The sheriff shot up from behind his desk. “Thank goodness you’re here.”
“Why? What happened?” he asked worriedly.
“Your little reporter got tired of singing that other song. Now it’s something about Bad boys...bad boys.” He pulled out the paperwork for her release and shoved it Cade’s direction. “Sign it quick and get her the heck out of here. Oh, and that’ll be two hundred dollars.”
“Two hundred dollars?” Cade nearly choked on his own spit. “For speeding?”
“No, it was only fifty for the speeding ticket. Another hundred and fifty for trying to bribe an officer of the law.”
This was unbelievable. “Lacy tried to bribe you?”
“Yep.”
“Dammit, Dalton,” he grumbled. “I can’t believe she did that.”
“Believe it, Cade. She offered to give me Colorado Rockies tickets if I let her off with a warning. Couldn’t very well do that with no I.D. on her person. Hell, for all I knew, she could have been a serial killer or something.”
Cade arched a brow. “What, she murder people with her singing?” He dropped Lacy’s purse onto the desk. “Look, I don’t have the money to bail her out.”
The sheriff’s face fell. “Y...you don’t?”
“No.” He shook his head. “But I’m sure Miss Dalton can afford to pay her own fine.”
A sigh of relief escaped the sheriff’s tightly pressed lips. “Thank God. How long’s that woman here for?”
“Too long,” Cade said, looking up as Lacy’s singing drifted into the office through the air vents above. “That is bad.”
“I was tempted to shoot her,” the sheriff admitted.
“I wouldn’t have blamed you,” he replied with a grin. “I’ll do my best to keep her out of trouble for the rest of her stay here.”
Lacy was close to foaming at the mouth by the time Sheriff Jenkins led her from the cell and into his office.
“Cade!” she exclaimed the second she saw him standing there.
“Dalton,” he replied, his tone gruff. She was not getting off easy. Not after causing him to lose a good night’s sleep. “I don’t appreciate being dragged out of bed in the middle of the night to bail your butt out of jail.”
She lowered her eyes. “I’m really sorry about that.”
The sheriff settled into the chair behind his desk. “Cade tells me you’re gonna be in town for a spell.”
She nodded.
“He also assures me you’ll be staying out of trouble for the rest of the time you’re here.”
“I will,” she promised, eager to leave.
He handed her the black leather purse Cade had brought in with him. “Now, if you’ll just pay your fine, we’ll pretend this night never happened.”
“I’ll pay my fine, but not until you apologize for insinuating I was a prostitute,” she said stubbornly.
“Lacy,” Cade warned.
“Well, he did.” She turned to the sheriff. “Just where do you-”
Cade clamped a hand over her mouth. “We’ll just pay you and be going, Sheriff.” He dug in her purse and withdrew her wallet, pulling out enough cash to cover her bail. Hand still clamped over her mouth, he hauled Lacy outside.
It wasn’t until they were halfway across the parking lot that he lowered her feet to the ground and let his hand fall away. “He thought I was a hooker!”
Keeping one hand at her elbow, he forced her to keep walking. “I’m not one for I-told-you-so’s, but...”
“Don’t even say it,” she warned.
When they reached his truck, he handed her back her purse. “I believe this belongs to you.”
“Thanks.” She glanced around the lamp lit parking lot. “Where’s my car?”
“At home,” he grumbled. Damned if he hadn’t lost a good night’s sleep because of her. Opening the passenger door, he said, “Get in.”
She did.
After shutting her door, he walked around the truck and slid behind the wheel. “Dalton, the last time I got arrested I was eighteen. Disturbance of the peace, public intoxication and assault. No one bailed my ass out of jail because all my buddies were broke, my girlfriend didn’t have any cash and my momma thought I deserved to be there. I served my time and I’m a better man for it. I should have let you serve yours.”
“Cade...”
“I’ve said my piece, Dalton. Now it’s your turn.”
“I’m too tired to talk.”
“Yeah, well I’m tired too. Why did you fly out of the house like that earlier? And what in the hell were you thinking driving so fast on these roads? You could have gotten yourself killed.” Like Karen.
She turned to look out the window, answering with another yawn, “I told you before. I like to go fast.”
“I’m not buying it. You were upset when you left, and you sure as hell don’t wear contacts. So what’s up?”
She laid her head back against the seat with a tired sigh. “I got some bad news from home.”
“Bad news?” he repeated as he pulled out onto the street. “Wanna talk-” his words trailed off as an unexpected weight settled onto his shoulder. Looking down, he found himself staring at the top of her head.
“Dalton?”
No reply.
It appeared there would be no answers for him that night Cade thought with a sigh. He regretted having been so hard on her the moment Lacy admitted to having received bad news from home. He knew all about getting bad news.
Cade glanced down to study her face, partially hidden behind the long strands of hair that had fallen over it. Those long lashes. Those full lips parted slightly in sleep. Lacy Dalton was more than pretty. She was naturally sexy. And as much as he hated to admit it, he liked the way it felt to have her head lying on his shoulder, the way her hair brushed against his skin, the way...
He tore his gaze away with a groan, forcing his focus onto the road instead. His grip tightened around the worn leather of the steering wheel as he struggled with the truth.
He wanted her.
Bad.
It seemed to take forever to reach the ranch. He accelerated as he turned onto the drive leading up to his house. The sooner he distanced himself physically from Lacy, the better.
He pulled around back and cut the engine. Then he turned to nudge her awake. “Lacy,” he whispered, “we’re home.”
She mumbled something he couldn’t make out and stretched out to curl her arm about his waist.
He froze. The warmth of her breath teased his skin through the thin cotton of his shirt. But the things her arm being draped across him the way it was did to him...
“Dalton,” he said a little louder, a lot more desperately.
She stirred slightly.
He made no move to disengage himself. Instead, he reached up to brush her silky hair from her face, studying her beneath the pale glow of the overhead dome light.
Beautiful.
Closing his eyes, he took in her sweet scent, like flowers after a spring rain.
She shifted, her long lashes fluttering open.
He yanked his hand away guiltily. “Hey.”
She struggled to keep her eyes open and focus on his face. But he knew the moment she realized she was snuggled up against him because she shot upright, clipping his chin in the process.
He grunted in pain.
She gasped, reaching up to run her fingers over his throbbing chin. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
The tenderness in her touch felt too damn good. He pulled away. “I’m all right. But you’re exhausted. You ought to get to bed.”
She sat up and stretched. “I can’t believe I fell asleep. You make a good pillow.”
He didn’t want to think about her lying against him. “It’s the middle of the night. People are supposed to be asleep. Besides all that singing you did is likely to wear anyone out.”
“You heard?”
“I think the whole town did.”
She looked up at him. “I was angry.”
He couldn’t take his gaze from her lips. Full, kissable lips. “I gathered as much.”
“I suppose you’re right. We’d better get to bed.”
Did she have to put it that way? He nodded. “Yeah, we’d better.”
She reached for the door handle and then looked back at him. “Cade...”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you.” She leaned over, planting a quick kiss on his cheek. Then she slipped from the truck and hurried toward the house.
He watched her go, her slender form silhouetted in the moonlight. Only when the screen door creaked shut behind her did he look away.
Draping his arms over the steering wheel, he looked up through the window at the stars above. Karen had been taken from him, a woman who never raised her voice, never spat with him over things like clothes. How was he supposed to deal with a woman like Lacy Dalton? A woman completely the opposite. One he couldn’t seem to get out of his mind.
He searched the starlit sky until he found it. The brightest star, glowing in the night. “I’ll never forget you,” he said, words meant for his lost love. But it was time to move on and start living life again.
* * *
Cade strode into the guestroom and flipped on the light. “Wake up, Dalton. It’s six a.m. and your breakfast is getting soggy.”
He crossed the room and yanked open the curtains, filling the room with the soft morning light.
She rolled over, squinting in protest of the sunlight streaming in through the window. “Go away, Cade.” That said, she rolled onto her back and closed her eyes.
He laughed. “Up and at’em, Dalton. Time’s a wasting.”
“I didn’t hear any rooster crowing,” she said, dragging the pillow over her head.
Shaking his head, he walked over and tugged the pillow from her face. He’d already let her sleep in. If she was going to be working for him, she was going to follow the same schedule as he and other hands did. He pointed to his watch. “I expect you down at the barn by seven, so you’d better get a move on.”
She stirred again. “Come back in an hour.” She jerked the pillow from his hands and plopped it back onto her face.
He snatched it away again. “Let’s go, Dalton. I was serious when I said if you’re not up in time to eat breakfast you don’t eat and it’s a long time until lunch.”
“Sleep or food?” she said, weighing her options. “I choose sleep.”
“Don’t make me drag you from that bed. You and I have a deal. Or are you backing out of it?”
Her eyes flew open. “No, I’m not backing out of it.” She sat up with a sigh. “I’m getting up.” Drawing up a knee, she unzipped one of the boots she’d been wearing when he brought her home.
“Good.” Cade couldn’t keep his eyes from traveling up the bare flesh of her leg.
She switched to the other boot and looked up at him. “Do you intend to help me dress?”
“No,” he replied with a guilty grin. “I was just thinking that the sheriff would think you’re a stripper if he could see you now.”
“Stripper?” she snapped. “I’ll show you stripper!”
He ducked as the pillow came hurtling at his head, laughing. “I’m just giving you a hard time. Geez, you weren’t kidding when you said you weren’t a morning person. I’ve seen briar patches with fewer thorns on them.”
“Well, if you aren’t just full of compliments today.” She tugged off her boot and tossed it in his direction, too.
Cade managed to dodge it, his grin still intact. “Sorry. Lack of sleep tends to do that to a person.”
She flopped back onto the mattress. “Tell me about it.”
“I’ll leave you to get dressed. See you in the kitchen.”
Lacy slipped from the bed and crossed the room to the dresser. Rifling through her clothes, she contemplated what to wear for her first day of work as a ranch hand.
She passed over the short skirts. They were definitely out. She opted for a pair of designer jeans and a cropped jean shirt that tied in the front. A large rhinestone star appliqué adorned the shirt’s front pocket.
A glance at the alarm clock told her she needed to get a move on. Cade would be thinking she’d changed her mind and had gone back to bed. Slipping into a pair of crisp white leather tennis shoes, she hurried out to the kitchen.
“Morning,” Burk chirped from where he stood at the counter pouring himself a cup of coffee. “Sleep well?”
“Like a log.” She took her seat at the table. Several boxes of cereal were lined up there, along with a half empty jug of milk. An empty bowl and spoon sat in front of her. Right next to a tall glass of orange juice.
Cade looked up from the paper he was reading and nearly choked on his juice.
“What?” she said, looking down.
He chuckled. “Rhinestones? Really, Dalton.”
“Don’t you even start,” she warned, pinning him with her gaze. “I didn’t come here with the intention of being a ranch hand, so you’ll have to take what you get. Rhinestones and all. At least, until I can go shopping.”
“I’m not complaining,” Burk said with a grin. “Your outfit looks good to me.”
Cade turned to his friend. “I thought you just came back inside to get some coffee.”
“And to say good morning to Miss Dalton here.”
“Stop with the Miss Dalton,” she said. “It’s Lacy.”
Burk’s grin widened. “Lacy, it is then. Pretty name. It suits you.”
“Why thank you, Burk.”
Cade grabbed his spoon and shoved it into his bowl so hard milk and soggy cereal bits splashed out over the rim of the bowl and onto the table.
Lacy turned her smile to Cade. “Need a bigger spoon? A man with a mouth as big as yours...”
“Dalton,” he grumbled, his eyes narrowing into thin blue slits.
“Now kids,” Burk interjected with a grin. “Am I gonna have to send you both to your rooms, or are you gonna start playing nice together?”
Ignoring Burk, Cade grabbed a handful of napkins and began wiping up the mess he’d made.
Lacy sighed. “Look, I’m sorry I caused you to lose sleep last night. Both of you.”
“I didn’t mind,” Burk said. “I got to drive your car back to the ranch last night when Cade went to fetch you from jail.”
“Don’t even mention that word. Can you believe I was locked up because I like to wear short skirts?”
“No, you were locked up for bribing an officer of the law,” Cade corrected as he carried his bowl over to the sink. “Now eat up, Dalton. It’s going to be a long day.”
She waited until the two men had left for the barn before getting up from her seat and carrying her barely touched breakfast over to the sink.
Reaching for the dish soap, she filled the sink with hot sudsy water and began washing the dishes. Movement outside drew her gaze to the window. It was Cade and Burk, walking toward the back barn in long, purposeful strides. Her gaze slid appreciatively down Cade’s lean, hard body. She sighed in disappointment when he disappeared into the barn.
It wasn’t until she felt the warm sudsy water seeping into the front of her shirt that Lacy realized she was about to flood the kitchen while lost in her thoughts about Cade.
Cursing her carelessness, she hurried to shut the water off and then grabbed for the roll of paper towels suspended beneath the cupboard next to the sink. She mopped up the counter top and then soaked up the puddle on the floor at her feet. Once the mess was cleaned up and the dishes were done, she made her way out to the barn.
“Well, hello there.”
She spun around, startled by the unexpected male voice. A cowboy, his hat slung just low enough to cast a shadow over his face, was leaning against a nearby tree, smoking a cigarette.
“Uh, hello.”
“Heard we had ourselves a visitor.”
We? “Danners?”
“Yep.”
He smiled past his cigarette, but instead of the friendly ge
sture putting her at ease it made her uncomfortable. Perhaps it was because she couldn’t stop thinking about Cade’s warning to steer clear of this man.
“Right pretty for a reporter,” he muttered as he pushed off the tree.
“Thank you.” I think. She held out her hand. “Lacy Dalton.”
He took it without hesitation. “Pleasure.”
She glanced toward the barn. “I really should be going. Cade’s waiting for me.”
“I’ll bet he is,” he murmured as he released her hand.
Though she couldn’t see his eyes, she felt his gaze sweep over her before he turned and walked away. Despite herself, Lacy shuddered. Staying away from Danners was one piece of advice she would gladly follow while she was there.
She hurried to the barn, already late for her first day of acting as Cade’s ranch hand thanks to the miniature flood she’d caused in the kitchen and then her unexpected encounter with Danners. In her haste, she nearly stepped on a tan and white kitten that came running out to greet her.
She stopped and knelt beside the mewling kitten. “Aren’t you just the sweetest little thing?” The little ball of fur brushed against her jeans, purring contentedly. When she reached down to pet it, the kitten darted away. She watched as it slipped beneath the pasture fence.
She gasped in horror. There were bulls in there. Shooting to her feet, she ran to the fence, calling out to the meandering kitten. It meowed once and then continued on its trek across the field.
She looked past the tiny ball of fur to the hulking form of one of Cade’s bulls off in the distance. Then her gaze shot back to the helpless kitten. She couldn’t just stand there and let it get trampled to death. She had covered the running of the bulls in Spain and knew just how much injury those animals could inflict. The kitten wouldn’t stand a chance.
Though her heart was pounding, fear didn’t keep Lacy from slipping through the fence rails. She hurried toward the curious kitten, which had stopped to investigate a lone flower that sprouted up from the sea of grass.
“Kitty,” she called out softly as she bent to scoop the kitten up. The bull raised its massive head and snorted, its attention now fully on her.
Lacy froze in fear, realizing she was about to die.
Capturing the Cowboy's Heart Page 7