Red Hot

by Cat Johnson

  “You gonna need some doggy therapy?” I asked him as I slid a plate of leftovers from last night’s dinner onto the floor. “I’ll get you some proper dog food at the store later. Until then, it’s Morgan steak for you. Eat up. And don’t tell Dad.”

  The dog seemed to appreciate the steak, but then again, he was likely starving.

  “Don’t tell Dad what?”

  I glanced up and saw Boone. I tipped my head toward the pup. “We have a new family member. And he’s fond of steak.”

  “Oh my God. Who is this little guy?”

  “He’s a stray. Found him tied up at the old factory along the tracks. What kind of reception you think he’s going to get from Mom and Dad?” I asked, after skirting around the full truth about the origin of the pup.

  “Oh, they’re gonna love him because I already do.” Boone was already on the floor, rubbing the pup’s ears.

  One family member won over. Three more to go.

  “Um, what is that?” Stone asked from the doorway.

  I turned around from the junk drawer where I’d been searching for our old dog’s choke collar to see Stone’s frown.

  Boone glared up at him from the floor. “It’s a puppy and I love him and we’re keeping him.”

  Had I traveled backward in time? I swear, judging by the conversation, if I saw a seven-year old Boone on the floor and a broody teenaged Stone in the doorway I wouldn’t have been surprised at all.

  “He needs a home. We’ve got a home.” I shrugged.

  “And what’s a farm with no dog?” Boone asked.

  “He doesn’t look like a farm dog to me.” Stone cocked up a brow.

  “Any dog can be a farm dog,” Boone shot back, the puppy in his lap now that he’d finished his meal.

  “If he bothers the herd—”

  “He won’t. We’ll train him,” Boone promised Stone.

  Stone still looked skeptical so I decided to bring out the big guns. “You keep picking on this poor pup and I swear, I’ll tell your girlfriend. We’ll see what she has to say about your anti-puppy attitude.”

  I knew exactly what would happen. Harper the animal lover would lay into Stone and then probably cut him off.

  In fact, I might tell her just for fun, whether Stone straightened up or not. He’d been getting more sex than any man deserved lately anyway.

  He rolled his eyes. “We’ll see what Mom and Dad have to say.”

  I shook my head, the decision already made.

  “Fine. But I’ll move out and take him with me if I have to. Maybe it’s about time I get my own place anyway. I’m turning thirty soon enough. That’s a little old to be still living under my parents’ roof. Don’t you think?” I made sure to shoot Stone, who was about to turn thirty-two, a meaningful glance.

  “Stop. Both of you. Ain’t nobody moving out and leaving me here alone with Mom and Dad.” Boone shot a glance at both of us. “Besides, they’re gonna love this little guy. How can they not?”

  “What’s his name?” Stone asked.

  I lifted a shoulder. “Doesn’t have one that I know of.”

  “Well, better give him one. It’s harder to get rid of an animal once it’s got a name.”

  I smiled at Stone. The man did have a soft spot in his heart. He just hid it behind being an ass most times.

  “Okay. So, any ideas?” I asked.

  Boone was trying to answer but kept getting a mouth full of puppy tongue as he did and I was laughing too hard to think of something.

  Even Stone let out a chuckle. “How about Romeo, since he’s such a big kisser?”

  “I like it.” I grinned. “Boone?”

  He nodded and finally gave me a thumb’s up as he fought against the puppy and tried to wipe the saliva off his face with his shirt.

  “Romeo it is.” I’d found the collar and carried it over to the puppy, slipping it over his wiggly head. “I dub thee Romeo.”

  “You better get him his shots and a license or the animal warden will be knocking on the door with a fine for you for having an unlicensed dog,” Stone warned.

  I groaned as Boone nodded. “It’s true. They’re nuts with the rules in this town.”

  “I know, it’s true.” I’d paid the last fine we got because Duke’s license had expired and the damn warden came knocking.

  “We gotta get him fixed too,” Boone added, still playing defense against the puppy attack.

  Drawing in a breath, I began realizing exactly how much responsibility I’d just taken on. “I’ll call and get an appointment for him.”

  I watched as the pup decided now was the time to gnaw on Boone’s finger. The little guy looked up and saw me staring at him. And damned if the little thing didn’t scurry over to me and try to climb up my leg.

  “You want to get picked up, little guy?”

  He wiggled in my arms, so happy I had to laugh. Yeah, he’d be a lot of work, but he was well worth it.

  He was part of the family now. It didn’t seem to matter what Mom and Dad said when they finally got in from wherever they were.

  I only wished I could get the kid situated this easily. A dog was one thing. Even a cow was within my abilities. But a kid? That was bigger job than I was equipped to handle.

  Or was it?

  “Hey, you two know anyone who takes in foster kids around here?” I asked.

  Stone frowned. “No. I don’t think so.”

  “Me either.” Boone shook his head, finally able to get off the floor since the puppy was now snoring in my arms. “But you know Bethany was a foster kid, right?” he said as he stood.

  My eyes widened. “No, I did not know that.”

  “Why are you asking about foster kids?” Stone asked.

  “I’ll tell you later.” I glanced at the sleeping pup and then up at Boone. “You okay taking care of him for a bit? I got an errand to run.”

  “Sure.” He nodded and moved closer to take the puppy from me. “And I stashed all of Duke’s old stuff in the attic. His bed. His bowls. I can bring it downstairs and set up Romeo in the pantry for now, with some newspapers in case he has an accident.”

  Preparing for an accident was probably wise. “Perfect. I’ll pick up dog food while I’m out.”

  “And toys,” Boone added. “He’s gonna need something to play with and chew on. He’s probably teething.”

  Stone nodded. “Yeah, something to chew on that’s not the furniture if you have any hope of keeping him indoors.”

  “Gotcha. I’ll get food and toys.” And hopefully I’d get some answers from Bethany so I could do something to help this kid.

  He certainly seemed to need a little help for himself because if nothing changed, it looked as if social services was sending him off to some sort of facility.

  Call me stupid, but I wasn’t giving up on him yet. I had a gut feeling about this kid.

  He might be in trouble and having problems at the moment, but I honestly didn’t think he was a bad kid.

  Anybody who loved animals couldn’t be all bad. I only hoped he proved my instincts correct.

  TWENTY-TWO

  Red

  “Just the carry-on bag? You sure you don’t want to borrow one of my big suitcases?” Harper asked.

  “No. I’m just bringing the one small bag.”

  “What if you buy stuff?”

  “Like what? A few pair of Louboutin pumps? Maybe a Chanel dress or two? A Hermes bag?” I laughed. First that she thought I had that kind of money to spend on myself. Second, that anything so frivolous would be useful to me.

  I lived in Mudville, for goodness sake. No formal wear required. The couple of times a year I traveled for business I could get anything I needed from my store.

  Harper sighed. “I wish I was going with you.”

  I tipped my head. “I do too.”

  It would be nice to have a familiar face along since I was definitely stepping out of my comfort zone. I mean I knew most of the people I was traveling with casually, but we weren’t that close. />
  Rolling a shirt dress so it wouldn’t wrinkle in the bag I stopped and looked up at Harper. “You’re sure I’m not crazy for going?”

  “You’d be crazy not to go. Now stop worrying.”

  “Okay,” I sighed.

  The plane left tonight. I had a long drive ahead of me but I’d been too nervous and excited—not to mention busy—to eat. I’d had plenty of coffee though and I was starting to feel jittery.

  The only good thing was I hadn’t had much time to stress over the Cash situation. I’d firmly put him on the back burner. Something to be dealt with when I returned.

  I did wish I had time to check on the calf before I left though. And on top of my worry over the calf, I was concerned about the kid. Was he still sitting in a cell? Would my letter help in court?

  So many loose ends. Too many. They were all going to haunt me in Paris. I knew it.

  “I have never seen someone look so miserable to be going on a fabulous trip.” Harper shook her head.

  I sighed. “I’m just nervous about getting to the airport in time. And I didn’t sleep great with all the excitement. I’m hungry too. I really didn’t eat today.”

  Harper’s eyes widened. “Then eat something.”

  “I guess I should run out and grab something for lunch. You wanna come?” I asked.

  She glanced at her cell phone. “Actually, I’ve got a call with my editor in a little while so I’d better get home. But you call me if you need anything else. And text from the airport so I know you made it all right.”

  “I will.” I nodded, wishing again she’d be riding shot gun in my truck for that three plus hour drive.

  I shoved the rest of my pile of things I’d be bringing into the bag and zipped it up.

  Everything I needed was packed and ready to go.

  I’d taken care of everything, except for myself. I really did need to get some food in my stomach so I walked down Main Street. I figured I could pick up a sandwich at the deli counter at the gas station.

  Not gourmet fare but they had good cold cuts and fresh rolls and the prices were decent. And I could eat half now and save the other half for the drive. Besides, I liked to shop local whenever possible and while the diner remained closed, food pickings were slim on Main Street in Mudville.

  The best part with getting the sandwich was that I could cross the street from the gas station and pick up something sweet at Bethany’s.

  Happy with my plan, it wasn’t too long before I had a brown bag with my roast beef and horseradish cheese with mayo and lettuce on a roll in one hand and was pushing through the door into the bakery.

  But instead of the view I’d been expecting—Bethany behind a glass case filled with tasty confections—I was greeted by a very different scene.

  I’d recognize the ass in those jeans anywhere. Just as I recognized the man facing away from me and leaning on the counter.

  Bethany’s head popped into view as she leaned to one side to see around Cash. “Red. Hi. I thought you might have left already.”

  Cash turned to see me now too. “Hi.”

  “Uh, hi.” I dragged my gaze off him and to Bethany. “I’m leaving in like an hour. I just needed some sustenance.”

  “Let me pack you a box of treats for the road.” Bethany was off in back before I could even thank her. That left me alone in front with Cash.

  “You’re going somewhere?” he asked.

  In this town, the only surprise was that he hadn’t already heard.

  I nodded. “Yeah. Paris, actually.”

  I laughed at how that still sounded ridiculous when I said it, and I’d had two days to get used to the idea.

  His eyes popped wide. “Paris?”

  “Yup. Can you believe it? When I get calls from men it’s usually a scammer. But this one here gets invites to Paris,” Bethany joked, back with a white box in her hand that she proceeded to fill with things from in the case.

  I saw Cash react to her statement.

  “He’s from the resellers organization I belong to. It’s their trip.” I didn’t know why I felt I had to explain to Cash, but I did, even if he had been looking awfully cozy with Bethany when I’d walked in.

  He wouldn’t do that, would he? Flirt with my best friend? Yes, actually he might. He was a big flirt usually. With me. With everyone in town. Even some of the old biddies would blush when Cash paid them attention.

  But would he do more than that? It wouldn’t go any further with Bethany. Right?

  The voice in the back of my mind nagged with the reminder that he’d certainly done more with me.

  “I need to get going but I’ll talk to you later,” Cash said, interrupting my thoughts.

  “Yup.” Bethany nodded, and I realized he’d been speaking to her, making plans to talk later.

  Just talk? Talk about what?

  My mind raced with more crazy thoughts as he turned to where I stood between him and the door.

  I might be silly, and jealous, and ridiculous because I was sure there was nothing going on, but I had to put all that away now because I needed to know about the calf.

  “Is everything and everybody at the farm all right?” I asked, hoping he got the meaning of my loaded question about the contraband cow hiding out at his place.

  A small smile tipped up the corner of his mouth. “Yes. Everything and everybody at the farm are just fine.”

  “Good. Good.” I nodded, feeling relieved.

  The smile faded as he said, “Have a good trip, Red.”

  That might have been the most formal goodbye Cashel Morgan had ever given me. And I had to wonder, why?

  TWENTY-THREE

  Cash

  I walked into the sheriff’s department later that afternoon and of course Carson was behind the desk.

  How the hell long was his shift anyway? I’d been hoping that since we couldn’t get here until Bethany’s afternoon help had arrived, I might have a hope of not seeing this man. No such luck.

  Although the other deputy, John Callahan, was such a dick I guess I should count myself lucky. I probably had a much better chance of accomplishing what I’d come here to do with Carson behind the desk—even if the man was after my girl.

  I smothered a snort. My girl. Yeah right.

  Red was on her way to Paris with another guy. That fact made Carson look like a lot less of a threat than he had before.

  “Hey, Carson.”

  “Cash.” He nodded then his attention moved to Bethany, a couple of feet behind me.

  She took a step forward with the offering we had both thought would be a good idea. A box full of pastries from her bakery. “Hey Carson. I brought these over for you guys.”

  He lifted the lid on the box she’d set on his desk. “Thanks. Appreciate it.”

  His gaze cut back to me. He was clearly wondering what the purpose of this visit was. I guess I couldn’t blame him.

  “Is the kid still here?” I asked.

  “Yup. Still here.”

  Jeez. Two nights in a cell, at that age. That sucked. Poor kid. It made it even more important that I see him, if only to ease his mind that the pup was okay.

  “You get anything more on him? A name? A hit on a missing child’s report?”

  He shook his head. “Nope.”

  I didn’t know if it was that we’d been teammates back at Mudville High, or that I’d been the one to finally catch the kid that made Carson give me answers. I was just happy to get them.

  The kid was a tough one. I had to give him that. Holding strong and not answering anything. Either that or he was so afraid of going back to wherever he’d run from, a holding cell in Mudville was preferable. That wasn’t a comforting thought.

  “I was hoping we could talk to him.”

  “Both of you want to see him?” Carson’s gaze cut between us.

  Bethany nodded. “Yes, please. If possible.”

  He folded his arms, brows drawn low. He was waiting for an explanation. I could tell, even if he hadn’t outright a
sked for one.

  I decided to give him one. The truth. “I was hoping we could get something out of him. Some info.”

  “Why would he talk to you two when he won’t talk to me?” Carson asked.

  I lifted a brow, glancing at his uniform.

  “Besides the fact that I’m a deputy?” Carson continued, answering his own question.

  I thought that was reason enough. But of course, we had another reason too. If the boy was a runaway foster kid, I thought maybe Bethany could bond with him. But that wasn’t my story to tell.

  Even though Boone had known about Bethany’s past, I didn’t know how many other people in town knew that about her. Or if she wanted it kept quiet.

  I glanced at her, looking for answers.

  She met my gaze and then turned to Carson. “From what Cash told me, there’s a chance the boy ran away from an undesirable situation. Possibly a foster home.”

  “If that’s true, then why are there no reports?” Carson asked.

  “Because sometimes the foster family won’t report it. For a number of reasons,” she explained. “They don’t want the black mark on their record. They’re hoping the child will come back. They’re hoping to get away with no one discovering he’s missing until the next home inspection so they’ll continue to get paid for him.”

  Carson’s eyes narrowed. “You know a lot about this.”

  She nodded. “I do.”

  “You work for child welfare before you started baking?” he asked.

  “No.” She shook her head.

  Carson’s expression softened before his gaze cut to me. My bet was he’d guessed where Bethany’s experience came from.

  He didn’t push Bethany to reveal what he no doubt suspected was the truth about her past. He just grabbed the keys and turned toward the back. “Follow me back to the interrogation room.”

  Crap. I hated that Carson was acting like a good guy. I was going to have to start to like him again.

  My gaze cut to Bethany. She flashed me a thumbs up. I nodded and followed Carson back to the now familiar room.

  So far so good. Now if only the kid would tell us what was going on in his life so maybe I could help him. Bethany and I had had a nice talk, before Red walked in and dropped that damn Paris bombshell on me, blowing my concentration all to hell.