by Gerri Hill
“I’ve enjoyed your company. And I’ve missed you.”
Morgan stared at her, somewhat surprised by Reese’s admission that she’d missed her. Not missed having sex, but missed her being around. It occurred to her then that an arrangement of a physical relationship of sex without ties would work much better if the two parties involved didn’t really like each other.
But in their case, their friendship was growing stronger, thus making the sexual part of their relationship less physical and more emotional.
And that thought scared the hell out of her.
§
Morgan turned, pulling out of Reese’s arms and squinted at the clock. Five fifteen. She closed her eyes again, knowing she should leave, but it was too warm under the covers and she was far too comfortable right where she was.
“What time is it?” Reese whispered in her ear.
Morgan sighed and snuggled closer to her warmth. “After five,” she murmured. She felt Reese’s lips caress her skin.
“Living dangerously, aren’t you?”
Morgan rolled toward Reese, pressing their bodies together.
“It’s nice and warm here. I don’t want to get up.” She moaned as Reese’s hands slid across her body, cupping her buttocks and squeezing. “Don’t start,” she whispered.
“It was your idea to sleep naked.”
“I always sleep naked,” she said, then moaned again as Reese’s lips nipped at her throat. “We can’t do this.” She stopped Reese’s hand before she could capture her breast. “I should go.”
“I want to kiss you.”
“Oh, no, you don’t.” Morgan groaned and turned away. It was getting too hard. She wanted to kiss her. She wanted to touch her. She wanted to make love to her this morning. Instead, she pulled out of her arms. “I should go,” she said again. She heard Reese sigh and felt her slip away from her.
“I know.”
Morgan tossed the covers off and hurried into her sweatshirt, the morning chill making her shiver.
“You want me to get a fire going?”
“No, no. I’m fine. Go back to sleep.” She turned, pulling the covers around Reese again.
“Thank you for staying last night,” Reese said sleepily. “It was nice.”
Morgan nodded. “Yes. I like sleeping with you too.” But Reese’s even breathing told her she was fast asleep again. She watched her for a moment longer, her eyes drawn to her lips.
Without thinking, she bent closer and gave her the barest of kisses. But it was enough for her to want more. She made herself move away from Reese and she pulled her eyes from her lips, needing all her willpower to walk out of the room when what she really wanted was to crawl back in bed with her.
She shut the bedroom door quietly, then leaned back against it and closed her eyes. Yes, she had stayed the night. Yes, they had slept naked. And no, they hadn’t had sex. They’d cuddled together like two people in the midst of a lovely courtship… touching, but never crossing the boundary as they drifted off to sleep. And a wonderful sleep it was as they held each other during the night.
She pushed away from the door, telling herself she was still in control of the situation. It was only natural to have some emotional attachment to the person you’re having sex with.
Right?
Right.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“Good morning, Eloise,” Reese said as she walked into her office.
“Chief,” Eloise murmured, not looking up from the morning paper.
Reese paused. “Where’s Googan?”
Eloise looked up then. “Why?”
Reese arched an eyebrow. “Because I’m the chief, he’s the deputy and you’re the secretary, and I want to know where he is.”
She pointed at the radio. “You want to rouse him up for me?”
“He’s got a cell phone,” she mumbled as she picked up the radio. “Googan, you copy? The chief’s looking for you.” When there was no answer, Eloise said, “You know, it’s barely eight. Maybe he’s—”
“It’s nearly eight thirty.”
“He may have worked the night shift.”
“What night shift?” She pointed at the phone. “Call his cell.”
“Gee, wish I’d thought of that.”
Reese hid a smile as Eloise dialed. She was in a feisty mood this morning, Reese noted.
“Googan? Where are you?” Eloise looked at Reese. “I see. Well, the chief is wanting to talk to you.” Eloise’s eyes widened.
“Yes,” she said slowly, sliding her gaze to Reese.
Reese rolled her eyes and took the phone from Eloise.
“Googan? Where the hell are you?”
“Chief Daniels…I…well, I must have overslept,” he said, his voice still hoarse. “I was out late last night. On patrol, you know.”
“On patrol, huh? I haven’t seen you in three days. Now get your ass in here.” She slammed the phone down. “On patrol my ass,” she muttered under her breath as she went into her office.
“What’s he patrolling? Watching the ice form on the lake?”
“You want coffee?”
“I’ll get it, Eloise. Don’t let me keep you from your daily paper.”
“Well, you’re in a mood,” Eloise said just loud enough for her to hear.
Was she in a mood? Perhaps. Her fond memory of snuggling with Morgan early that morning had faded when she woke up alone. Alone and cold, and to an empty house. She couldn’t believe how quickly Morgan’s presence—or lack of—had affected her life. She was used to being alone. And she certainly wasn’t used to having only one sexual partner. Not even when she and Julie had been somewhat a couple all those years ago. Because they weren’t really a couple. Julie worked in vice. Reese in narcotics.
Their relationship was more of a stress relief than anything else.
And after three years, they just started drifting apart, their time together less and less until it stopped altogether. That was the only time in her life she even came close to having a relationship with someone.
Not that she considered what she and Morgan had as a relationship. Affair would more properly describe it. An affair Morgan wanted to keep a secret. Which in some ways belittled it. But when you make an agreement for a physical, sexual arrangement without all the hassle of emotional ties, there wasn’t a whole lot of basis to it anyway. It was just sex. Two people performing an act.
That’s how it was intended, anyway. But last night, as they slept together, holding each other, there was no sex, there was no act. And if she were honest, there was nothing physical or sexual about it. Emotional? Yes. Because she felt a connection with Morgan that went deeper than just the sexual involvement they’d agreed to. She suspected the same was true for Morgan.
She spun around in her chair and stared out the window, wondering if maybe they needed to curb things. Slow down a bit.
Maybe do like Morgan had suggested in the beginning. Just get together once a week.
She sighed. She wanted more than once a week. The sexual attraction between them was too strong. Unfortunately, the emotional attraction was rearing its head as well. An attraction that made Reese crave not once a week with Morgan, but every day.
It was a dangerous craving, she knew.
But she had no more time to contemplate their affair as she heard the bell jingle and then Googan’s distinct voice as he greeted Eloise.
“Come on back, Googan,” Reese called. He shuffled down the short hallway, pausing at her door. “Sit down. Close the door.”
He shifted nervously as he crossed the threshold. “What’s up, Chief?”
She motioned him in. “Just come in, Googan. Close the door.”
“If you’re pissed about me oversleeping—”
“It has nothing to do with that.” She pointed at the chair.
“Now sit down.” He finally settled into one of the visitor’s chairs.
She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, watching him.
“I ha
ve a concern, Googan.”
“What’s that?”
“There was an incident at Lou’s Grocery several years ago. You want to tell me about that?”
His face turned red and he looked away. “I’m sure you’ve heard.”
“I haven’t heard your version.”
“I don’t really have a version. It happened so fast, and I guess I just panicked. I was in the wrong,” he said quietly.
“I see. And what was the result of that incident?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean, Googan.” She sat up. “Let me see your weapon.”
“Why?”
She held out her hand, waiting. He finally moved, the leather of his belt creaking as he shifted, unsnapping the strap that held his gun in place. He pulled it out then handed it to her butt first.
It was a standard issue police duty weapon, Smith and Wesson.
She released the magazine, the clip sliding easily into her hand.
The clip was full. It had also been topped off with one in the chamber.
“What the hell, Googan?”
“I’m a goddamn police officer,” he said loudly. “I should be able to—”
“Shut up,” she said as she laid the gun and magazine clip on her desk. “You’re a sheriff’s deputy with very little training. That’s the bottom line. You want to be a goddamn police officer, but you’re not.” She held up her hand when he would have spoken. “However, the fact that my predecessor let you carry a weapon without ammunition is just crazy.” She stood and went to the window, looking out. “What do you think we should do, Googan?”
“I don’t know.”
She glanced at him. “Can’t have my deputy unarmed now, can I?” She shrugged. “You plan on getting this job when I’m gone?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’re going to need some training.”
“But I’ve been to—”
“Apparently not enough,” she said. “You can’t just want to be a police officer, Googan. There’s more to the job than just sitting in this chair and saying you’re the Sheriff of Hinsdale County.” She smiled. “The fact that we carry weapons at all is laughable considering we haven’t had a police incident in the current century.”
“But—”
“I know, I know. This isn’t Mayberry.” She sighed. “Take your weapon, Googan. Keep the clip. But for God’s sake, don’t top it off by keeping one in the chamber. You could shoot yourself in the goddamn leg if you hit a bump in the road.”
“You mean I can keep the bullets?”
“Like you said, you’re a police officer. However, in this case, I think it would have been wise for you to tell me about your previous restrictions. Don’t you?”
“I didn’t want you to think I was incapable of doing the job.”
“I don’t base qualifications on what others say, good or bad. But I’ll find some training sessions for you. Winter’s a good time, seeing as how slow it is.” She sat down again. “Now, let’s talk about why you were in bed at eight thirty in the morning. And spare me the bullshit about being on patrol last night. We don’t have a patrol, Googan. It’s winter. There’s nothing to patrol.”
“I was playing poker with some of the guys. It got late.”
She laughed. “Now that’s more like it. I know there’s nothing going on now, Googan. No tourists around to hassle. No speeders coming over the pass. But it’s our job just to have a presence in town. What I’m saying is, don’t let three days go by without showing your face around here again.”
“But I’ve been around. I just didn’t see the point of coming in here and sitting.”
“Well, humor me by coming in, will you?” She motioned to the door. “Now, how about some daytime patrol, huh?”
“Sure, Chief.” Googan paused at the door as he snapped his weapon back into the holster. “I…I appreciate it, Chief Daniels.” He patted his gun. “I won’t do anything stupid.”
“No. I don’t believe you will.” She motioned out the window.
“It’s starting to snow. Be careful out there.”
He nodded then headed out, his head held a little higher than when he’d come in. Sure, she had reservations. Based on what everyone said, Googan was just a big kid wanting to play cop. But she could see in his eyes he had the drive. He’d just never been nurtured. Most likely the only training Ned Carter insisted on was the basics. He learned how to fire his weapon and was taught what all the controls in his police vehicle were. That’s it. If he planned to man the town after she left, he’d need some training. It was the least she could do for Lake City.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Morgan slammed the door to the office and shook the snow off her shoulders. “Man, it’s really coming down,” she said.
“Temperatures are funky,” Charlie said. “Going to be more ice than snow.”
“It’s windy as hell.”
“Where you been?”
Morgan shrugged off her coat and hung it on the coatrack in the corner. “I drove up the pass. It’s sticking pretty good up there. I think Chief Daniels should close the road.”
“Not that there’s anyone going to be traveling,” Charlie said. “Berta, why don’t you head on home? No sense in hanging around here.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice,” she said as she gathered up her knitting.
“And call in the morning. If it’s bad, let’s call a snow day,” he said.
Morgan raised her eyebrows. “Does that go for all of us?”
“Oh, hell, Morgan, it’s almost Christmas. There’s nothing going on. As long as one of us is here, I think we’re covered.”
She pulled out her chair and sat down, jiggling her mouse to clear her screen saver. “I thought this was just a dusting,” she said as she pulled up a weather site. “I don’t know why we even bother with forecasts.”
“I usually avoid them myself,” Charlie said. “You know I just rely on you guys to keep me informed. But less than a week until Christmas, a good snowstorm is always welcome.”
“You know Tina is leaving in a couple of days, don’t you?”
“Leaving where?”
“Her mother-in-law decided on a Florida Christmas this year. They’re leaving on the twenty-second.”
“Flying out of where?”
“They’re taking a jumper from Gunnison down to Albuquerque.” She clicked on the bookmark for Gunnison’s weather. “Damn, we might get a couple of feet.”
“Oh, well. Good for the trails,” he said as he went back into his office. “With Tina gone, what are you going to do at Christmas?”
Morgan shrugged. It was common knowledge that she spent every holiday with Tina and her family. In fact, Charlie usually joined them as well. But this year? There was Reese. Morgan doubted she’d even given Christmas a thought. “What are you going to do, Charlie?”
“I’m thinking I’m going to go south for a week or so. Maybe get in some fishing.”
“South where?”
‘You know my buddy Allen, he retired and moved out near Tucson.”
“He’s the one who lost his wife last year, right?”
“Yeah. I thought I might go down for a visit. I hate to leave you here alone though, what with Tina gone.”
“Oh, Charlie, I’ll be fine. You know me and holidays.”
“You sure?”
“Absolutely. Make your plans. I’ve got it covered.”
And she did. Even if Reese had other plans—which she doubted—she’d still be fine. She’d spent the holidays alone before. So if not with Reese, she’d at least take the opportunity to rent a snowmobile from the Pattersons and hit the trails.
She glanced into Charlie’s office, hearing him on the phone with Allen. It was nice to see the relaxed smile on his face. In the seven years she’d been here, he’d never taken a vacation, only stealing a few days here and there to do some fishing. It would do him good to get away for a week.
She sighed, looking aro
und her very neat desk, trying to think of something to do to occupy her afternoon. This time of year, the hours just crept by, and you could only surf the Internet so long without going stir-crazy. She jiggled the mouse again, wondering if she’d end up like Berta and eventually take up knitting.
No.
So she browsed Web sites, checked the weather, read the Denver paper online and answered an e-mail from her mother.
No, she wouldn’t be able to make Christmas this year. And as a last resort, she played solitaire.
She was just about to shut down and head out when Charlie hurried out of his office.
“Do you have your scanner on?”
“No. Why?”
“Some kind of accident. Dead Man’s Ridge.”
“Oh, no. Surely someone didn’t go over?” She grabbed her backpack. “Was it a local? What did you hear?” She frowned as he reached out a hand to her. “Charlie?”
“It was a sheriff’s vehicle.”
“Oh, my God.” She panicked. “Reese?” She took a deep breath. “Or Googan?”
“I don’t know, Morgan. I tried calling, but Eloise didn’t answer.”
“I’m going out there,” she said quickly as she brushed by him. “Googan’s driven that road a thousand times. He knows the curves. Reese wouldn’t.”
“You don’t need to go out there, Morgan. Obviously, the roads are bad. You’ll just get in the way.”
“No. I won’t get in the way.”
She let the door slam behind her and nearly slipped on the sidewalk as she hit a patch of ice. Her hands were shaking as she started her truck and flipped on the headlights. Darkness came early in the winter, especially on a snowy day like today.
She drove as fast as she dared, slowing down at each curve. Yes, she’d driven Dead Man’s Ridge a thousand times too. There was no guardrail on top. Hell, there wasn’t room to put a guardrail. It was simply a sheer drop into the canyon.
She felt guilty for hoping it was Googan and not Reese, but she couldn’t help it. The thought of Reese tumbling off the side, her truck free falling into the canyon made her sick to her stomach. When she hit the last switchback going up the mountain, she could see the flashing emergency lights at the top of the ridge and her heart skipped a beat.