Grand Lake Colorado Series: A Complete Small Town Contemporary Romance Collection

by Alexis Winter

  “Yes, sir,” they all say in unison.

  “I also like to keep an open-door policy, for all of you and anyone from town who would like to speak to me directly. I feel we all work better if you know there’s always someone here to talk to about business and personal matters if you see fit. Anything that could affect you on the job. So, don’t forget,” I hold up my index finger. “Keep it professional in the office and on the streets. We’ll have time to kick back at the end of the week.” I hold up my second finger. “My door is always open, and I’m free to talk about anything and everything. Now, let’s get back to work.”

  When I dismiss everyone, they go back to work. I turn to head toward my office, but Claire brings the blonde woman to my side. “Sheriff Moore, this is Nina Waters. She’s our IT administrator. She will go back to your office with you and get you all logged in to the computers.” She offers up a smile before walking away.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Waters.” I hold out my hand.

  She smiles and slides her small hand into mine. “Please, just call me Nina, Sheriff Moore.”

  The moment her hand is in mine, it bursts out with a fit of tingles that travel up my arm. “If I have to call you Nina, you can call me Bryce.”

  She shies away. “Okay, sir—er, I mean, Bryce.”

  I can’t help but laugh at her shyness and innocence. “Shall we?”

  “Yes.” She starts toward my office and stops behind my desk. “Have a seat,” she tells me, so I do. I sit in my chair and turn it toward the computer.

  She sets down a piece of paper on the desk. “This is your login ID and password. After you sign in for the first time, it will prompt you to create a new password. I’ll go and get us a cup of coffee while you do that, and then I’ll walk you through our system.” She walks out of the room, leaving me to stare after her.

  I shake the thoughts from my head and log in using the info she’s provided. I set up my new password, and she walks in right on time. “All set?”

  “I think so. I got a new password, and I’m ready to go.”

  She hands me a cup of coffee, and I take a sip. “Mmm, that’s good. Thank you.”

  “No problem. I made a fresh pot. Sometimes the coffee will sit all day here. It’s always safer to make your own fresh pot.”

  I lean back in my chair. “Anything else I need to know about the lay of the land?”

  “Hmm,” she says, thinking as she sits on the corner of my desk. Again, my eyes roam up and down her body, wishing I could see what she looks like underneath all of those clothes. Her black pants hug her round ass nicely, but they’re loose around her long legs. I wish I could see their shape. She’s thin, and with the way the buttons on her shirt are straining, she must have a nice-sized chest as well. I get onto myself for these thoughts. Nothing good can come from them. She’s my employee, and I’m her boss. Not only that, but I’m thirty-five, and I highly doubt she’s anywhere near thirty. My guess would be mid-twenties. Twenty-seven, tops.

  “Well, Claire is a huge flirt. It doesn’t mean anything. She isn’t hitting on you; she just can’t help herself. John likes to take massive dumps in the bathroom. He’ll turn the fan off and leave the door open so the smell will creep into the rest of the building. So if you smell something gross, just go and turn the fan on in the bathroom. Danny is a good cop. He’s great, actually, but he’s sensitive and likes to give people more chances than they deserve. So if his ticket ratio goes down, just bring him in here and gently give him a pep talk. Tell him not to let people walk all over him. And this is a small town. Not a lot goes on. Most days, it’s just domestic disturbances and bored kids. But since this town is so small, get ready for the welcome of your life. Everyone will want to be your friend. You’ll have more home-baked goods than you know what to do with.”

  “Wow, that’s a lot of info.”

  “Don’t worry. If you forget anything, I’ll be here. That small office in the back is mine. Just pop your head in or shoot me a message.”

  I smile up at her. “Thanks. So you want to show me how to work this thing?” I gesture to the computer, and she laughs but comes to stand behind me and walk me through the system.

  I get to spend the better part of the day with her as she walks me through the system. I feel like I’m back in school learning how to use a computer, but she does a good job of showing me everything.

  Around noon, she stands back. “Okay, I think that’s everything. I guess I’ll go to lunch. And don’t forget, if you forget anything I showed you here today, just call.” She smiles before sliding out the door.

  I watch her through the windows of my office as she walks through the precinct back to her office. I wonder if she notices the way all the men here look at her. But it’s my experience that women like her rarely do. She isn’t seeking attention or trying to gain a leg up. She seems happy keeping herself locked up back in that office. It makes me wonder more about her. Is she single? Is she the friendly and outgoing type? Or is she the keep to herself and spend her weekends at home alone with a book and a glass of wine kind of woman?

  It doesn’t matter because I have no interest in starting a relationship up with anyone, let alone a woman I work with. I push away from my desk and pull my hat on before leaving the station for some lunch. As I’m walking past the front desk, Claire speaks up.

  “Oh, sir, here are the keys for the Sheriff’s cruiser.” She holds them out, dangling them off her finger.

  “Thanks.” I reach out and take them before walking out to the parking lot and finding the car that reads “Sheriff” along the side. I smile to myself as I climb in. Back in Denver, I wasn’t a sheriff. I was just another deputy. But after being almost killed on the job, I thought a nice quiet town would be the way to go. When I looked and found this position available, I applied immediately, never expecting to get hired. Sure, I had the years under my belt, but I didn’t have the title. This is a major promotion for me, and I don’t plan on doing anything to screw it up. That includes not getting involved with another member of the force.

  I drive the cruiser over to a restaurant called The Place. It seems to be the only business open that’s serving food right now, other than the bakery, but I’m in no mood to hear a sheriff and a donut joke, so I park and go in.

  The place is low key. It’s not loud with drunks falling over the place, which is something I like. This seems like a good, down-to-earth kind of town. I take a seat at a table and pick up the menu.

  “Well, you must be the new sheriff in town,” the waitress says as she comes to a stop at my table.

  I nod and take off my hat now that I’m indoors. “I am. I’m Sheriff Moore. Nice to meet ya.” I hold out my hand to shake.

  She slides her hand into mine and offers up a sweet smile. “I’m Betty Parker. I’ll be your waitress. What can I get ya started off with?”

  “I think I’ll take an iced sweet tea.”

  “Coming up,” she says, darting away. I look up and notice Nina sitting a couple booths down. Her head is down as she eats her salad and reads her book. She’s completely oblivious to the fact that I’m even sitting here. I want to get up and sit across from her, but would that be weird? Or would it be weirder that I’m sitting here and not going over there after I’ve noticed her?

  The waitress comes back and sets my glass in front of me. “Have you settled on what you want to eat yet?”

  I’m still looking at Nina, but I say, “I’ll just take a cheeseburger with everything and some fries.”

  “Right away.” She leaves once again, giving me a clear view of the woman who has my attention but doesn’t even know it.

  You’d think at some point she’d feel me staring at her, but she never does. She takes a bite, flips a page, takes a sip, and repeats the process again and again. I wonder what she’s reading that is keeping her so entertained. I then wonder why I wonder so much. Finally, my food is brought over, and I keep myself busy with eating instead of overthinking everything that has any
thing to do with Nina.

  Three

  Nina

  Why does he keep staring at me? Why do I find myself staring at him when he isn’t staring at me? It’s easy to see that he’s good looking. I mean, he’s at least a good head taller than I am. He’s built thick, but I can tell by looking at him that it is pure muscle. His dark hair is cut short, and his face is shaved, but he stills sports a thick five o’clock shadow. I get shivers when I think about its roughness rubbing across my soft skin. I can’t believe I have the hots for my new boss. And after I told Claire that she couldn’t start anything up with him. What’s wrong with me?

  He’s tall, dark, and handsome, and I can tell he’s caring. What more could a girl ask for? I guess I could always quit my job. Then he wouldn’t be my boss anymore. No, that’s completely stupid, Nina. What would you do with yourself if you didn’t have a job to go to every day? But when he shook my hand earlier, my entire body exploded with tingles. Goosebumps broke out across my skin, and a shiver ran through me. I’ve never had that happen before. And the way he looks at me so intently is mind-altering. I mean, is he attracted to me, or is he just trying to figure me out?

  I try to focus on my book, but I can feel him staring at me. I can feel it like a pull in my stomach. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. When he tugs his eyes away, my body goes back to normal. He has a commanding presence, a protective alpha vibe that intrigues me. I want to see what’s beneath that uniform of his. I want to feel his strong hands touring my body, and I want to lick my way up the hard abs I know he has.

  Mind. Out. Of. The. Gutter. Nina!

  Annoyed that I can’t focus on anything but him, I tuck my book away and leave a twenty on the table to cover my bill. I stand and head toward the door, but I have to pass by him in order to do that. I act surprised when our eyes lock. “Oh, hey. I didn’t see you over here.”

  He wipes his mouth with his napkin. “I saw you, but you looked so enthralled in your book, I didn’t want to disturb you. How was it?” he asks, his green eyes lighting up with the sun streaming through the window.

  “How was what?” I ask, lost in those green eyes with hints of gold in them.

  He chuckles. “The book?”

  “Oh, the book. The book was good. I can’t wait to finish it, but I better be getting back. Have afternoon checks to run. I’ll see ya there.” Without waiting on his goodbye, I force myself to leave and head straight for my car.

  I climb behind the wheel, and it feels like I’ve run a marathon. My lungs are working faster than normal, and my heart is pounding so hard in my chest that I can hear it in my ears. I don’t know how I’m going to avoid him, but I know I have to. I can’t let myself get caught up in him. I like my job at the precinct and hope to keep it for a long time—at least until I get my youth center approved. Then I plan on immersing myself in every aspect of its development, from breaking ground to overseeing the day-to-day operations. It would help if I had an honorable member of society to speak on my behalf, though. Maybe I should try to befriend him, tell him my ideas, and see if he’d speak on my behalf at the city council meeting. This is my dream, and any help I can get is needed in order to see it through.

  I spend the rest of the day in my office. Between fixing computers and internet connections, I continue my sketch, work on the website, and finish up my book. When I look at the clock, it’s going on six. I’ve spent an extra hour here and didn’t even notice it. Getting up, I put everything away and turn off the computer before gathering my things to leave. Just as I’m reaching for the doorknob, someone knocks on the other side.

  I open the door to find Bryce leaning against the door frame. “I need help. I think I broke it.”

  I laugh. “I’m sure it can be fixed. Let’s go check it out.”

  I follow him back to his office, and he motions toward the computer. I set my things down, then take a seat in his chair, training my eyes on the computer screen.

  “I’m surprised you’re still here. That office is like a cave. You just burrow down in there every day?”

  I laugh as I click around on the computer. “Pretty much. Unless I’m summoned to fix a computer, that is.”

  He smiles and looks to be grasping for something else to talk about.

  “All done,” I say, pushing away from the computer.

  “Really? It’s fixed? I didn’t break it?”

  I laugh as I grab my things. “No, not broken. Just a little confused. You know, if you click on one thing, you really should wait until it pulls open before clicking on twenty other things. You may have slightly overwhelmed it.”

  “Story of my life,” he says, running his hand over his head with a sexy smirk on his lips.

  “Well, if there isn’t anything else, I guess I’ll be going.”

  “Oh, of course.” He steps out of my way, and I walk out the door.

  I practically run to my car, which is parked out front. My legs can’t carry me fast enough. I swear, I nearly pulled him in and planted a big kiss when he smirked at me. His green eyes seemed to light up, burning bright in the dim lighting of his office. And thinking of that, I really should have the maintenance man replace the burnt-out bulbs in there. Maybe more light would help keep my mind in the game.

  I pick up my cell and dial Red’s number. She answers on the third ring. “Wine?”

  I laugh. “You know it. I’m on my way.”

  “See ya soon.” She hangs up, and I drop the phone onto the passenger seat.

  Red, as we call her, is my best friend and has been since she bagged my groceries the day after I moved to town. Her real name is Sandy, but her hair is flaming red. Too bad she was bald when she was born, or her mother could have named her appropriately. Her house is only two blocks from the station, so I get there in no time. She’s already at the door holding a bottle of wine and two glasses.

  I laugh as I climb out of the car and walk toward the door.

  “I thought wine on the terrace would be perfect for tonight’s weather.”

  I glance at her, “You mean your back patio?”

  She shrugs, causing her red, springy curls to bounce. “Whatever. I was trying to be fancy.”

  “No point in trying to woo me, Red. I’m easy tonight,” I joke.

  “Yay! I’ll put away this good stuff and drag out the cheap shit if you’re giving it up for free,” she teases as we make our way through her house and out the back door to the perfect patio.

  I really do love my cabin, but I may have to steal this idea. The pathway is bricked, leading to the patio where a couch, chairs, table sit in a fireplace. It has an outdoor TV above it, which we never use but is good for hosting parties when it’s baseball season. There’s a built-in grill, smoker, and bar. Her husband must have broken the bank building all of this.

  “How much did all this cost again?”

  She tilts her head as she gives me those eyes. “Girl, Matt went overboard on this. But now, I don’t have to buy him an anniversary present, and I still use it. So win-win, I guess.” She giggles as she pours the wine.

  She hands over the glass and takes her own. “Spill it. I know something is bothering you. Is it the new sheriff you were talking about? Is he an ass? I know you were worried about that.”

  I nod my head. “The sheriff made it to town today. His name is Bryce Moore, and he’s not an asshole. At least, not that I’ve seen yet anyway.”

  “So what’s got you all stressed? Look at you! You’re as stiff as a board.”

  I take a sip and let out a long exhale. “Red, he’s gorgeous. Like, drop dead fucking gorgeous.”

  Her lips turn up into an ornery smile while her eyes fix themselves on me for all the juicy gossip. “Tell me more!”

  I take another drink. “He’s tall, like a good foot taller than I am. But he’s not like the type of guys you see around here. You know, usually, if they’re that tall, they’re either a bean pole or big around. No in-between. But this guy, Red.” I shake my head. “He’s built. I
bet his bicep is as big around as my head. He has a narrow stomach and a wide chest. He has dark hair he keeps cut short, a light beard that’s more like a five o’clock shadow, and these green eyes that cut right through me. I swear, when he shook my hand, I felt it in my toes.”

  She squeals and giggles. “Sounds like you found your match made in heaven.” She sits back and crosses her long legs.

  “That’s the problem, Red. I can’t date him. And honestly, I think he likes me too. I kept catching him staring at me.”

  “Of course, he was staring at you. Have you seen you? You’re gorgeous, Nina.”

  “It doesn’t matter how I look. But it matters that we work together.”

  “Only for a little while, though, right? I mean, eventually, you’ll be leaving to do that youth center thing.”

  I nod again. “Yeah, I know. I just feel like the timing is horrible. I mean, if I become friends with him now, I’m worried we’ll become such good friends and won’t want to date in the future. But I can’t date him now. So what do I do? Do I just keep my distance?”

  “No way! Trust me. If he’s as good as you say he is, your friendship will only make the relationship that much better.”

  “So, you’re saying I should get to know him, become friends?”

  “Yes. I mean, what if you keep these feelings all bottled up until whenever you leave and finally date him, only to realize you both have nothing in common? Then all this would be for nothing. Get to know the guy. Become his friend. See if you guys have anything in common. Then make whatever move you think you need to make.”

  I nod. That all makes sense. Why didn’t I think of that? This is why I like to keep Red around. She puts things into perspective for me and gives it to me straight. None of that being nice nonsense.

  “So, you think you could talk Matt into building me a patio like this?”

  She laughs. “Girl, by the end of this, he was ready to build a time machine so he could go back in time and stop himself from doing it. But he’s happy it’s done.”