Heart of Rockies 03 - More Than a Feeling

by Sara Richardson

  So yes, maybe it was his fault. Maybe he’d trapped her into his vision for the future, thinking she would change, that her biological clock would start ticking. Wasn’t that a real thing? He’d thought it—

  A loud knock interrupted his thoughts. Sawyer rolled over again and glanced at the clock: 6:00 a.m.? Who the hell could be standing on his doorstep before the sun was even up?

  The knock turned into a pounding that lurched his heart into reaction mode. Sawyer jumped out of bed and pulled on the rumpled pants and shirt he’d had on the day before, then shoved his feet into his tennis shoes. He jogged out of the bedroom and across the small kitchen and living room. By the time he reached the door, he was out of breath.

  Bryce stood on the porch. “Hey.” His face was grim. “There’s been another incident.”

  Sawyer blinked the sleep-induced fog out of his eyes. “Incident?”

  “A thousand dollars is missing from my office,” Bryce said, his jaw tight. “I was there until three o’clock in the morning working on some bookkeeping. So it had to be sometime between three and now.”

  Sawyer stepped out onto the porch and resisted the urge to shake his head. How many times had he told his cousin to install a surveillance system? “Sure wish you would’ve taken my recommendations,” he said, giving in to the temptation to be the asshole who says I told you so.

  But Bryce took it in stride, simply shrugging like what the hell do you want from me? “It’s a family ranch. We’ve never needed security cameras.”

  Even though he was in the mood to argue, Sawyer silently stepped back inside, pulled on a fleece, and followed his cousin down the porch steps.

  “I wouldn’t be worried if things hadn’t been disappearing,” Bryce said, keeping a brisk pace. “I don’t keep the cleanest office in the world.”

  “You’re not stupid with your money, either.” Bryce counted every cent, made sure the books weren’t even a nickel off. It was a trait they’d both inherited from their moms. “Someone’s stealing from you.” He wanted Bryce to acknowledge it this time.

  “Yeah. I should’ve realized it before.” His cousin led the way across the ranch’s massive front deck until they reached the office.

  They stepped inside and Sawyer glanced around the main room. Nothing was broken. “How’d they get in?”

  “No idea,” Bryce said, jiggling the doorknob. “It’s always locked up.”

  Locks didn’t mean much when you trusted everyone’s mother and their dog with a key. “Who has access?” He did his best not to sound impatient. It wasn’t Bryce’s fault he was so trusting. Elsie had raised him that way—to always see the best in people, and he hadn’t been jaded by years of police work.

  “Employees only,” Bryce said, as if that meant something. “Most of them have a master key.”

  Don’t roll your eyes. Later he would suggest that Bryce put a different lock on the office and not give anyone the key. Instead of launching into a lecture, he walked to the check-in counter, noting that nothing else was out of place. It was like someone knew Bryce kept the money in his office. Someone knew exactly when they could take it without anyone seeing. “How many employees are around between three and six o’clock in the morning?” He moved to the doorway that led into Bryce’s office.

  His cousin didn’t answer, so Sawyer turned to face him.

  “You know I need names,” he said in his official-police-business tone, because now they were dealing with a repeat offender and the stakes were getting higher. A couple hundred dollars and a missing bracelet were minor offenses. But the suspect had gotten away with it, and now they were after more. “If we don’t catch this son of a bitch, they’ll keep stealing from you. You can’t afford to keep losing money.”

  Bryce heaved out a sigh. “Ruby is usually the only one. She sometimes comes in between four and five.” He raised a hand as if to slow Sawyer’s thought process. “But any of the maintenance guys could’ve been here. A guide, maybe.”

  Not likely. Sawyer knew the maintenance guys, and none of them ever got up before ten, though he’d love to blame one of them. It was easier than considering the alternative. He did another sweep around the room, taking time to inspect the desk. “I could call in CSI. Have them dust for fingerprints.”

  “You promised we’d keep this quiet,” Bryce reminded him. “I don’t even want Avery to know about this. She’s already worried enough, being a new mom. This would freak her out.”

  Pretty much the answer he’d expected. “Fine. Show me where the money was.”

  Bryce led him back to the desk. He opened a drawer and held up a brown zipper pouch. “I keep it in this and put it in my desk until we make the deposit.”

  Sawyer shot him a look. “That’s some high-tech security you’ve got there. A real fortress.”

  His cousin tossed the empty envelope down onto the desk. “We’ve never had to worry about it before.”

  “But you admit it’s a problem now. Maybe a security system would be a good idea.”

  Bryce shrugged off the idea like he always did. “I’ll try to work it into the budget.”

  Leaving the desk behind, Sawyer bent to examine the door handle on Bryce’s office. “Someone definitely had a key.” There were no scratches on the metal that would indicate a picked lock.

  He straightened and looked around again. “You sure nothing else was touched?”

  “Not that I can see,” Bryce said, pulling open drawers. “Laptop’s still here. Credit cards are here. It’s like someone just wanted the cash.”

  Because cash could never be traced and whoever took it knew that. They didn’t have to sell anything and risk someone else ratting them out. They knew they’d get away with it.

  Damn. Sawyer strode back into the lobby, noting the baked goods cases were full of fresh donuts and croissants. “Ruby was in here,” he said, nodding toward the food. “She fills the cases every morning.”

  “What’re you gonna do?” Bryce asked like he dreaded the answer.

  “What I have to do,” he replied, already opening the door.

  “You’re gonna talk to Ruby?”

  He stopped. “Do I have a choice?” The thought of confronting her like this made his stomach twist, but there were no other leads. No one else was around.

  “I hope she didn’t do it,” Bryce said, following him across the porch. “Mom would be crushed.”

  “I hope not, too,” he admitted.

  But he had to be open to any possibility.

  * * *

  Humming. She was actually humming. Ruby whipped the batter for the individual carrot cakes she was making for that evening’s dessert. A smile snuck onto her lips. She’d never meant to kiss Sawyer, but the warmth of it still bubbled up and made her smile like a silly girl. Yes, she knew she couldn’t indulge again, but somehow that one kiss was tempting her to defy logic. God, it’d been so long since she shared a kiss with anyone. Let alone someone as debonair as Sawyer. Okay, that would be never. She could still feel the soft stroke of his fingers against her skin…

  The kitchen door pounded open. Sawyer and Bryce marched in. And there went her smile again, as if by simply seeing him, her body decided she was happy. How could she not be when he looked like that, all rumpled and sleepy with his untamed dark hair and the stubble across his jaw? “Um…hi there,” she said, going for casual, but instead her voice sounded as light and airy as her body felt. Was she already blushing?

  Sawyer wouldn’t look her in the eyes. And maybe he didn’t look sleepy…maybe he looked…grumpy?

  Was he mad about the kiss? He hadn’t seemed to be at the time, but a whole night had passed since then…

  “Ruby.” He looked over, his gaze focused above her head like he wanted to avoid her eyes. “We have to ask you some questions.”

  Glancing between his solemn expression and Bryce’s, she set down the mixing bowl. “Okay.” She drew the word out into her own question. Was it about the dog?

  Sawyer crossed his arms, mak
ing them bulge. “What time did you get here this morning?”

  The rush of heat that’d made her blush spread down her neck. “The same time I always do. Just before five. Why?”

  He shared a look with Bryce. “You see anyone else around?”

  The pulse point in her neck throbbed. Something bad had happened. “No,” she croaked. “It was just me.” But she couldn’t be sure of that. She’d been distracted all morning, humming and thinking about that man right there. Who now looked at her with an accusation in his eyes.

  “There was no one else?” he asked again. Slowly this time. Like he wanted her to really think about it. “No cars? You didn’t hear a strange noise?”

  She tried to think, tried to flash through the scenes of that morning, but the growing pulse of panic blurred the images. What had happened? Had someone been hurt? Murdered? A cold prickle across her forehead made it feel like the blood was draining from her face.

  Had Derek found her?

  “I didn’t see anyone,” wisped out of her mouth on a breath of fear. She leaned against the counter to support her weak legs. “Why? What’s wrong? What happened?”

  Sawyer and Bryce shared another coded look, seeming to fight over who would tell her.

  “Sawyer, what’s going on?” she demanded, because her mind was entertaining only the worst possible scenarios.

  “Someone broke into the office and stole some cash,” he finally said. “Bryce locked up at three this morning and when he got back at six, the money was gone.”

  “Oh, no,” she uttered, doing her best not to sound relieved. But no one was hurt. No one was being stalked. “How much did they take?”

  “A thousand dollars,” Bryce said.

  Sawyer stepped close to her, his eyes seeming to analyze her face. “But not many people have been around. And whoever it was had a key.”

  “Oh.” The word came out like a punch. It made her stomach hurt the way he was looking at her, talking to her. “You think I took it.” Humiliation crowded out the infatuation that had inflated her heart. Now it felt cold and flat.

  “I don’t think anything yet,” he lied. She could see the lie in those cold steel eyes. He suspected her. He thought she’d stolen money from the Walkers.

  Tears rose up, blurring his face, blurring everything, the happy, warm glow of the kitchen, the mixing bowl on the island in front of her.

  Sawyer’s rigid jaw went soft. “We only wanted to know if you’ve seen anything suspicious,” he said gently.

  “I had nothing to do with this.” Disregarding him with a shake of her head, she turned to Bryce. Because, really, who the hell cared what Sawyer thought, anyway. She sure didn’t. Not anymore. “You have to believe me, Bryce. I’d never steal from you. After everything you guys have done for me—”

  “Of course you didn’t,” Bryce said, shooting Sawyer a look that clearly said back off. “We only came to ask if you’d seen anyone else around.”

  “Sorry.” Inhaling to dry the tears in her eyes, she lifted the mixing bowl back into her hands and started to whisk again, working out the sudden onslaught of anger that flexed her hands. “I wish I could help.” Batter splattered onto the counter, but she kept stirring, hard enough that her wrist ached.

  “Okay, then.” Bryce said after a hollow silence. “I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t mention anything to Avery. She’s already sleep deprived with the baby and everything.”

  “Of course,” she replied without looking up. Now the anger had ballooned into righteous indignation.

  How could they even ask her if she’d stolen money? She’d worked her ass off to thank them for giving her this opportunity. Did Sawyer think she was stupid? That she’d ruin her chance at the ranch—her chance at a new life—for a thousand dollars?

  “Guess I should head out,” Bryce called, cruising to the door like he couldn’t get out of there fast enough. “Let us know if you see anything suspicious.”

  Her silent nod sent him out the door, but Sawyer hung around across from her, as if by standing there, he’d get her attention.

  Ha. Well. She’d learned how to ignore bothersome men when she’d been a waitress, so he could stand there all day, and she’d still make sure she saw right through him. To prove she could, she glanced up, but the second her gaze rested on his face, her heart twirled in happy circles. Okay. Apparently her traitorous body was having a hard time letting that kiss go. Steeling her shoulders, she bent her head to inspect the batter, which was likely now over-whipped. Just like her heart.

  Ruby turned and walked to the other counter. She simply wouldn’t look at him. She had to focus, anyway. And he was so not worth—

  Sawyer swooped in and stole the bowl from her hands, setting it on the counter out of her reach. “I didn’t mean to imply anything.”

  The hell he didn’t. She shook her head instead of speaking because they both knew that was exactly what he’d meant. That was why he’d asked her to go hiking yesterday. That was why he’d taken a sudden interest in her. He didn’t trust her.

  “Come on, Ruby.” He slipped in front of her and stood too close. “What’d you expect? I don’t know anything about you. You won’t share anything with me. About who you are. About your past. Then you kiss me—”

  “That was a mistake.” Obviously. She stalked to the other side of the island and retrieved her bowl. “But don’t worry, Sawyer. I don’t make the same mistake twice.” Not anymore. She’d stay away from him now that she knew where he stood.

  “Don’t be like that. I never said I minded the kiss.” He walked over and nudged her shoulder. “This is my job, Ruby. I have to ask the tough questions.”

  But he hadn’t asked anyone else questions. Just her. Her chest pulled so tight she couldn’t breathe. “And I answered your questions. So you can go now.” She braced for an argument, but he simply nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets.

  Then he turned around and left.

  Chapter Ten

  The towering stack of stainless-steel mixing bowls and cups teetered precariously on the counter next to the sink. Eyeing it, Ruby finished scouring the fourth muffin tin in a row and shut off the water. Her fingers stung—nearly raw from all the scrubbing, but at least the anger that had singed her skin didn’t burn anymore.

  “Oh, my!” Elsie walked in and gawked at the leaning tower of baking equipment.

  “Yeah. Don’t worry. I’ll put it all back.” Ruby wiped her hands on her apron and squirted some lotion onto her skin, rubbing it in until the cracks in her fingers stung. “Thought I should do some spring cleaning.” So she’d scrubbed every single bowl and measuring utensil in the entire kitchen. And now that her hands weren’t busy, the whole scene with Sawyer replayed again.

  Had she imagined it? Or had he really accused her of stealing from the Walkers?

  “Is something the matter?” Elsie asked, watching her closely.

  “Oh…no.” She bent to retrieve a towel from the drawer so she could dry everything and put it away. And stay busy.

  “Does this have anything to do with what happened this morning?” Elsie dug out another towel and started drying alongside Ruby. “With Sawyer?”

  “How did you—”

  “Sawyer told me all about it,” Elsie said, slipping the largest bowl back into the cupboard. “He asked me to check on you. To make sure you were all right.”

  Of course she wasn’t all right. He must’ve seen the tears in her eyes when he came in and accused her. Was he too afraid to come and check on her himself? “I had nothing to do with it, Elsie. I swear.” This woman had changed her life by taking a chance on her, and it would kill her if Elsie thought she didn’t appreciate it. Tears pricked Ruby’s eyes again, hot and infuriating.

  “Well, of course you had nothing to do with it, dear. I’m sure they didn’t mean to imply any different,” the woman said, smoothing a comforting hand down her arm. “Sometimes Sawyer is a bit harsh, being a policeman and all. That’s what it was. He takes his job
very seriously.” Looking concerned at the way Ruby’s tears were now slipping, Elsie took her towel away and dropped it in a heap on the counter.

  “There, now. Not to worry. I know you’d never do something like that, and so does Bryce. You sit, dear. I’ll make you some tea. We can put away the dishes later.” Elsie bustled away from her, humming while she filled up the teakettle and set it on the stove.

  The reassurance should’ve salved the wide, gaping crack in her heart, but it still hurt. She shouldn’t care what Sawyer thought about her. He was leaving in a month. So why did his suspicion bother her so much? Elsie might believe he’d questioned her solely because of his role as a police officer, but she’d seen something else in him. It was almost like he was looking for a reason not to trust her.

  And what had she done to deserve that?

  “Here now.” The woman set a delicate china teacup in front of her. The soothing scent of lavender curled off the top. Sighing deeply, Elsie sat across from her. “Why do you think Sawyer suspects you?”

  Wasn’t it obvious? “Because I don’t like to talk about my past.” No one else seemed to hold that against her. When she’d first met Elsie, Ruby told her that she’d just gotten out of a bad relationship and needed a job. That’s all. Though something in the woman had seemed to sense Ruby also needed protection, they’d never talked about it. But even without knowing anything about her, Elsie had never treated her like a criminal. “Sawyer doesn’t trust me.” For some reason, that was the hardest part. She knew she hadn’t spilled her guts to the man, but couldn’t he see that she was a decent person? That she would never intentionally hurt anyone?

  “It’s not just you, dear. Sawyer has a hard time trusting anyone right now.” The soft gleam in her eyes spoke of an endless ocean of patience. “Betrayal works its way into you and alters the way you see everyone. You can’t take it personally.”

  So what was she supposed to do? Tell him everything? Risk her whole future so that Sawyer would trust her? He was a cop. And she was living under a false identity. Ruby lifted the mug to her lips, inhaling the steam, sipping the warm, honey-sweetened tea. “I don’t even want to remember my past, let alone talk about it.” Especially with anyone at the Walker Mountain Ranch. The less they knew, the safer they would all be. The safer she would be. Maybe after more time had passed, after she was sure Derek had stopped looking for her, she’d tell him everything. But not right now.