind of friends are they?”

He glanced up, and his embarrassment was obvious. “It’s hard for me to make friends. I’m not like the other kids.”

“You’re five times better than Mark and Travis. Don’t let them bring you down. To be honest, you’re the last kid I’d have expected to do something like this.”

He winced. “Are you going to tell my mom and dad?”

I sighed. “I should.”

He must have picked up on the hesitation in my tone because he looked hopeful. “Please don’t. I’ll never do anything like this again. I promise.”

I put my hand on his shoulder. “Look, I was like you growing up. I was quiet and shy, and I didn’t make friends easily.”

He frowned. “Seriously? But you’re the sheriff.”

I laughed. “I grew out of it. But it didn’t happen overnight. Making real friends takes time. If you have to prove yourself to someone by doing dangerous or illegal stuff, they aren’t worth it. Friends want what’s best for you.” I pointed after his buddies who’d vanished. “Do those two strike you as people who are worth your time?”

He shook his head. “No. I mean, they don’t even read books. All they ever want to do is play video games and get high.” He winced. “Pot gives me a headache.”

I couldn’t help but grin. “You’re way too smart for them. Join a book club or something.”

“There isn’t one at school.”

I frowned. “Then start one. I know other kids in town who are like you. Make an effort to meet them. Don’t wait for everyone to come to you.”

“Is that what you did?” he asked softly.

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I started pursuing people who I thought were interesting. What’s the worst that can happen? Maybe they don’t click with you? So what? You can’t wait around and expect life to come to you, Riley. You need to grab it. Make an effort.”

His jaw softened. “Okay.”

I squeezed his shoulder. “Promise me you won’t hang out with those two anymore.”

“I promise.” He picked up his bat. “Do I need to come to the station?” His voice wobbled, and he looked demoralized.

“If I let you off with a warning, I’m still gonna keep my eye on you.”

He looked up, his eyes wide. “Yeah. Okay. That’s fine.”

My lips twitched. “I don’t give second chances more than once, Riley.”

He nodded. “I understand.”

“Okay. Go home. Figure out how to start a book club, and don’t go near any of the parking meters in town.” I pushed my tongue in my cheek.

“I won’t. I promise.” He looked like he wanted to hug me, but he refrained. Then he ran off down the street toward home.

I shook my head and when I turned I found Dr. Maxwell Thornton watching me from a few feet away.

His arms were full of shopping bags, and he looked embarrassed. “I wasn’t eavesdropping. I mean, not on purpose.”

I was surprised how pleased I was to lay eyes on him again. My stomach fluttered and my heart rate increased as I neared him. He was overdressed, just like the first time I’d met him. He wore an expensive-looking black suit, crisp white shirt, and pink tie.

“It’s okay if you were.” I took a couple of bags from him, and he frowned but didn’t fight me. “Doing a little shopping?”

“Obviously.”

I laughed. “Did you drive into town or walk?”

“I walked. I don’t have a car.” He looked around the dusty town. “I didn’t think I’d need one since it’s just a short walk into town.”

I eyed his armful of bags.

He grimaced. “I didn’t expect to buy so much either.”