Jason laughed. “Are we taking bets on how long she’ll last?”
Seth’s mother, Marion, poked her fork in Jason’s arm. “Stop teasing your brother. He’s had a run of bad luck with secretaries that’s all. I’m sure everything will work out fine this time.”
“I’d hardly call over a dozen secretaries a run of bad luck,” Jason smirked. “I’d say that my hard ass, control freak brother is a jerk to work for. There isn’t a woman in town who will work for him.”
Seth couldn’t argue with Jason on that point. He probably wasn’t the easiest man in the world when it came to his work. “Maybe. Hopefully she’ll do fine.” He really didn’t have a choice. He needed to keep an eye on her to keep her safe. “She’s from out of town.”
His statement grabbed everyone’s attention. New people in town were always a hot topic of conversation.
His mother smiled with enthusiasm. “Where is she from? Is she married? Does she have kids? Where is she living? You should invite her to dinner tonight.”
His mother fired off her questions with lightning speed. His father patted her hand. “Take a breath, darlin’. Give the boy time to answer one question before asking another.”
His mother blushed. “Sorry, Seth. It’s just exciting when new people come to town.”
Seth wiped his mouth with his napkin and avoided his mother’s first question. “She’s not married, and no kids. She’s going to live in the apartment above the station, at least for now. I cleaned it up and it looks pretty good. I promise I’ll bring her to dinner one night soon. I’m letting her get settled in. She got in late last night.”
“How did you find her?” Sarah asked.
“She was a friend of an old friend. She was looking to make some changes.” Seth had already practiced this part of the story. “You can grill her with questions when I bring her here. Let her tell you about herself. I only know her professional story.”
His mother wasn’t done. “She’s not married? Is she pretty?”
Seth sighed in exasperation. His mother was desperate to get him married off and seemed to think he was avoiding the institution just to frustrate her.
“She is pretty. And young, Mom. Too young. Besides, I have a girlfriend.”
Marion Reilly pursed her lips in disapproval. “There’s no passion between you and Eliza. No spark. You act more like buddies. You need fire and desire, Seth.”
Seth wanted to crawl under the table. He didn’t want to talk about desire and fire with his mother, for chrissake.
“Nothing’s wrong with a younger woman.” George Reilly waved his fork. “Your mother is younger than I am. Priscilla was younger than Elvis.”
Seth’s father loved Elvis Presley. It probably wasn’t the moment to remind him that Elvis and Priscilla divorced.
“Her name is Presley,” Seth admitted reluctantly. It wasn’t her real name but his parents would never find that out.
“It’s a sign,” his mother crowed.
“It’s not a sign, Mom.”
“It’s a sign that she’s the one,” his mother insisted, her eyes alight.
“It’s only a coincidence.”
“A weird one,” Sarah conceded. “Is she nice? Maybe I should invite her to lunch or something since she’s new to town.”
Seth remembered Presley’s tears in his truck. His heart had twisted at her heartbroken expression. “I don’t know her well enough to say whether she’s nice or not. She didn’t seem not nice. She has a good work ethic. She offered to start working today.”
“I’ll come by sometime in the next few days and ask her to lunch.” Sarah set her napkin on the table. “It’s got to be tough moving to a town where she doesn’t know anyone.”
That was the whole damn point, but Seth couldn’t say anything. He wasn’t sure Presley was really looking to start a new life here. She seemed pretty focused on getting back to the old one.
“Give her some space to get settled in. A new town and a new job would be overwhelming for anyone.” Seth stood up from the table, wanting the conversation to be over. “Excuse me, but I have an early morning. I need to get Presley started in her new job.”
Luckily, his family seemed to accept the excuse. He carried his plate into the kitchen then headed out the back door to his truck. Today he’d show Presley the job and hope she wouldn’t be too much trouble. He didn’t expect much from her, actually. She’d made it clear she was only marking time until she could go back home. He didn’t blame her for that. Hell, she was only a kid, really. She probably wasn’t any more than twenty or twenty-one.
He slapped his hat on his head and gunned the engine, heading for town. He had a new secretary to train.
God help them both.
* * * * *
The office was cold. Presley rubbed her arms and flexed her fingers, stiff from the temperature. She’d been warm in the apartment upstairs for the few hours she’d slept. She’d been shocked she’d fallen asleep but by the time he’d dropped her off, showed her the thermostat and a few food items he’d put in the kitchen, she’d been exhausted.
She walked over to the ancient coffee pot in the corner of the large room and growled. She was a real caffeine addict. Her local Starbuck’s knew-her-by-her-first-name-and-regular-order type of caffeine addict. She’d barely seen the town when they’d drove in the wee hours of the morning, but she was sure she hadn’t seen the familiar green and white mermaid logo.
She dug into a box of filters and started making a pot of coffee. She hadn’t been sure what time the workday started but she’d woken up after a few hours and figured there was no time like the present to start her new life.
Her new life. She needed to woman up and stop whining about things. She’d cried in front of Seth last night. He probably thought she was a real wimp. Yes, she wanted to go home but that didn’t mean she had to bitch and moan about it. She was here and she needed to make the best of her situation. As Evan had pointed out, she could be here a really damn long time.
By the time she’d finished her second cup of really crappy coffee, found several interesting notes from previous admins, and thoroughly explored the filing system, she had a list of things she wanted to work on or update. Number one was that coffee pot. Technology had made great strides in the preparation of coffee since nineteen seventy-five.
She was engrossed in list making when Seth pushed open the door, letting in a blast of cold air with him. He looked surprised to see her as he shrugged off his coat and hung it on the tree next to the door.
She got up and poured him a cup of coffee. “How do you take it?”
His eyes widened even further. Maybe he didn’t like coffee.
“You’re getting me coffee? My last secretary told me she wasn’t a waitress and to get my own damn coffee.”
Presley shrugged. “You looked cold. I thought I’d be helpful.”
“Thank you. A dollop of cream and one sugar.”
She fixed his coffee and followed him to his desk on the opposite side of the room. He grimaced at the file folders stacked in a teetering pile.
“I didn’t expect you in so early. You have to be worn out from traveling all night.”
“I’ve been in about an hour or so. I’d rather be busy, honestly.”
He took the mug from her gratefully. “That suits me. I’m not sure where to start. There’s so much that needs to be done around here.”
She held up her notes. “I’ve been nosing around a little bit. Maybe if I go over what I’ve seen so far we can decide what I should tackle first?”
He nodded and settled into his chair, indicating she should sit across from him. “Sounds as good as any plan. Shoot.”
Thirty minutes and another cup of swill later, Seth was wearing a dubious expression.
“I can see you aren’t convinced.”
Seth tapped his chin. “I like everything to be orderly. That’s why I set up the filing system the way it is. You want to change it and then I won’t be able to find anythi
ng.”
She held up a piece of paper. “I found this shoved in a desk drawer. I’m guessing it’s from a former secretary? ‘To the next poor woman who has to deal with the Sheriff, he never puts the files back in the right place. Then he yells. Just stack all the current cases on his desk.’” Presley eyed all the files stacked up. “‘Then if he can’t find anything, he can just yell at himself.’”
Seth flushed a dark red and ran a finger around the back of his collar. Apparently she’d hit a nerve.
“Some people have found me hard to work with, I gather. I admit I can be difficult…and controlling. At times.”
Presley hid her smile. Seth was clearly a man’s man but she’d had bosses who were much worse. She had a particular memory of one who liked to throw office supplies when things didn’t go his way. Another had punched several holes into the drywall. They never in a million years would have said they were difficult to work with.
“Admitting you have a problem is the first step. Give me one week to reorganize things. If you don’t like it, I’ll put everything back. I promise.”
“I haven’t even gone over the daily duties with you. How do you know how to reorganize?”
Seth seemed exasperated so Presley held on to her cool, calm demeanor.
“There were copious notes in the desk from the last several people. I think I’ve got the schedule pieced together.”
Seth blanched. “There were more notes?”
“Oh yes,” she answered sweetly. “Very illuminating. You certainly inspire a certain passionate response in your employees.”
He stood up, probably trying to intimidate her. She wasn’t one to be easily intimidated. “Look, I know you mean well, and I’m very impressed by your go-getter attitude today. Really. But I like things the way I like them. Change isn’t always good.”
If she laughed at his petulant expression, he’d be really pissed. Seth Reilly might not be afraid of the people trying to kill her, but he was clearly afraid of a few changes around here.
“I guess I’m asking you to trust me. I’ve screwed up many things in my life, but I know how to organize.”
“What have you screwed up?” Seth scowled. “That doesn’t bode well.”
“Hello? I’m in a small town in the middle of nowhere working for a sheriff who thinks I’m crazy, all because of my choice of employer. Shit, I was just trying to make a living.”
Seth pulled up to his full height and squared his shoulders. “I think we need to keep things the same. I expect your full cooperation.”
Presley smiled. “You’re the boss.”
“I’m glad to see we agree on one thing.” Seth’s voice was gruff.
He was cute when he was frustrated. Last night she’d been struck by how handsome he was, but today with his golden hair rumpled by the wind and his overall air of fatigue, he looked like a little boy just out of bed. If she’d been looking—no, she wasn’t looking for anything. She was simply trying to survive.
Another blast of cold air made her shiver and Seth strode past her. He rummaged in a closet and pulled out a small space heater before greeting the person who had let in the cold air.
“You can use this. It should keep you warmer.”
She took it gratefully, pondering her new boss. Seth Reilly was a strange man. Strong and stoic one minute, an old-fashioned gentleman the next. She’d even seen a glimpse of the controlling asshole and it hadn’t been too bad. Seth was shaking hands with an older man and ushering him to his desk.
“Trask, what can I do for you today?”
The man took off his cowboy hat and sat heavily in one of the wooden chairs.
“It’s about my Millie. She’s been gone for a few days and I’m worried about her.”
“When did you last see her?”
The man stroked his chin. “I guess it would be Friday night, late. We were in the barn checking on the horses. Haven’t seen her since. Not like her to be gone this long.”
“Maybe she just got a turkey or something.”
Until Seth’s statement, Presley had assumed they were talking about a human. Clearly, Millie wasn’t this man’s wife or daughter.
Presley cleared her throat. “Can I get you some coffee, Mr. Trask?”
The older man turned to her and his eyes lit up. “You must be the new secretary. What’s your name, darlin’?”
She smiled and poured the man a cup of coffee. “Presley. Presley Lawson. Cream and sugar?”
“No, take it black.” He held out his hands with a grin. “Presley, huh? Seth, does your old man know this pretty little girl’s name?”
Seth looked anything but happy. “I told him this morning. It doesn’t mean anything.”
Trask chuckled. “Maybe yes, maybe no. Damn, this hot coffee hit the spot. Winter’s comin’ early this year.”
This was not welcome news to Presley. She’d been hoping for a reprieve.
“So you want me to take a look around for her?” Seth asked, clearly trying to move the subject back to business.
The men stood up and drained his cup. “If you don’t mind. I don’t get around like I used to.”
“I’ll try and find her, Trask. I’ll call you.”
Trask slapped Seth on the back and tipped his hat at her. “Nice meeting you, miss. This old boy gives you any problems, you just call old Trask, you hear?”
She liked this man. He was funny and polite. “Thank you, but I think I can handle him,” she said with a smile.
The man nodded and headed out the door. “I just betcha you can.”
When Trask was gone she turned to Seth. “Millie isn’t a person, is she?”
Seth shook his head. “No, she’s a dog. She’s getting up there in age and I fear something has happened to her. She doesn’t see well any more. Trask has several dogs, but Millie is his favorite.”
Seth reached for his coat. Suddenly, she felt the walls start to close in on her. She’d been inside pretty much twenty-four seven since her car exploded. She needed some fresh air and new scenery. “Do you want me to come with you? I can help look for her.”
Seth looked like he wanted to refuse, but then thought better of it. “Actually, yes, if you don’t mind. Another set of eyes will be helpful.”
She grabbed her coat. “Do we have an answering service or something?”
Seth held up his cell. “If we don’t answer here, it’s routed directly to my phone.”
Presley blinked in surprise. “Shit, you must not get much sleep.”
Seth chuckled and locked the door to the Sheriff’s office. “I can route the calls to any phone. If I need time off, I’ll route it to one of my deputies. You’ll meet them eventually. Hank is working a couple of calls from last night still. Tom is off duty.”
“Is it just the three of you?”
He opened the car door and gave her a hand up. “We have others, but Hank and Tom are my right hands.”
They headed off and this time Presley was able to get a better look at the town. It looked small and a little rundown, with some buildings needing a new coat of paint while others looked brand new. She saw a sign for a diner, a doctor, and a hardware store on one side of the street. On the other she could see a bar and a small grocery store.
“Is there a coffee shop in town?”
In the blink of an eye they were out of Harper and on to the open road. Seth picked up the radio and called his deputy Hank, letting him know they were out of the office.
“Are you almost done there?” Seth asked.
“Almost. Perry is still pissed so I’m trying to calm him down.”
“Let me know if you need me. Ten-four.”
Seth finally turned to her and grinned. “There’s no coffee shop in town. I guess you could say we’re self-sufficient that way. We don’t need a yuppie shop selling flavored coffees and muffins.”
“That’s what I was afraid of. For the record, I like those flavored coffees and muffins. A lot. What does Millie look like, by the way? I’m suppo
sed to be looking, too.”
“We won’t see her this close to town. Trask’s place is out a ways, but she’s a black lab.”
They were quiet as they drove, the only sound the rush of air from the heater. His masculine scent wafted around her and she had to admit he smelled damn good despite the fact he didn’t talk much. She was starting to get impatient when he slowed the SUV and rolled his window down, blowing on a soundless whistle.
“Dog whistle?”
He nodded but never turned back to her, blowing the whistle every quarter of a mile or so. She kept a look out of her side of the car but there didn’t appear to be a living soul for miles. He pulled onto a dirt side road and parked the car.
“I think we need to go on foot from here.”
She pushed open her door and zipped up her coat as high as she could and pulled her gloves back on. She wasn’t going to complain about the cold. She’d watched the news this morning on the television in her small apartment and the people in Harper apparently didn’t consider fifty degrees cold. They thought it was downright warm, in fact. She didn’t agree but she wasn’t going to make a big deal out of it.
She walked with him a little ways until Seth pointed to the other side of the gravel road. “Check that side and I’ll check this one.”
They walked for a while until she saw something black from the corner of her eye, way in the distance. She plunged into the brush, wading through it until she was close enough to see the large black outline of an animal. She swallowed hard and forced herself to keep walking toward it, not wanting to see what she knew was there. When she came up on it, she had to put her hand over her mouth not to vomit as bile rose in her throat. Tears welled up in her eyes and she whirled around to yell at Seth, who was still looking.
She shouted and waved her arms until she had his attention, motioning for him to come. He ran quickly but stopped abruptly when he saw what was at her feet. His skin paled and he closed his eyes for a minute.
“Fuck. I’d hoped I was wrong. Shit.” Seth looked heavenward then looked at her.
“Good job finding her. Why don’t you get the blanket out of the back of the truck and we’ll wrap her up. Trask will want to give her a proper burial.”
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