figured that would be too much to ask . `` maybe cake is too strong a word . shed thought hed be pissed that she had embarrassed him in front of his peers , but it sounded like there was more to it than that . `` welcome , sheriff , '' she said in as gracious a tone as she could manage . `` i would enjoy it more if you would eat it with me . '' it all felt so long ago . im not sure i can straighten it out like this . 