“That’s right, Miss Janie,” Andy agreed. “You listen to her, son. She’ll set you straight.”
“Yes, sir,” Tim said with a laugh as Janie plunked a hat on his head.
After twenty minutes of trying out hat after hat, Janie settled on brown one—the tag said it was a “Stetson Wool Sturgis”—which she said made him look sexy. Tim wasn’t so sure of that, but he was willing to defer to her superior experience on the subject, trusting that she wouldn’t want to be seen with a dork in a hat any more than he wanted to be one. Plus, she was able to talk Andy down almost half, making the dent in his paycheck that much easier to accept. Andy told him the agreed upon price was even less than what he would pay for the same hat at a Cabela’s.
⋘⋆⋙
Mitzi was about to hop into her truck and head over to the fairgrounds when her cell phone rang. Glancing at the screen, she checked the caller ID.
“Hey, Mack!” she said with a grin. It was always good to hear from her friend.
“Hey, Mitzi. Thought I’d check in about that favor,” he said without preamble. Mack’s voice lacked some of his usual cheerfulness, and Mitzi stopped what she was doing to pay full attention.
“Oh?”
“Yeah. I checked under every rock I could think of, and from what I could learn, it sounds like Angelisa Salgado is out of town.”
Mitzi frowned. “By your tone, sounds like that doesn’t happen a lot.”
“Well, Angelisa is a very elusive character. She went to ground fourteen years ago right before her court-martial. To my knowledge, no cop has seen even a recent picture of her, much less recognized her on the streets. But word does get around. The chatter changes when someone does something out of the ordinary. A friend of mine has a confidential informant who told him she was putting a crew together for an extended trip. The CI didn’t know any more than that.”
Mitzi pressed her lips together. “That sounds disconcerting.”
“That’s what I’m thinking. I think Vincenzi’s little slip was enough to send her your way. You keep an eye out, okay?”
“Will do. We’re seriously too understaffed to conduct a search for her, and with the fair this week.... Oh, wow. I bet she planned the timing on this. With so many folks in from out of town, she’ll be impossible to pick out in the crowd. Even if she has the most gangster-looking thugs with her, it will still be hard to spot her.”
“She’s definitely smart enough to figure that out. I wish I could come out and help,” Mack began. “I could be there in...five hours.”
“I wish you could, too, but I doubt the new chief will cut you loose for a vacation with no notice.” Mack was silent, and Mitzi knew he was tempted to insist. “I’ll put everyone on alert, Mack. We do have some help from the other counties involved in the fair. If she’s here, we’ll stop whatever plans she has.”
It was an overly optimistic statement and they both knew it, but they also both knew that Mack coming out wasn’t likely to tip the scales in their favor.
Mack sighed. “All right. But if you change your mind, let me know and I’ll be there as fast as humanly possible.”
“You’re the best, Mack.”
“Bet your butt I am,” he said, making Mitzi smile.
After she ended the call, she sat for a moment, thinking how she was going to handle this news. There was no doubt in her mind that Angelisa Salgado was on her way here, if she hadn’t already arrived. With the fair, it really would be nearly impossible to spot her, leaving no doubt that the timing was deliberate. On a normal day, strangers would stand out like a white horse in a Black Angus herd, but with so many folks in town from the adjoining counties....
She reached for her radio and keyed the mic.
“You copy, Sheriff Jonas?” she asked, and waited for his reply. So much for a fun day at the fair.
Chapter Twenty
Tim felt like he was being watched. All day, he’d felt that prickling at the back of his neck, like he used to get out in the yard when some other con decided he was the catch of the day, or that he had somehow insulted them and needed to be taught a lesson.
It’s probably being out around so many people, he told himself for the fortieth time. Or he just sensed that people were wondering what he was doing with Janie.
She knew so many people in this town. It seemed like every other face had a smile and a “Howdy, Janie” for her. Most of them didn’t even acknowledge him unless she purposefully introduced him, which had happened a couple times.
Janie was oblivious, giving most of her attention to him. Tim was grateful for that, and had tried to do the same. But there was that sensation—hair-raising at times—and he had to make an extra effort to make her his primary focus.
He had been trying to shake the feeling for hours. Through their little shopping spree and stroll along the midway, even through their impromptu lunch of corndogs and fried bread, he told himself he was imagining things. Then it happened.
They stopped by the brick restroom building for a break, and Tim was waiting outside for Janie when a man walked up. Something about his indirect approach and forced casual manner had Tim instantly on guard. He pushed himself away from the wall and turned to face the man, ready for anything.
“Hi,” the man said, finally meeting his gaze. Tim stared unflinchingly at him, trying to determine who he was and what he wanted. “You must be the new guy.”
Tim narrowed his eyes a bit, but didn’t respond, leaving an awkward silence between them. He wondered if this was one of Kenny’s friends. He was pretty well-dressed for a ranch hand, though, from his bolo tie with its blue opal set in a silver clasp, down to his snakeskin boots. And his hat.... Tim had seen a similar Stetson at the cowboy hat booth that cost more than four times the list price of the hat Tim chose.
The man cleared his throat, finally extending a hand. “I’m Cody. Cody Buford.”
There was something familiar about the name, and the smile the man offered was sheepish rather than threatening. Realization finally dawned on Tim and he extended his own hand. “You’re Kylie’s dad.”
The man pumped his hand with a solid but friendly grip. “And Janie’s ex. I’ve been watching you two.”
The sense of being watched, and danger, was now justified. He didn’t know what this ghost from Janie’s past wanted with him.
Tim thought about what Janie had told him about Kylie’s father, and there was a part of him that wanted to pound him into the ground for the pain he’d caused her. Then he had the selfish thought that if Cody hadn’t been such a coward, Janie wouldn’t have been free when he came to town.
He shook his head slightly at that abstract thought. No point in dwelling on “ifs.”
“Contrary to what she may have told you about me,” Cody said, “I really did, and do, love her. Trip has helped me keep tabs on her and Kylie over the years, and I know a little of what my leaving cost her.” He had the good grace to look ashamed and pained. “I didn’t really think she would take me back, but I hoped.”
Tim watched him, not sure what any of this had to do with him, and not willing to try to assuage the man’s guilty feelings.
Cody cleared his throat again, unexpectedly looking up to meet Tim’s gaze. “I was watching to make sure you treated her right. She may hate me, and I can’t say as I blame her, but I do want her to be happy.”
Tim waited, staring back at the man, wondering what this stranger’s verdict would be.
“You seem to make her happy,” the man finally conceded. “Trip says you always treat her with respect, and that you’re a hard worker, good with the horses and all. I just.... I wanted to let you know....” Tim saw his gaze harden. “If she’s happy, I’m glad for you both. But if you hurt her, I will do everything in my power to make you regret the day you came to Kansas.”
Tim blinked, surprised—and oddly pleased—to find that the man had a spine after all.
“I can respect that,” Tim said, without breaking eye contact. “Janie is very spe
cial to me, Mr. Buford. Believe me when I say that hurting her would kill me.”
Cody extended his hand again. When Tim took it, the man squeezed hard, but it didn’t faze him. In fact, he’d been expecting it. The man might be well-dressed, but the way he filled out his very clean Carharts and pressed black Pendleton button-down, he didn’t appear particularly weak.
“It might just, at that,” he said, and Tim understood the implicit threat.
Cody’s gaze flicked over Tim’s shoulder as he released his hand. “Be seeing you,” he said, and walked quickly away.
“Nice to meet you,” Tim said to Cody’s back as he turned and noticed Janie looking for him near the door to the ladies’ room. “Over here,” he called, and grinned as she turned to him with a smile.
Cody’s threat should have worried him but, perhaps perversely, it only served to reassure him that Janie really was an exceptional catch. He would have to be worthy of her, or suffer the consequences.
⋘⋆⋙
Angelisa watched from a distance as Tim and his blonde bimbo handed over their concert tickets and entered the seating area, making their way to the “standing room only” section in front.
She had watched them most of the day. From their cutesy debate over the purchase of a hat—the one they’d settled on did make him look more like a cowboy, which Angelisa didn’t think suited him—to them sharing a wad of cotton candy, holding hands on the Ferris wheel, and Tim winning her a little Teddy bear at that stupid game of throwing baseballs at bowling pins. More than once, she thought she might gag at their perfect little date.
Eddie and the other two kept their eyes on her, watching for her signal, but she hadn’t seen an opportune moment to make a move yet. The two lovebirds were inseparable, and Angelisa could not afford impatience. She was anonymous in the crowd at the moment, and the last thing she wanted was to draw undue attention to herself. There were plenty of sheriff uniforms wandering about, looking decidedly alert.
With the concert about to start, some opportunity would surely arise while everyone’s attention was on the stage.
⋘⋆⋙
As the day edged toward evening and she and Tim made their way to the stage for the concert, Janie felt like she was living some kind of fairy tale. Tim paid so much attention to her, taking care to make sure she was having an entertaining time. She felt like they were the only two people at the fair. Well, the only two who mattered anyway.
He rarely let go of her hand, the notable exception being when he had won her the little Teddy bear. It had taken him two tries—and five dollars—to win it for her, and she wouldn’t let him try to trade up to a bigger one, insisting this one was special enough.
The ride on the Ferris wheel had been sweet, if short, and she got the sense they had both hoped for the classic stop at the top for a kiss. But the ride was shorter than he anticipated because before he could do more than put his arm around her shoulders, looking more at her than the view, they were at the bottom, the carnie impatiently gesturing for them to get out.
And now it was time for the concert. Janie couldn’t think of a better way to end the day than hearing John Hiatt growling out her favorite songs. Well, end the day at the fair anyway. She knew how she wanted her date to end. She could hear Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson’s duet “Don’t You Wanna Stay” in the back of her mind, giving her ideas.
Tim had his arm around her again, and she leaned into him while they waited for the band to come on stage. She turned to look at him, loving that their eyes met at the same level. There was a sparkle in his she didn’t think she had seen before, and she took it to mean he was having a good time, too. She tipped her head forward and he did the same. They briefly rested their foreheads against each other, hats knocked back, content to just gaze deep into each other’s eyes.
They didn’t notice when the band took the stage until the opening notes of “Angel Eyes” lifted up through the air. As the lyrics began, she saw Tim’s eyes widen in surprise, and she wondered if the words struck home for him as much as she hoped they did. The song was such a testament of hope and wonder, and she could almost believe they had chosen to play it first on their behalf. Janie wanted to be desired just like the subject of the song.
She turned fully to Tim and wrapped her arms around him, bringing her hands up to his broad shoulders, swaying to the music, her gaze locked on his.
Tim’s strong hands closed around her waist, hesitant, as if he couldn’t believe he had the right to do so. She smiled reassuringly at him, and he tilted his head slightly, leaning even closer to brush his lips against hers in a whisper-kiss. Knowing he was giving her room to back away if she wanted was sweet, but she didn’t want to move away.
The touch of his lips branded her with fire and she leaned into it, drawing him closer against her, parting her lips in invitation. She felt his tongue advance, tasting and retreating, then coming back for a longer, deeper entanglement. She welcomed it, marveling at the sweet, tempting desire such a simple thing as this kiss awoke in her. Janie couldn’t remember ever catching fire from a kiss before.
Only vaguely aware when the song ended and the band launched into another tune, they were startled out of the kiss when the crowd began dancing to a funkier beat.
Still, Tim didn’t break eye contact with her. Wow, he mouthed, and she wished for another slow song so he would kiss her again. But the crowd jostled against them, making a more intimate embrace impossible. It was just as well, she decided, catching the side of her tongue between her teeth. Someone would be likely to suggest they get a room if they kept that up.
She gave his shoulders a squeeze and let her gaze fall to his lips, wishing—despite the months she had anticipated this concert—that it was time for Tim to take her home. She saw those scrumptious lips curve into that sexy smile of his, and she couldn’t resist the impulse to taste them again, knocking his hat off his head in the process.
With a laugh, he let go of her long enough to pick it up, then they turned their attention back to the band. It felt like forever, although it was probably only about forty-five minutes, before the singer announced that the band was going to take a quick break, and canned music came up over the speakers.
“Are you thirsty?” Tim asked, leaning in close to be heard above the chatter of the crowd.
“Parched.”
“Hold our spot. I’ll get us something to drink. What would you like?”
“How about an iced tea?” she said, smiling at his thoughtfulness.
“Coming right up.” He leaned in for a quick kiss before turning on his heel and making his way through the crowd toward the beer garden. She sighed as she watched him, not minding the view of him going away, but wishing he was already coming back.
“You’re hopeless,” she scolded herself, but what else was she supposed to do while she waited? She pulled her new phone out of her back pocket and checked for any messages, finding a text from Kylie asking how the evening was going.
Smiling, she took a moment to reply, letting her daughter know she was having fun. They exchanged a few texts, Kylie trying to get her to give details about her date, Janie slyly evading.
She looked up when the band came back to the stage, hearing a few chords as the guitarist adjusted his instrument. Tim wasn’t back yet, but that didn’t surprise her. The line for drinks was probably a mile long.
John Hiatt stepped up to the microphone, chatting up the crowd for a minute as the band settled into place. As they started up with “Old Habits,” she scanned the crowd for Tim.
Surprised to see him on his way back, two drinks in hand, she was even more surprised to see a woman with hip-length, black hair intercept him. He stopped short as she stepped into his path, and Janie could see them speaking. Then the woman moved in very close. Janie felt her cheeks flush when the woman ran her hands down Tim’s arms in a very intimate fashion.
Janie stared in shock, unable to believe Tim was letting that woman touch him like that. “What the...?”
Chapter Twenty-One
Tim hadn’t been able to believe his luck when he got into the beer garden and found a nearly empty line, the sign above it stating it was for non-alcoholic drinks only. Perfect. It only took about ten minutes before he had two iced teas in hand and was headed back to Janie.
He was still a bit in awe at how well the date was going. That kiss.... That kiss had fired him up more than he cared to admit. The heat of it, the sweetness of it.... No other kiss he had ever experienced held a candle to what Janie’s mouth had promised him, what her pliant body against his had suggested. It took nearly every shred of self-control not to cause a scene by groping her and dragging her off to some corner so he could have his way with her.
Well, he hoped if they ever got that far, he would be able to make it as special as that first kiss had been. He had been trying for a perfect moment for most of the day, and it had finally come when that song started. He’d have to ask Janie what the name of it was. Something about a man wondering how he had managed to attract his woman. It had fit so perfectly, expressed his very thoughts in that moment. And Janie had responded....
He nearly spilled their drinks as someone stepped into his path. All he could do was stare as realization struck. Angelisa. The shock of seeing her silenced him better than any gag or threat could have.
“Hello, lover,” she said, her voice pitched for his ears alone. “Surprised to see me?”
His mouth opened and closed a couple times before he managed a response. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you,” she said, stepping closer. “Did you think I wouldn’t find you out here at the ass-end of nowhere?” She didn’t wait for his answer. “I could ask the same question of you. What are you doing in Kansas?”
“Work,” he ground out, his mind now racing as he scanned the crowd, looking for the rest of her crew. She was bound to have at least two guys with her, probably three.
The singer started talking into the microphone as Angelisa leaned in closer. “You could have stayed in Denver, come back to work for me,” she said, leveling seductive brown eyes on him. “You could have come back to my bed.”
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