by Aliyah Burke
“I’m sorry.”
He looked at her as he started the truck. “There isn’t anything for you to apologize for, darlin’.”
“Really?” She snorted with disbelief. “My mother flashed and propositioned you. I’d say there’s something to apologize for.”
“Your mother means nothing to me. My concern is for you.”
She sighed, wrung her fingers, and closed her eyes as he got them on the road. I’m done with her. Firmly shutting the door on that. It still bothered her that someone would go after her grandmother’s grave. Lavina had been nothing but nice to all who crossed her path. The woman didn’t have a mean thing to say about anyone. Ever. To have that happen… Laciee’s stomach churned with unease, and she wished she were back in her apartment in New York City where Branchwater was only a distant thought.
* * * *
“Who the fuck is in charge in this damn town?”
Judd rocked back on the heels of his boots before he readjusted his stance and leaned on the top rail of the corral. “Supposed to be the sheriff but from all I’ve seen the bastard is useless.”
Cian rested next to him. “Want me to scope it out a bit?”
“No, I’m going to focus on this shit. I need you and your dogs out there to watch my cattle and find the fuck who’s poisoning them.”
“I’m capable of doing more than one thing at a time.” He gave a low chuckle. “It’s why the ladies love me. That and my adorable Irish accent,” he said, deepening his brogue.
“You keep that shit away from my woman.”
“Worried she’s gonna want a real man?”
“She has one. I just want you away from her.”
“Shit, you know I don’t poach. So, tell me more about what was at the hotel when you saw it.”
As the moon rose in the sky, Judd filled in his brother, who did most of his work for the Department of Natural Resource, like a wildlife officer and a detective all rolled into one. He wasn’t quite positive what his brother did, but the man carried a gun, had permission to use it anywhere, and traveled with his dogs to stop poachers and rogue animals. He would go anywhere. Borders didn’t stop him, and for some reason, whatever credentials he carried always allowed him to get out of any situation.
Back in the house, Judd headed off in the direction of his bedroom and walked in silently. Removing his boots, he stared at the bed and subsequently the woman sleeping in it. She’d been remarkably quiet on the way back from her mother’s. Not that he blamed her; it had to be hard dealing with a mother like that. Not to mention the rest of what the day had thrown in her direction.
Naked, he walked to the bed and crawled in beside her. She rolled over to him and snuggled up close. Judd held her and pressed his lips to her temple as he closed his eyes.
I’ll keep you safe, Laciee, even if you don’t think you deserve a protector.
He was alone in the bed when he woke a few hours later. Sitting up, he waited for his eyes to adjust and scanned the room for her. Empty. He rolled his eyes and climbed from bed. Not sure why she persists in going back to the bedroom upstairs. Judd drew on a pair of sweats and cracked his neck as he went to the door.
One light on in his kitchen alerted him to the fact that Rosa had already arrived. He stuck his head in and waited for his housekeeper to acknowledge him. She rolled out biscuit dough.
“Some reason you’re standing in my kitchen looking at me like I don’t belong here?”
“You know this is my kitchen, right?”
She sniffed. “So I let you think.” She paused and looked up at him. “What’s wrong?”
“Move her things down to my room today. She’s trying to insist she’s still up there and there’s no reason for you to clean an extra room.”
She narrowed her gaze. “You going to do right by her?”
“Yes.” He stepped closer. “What do you know about her and this town?”
“You asking because of what happened yesterday or because you care?”
“Both.”
“A few people in this town hate her. Mrs. Beaumonde and Mrs. Raines are among those. Lola was a woman who found pleasure where she wanted it, no matter the status of the man. So, she made a lot of enemies.” She tackled the dough once more. “There’s a lot of bad blood between the families. If she wants to go, Judd, you need to let her.”
“She’s here until Karis returns.” He heard the defiance in his own tone.
“Sometimes demons are too strong for us to even uphold the word we give.”
He knew there was something this woman wasn’t telling him, but he had no desire to push it at the moment. Right now, he had this need to locate Laciee. Taking the back stairs, he paused in the doorway to the room she was in. He blinked. She was supposed to be in.
She wasn’t there.
He checked the bathroom and went back down to speak with Rosa. “Have you seen her?”
“She left a while ago. Said she was going to the barn to help the hands out.”
“You didn’t think to say anything about that?”
She glared at him. “I’m not her keeper. I’m a housekeeper.”
“You’re a pain in my ass, Rosa.” He left the kitchen and headed for his bedroom.
“Just remember who’s making your food,” she called out after him.
He grunted and dressed swiftly. Swiping his hat from the hook, he set out to the barn. The lights were on and as he entered he nodded at the stable hands he spotted. They pointed toward the back at his look. She was in there cleaning the tack.
“You know, I understand the draw of being here, I loved it when I was growing up. At least the openness. But there are times, like now, when I would really love to be able to just be one of the million faces.”
“You want to talk about it?”
She lifted her head from the saddle she was running a rag over. “Always with the talking. You don’t talk much, why do you want me to talk?”
He sank to a hay bale and stretched out his legs. Her eyes had large bags beneath them, and her face still bore the evidence of strain. “I think you could use it.”
“No thanks.” She returned her attention back to the saddle and worked the rag along the saddle horn.
“Come back to the house. Rosa will have breakfast ready soon.”
“I’ll be along as soon as I finish this saddle.”
Judd rose and made his way to her side. Crouching on his haunches, he rested his hand along her cheek. He waited until she met his gaze then he skimmed his thumb along her skin, rose, and left her there.
Cian met him on his way out of the barn. The man looked ready for a raid. “How is she?”
“How do you know she’s there?” Judd asked.
“Saw her enter an hour ago. Debated on coming to the house and offering to show you how to make her too tired to leave the bed.”
Judd sliced his gaze to the left. “Don’t make me kill you.”
Cian’s smile came easy. “I was just coming to tell you that I’m heading out to the north property. We’ll set up there.”
Judd angled his head to take in the buckskin gelding tied to a post and the four dogs who lay awaiting their next orders. “Be careful.”
“You do care,” he said with a chuckle.
“Not really, I just don’t want to have to tell your mother.”
Cian smacked him on the shoulder and ambled to the horse, where he swung up with ease. As one the dogs rose, muscles quivering in the light from the barn, anxious to get on with their job. Cian tipped his hat. “See you.”
Judd gave him a nod and watched him ride out. Two dogs on each side, keeping an even pace with the horse. The darkness swallowed them up in no time, and Judd continued on to the house. True to her word, Laciee arrived later and joined him for breakfast.
Later that morning, he left her and Jolene there when he went to begin his day after a strong kiss to the woman who had changed the game for him. Seated on Kilburn, he spent the day in the saddle, bringing in mo
re steers to be sold.
The day had already segued into darkness by the time he was allowed to relax. Tired and dirty, he walked into the house, finding it silent but smelling delicious. After a swift shower, he made his way to the kitchen.
Laciee stood in the room, back to him, one arm around her stomach as she chatted on the phone. “I promise,” she was saying. “I’m okay. I’ll call you tomorrow. Thanks, Vic. I know, I love you too.”
He stepped closer, cleared his throat, and asked, “Who’s Vic?”
She whirled around at his question, shock all over her features. Laciee put her hands on her hips and shook her head. “You scared me. When did you get back in?”
He stalked toward her. “Vic?” Judd was aware his voice sounded deep and dangerous.
“My best friend.”
“Where is he?”
She narrowed her gaze. “Who?”
“Vic?”
Laciee pinched the bridge of her nose and grunted. “Vic is a she. Short for Verona Carracci. Her middle name is Irene so I call her Vic.”
He gathered her in his arms and brushed his lips over her forehead. “How are you feeling?”
“That’s a loaded question. I just wish Karis would come back so I could go home.”
He set her from him. “Is that what you truly want?”
“Yes.”
Her response fell from her lips so swiftly it was as if she’d plunged a dagger into his heart. “I see.” He walked around her and opened the oven door, pulling out the plate Rosa had placed there.
His hand trembled as he carried it to the table where he set it down with thump and a curse. How could she not see how right they were for each other? How come it hurt so much to know she still wanted to leave as fast as she could? Were he smart, he would forget all about her and go back to focusing on his ranch.
I must be stupid then because all I want to do is show her that here is where she belongs.
Chapter Thirteen
Laciee nodded absently at something Jolene said even as she stared out the window, hoping for a glance of Judd. He’d been distant for the past few days. She wanted to chalk it up to how busy things were on the ranch, but she wasn’t entirely positive that was the only reason. Her time here had nearly come to an end, and she wanted to spend as much as she could with him.
“I’m done,” Jolene said.
“Let’s get you home then.”
“You don’t have to drive me,” Jolene stated, putting her items in the bag.
“Nonsense. You said you had to get to the store, and I see no reason not to take you. I can always swing by the diner and have a piece of Marley’s pie.”
“If you’re sure it’s no bother then, thank you. Bye, Mrs. Sanchez,” the girl called.
“You two be good.” Rosa peered into the room and shot them both a look.
Laciee smiled. “Always, Rosa. Do you need me to bring you anything?”
“No, I’m fine. Thank you.”
Gesturing Jolene to the front door, Laciee opened it for her. “Now, any acceptance letter will come here and Judd has already said he would bring it to you when it did.”
“He’s such a nice man. When I first met him I was scared.”
“He is a bit growly at times,” she said. But she couldn’t say there was another man whose heart was as golden as his.
“He’s one of a kind.”
Jolene didn’t even begin to know how true her words were. Outside, Laciee squinted against the sun in hopes of spying him. Her plan fell flat and soon they were at her rental. She climbed in as Jolene did the same on the other side.
“Going somewhere?”
His deep voice reached out and stroked her in places only he had the power to do. She whimpered slightly and bit the inside of her lower lip. “Taking Jolene to the store for her job.” Laciee looked to her left and her heart pitter-patted over the man standing there. Kilburn was behind him, ears swiveled forward as he looked at them as well.
“Coming back?”
She held his gaze. “I’d planned on it. Want to meet me for a drink at Denim & Spurs?” She grinned. “Non-alcoholic for me.”
His intense stare heated her from the soles of her feet up to the roots of her hair. “Six?”
She nodded. “Sounds good.”
Emotions swarmed in his gaze, and it bothered her to no end she couldn’t figure them out. “Ms. Jolene,” he said with a nod and a brief tug on his hat’s brim. He stepped back and Laciee just reacted.
She scrambled out of the car and caught his shirt. He paused and arched a brow. Without giving him any time to think, she pushed up on her toes and planted her lips to his.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Back in the car, she turned the key, starting the rental. “You okay?” she asked Jolene.
“Nervous. What if no college wants me?”
“Waiting always is the hardest part. Be positive. It will come. It may not be your first choice, but offers will come.”
Jolene sighed. “I wish you’d be around so I could let you know.”
Laciee smiled as she slowed for the cattle guard before turning onto the road. “Karis can always reach me.”
“Thank you for helping me.”
“No problem. College may not be for everyone, but if one wishes to go, I’m all for helping.”
Jolene tucked some blonde hair behind her ear. “I still appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.” They talked about what Jolene would want to do in school for the rest of the ride in. Once they hit town, Laciee parked her car in the side lot near the main drag. “Good luck, Jolene.”
They parted ways, and Laciee walked to Marley’s Diner. Drawing open the door, Laciee smiled at the woman who waved as she took someone’s order.
“Grab a seat, doll, I’ll be right with you.”
“Thanks, Marley.” Laciee cast a look around the diner, taking note of the faces that were there. Then she settled on a seat toward the back where she could have the wall behind her and no one would be able to come up and surprise her.
Marley showed up moments later. “What can I get you?”
“I’m craving some of your chocolate crème pie, please. And a large coffee.”
“Coming right up.” Marley turned away only to spin back and place her pencil in her apron. “You doing okay, hon? I heard about what happened to Lavina’s resting place.”
Of course you did. Everyone knows yet no one will speak about who did it. She forced a nod. “I will be. Just another sign I need to be leaving.”
“When’s Karis coming back?”
“Two more days.”
Marley pursed her lips. “I’ll be back with your order.”
Laciee ignored the looks people sent her. Thankfully no one came up to speak. Well, not until the sheriff walked in. He spied her and beelined it directly to her table, sliding his body onto the other seat.
“Why don’t you join me?” she muttered sarcastically.
“You could have come to me,” he snapped.
She lifted her brow. “I’m sorry? Come to you? For what?”
“I know you don’t think I do my job, but I would not have let Miles get away with that. There was no need to assault him.”
“What? Miles, Miles who?”
Marley served her food and said, “Can I get you something, Sheriff?”
She ate some bites as the man thought about what he wanted. As usual the pie slid down her throat in the most spectacular of fashions. Had she not had the company across from her it would have been even better, but no matter who was there, she couldn’t deny how good Marley’s pie was.
“Hotner,” the sheriff said to Laciee before turning to Marley. “Coffee,” he said. “And some pie. Same as Laciee.”
“Coming right up.” Marley left.
“I think you need to explain yourself, Sheriff. I haven’t assaulted Miles Hotner. Hell, I’ve not even seen him since I’ve been here. Why do you think I assaulted him?” Dread filled he
r gut as she thought of who may have.
“He said you did.”
“Seriously? You’re taking his word that I went and assaulted him, but you can’t find anyone who saw who desecrated my grandmother’s grave, despite the entire town knowing about it? When did I do this?”
“He claims you went after him when he refused to sell you dirt.”
Suddenly, she understood as her fear solidified. Judd had gone to Miles for the dirt he’d brought for the grave. She ate a forkful of pie. “That’s right, I forgot. I did. I was so out of it because of what happened, I forgot. And why would I have come to you?”
“I would have helped convince him to sell you the dirt. I know you don’t think so but I do care about you.”
Marley returned with his food, her blue eyes flickering between them both. Laciee didn’t even pretend all was okay between the two of them. She continued to glare at the man who did a piss poor job of holding up the law around here. Marley cleared her throat and crossed her arms.
“Anything else?”
“We’re good, Marley.” Sheriff Bolton poured some fresh cream in his coffee and stirred it.
Marley glanced at her and Laciee gave her a small nod. Only then did Marley leave. Laciee placed her fork on the plate and picked up her coffee, sipping slowly.
“Plan on explaining yourself?” she asked.
“You heard me fine, Laciee. And I know you well know the meaning. I’m a good sheriff, better to those I like.”
“That’s what I thought.” She pushed to her feet. “You’ve mistaken me for my mother. I’m no whore and I’ll never spread my legs for you, not for any sort of favor. Nor will I get down on my knees for you. You’re a disgrace to the uniform and a bastard of a man.” She tossed her coffee in his face, not caring how hot it was then walked off ignoring his yells of pain.
“On the house, sweetie,” Marley said as she moved toward the whining man.
“Thanks, Marley.”
Laciee meandered around the streets for a while until she decided to head to Denim & Spurs. She checked her phone and saw she’d missed a call from Judd. She pulled up the message and listened to it.