by Lisa Lovell
Jake
Rogue County Rangers – Book 4
Lisa Lovell
Copyright © 2020 Lisa Lovell
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval systems, without express written permission from the author/publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Epilogue
About The Author
Chapter One
Lilly
I always volunteer to close the library at the end of the day.
For one thing, I’m not a morning person. At all. I may get up in the morning, as all functioning adults must, but I’m never fully awake until noon or so. It’s partially my own fault. I have a bad habit of staying up way too late to finish books. It’s turned me into a permanent night owl.
At the end of the day, when there is no one left in the library, and no one to bother me, I can get a little bit of peace.
Nothing makes me happier than an empty library. It’s just me and the books. I know I should want the library brimming with people, eager to learn, but let’s be honest. Libraries aren’t what they used to be. Anyone can get any book ever written with one tap on their smartphones.
I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. It’s not. The easier it is to get access to books, the more people will read. It’s a win in my book. Yet, there’s something about an empty library that makes me feel like I’ve slipped into a tiny, secret world that belongs only to me.
Every book is a world to explore, so if you think about it, I have thousands of worlds at my disposal the moment I enter the library. For some reason, it’s much harder to explore those worlds when I’m not alone. Not that there is much traffic in the library anyway.
Now that I’m on my own, this world and so many others are mine and mine alone. I’m fairly familiar with the contents of the library, but I haven’t read every single book. I’m not sure that I want to. I know what I like.
I gather the few returned books from the slot and stack them on my cart. Other than the four books from the return box, it’s comically empty. It takes me less than twenty minutes to put the books away, and that’s going as slowly as I possibly can.
When the books are put in their proper places, I take a turn around the library. I inspect every shelf, making sure every book was arranged in its proper alphabetical order. Not that anything is ever out of order.
I’m just making up excuses so I don’t have to go home so soon. Home is real. Home is…complicated.
I head to the fiction section looking for something to make my time outside the world of stories more palatable. I end up selecting the collection of fairytales I’ve read a million times already. I can’t help it. I like the idea of a world filled with whimsy and magic. Fairy tricks and curses might get in the way, but true love solves every problem. A prince shows up. He loves his princess. He doesn’t try to feel her up on the first date. He doesn’t act like he’s doing her the world’s biggest favor by being interested in her. He’s gallant and true and kind.
I can’t say I’ve met a guy like that, but one has to be out there, right? There are seven billion people on the planet. One of them must meet the qualifications of a Prince, right? They might not be in Rose Haven, but that’s alright. It’s a big wide world out there.
One day, I’m going to see every inch of it. Even Antarctica. It kills me that I’ve never been outside of Rose Haven. It’s not because I haven’t wanted to. It’s just that…
Honestly, I don’t know what stops me. There have been countless nights where I’ve stayed up well into the wee hours, browsing flights and hotel rates. I get so close to booking a trip but then I just…stop. I can’t make myself do it.
I have no one to travel with. The world is wide and wonderful, but also terrifying. At least, that’s what everyone keeps telling me. Everyone can’t be wrong, right?
With my book tucked under my arm, I lock up the library and head home. Like most people who work in the heart of town, I only live a few blocks away. It takes me less than ten minutes to walk from the door of the library to my front porch. I get home just as the last rays of light are leeched from the sky.
The light in the detached garage is on. My father, Buck, is home.
He’s been living with me for the past year. I spent half of my savings renovating the garage to make it livable for him. According to him, it’s as nice as a Ritz Carlton room, though I doubt he’s ever stood outside a Ritz let alone stayed in one.
After setting my borrowed book on the coffee table and changing into comfortable clothing, I tug on my boots and walk across the yard to the garage.
“Dad?” I call from the halfway point in the yard. “Are you awake?”
My father has the most inconsistent sleep schedule of anyone I know. He’s awake at all hours of the night sometimes or he sleeps for days on end. I keep telling him to see a doctor, but he doesn’t have insurance and doesn’t want to pay. Even if I offer to pay, he still refuses. He’s always been stubborn like that, from what I can remember.
He doesn’t answer my call.
I go up to the garage door and knock. I don’t hear anyone inside.
“Buck?” I call. Sometimes he doesn’t answer to Dad. He isn’t used to having that title.
The side door to the garage is unlocked. I open it and step inside. He’s not home. Odd. He’s usually home this time of night.
I leave and start walking back to the main house when I notice something. His car is parked in its usual spot. He never walks anywhere, even if he’s just going to the shop on the corner.
“Lilly, is that you?” I hear the familiar voice of Mrs. Gardner calling from the sidewalk.
“Hi, ma’am,” I say, moving closer to her. “Have you seen my father?”
“The Rangers came and picked Buck up an hour ago to take him to the station ,” she says. Even in the dark I can see how wide her eyes are. “I thought they would’ve called you.”
I hadn’t checked my voicemail yet. Maybe there was a message.
“They took him to the Ranger’s station,” I repeat. “Do you know why?”
Mrs. Gardner shakes her head. “It’s probably because-”
“Because he’s Buck,” I sigh. “I know.”
Chapter Two
Jake
“You have no right to lock me up!” Buck, slightly drunk by the smell of him, snaps from the plush interview chair.
“You’re not locked up,” I sigh from the other side of the desk in a much less comfortable chair. “We’re just asking you some questions.”
“I didn’t do anything,” he spits. “You can’t prove nothing.”
“We’re not saying you did anything,” my co-Ranger Luke says evenly. He looks far more calm and collected than I feel. I hide my clenched fists under the table.
Buck knows something. I know he does.
A few months back, a drug cartel set up shop on the outskirts of Rose Haven. The Rangers have been trying to shut it down since they got wind of it but those slippery bastards are hard to nail down. They’ve clearly been doing this for a while. They were prepared to outsm
art us when they started their operation.
I officially became a Ranger last week, now I’m going to be the one to break the pattern. Catching those cartel leaders is going to prove to everyone in town that I belong here.
And it all starts with Buck.
He’s always been a shady guy. He hung around with a few of my deadbeat foster dads. He was a kind of ring-leader in their circles. He’s the one that scored the best robberies. He’s the one who always came back with the best loot. No one knows how he did it.
He disappeared from town when I was fifteen. Last year, he resurfaced. I didn’t think anything of it at first. After all, Buck was part of my old life and I had nothing to do with that life anymore. He wasn’t relevant to me.
Then, I started learning about the cartel. Memories of who Buck used to be and the stories he’d tell floated to the surface of my mind. Now, he just has to admit he’s involved.
“No, we’re not,” I echo Luke’s sentiments, though there’s a hard chip in my tone. “However, given your past…experience with similar organizations, I think you know something that could help us.”
“That’s not my life anymore,” he insists. “I’m on the up and up now. I earn an honest dollar.”
“No, you don’t,” I say. “You don’t work.”
“But I ain’t stealing, neither.”
I could say he’s stealing from his estranged daughter who he’s leeching off of, but I don’t. It’s not relevant to the cartel case and I don’t want everything I get from Buck to be dismissed on a technicality.
“No one said you were,” I say. “But you might have insider knowledge.”
“I told you,” Buck growls. “I ain’t like that anymore. I ain’t never even been to jail. There is nothing legally stopping me from walking right out that door.” He clumsily pushes himself up from his seat and ambles toward the door.
I step in front of him. “We aren’t done here.”
“Are you going to arrest me?” Buck demands, his face reddening with anger.
“No,” Luke cuts in between Buck and I. “Of course, not. You are free to go whenever you like. However, we’d greatly appreciate it if you would give us a hand in this investigation. In return, I might be able to get some of those misdemeanors removed from your record.”
Buck arches an eyebrow. “I might have a tip or two, now that you mention it.”
Luke smiles as if he’s been on Buck’s side this whole time. “Great. I appreciate that. Jake, will you please get Mr. Martin a cup of coffee?”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“He’s offering to help us,” Luke says. “We ought to show our gratitude.” His eyes narrow in warning. He’s working his angle and he doesn’t want me to blow it. He’s always been good with words.
“I’ll be right back,” I say through gritted teeth before stalking out of the interview room. Great! Now Luke is going to get my bust. As if he needs it! He’s earned his place over a dozen times. I’m the one who needs to prove himself.
“Hello?” A high voice calls from the front room.
Strange. We never get people in this late unless we drag them in.
I walk to the front room and spot a young woman leaning over the receptionist's desk, trying to look into the offices.
For a moment, her beauty catches me off guard. She doesn’t look like a girl who’s ever seen the inside of a jail cell and never will. Her honey-colored hair is tied back with a white ribbon – a ribbon! Her white dress is covered in colorful flowers and hugs every perfect curve on her body.
No one’s ever taken my breath away on first sight before. I don’t know how to handle it.
“Can I help you?” I force myself to sputter.
She looks at me, her eyes just as golden as her hair, though a little darker.
“Yes,” she says in a voice like a silver bell. “You’ve arrested my father and I want to know why.”
Chapter Three
Lilly
I didn’t expect the man who brought my father in to be this…attractive. His dark eyes gleamed under thick lashes. Even with his uniform on, I can tell he’s perfectly toned and sculpted. All of the Rangers are pretty good-looking. I think it’s a job requirement, yet this guy is on a totally different level. Unreal.
Unfortunately, his good looks don’t stop me from being irritated with the situation.
When he doesn’t say anything, I repeat myself. “Buck Martin is my father. Why did you arrest him?” My words seem to snap him out of his thoughts.
“We didn’t arrest your father.” He sounds annoyed, which in turn makes me annoyed.
“Then why is he here?” I demand.
“Because we think he might know something about a current case,” he says. “We will personally deliver him back to his place of residence as soon as we can. It will be much sooner if we have as little inconveniences as possible.”
He gives me a pointed look.
“You arrested my father and yet I’m the inconveniences? Are you kidding me?” I frown. “Who are you? I’ve never seen you here before. I want to talk to Luke or Max.”
“They’re not available.”
“Then I want to see my father,” I demand.
“He’s not available.”
“So, he has been arrested?” I ask.
“No. He just hasn’t answered our questions.”
“This is ridiculous,” I plead. “You’re singling him out because of his past. That’s totally unethical. Have you considered the fact that he’s a changed man?”
He blinks as if I’ve spoken another language.
“Of course, you haven’t.” I shake my head. “I’m taking my father home. Either arrest both of us or let me through.”
“You can’t go back there,” he chuckles. “And I’m not arresting you.”
I narrow my eyes at him. He’s quite a bit taller than I am, easily over six feet tall. He’s most definitely stronger than I am. But what is he going to do? Tackle me? He can’t keep my father here and he knows it.
“Just watch me.”
I move around the desk and head straight for the door that leads to the private area of the station. I have no idea where I’m going, but it’s not a big place. There are only so many places my father can be.
He steps in front of me, but doesn’t try to touch me. He’s smarter than he looks.
“Ma’am,” he says sternly. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you go back there. I will bring your father out personally when I can. Will you please have a seat?”
“No, I won’t Ranger…” I glance at his nameplate. “…Diggs. Tell me exactly why my father is here in the first place before I tell the Wagner sisters that you held me here against my will.”
He blinks in confusion. “What?”
The Wagner sisters are the most notorious gossips in town. If you want to know what’s happening in Rose Haven, you don’t read the paper. You go to the Wagner sisters. If I tell them about Officer Diggs’ unlawfully detaining anyone, the whole town will know by the end of the day tomorrow.
“They’ll tell everyone what you’re doing,” I say. “Do you even live here?”
The question seems to catch him off guard. I’m not sure why. It’s a relatively simple question.
“I moved around a lot,” he says. “But I’ve lived here at least half my life.”
“Then you’d know the Wagner sisters,” I point out.
“Well, obviously I don’t,” he says. “So, go ahead and tell them whatever it is you’re going to tell them about me, if that makes you feel better.”
“Oh, it will,” I scowl. “But not as much as taking my father home will. It’s not right to hold him and you know it. Where is your sense of honor?”
“Honor?” He laughs. “I have plenty of honor. That’s why I’m doing my best to make sure this town stays a safe place.”
“By holding my father against his will?” I counter.
Before he can answer, my father bursts through a door down t
he hallway and storms toward the front of the station.
“Mr. Martin!” Luke’s head pops out of what I assume is an interrogation room.
“Dad!” I cry. “Come on. I’m taking you home.”
“What took you so long?” He snaps at me. Anxiety flutters in my chest. I tell myself not to take it personally. He’s just angry with the Rangers.
“I came as soon as I realized where you were,” I say before looking at Officer Diggs. He’s watching me with a strange look I can’t decipher. “I’m taking him home now. If you ever pull something like this again, there will be consequences.”
My father is already halfway to my car. I hurry after him to unlock it.
“Why did they want to talk to you?” I ask my father once we’re on the road.
“They’re just trying to pin their cartel problems on me because it’s easy,” he grumbles. “God forbid they actually do their jobs.”
“It’s not right for them to single you out like that,” I frown. “I’m going to make a complaint to the Chief. No way would he allow that kind of behavior.”
“Thanks, angel.”
The pet name eases the knot in my gut.
Growing up, I hardly knew my dad. He came home every once in a while throughout my childhood. I never really knew him. Aside from the odd gifts he’d bring me, we never spent time together. All he did was fight with my mom for a few days, then she’d kick him back out.
Mom passed away two years ago. The first year after her death was the worst year of my life. Then, nearly a year to the very day she died, my father showed up. He wanted to fix things with me. He wanted to have a real father-daughter relationship. He told me all about the bad things he used to do and how he’s fought for years to sever all ties from his shady past.
It was the best thing to ever happen to me.
One year later, our relationship still isn’t perfect, but it’s better than nothing. There is no way I’m going to get a group of Rangers ruin that for me.
Chapter Four