Saving the Sheriff

by Kadie Scott

  As expected, Marcus followed.

  “Good luck with your horse, Marcus.” She reached her truck.

  “You’re sure Georgia never said anything?”

  God, that hopeful look in his eyes was heartbreaking. The man could give a lost puppy a run for its money. “Sophia is Cash’s.”

  “And Georgia never said anything to you about not being sure?”

  Holly couldn’t lie to the man’s face, but she also didn’t want any part of whatever was going on in Marcus’s head. “If you’re worried she’s yours, why didn’t you ask Georgia?”

  “I did.”

  Oh.

  “She never confirmed either way. But I figured Sophia was with her mother. I wasn’t going to break up a family. Georgia brought Sophia over to visit sometimes, so I got to see her at least. But now that Georgia is gone—” His voice broke and he took a second to collect himself. The poor man had it bad. Dammit, Georgia. “If I am Sophia’s father, I feel I should know.”

  Holly hid her reaction to the news that Georgia had brought Sophia to see Marcus. Maybe she didn’t know her best friend as well as she’d thought. Time and distance could only be an excuse for so long. “I’m sorry I can’t help you, Marcus.”

  He stared at her for a long moment, during which Holly resisted the urge to shift on her feet. “Well…thanks for your help.” He nodded toward the horse.

  She reluctantly shook the hand he held out.

  “I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other now you’re a permanent resident of La Colina,” he said.

  Resisting the urge to make a hasty exit, she gave him a polite smile. “Looking forward to it.” As long as he didn’t ask about Sophia again.

  Without another word, she’d hopped into her truck. Then she’d gotten the hell out of there, resolving that if the Joneses ever called back, she’d send Luke to visit that ranch. They were nice people, but Holly had her own problems. She couldn’t take on the ones Georgia left behind as well.

  After the thing at the ranch, she’d hoped that was the end of it. However, Marcus obviously wasn’t ready to let it go, and a few weeks later, he’d called the office, leaving a message asking to meet and talk. She hadn’t called back. Somehow, he managed to get her cell phone number from Jan, citing some kind of horse emergency. Several calls and texts later—the man was proving as pesky and painful to deal with as a mound of riled-up fire ants—she’d finally agreed to meet, and here she was.

  She’d just gotten settled at a table when Marcus walked into the restaurant. She blinked as it sank in that he’d made an effort, dressed in nice jeans and a button-down shirt, his dark blond hair combed back. He spotted her right away and waved, before jumping in line to get his food.

  “Thanks for agreeing to talk,” he said once he sat in front of her.

  “Sure.”

  They wasted time on polite chitchat while they ate their meals.

  Finally, Marcus pinned her with a direct stare. “I’m sure you can guess why I wanted to talk to you.”

  Holly sighed. “Sophia?”

  Marcus wiped his mouth with a napkin and nodded. “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t drag you into it if it weren’t important.”

  “Why are you talking to me about it? It seems like Cash would be the person to discuss this with.”

  “I intend to. But…” He shifted in his seat then sent her a beseeching gaze. “I need your help.”

  “My help?” Holly frowned. She stopped bothering to try to eat. The way this conversation was headed, she couldn’t swallow another bite. The orange pleather of the booth seat squeaked as she sat back and waited.

  “I know you said she didn’t, but I’m sure Georgia shared all this with you. I’d like your support, as a witness of sorts, when I ask for a paternity test.”

  Holly shook her head. “I don’t know anything that can help you. Besides, I would never do anything that might hurt Sophia. She’s lost her mother already. Do you really want to take her away from the only father she’s ever known?”

  Marcus’s knuckles turned white as he clenched the hand resting on the table. “I wouldn’t do that. I’m not sure what I’ll do if she is mine, but I have to know. What if I am her father? Is it fair on either of us to deny that relationship? And I’d want to support her however I can.”

  He ran an agitated hand through his hair, making it stand on end and giving him a harried appearance. “Like I told you, I didn’t pursue it while Georgia was alive because Sophia was with her mother. And I waited for a year after her death out of respect, and also debating the right thing to do. Believe me, I’ve thought about it long and hard, but it seems better to find out now, rather than years from now. I’m not saying I’ll take her away from Cash, but…” He leaned across the table to take her hand. “I need to know, Holly.”

  A vise squeezed her heart. She’d never seen a man more tortured. Or more determined. And she did have proof of a relationship: e-mails exchanged and even a picture Georgia texted her of the two of them. She could help Marcus. But was it the right thing to do? She still wasn’t sure. Holly tried to not let her sympathy show. A quick glance around the room revealed them to be the focus of several people’s curious stares.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you,” she insisted in a low voice, slipping her hand out from under his and feeling nauseous that she was being forced to choose sides. Sophia wasn’t even her child to worry about, technically. No wonder Georgia had been such a basket case about it.

  At the moment, sympathy for her friend was far from Holly’s thoughts. All the old feelings of anger returned, along with a healthy dose of guilt. But Georgia was dead and Holly shouldn’t get mad at a ghost.

  Marcus studied her for what felt like a long while. “Why don’t you take some time to think about it?”

  Georgia used to tell her someday her soft heart would get her into trouble. Apparently that day had arrived. Either way she looked, no good choice presented itself. Reluctantly, Holly nodded.

  Marcus took a deep breath, and smiled. “Thank you.”

  Conversation over, and with no stomach for the rest of her food, Holly stood. “I’d better go.”

  “Let me walk you to your car.”

  “It’s not necessary.” She waved him off.

  “I insist.”

  Holly hid a grimace. “Thanks.”

  They both cleared their places, throwing away their trash and putting their trays away. Marcus opened the door for her, like a gentleman, and she stepped outside. Just in time to see Cash striding toward her. At the same moment, he glanced up, caught sight of them together and stopped.

  She saw his quick frown before he checked his watch and turned back the way he’d come.

  “Speak of the devil,” Marcus mumbled beside her.

  She didn’t say anything. Luckily, she was parked right in front of the building, so in no time she was in her truck and motoring away from Marcus. But her thoughts were on Cash. Holly’s pride—because it definitely wasn’t her heart—still smarted at his obvious desire to be anywhere she wasn’t. He’d never been cold to her before Georgia died. Not warm, exactly, but not rude. She worried his attitude had something to do with Georgia, or maybe he knew more about Marcus than she thought. That was the only explanation she could think of that made any sense.

  If she did what Marcus was asking, standing as a witness of his and Georgia’s relationship, Cash would blame her. Hate her, maybe.

  Something deep inside protested that idea. But she brushed off any secret longing to be Cash’s friend. No, her concern had to stem from the impact on Sophia, as well as the possible backlash from the community.

  The town had already questioned her loyalty and her heart once before. As far as they were concerned, she’d abandoned her siblings when Grams died. She didn’t need another scandal. She was trying to make a permanent home here. Wrecking Cash’s family was no way to make friends.

  *

  Several weeks later, she hadn’t heard from Marcus again, or seen
Cash. Holly was on her way home from yet another long trip to a ranch needing assistance with the delivery of a new foal. Pulling up to a four-way stop, she paused to appreciate the beautiful wildflowers that lined the road. Hundreds of Texas bluebonnets blanketed the ground. Here and there they were joined by patches of red Indian paintbrushes and pink primroses.

  Holly gave a little hum of contentment. She’d always loved this time of year when the countryside was awash in color. The flowers made her think of Georgia, who used to sprinkle wildflower seeds all over her yard. Grams let her do the same at their house.

  An hour later, she arrived at the clinic, where she got Luke to help her unhitch the trailer before pulling around to her house. Her steps dragging and, looking forward to a nice long soak in the tub, Holly stopped and sucked in a breath. Marcus Jones was sitting on her porch in one of the old wooden rocking chairs she’d put out there.

  Damn. I can’t help you. Please leave me alone. With a huff of resignation, she kept walking.

  “Howdy, Holly.” He gave her a warm smile, tinged with expectation. He levered himself up to stand beside her front door. “I was hoping to convince you to have lunch with me.”

  Holly shook her head. “I’m sorry, Marcus, but I’m wiped out. I’m planning a day in.”

  He frowned for a moment before he smiled. “Sure. I get it. Maybe next week? I’ve thought about our talk and tried to give you some time to think. I still feel I have a right to know if Sophia’s my daughter. My lawyer says the courts won’t order a paternity test in this situation without proof the possibility exists. Unfortunately, I left it too late without realizing. The statute of limitations to do this is by the child’s fourth birthday and she’s about to turn five. Still, I have to try. I’d like another chance to convince you this is the right thing to do.”

  Holly cringed inwardly. He did have a point about having a right to know. And, despite wanting to remain out of it, she had thought about what he’d said concerning Sophia’s right to know as well. Was a court situation going to force her hand?

  Holly wrinkled her nose, thinking. “Friday? Lunch?”

  Marcus blew out a breath, which told her how much he’d been stressing about her answer. “Sounds good. What time should I pick you up?”

  “I’ll meet you at the Hacienda.” She named the best Tex-Mex restaurant in town. “Noon?”

  “I’ll be there.” He walked down her steps but paused to turn. “Thank you, Holly. I appreciate it.”

  Her smile was forced. Guilt and anger with Georgia scissored through her. She wished she could help. She’d meet with him and hear him out. Again. Then tell him in no uncertain terms to leave her out of it.

  Holly worried at her lower lip with her teeth as Marcus drove away. She hoped she wouldn’t have to bring Cash into this. The poor guy needed a break from problems. But she was starting to realize Marcus wouldn’t let this go. However, going to Cash meant telling him why Marcus was bothering her.

  As tempted as she was to blame Marcus for all of this, really the trouble started with Georgia. Not that she could blame her friend entirely. Not after experiencing the rock and hard place situation even just a little bit. But still, none of this would be happening if Georgia…

  Damn. She had to quit that.

  Holly lifted her beat-up Justin cowboy hat from her head and, using her sleeve, wiped at the sweat beading her forehead.

  “Holly!”

  She looked up to see Luke coming across the yard.

  “Hey.”

  “Williams Hill called. He’s got a mare in distress. Needs you out there immediately.”

  Holly sighed. Figured. “Okay.”

  She followed Luke back to the clinic as he relayed the details. Then she quickly stocked up the truck and hopped on the road. Instead of only seeing Cash, she would see his entire family as well.

  *

  Cash pulled his truck around the back of his parents’ house. He’d moved out ten years ago, but this place would always feel like home, no matter how long it had been. The long, ranch-style house was surrounded by a well-tended lawn and a healthy garden in the back. The white limestone walls, aging black with time, tin roof and wrap-around porch with randomly grouped rocking chairs were all familiar in a way he took for granted. The building was deceptively small-looking, given that he, his three brothers and his twin sister each had their own room growing up.

  Cash cut the engine and waited for Sophia to get out of her car seat. He ignored the sweat that rolled down his back as the heat and humidity of an unusually hot early May struck without mercy. The low electric buzz of the cicadas filled the air. He grabbed their overnight bags, and they headed in through the back door. “Hello?”

  His mom popped her head into the kitchen and she broke out in a huge smile.

  “Hey, pumpkin!”

  “Hi, Gammy,” Sophia said quietly as she wrapped an arm around Cash’s leg.

  Evaline Hill drew Cash’s daughter out to give her a big hug. His mother was a petite thing, barely over five feet. What she lacked in height she made up for in spunk, as all the Hill children could attest. No one tangled with their mama and came out on the better end of it. He and Georgia had named Sophia after her—using her middle name to avoid confusion—an honor that’d brought her to tears at the hospital.

  For the first time, Cash noticed the gray streaks in her dark bun. He’d never considered his parents old, but he guessed they were getting up in years, now that he thought about it.

  “I love how I’ve become a secondary citizen when Sophia’s around,” Cash grumbled, tempering it with a grin as he crossed the room and kissed his mother’s cheek.

  “Well…Sophia is much cuter than you are.” She smiled back as she swatted his arm. Then she noticed the luggage he’d dropped on the floor at the door. “Oh good! You are staying the weekend?”

  Cash immediately appreciated his decision to stay. Maybe he hadn’t spent enough time with his family lately. He didn’t comment though, just picked up the bags to take them to his room. “Carter doesn’t get home very often, and Sophia loves visiting you guys. Seemed like a perfect opportunity.”

  “I’m glad you’re staying.” She followed him through the house.

  “Where is everyone?” He’d dropped their stuff on the faded, plaid bedspread in his room. The same one that’d been in there since his teens. Just like the roping trophies on the dresser and the posters of Tim McGraw and other country stars on the walls. Of their siblings, only he and his sister hadn’t moved back home after college, which meant both their rooms were like untouched time capsules.

  “Carter isn’t here yet but should be soon. Jennings is out checking fences in the southern pasture with one of the hands.” His mother’s lips tightened. “Daddy, Will and Autry are all in the barn.”

  She didn’t say more, casting a significant look toward Sophia, which could only mean it wasn’t good.

  Cash nodded his understanding. “Sophia, can you help Gammy unpack?”

  Big blue eyes that revealed an old soul—older than her years—turned his way. She apparently hadn’t missed the silent mother and son exchange. “But—”

  “I was fixin’ to bake some chocolate chip cookies for after supper,” Evaline quickly inserted. “I could sure use some help.”

  His mother had said exactly the right thing to divert her attention. Sophia adored her grandmother’s cookies.

  “Can I lick the spoon?”

  “I guess that’s all right.”

  She squealed then started unzipping the bags as fast as her little hands could go.

  Cash shook his head with a smile and headed to the barn to see what the trouble was.

  He made his way through the house, his boots echoing on the flagstone flooring in the foyer. This time he went out the front door, across the circular driveway—where guests parked—and down past the corrals to the barn. His older brother, Williams, had taken on raising horses over the last few years, adding to their family’s traditional beef cattl
e business. It’d started slowly, training working stock for ranches. Then Will had branched out into rodeo stock. The business was growing more and more successful as his reputation spread. He’d recently added racing to his list. Will’d always been more into horses than cows anyway.

  Cash passed Doc Tribble’s truck and trailer and knew it wasn’t good if they’d had to call the vet out for an emergency visit.

  He picked up his pace as he approached the barn. Once inside, he blinked several times to adjust his vision from the blazing sunshine to the relative darkness, but he didn’t see anyone. Checking each of the stalls, he found nothing. He made his way to the door at the back of the barn, which led to an indoor arena. He finally caught sight of his family.

  Not wanting cause a distraction, he silently moved to join them. Suddenly, he got a view of the vet helping them and stopped dead in his tracks. Instead of Charlie Tribble’s graying head, or even Luke Tribble’s short brown hair, he discovered a slim back and a long, dark braid with a pink streak.

  Aw, hell.

  It hadn’t occurred to him Charlie might send Holly out this way for an emergency. It should have been his first thought, since the damn woman had plagued his thoughts the last few weeks, ever since he’d seen her at the grocery store. He’d also seen her in town again…with Marcus Jones.

  Cash refused to acknowledge how much that bothered him.

  Holly had every right to date whoever she wanted. But why that guy? Something about the way Marcus watched Georgia, even after they got married, had always bugged Cash. Eventually, he’d found out why. But that had nothing to do with Holly, and—either way—it was none of his business.

  Here, however, she couldn’t be ignored quite so easily. His mother would find some devious form of punishment, despite his being a grown man, if she thought he’d been rude to a guest. Especially someone who was here to help.

  Luckily, no one seemed to notice his presence, let alone his sudden hesitation. His steps hushed by the thick, soft dirt in the arena, he moved to stand beside his dad. Will and Autry were down on the ground with Holly. A sorrel mare lay there, obviously sedated.

  “Hey, Dad.” He spoke quietly, not wanting to disturb Holly’s concentration.