by Calista Fox
Ginger didn’t want to think of the ordeal she’d experienced this evening, which had made her tardy, though thoughts of Ryan remained front and center in her mind.
“I’ll find them,” Ginger said as she wandered off, not wanting to take more of Ruby’s time because the restaurant was hopping.
She wove her way through the packed dining room, greeting people as she passed their tables, including the Bains. She wondered if they knew their nephew had returned, suspecting not, since he likely would have had dinner plans with them this evening and wouldn’t have previously been at the diner across the street from her boutique. The latter being a small miracle for which she was eternally grateful.
Reaching the back of the room, she quickly scanned it and spotted her friends at a round table that sat six. She instantly regretted not having invited Ryan to join them, even if it was just for a drink. But with a quick glance over her shoulder at his aunt and uncle, she knew she was walking a fine line with them and didn’t need to add more tension to the precarious situation.
“Hey, there you are,” Liza said as she pulled out the chair beside her and Ginger sank into it. “We were just about to call out the cavalry. You didn’t answer your cell, and the phone at your shop had a busy signal for about fifteen minutes. Jack and George were ready to storm your store.”
With a dismissive wave of her hand—and what she hoped was a nonchalant look on her face—Ginger said, “I had some business to take care of.”
“What happened to your elbow?” Jess asked, concern in her eyes.
“Just clumsy. No worries.” To Jack Wade and George Mills, she said, “Sorry to keep you guys waiting. It must’ve been torture. Tonight’s special smells fantastic.”
“We ordered the second we walked through the door,” George said, “but told Ruby to wait to serve us until you arrived. Wine?”
“Oh hell, yes,” she said, in need of something to help take the edge off from the incident in her shop as well as the frenzy Ryan sparked inside her.
George poured her a glass and handed it over. After a sip, she confided, “So I have to tell you who’s back in town.”
She absolutely could not keep that part of her evening a secret. As everyone awaited her news, she wiggled excitedly in her seat. Despite the obvious pitfalls of being so insanely attracted to Ryan, she couldn’t stymie the sinfully delicious sensations he so easily evoked.
Jess and Jack had perked up, since they were Wilder natives and curiosity obviously got the best of them. Liza wouldn’t know about someone who’d left years ago, given she was a newcomer. But she looked interested nevertheless. George, however, had been in town for over a decade, so he’d likely recognize the name she was about to drop. Particularly because Ryan had been a favorite in the newspaper following all of his sporting triumphs.
“Who did you see?” Jess prompted.
“Only the second best football player to hit a Wilder gridiron. Ever,” Ginger said in an enthusiastic tone. “Jack being the first, of course.”
As Jack gloated and Liza patted his hand, George said, “Well, that’d have to be Ryan Bain.”
“Indeed,” Ginger confirmed.
Liza’s gaze flashed to Ginger and she stared at her with a ghastly expression on her pretty, fashionably made-up face. “Why on earth would you be excited over having another Bain in Wilder?”
“Because he’s not like the other Bains in Wilder. And,” Ginger said as she leaned in close so she could lower her voice, “he’s freakin’ hot!”
“Ooohh,” Jess gushed as she rubbed her hands together. “Is that lust in your eyes, young lady?”
Ginger fanned herself with a hand as she gave them a Cheshire Cat grin. “Let’s just say, I wouldn’t be opposed to him ringing my bell.”
The men chortled. Liza frowned. “Uh, I think the reverend, and most certainly his wife, would have something to say about that.”
Ginger’s grin vanished. “Yeah, I figured that too. But it wasn’t enough to stop me from accepting a date with him.”
“That’s wonderful,” Jess said as she reached over and squeezed Ginger’s forearm.
“Just be careful there, darlin’,” Jack warned. “Hell hath no fury and all that…”
Stealing a glance at the Bains’ table, Ginger scowled. “She can’t tell me what to sell or to keep my nightgowns off the sidewalk. But I’m sure she’ll have something to say about my date with her nephew.” Turning back to the group, she asked, “You don’t think he’ll let her talk him out of it, do you?”
Jess cringed. “He has been away for some time with ministry studies. Who knows if she and Jonathan still hold sway over his decisions.”
“Ah,” she said as she lifted a finger pointedly. “Perhaps not. He said he’s chosen a different path. And he wasn’t the least bit offended by my shop.”
“Then I hope he turns out to be man enough to stand up to his family,” George added. “Because they’re not easy to handle.”
“Ginger did quite well with Her Royal Witchiness today,” Liza informed everyone. “Lydia wanted her lingerie off the street and Ginger stood up to her. That reminds me, Jack. The reverend might make a play to regulate what merchants can advertise on the sidewalks. Heads up, love.”
She gave him a playful look, which he returned with one of pure adoration that made Ginger envious. Though she was happy both Liza and Jess had solid relationships, it sparked her lonesomeness. And made her wonder if she’d ever experience the same love and respect—particularly without any turmoil.
As her thoughts returned to Ryan, Ruby arrived with a large tray and a folding stand. She expertly snapped open the stand with one hand and set the tray on it, then delivered the Pasta Bolognese to each place setting.
“‘Nother bottle of Chianti?” she asked. Much to most everyone’s relief, the alcohol restrictions in town had been lifted, with Jack’s help.
He nodded and said, “The perfect complement to one more of Mike’s mouthwatering creations.”
The rich, spicy aroma made Ginger’s stomach grumble. Ruby ambled off and everyone dug in, the conversation rapidly dying on the vine as they devoured dinner.
Ginger was still nervous about her upcoming date with Ryan, but her friends had encouraged her and so she tried to remain optimistic. Though the sideways glances she caught from Lydia out of the corner of her eye made her wonder if her wishful thinking was a wasted effort.
Was she just setting herself up for more grief and further complications in this town?
Chapter Two
Ryan delivered to Sheriff Johnson the plastic bag with what he hoped weren’t smudged fingerprints on the sack and can inside. He’d been vigilant in handling the evidence, but damn…Ginger Monroe had him all spun up.
In a million years, he’d never imagined the pint-sized blonde would mature into such a beautiful, spunky woman. She’d been pretty in school, no doubt about it. But so tiny and fragile, a big guy like himself had never considered she’d find him appealing in a romantic sense. Though, he had carried her books to class on numerous occasions when her arms were full.
He’d liked her back then, but now… She revved his engine in the most carnal way, what with her long, bouncy curls and big green eyes. Her face was delicately sculpted with high cheekbones and perfectly shaped, crimson-colored lips. And her body…
Ryan had never imagined himself with a petite woman, particularly given his six-foot-two-inch stature. Yet Ginger had a shapely figure that didn’t need sexy clothes to entice a man. As evidenced by the jerks who had accosted her.
As fury flashed through him at the danger she’d been in, he greeted the sheriff with a handshake after setting the bag on his desk.
“Welcome home, son,” Sheriff Johnson said. “I got your recommendation from the academy in Arizona. All your paperwork has arrived as well. The post-grad program you enrolled in took care of your medical and psych exams, your background check and polygraph and your drug and alcohol screenings. That cuts a lot of time out o
f the interviewing process.”
“Thanks for the opportunity to apply as a deputy, sir. From that first criminology class I took in college, I’ve had a burning desire to join the law enforcement field.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing firsthand what you have to offer.”
Ryan said, “I was very happy to finally see an opening in my hometown.”
“Miller Parks is retiring next month,” the sheriff told him. “I’ve got a few other applicants for his position, but they haven’t been to a police academy. Your credentials are impressive.”
“Thank you. I assure you I’m fully committed to this career.”
“Good to hear,” the sheriff said as he briefly clasped Ryan’s shoulder. “We’ll get to the interview tomorrow, as scheduled. In the meantime…” He eyed the paper bag. “What’d you bring me?”
Ryan had mulled over in his mind how not to implicate Ginger in what had happened this evening, but wasn’t wholly sure he could keep her out of it. Hopefully, he could treat her as more of a silent witness, and then if the sheriff’s department caught the culprits, he might be able to persuade her to press charges and get these guys off the street.
“Seems there was a scuffle in one of the downtown shops earlier. A robbery and an assault with the potential for an attempted rape.” He thought of what Ginger had said about the men wanting to take her with them and added, “Maybe even attempted kidnapping.”
The sheriff sank into his chair. “What’s this?” he asked with a furrowed brow. He was in his late forties with salt-and-pepper hair, but he’d kept himself in excellent physical condition. He’d been the sheriff as long as Ryan could remember.
“I’m not at liberty to divulge the victim’s name—at least, not until I can convince her to come forward on her own. But I was there and I have a solid description of one of the men, a partial of the other and this.” He inclined his head toward the bag. “The one I didn’t get a good look at left his beer at the scene. I think I’ve transported it appropriately. You should be able to get prints.”
Sheriff Johnson whistled under his breath. “Nice work, son. Now what exactly happened?”
Without mentioning he’d been at the diner—simply saying he’d walked in on what was clearly a bad situation—Ryan relayed the incidents as he’d experienced them while the sheriff filled out a report. When he was done, Ryan added, “The vic doesn’t want to be identified, as I mentioned, but I’m hoping you can recover her money and keep the perps from striking again.”
“If I locate them, I’ll need her to ID them in a lineup.”
Ryan nodded. “I think she’ll agree to that. It’s anonymous. I could pick them out too. I don’t want to obstruct justice in any way. I’ll do whatever I need to in order to help out.”
“Hmm,” the sheriff muttered. “Sounds like she’s not willing to press charges.”
“I won’t say that’s a definite. I just think she’s intimidated by my family.”
A dark brow jerked up. “The Bains do have a way of singling out those who go against the grain. No offense.”
“None taken.”
“You’re willing to help this person and keep her name from the papers when word gets out about a robbery? Because word always gets out in this town, son.”
“I don’t want her feeling pressured. She had a pretty tough night.” Ginger’s imploring look remained stamped on his brain. And he understood her plight and her concerns.
“Something about her that your aunt and uncle disapprove of, I assume.”
Ryan shrugged. “She wouldn’t be the first person they’ve disapproved of.”
The sheriff nodded his head. “Point taken. Well… Let me see what I can come up with, based on your descriptions and summation of the incident.” He stood and extended his hand to Ryan in parting. But then he drew it back and suggested, “Unless you’d care to observe this process as part of the interview.”
Ryan knew he had a written test and several hours at the shooting range ahead of him tomorrow, but he rose to the challenge of finding the two guys who’d robbed and attacked Ginger.
“I’d appreciate the opportunity, sir.”
They shook hands, and the sheriff said, “I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”
Pleased with the turn of events, Ryan left Sheriff Johnson’s office. Unfortunately, his optimism evaporated when he caught a glimpse of his aunt and uncle leaving Pietro’s and heading toward him.
They had no idea he’d rolled into town late this afternoon, and they certainly didn’t know why he was here. Or that he wasn’t intending to work with Jonathan at the church. The ministry was not his calling. Solving crimes and helping people like Ginger was.
Okay, protecting Ginger was now part of his mission. He couldn’t help it. She was a spitfire, but so pretty and dainty, he just wanted to tuck her against his body and shield her from everything and everyone. Including his sometimes overbearing relatives.
His aunt hurried toward him, her hands clasped together at her chest. When she reached Ryan, she held his face in her palms and said, “You are such a sight for sore eyes.” She then gave him a hug and added, “My goodness, look how tall and strong you’ve gotten.”
He hadn’t been back to Wilder in seven years, but the Bains had attended his college graduation. Though he officially held a degree in ministry, he’d minored in criminology, something they were unaware of, as the dean hadn’t announced it when he’d handed over Ryan’s diploma.
Giving both of them a smile, he said, “It’s so good to see you. Been much too long.” He shook his uncle’s hand and added, “I would have called to let you know I was coming, but the trip came up unexpectedly.”
Jonathan clasped his shoulder and said, “We’re so happy to have you back. Lydia will make up your room.”
With an inward cringe, he admitted, “I already booked a suite at Reese Middleton’s bed and breakfast. She said she could use the business when I contacted her.”
His aunt made a soft tsking noise. “Why on earth would you stay anywhere but home?”
“I didn’t want to impose,” he simply told her.
Ryan didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but he’d never really thought of their house as home. Especially not after he’d graduated high school and had moved to Arizona before his first semester had even started. The tension at the Bains’ residence had increased over the years and he’d been glad to escape the overly strict and often pious environment.
That did not mean he didn’t love his relatives and appreciate them taking him in when he was seventeen, after his parents had died in a car crash outside Austin. But he didn’t wholly subscribe to all their beliefs.
“Well,” his uncle said, “you know you’re certainly welcome to stay with us. Anytime.”
“Thank you.”
“What brings you to town?” his aunt asked, still visibly prickled by what she clearly considered a personal slight. She was probably worried people would gossip about him not wanting to stay with his own family.
Ryan’s shoulders bunched, not just at the fact his aunt obsessed over what everyone thought of her, but her question put him on edge too. He’d have to break the news to them eventually, so he said, “Job interview.”
Under the glow of the lampposts, he saw his aunt’s confused look. “But there aren’t any current openings at the church.”
“No,” Ryan said. “But there is an opening with the sheriff’s office.”
Lydia’s jaw dropped. Jonathan took a step back and regarded him quizzically. He said, “I don’t understand. Why would you apply for a deputy position?”
Ryan told them, “I completed the police academy in Phoenix and then went on ride-alongs and took EMT classes while working for the court. Law enforcement is where my interest lies.”
“But your religious studies,” Lydia mumbled, obviously still taken aback. “What about your degree and your desire to become a minister?”
“It morphed into something else,” was the
best Ryan could say. Not that he discounted his initial inclination by any means, but he’d begun to realize church work wasn’t his calling after his first year in college. That was when he’d shifted a portion of his focus.
“Well, this doesn’t make any sense at all,” his aunt murmured with a disapproving frown.
His uncle, however, said, “Now, Lydia, it’s the boy’s choice to make. Not ours.” To Ryan, he added, “If this is what you want, then of course we support it and wish you luck with the interview.”
“Thank you. I could learn a lot from Sheriff Johnson and his two deputies, before Miller Parks retires, that is.”
“We’re happy to have you back home,” his uncle assured him. “Let’s get together and catch up soon. How’s Sunday evening at our house?”
“Sorry,” he said, feeling a tad guilty he didn’t have time for them on his immediate calendar. “I’ve already made plans with Ginger Monroe.”
“Ginger!” Lydia’s voice spiked an octave or two. “Ryan Bain,” she said in her authoritative and chastising tone, as though he were seventeen years old again and had left his underwear in the bathroom. “That woman sells the most deplorable clothing and she is completely inappropriate. I absolutely cannot abide—”
“Now, Lydia,” Jonathan interjected once again as he took her by the arm, as though prepared to drag her off before she continued her rant. “Ryan is an adult and Ginger is a very lovely woman. It’s not our place to say who he can or cannot spend his time with.” In a level, reasonable tone, he suggested, “Let’s try Monday.”
“Monday would be fine,” Ryan agreed, somewhat amused by the exchange, but also partially disturbed by it. Ginger had been right about how his aunt treated her and it made him damn glad he hadn’t divulged her identity as tonight’s victim to the sheriff. The poor girl didn’t deserve another hassle this evening.
“We’ll see you at six,” his uncle said. “Come along, Lydia.”
They continued on their way as Ryan watched them go. The tension in Wilder hadn’t eased since he’d left. In fact, it seemed to have gotten worse. He’d have to probe Ginger and find out what the hell was going on in this town.