by Gerri Hill
“Zula?”
“Shh! Not so loud,” Morgan said, quickly looking out the windows at the handful of onlookers.
“You’re telling me no one in town knows your name?”
“And I’d like to keep it that way.”
Chief Daniels stared at her, finally putting the clipboard down. “How long are you going to keep up this charade?”
“Not telling anyone my name is hardly a charade. Everyone calls me Morgan. They always have. There’s no—”
“I’m talking about this accident. A rookie cop with no training could tell Googan ran the stop sign and hit you. I want to know why you’re covering for him.”
Morgan leaned back against the seat and let her breath out.
Yes, like she’d told Googan. Even an idiot would know. And apparently Reese Daniels wasn’t an idiot.
“He was afraid you’d fire him.”
“And so you agreed to lie for him?”
“I didn’t want to but he looked so scared. I mean, I thought he was going to start crying. And really, no one was hurt.”
They both looked up as Sammy Morris drove past them in his dilapidated old tow truck.
“How far were you going to go with this lie? I mean, were you going to file a false insurance claim? Have the government pick up the tab for the accident?”
Morgan looked at her, speechless. She hadn’t actually thought that far ahead.
“That part didn’t cross your mind, huh?”
“No.”
“Okay, give me your real statement please. I’ll have Eloise file it with the county’s insurance.”
“Eloise? Oh, no. She can’t possibly see the accident report.”
“And why not?”
“If she finds out my name, the whole damn town will know.”
She pointed out the window at the onlookers. “I know you haven’t been here long, but surely you’ve realized by now that the source of the town’s gossip is Eloise and Berta.”
“And Berta would be who?”
“She’s Charlie’s secretary. They’re childhood friends, born and raised around here. And there’s not a thing that goes on in town that they don’t know about.” She motioned with her head.
“See Eloise standing over there by Stella’s Beauty Shop? That’s Berta beside her.”
“Why in the hell is everyone out in the street?”
Morgan smiled. “It’s been two years since we’ve had a fender bender. This’ll hold them for a week or so, especially when they find out I tried to take the blame for Googan because he’s scared of you.”
“Is he really scared of me?”
“Most of the town is scared of you. It’s not like you’re Miss Congeniality.”
“And he thought I was going to fire him?” She smiled.
“Good.”
CHAPTER TEN
Morgan stomped her boots on the mat before going inside.
She smiled sheepishly at Berta. “I’m fine,” she said before Berta could ask.
Berta motioned to Charlie’s office. “He wants to see you.”
“Does he know?”
“About the accident or the cover-up?”
Morgan rolled her eyes. “There was no cover-up. I was—”
“Lying for Googan.” Berta shook her head disapprovingly.
“And yes, he knows.”
“I swear,” she mumbled. Nothing in this town was a secret.
She paused at his door and he looked up from the newspaper he was reading. He folded it neatly and pointed to the visitor’s chair.
She swallowed nervously, then sat down. It wasn’t the accident she was worried about. It was Mona. Charlie hadn’t mentioned a word about his daughter since the little scene in the office the other day. In fact, Charlie had pretty much avoided her. And she him.
“Are you okay?”
Morgan nodded. “Yes, just a little fender bender. Nothing serious.”
“And the false statement Berta said you gave?”
“Oh, good grief.” Morgan rested her elbows on her thighs and leaned forward. “Googan about peed in his pants. He was afraid she’d fire him. I mean, you should have seen him. He begged me to take the blame.”
“I know,” Charlie said with a laugh. “The chief already called me.”
“She told on me?”
“I think she was just making sure I knew the department wouldn’t be held liable. And to say that she’s not going to fire Googan, although I understand he got his ass chewed out.”
Morgan relaxed as she sat back again. “I’m sorry, Charlie. I thought he was going to start crying.” They sat quietly for a moment, the silence lengthening. Finally, she cleared her throat.
“You ready to talk about it?”
He folded his hands together on his desk as he stared at her. “I’ve decided it’s not any of my business.” When Morgan would have spoken, he held up his hand. “Not that I pretend to understand any of this. I mean, she’s practically engaged. But she told me she likes to—”
“Sleep with women,” Morgan finished for him.
“I just don’t get it. Do you?”
“No. No, I don’t. But, Charlie, I had no idea she was your daughter. It was the day Jackson died. I had to get out of the house. And she was at the bar. In all fairness, she came on to me. I didn’t—”
“I don’t need to know all the details, Morgan.”
“Well, I’m just saying—”
“It doesn’t matter. She’s gone. And I doubt we’ll ever see her again.”
“Oh, no. Because of me?”
Charlie laughed. “Not because of you, Morgan. That’s just the kind of relationship we have. Hell, I never got more than a picture until she was twenty-two and she decided to seek me out. But you know, we don’t have anything in common. We knew that the first time we met…what, ten years ago? A few phone calls here and there didn’t change that. Honestly, I was as surprised as anyone that she wanted to come visit me.” He stood and went to the window, looking out. “Nothing’s changed. I’m just basically a sperm donor. I’m not her father.” He turned back around. “You’ve been more of a daughter to me than she has, Morgan.”
“Oh, Charlie. I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t be sorry. That’s just the way it is. Her mother, well, she just married me to piss off her parents. She had already moved back home by the time Mona was born.”
“So you didn’t get custody at all? Visitation?”
“I got paid off to disappear, Morgan. It’s not something I’m proud of, but hell, they made it clear I wasn’t going to be a part of the kid’s life. They know where I’ve been. They sent pictures. The kid out on a yacht, her on a pony, her playing tennis at the country club. That kind of stuff.”
“That’s sad, Charlie.”
He shrugged. “That’s just the way it is. So even though we’ve got the same blood, we’re not the same people. Like I said, we don’t have anything in common, just like I didn’t have anything in common with her mother.”
“So she just went back to New York?”
Charlie grinned. “Back to her fiancé. Poor bastard.”
Morgan laughed, then got up and went around to him, hugging him quickly. “Thank you for not being mad at me. For that, and well, for the accident.”
“Speaking of that, you’re going to need something to drive while your truck is being fixed. Why don’t you hit up Alpine Rentals for a Jeep?”
“A Jeep? Seriously?”
“County is picking up the tab, not us.”
“Oh, cool. Thanks, Charlie.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“So let me get this straight,” Tina said. “In the last two weeks, you’ve managed to pick up a strange woman here at the bar, then you find out she’s Charlie’s daughter, of all people. Then Googan runs into you because he never stops at that damn stop sign. And then you lie for him so he doesn’t get into trouble?”
Morgan sipped her beer and merely nodded.
“Charlie’s daughter?
What were you thinking?”
“Obviously, I didn’t know she was his daughter, and keep your voice down. The whole town doesn’t need to know.”
Tina laughed. “Yeah, keep thinking no one knows.”
“It’s so embarrassing.”
“And it should be.” She lowered her voice. “Berta said she was engaged.”
Morgan nodded. “That’s what I hear.”
“Then why would she do it with you?”
“I know you don’t understand this,” Morgan said, then grinned. “But sex with a woman is pretty amazing. In fact, I called her Moaning Mona.”
“Stop. Gross. Too much information,” Tina said with a laugh.
“In other words, I wasn’t the first woman she’s been with,” Morgan said. “Because she knew exactly what she was doing.”
She, too, lowered her voice. “She was a biter.”
“A what?”
“You know, a biter.”
“During sex?”
“Yeah.”
Tina again shook her head. “I don’t want to know about it. I don’t even want to think about it.”
“Thankfully, Charlie wasn’t pissed about it.”
“Yeah, Berta said you had a talk with him.”
Morgan tapped the table. “Why must that woman tell everything she knows? Can’t I be the first to tell news that involves me?”
“No. And you should be used to it by now.” Tina waved Tracy down and held up two fingers. “I’ll stay for one more,” she said to Morgan. “I want to hear about the sheriff.”
“Chief Daniels? What about her?”
“I heard you were locked in her truck for nearly a half hour. And you were arguing.”
Morgan rested her chin on her palm, shaking her head. “I swear, this town. No, I was not locked in her truck. She was taking my statement and it was snowing, so we sat in her truck.”
“Is this the statement where you were lying?”
“Until she told me that she knew I was lying, yes.”
She shoved her empty mug aside and folded her hands on the table. “So, what was she like?”
“Who?”
Tina grinned wickedly. “You know who. Chief Daniels.”
“She was, well at first, it was all business and she was abrupt, perhaps even a little arrogant. She lightened up some, but I’m not sure I like her. There’s something kinda mysterious about her. Like Googan said, she’s got a chip on her shoulder about something.”
“Googan said that because she’s acting like a real sheriff and holding him accountable instead of the good old boy way that Ned handled things.”
“Yeah, but I can see where she has a bit of an attitude.” She waved her hand dismissively. “Doesn’t matter. She knew I was trying to cover for Googan and busted me on it. Then I hear she chewed Googan’s ass for it.”
“At least he’s still got a job.” Tina smiled as Tracy set two beers on the table for them. “Thanks, girl. Why don’t you sit and chat for a bit?”
“Can’t. Jeff’s not here yet so I have to help with dinner.”
She touched Morgan’s shoulder. “Heard what happened with Googan.”
“I don’t doubt that.”
“He always runs that stop sign. Did you tell the chief that?”
“No, I didn’t tell her that. She was plenty pissed the way it was.”
“And he deserves it.” She looked at Tina. “You having dinner here tonight?”
“Oh, no. Leftovers. But I wanted to come in and get the scoop from Morgan. And why didn’t you tell me about Charlie’s daughter?”
Tracy winked at Morgan. “Because I didn’t think she wanted you to know.”
“Since when has that stopped you?”
“You don’t have to know everything,” Tracy said as she walked away.
“You paid her off, didn’t you?” Tina said.
“I did not.”
“I don’t believe you.” She took a swallow from her beer. “Are we still on for Thanksgiving dinner?”
“Yeah, but like I said, don’t wait for me. The lodge is full and the trails will be packed. It’s the first real run of the season.” As much as she loved Tina and Paul and their kids, Thanksgiving had become just another day to her, normally because she usually volunteered to be out on the trails to allow others with families to enjoy the holiday. But here in Lake City, it was just her and Charlie during the winter, so she had no choice. Secretly, she liked it that way. First run of the season, fresh snow. She could feel the adrenaline now as she imagined the powerful snowmobile between her legs. She never minded showing up late for dinner after a day on the trails.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Morgan set her beer mug aside and watched as Reese Daniels sauntered into the bar. The sheriff nodded in her direction, then took a seat at an empty booth.
“Same time nearly every night,” Tracy said as she took a frosty mug from the freezer and filled it. “I wish you would go talk to her. Nobody talks to her. She just sits there by herself, waiting on her burger.”
“I tried talking to her, remember? She’s not very friendly.”
Although during her accident report, the sheriff hinted that she might have a sense of humor. Morgan had seen her hide a smile several times. And of course, who wouldn’t? Finding out someone’s name was Marietta Zula surely would bring fits of laughter.
“Maybe she’s just shy,” Tracy suggested.
“Oh, please. Shy? That woman is not shy.” Morgan gazed again at the sheriff. No, not shy. She was too powerful to be shy. And she wasn’t sure if she meant physically powerful or not. Her personality was forceful, confident. Powerful. But her stature seemed to be as well. She was a few inches taller than Morgan’s five-seven, and although she had not seen her without a jacket or parka on, she imagined her to have a muscular frame.
“I think she’s cute.”
Morgan pulled her gaze away from Reese Daniels and frowned at Tracy. “Cute?”
“Don’t you think so?”
Morgan shrugged. Well, yeah. But cute wouldn’t be the word she’d use. She was attractive, not beautiful. She was too masculine looking to be called beautiful. Handsome, yes. But her face had a hardness about it, her dark eyes difficult to read. Maybe that was why Ellen had called her indifferent. She couldn’t read her.
But she conceded to Tracy. “She’s attractive, yes.”
“Then—”
“But not my type,” she quickly clarified. The last thing she wanted was Tracy playing matchmaker with the new sheriff. It was bad enough Tina—and even Ellen—had hinted Morgan should become friendly with her.
Tracy laughed. “Do you have a type, Morgan? There was the professor for a while. Definitely not your type. There was the teenager you picked up during the summer. Now she wasn’t your type, surely. And most recently Mona. Now don’t tell me she was your type.”
“The teenager was nineteen, posing as twenty-one, and I’d had a bit too much to drink to think clearly. Mona was a huge mistake, but I was mourning over Jackson and not thinking clearly. And the professor,” Morgan grinned, “she was kinda good in bed, and it was winter.”
“And so you weren’t thinking clearly.”
Morgan laughed. “Not really, no. We had nothing in common, obviously. She got immense pleasure out of using vocabulary that I couldn’t pronounce, much less know the meaning of.”
“The snooty genius types never make good partners,” Tracy stated matter-of-factly.
“So I should stick with the dimwitted sheriff types?”
Tracy took Morgan’s mug and filled it, then handed both to her. “Go take her beer over to her and talk to her.”
Morgan let out a deep breath. God, all these women trying to set me up! But she supposed it wouldn’t hurt to talk to the sheriff. It would be nice to make a new friend, at least. So she shoved away from the bar, taking both mugs with her as she approached the booth.
“Good evening, Chief Daniels,” she said easily. “Tracy asked me to bring your
beer over.” She slid the frosty mug in front of her.
Reese looked up, her lips twitching in a smile. “Ma-Ma-
Morgan,” she said.
Morgan’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t even think it,” she said.
Reese laughed. “But who would name their child Zula?”
Without thinking, Morgan reached out and grabbed Reese’s arm with her thumb and forefinger, twisting hard in a pinch. She accomplished her goal. Chief Daniels let out a yelp that caused everyone in the bar to look their way.
“Jesus Christ!”
But Morgan didn’t flinch. “Never ever say that word in public again.”
“I’m going to have a bruise.”
“Good. I hope it hurt.”
Reese rubbed her arm. “Is this your normal approach when you’re trying to pick up women?”
“Excuse me?” Morgan took a step back.
“Because I’m not interested.”
“Oh, my God. You think I want to sleep with you?”
“Don’t you?”
Morgan laughed and slid into the booth opposite her. “No. Whatever gave you that idea?”
“From what I’ve gathered, you’re the only lesbian in town. And you’re single.”
“So if you’re the only lesbian in town and another one shows up, you automatically think sex? I was thinking more of a friendly bonding. You know, someone to check out the straight chicks with, someone to fight over the occasional ski bum who stumbles into town, that sort of thing. I don’t want to sleep with you, Chief.”
Reese tilted her head. “Why not? Am I not your type?”
Morgan studied her. Yes, definitely attractive. Her hair was just unruly enough to be sexy, her dark eyes intense. But her type?
“You’re hiding something, and you brood about it,” Morgan said.
“And not that I don’t find you attractive. I do. I mean, I’m not dead,” she said with a laugh. She leaned closer. “Why are you here?”
“Here? Here as in Hinsdale County?”
“Yes. Not that we don’t appreciate it. After Ned left, we all thought we’d be stuck with Googan.”