“How much farther?” he asked.
“About a quarter mile. Keep going.”
Hiking and ATV trails veered off in various directions. Carved wooden signs tacked to trees proclaimed the various trail names. Cute names, like Bear Tracks and Fox Cub and Juniper Berry. One name stood out.
“Did I read that right? Carolina May?”
She nodded. “Grandpa Walter named a trail for each of us grandkids.”
A stone monument stood at the base of the next trail. They were going too fast for Neil to read the entire rectangular brass sign.
“Hailey…?”
“Hailey Beatrice Trail. For my cousin, Jake’s sister. She died in a horse riding accident almost four years ago.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. She was a great person. We all really miss her. Jake especially. They were close, and he took her death pretty hard.”
Neil sometimes forgot that he wasn’t the only person to ever suffer the loss of a loved one.
“There.” Carolina pointed ahead. “Go right.”
If not for her, he would have missed the turnoff. The lack of lights, denser foliage and narrowing of the road indicated this part of the ranch was less traveled.
“We’re here.”
Neil slowed the Jeep and parked.
The one-story structure, set slightly back from the road, had the appearance of a home rather than a guest cabin. Flowers lined the stone walkway leading to a porch complete with a swing on one end and a pair of wicker rockers on the other. A white picket fence straight out of Little House on the Prairie surrounded the property, and a rooster weather vane sat atop the peaked roof. Along the side of the yard was what appeared to be a vegetable garden.
At first, the quaint country charm of the place seemed in contrast to Carolina’s sophistication. But on closer inspection, Neil decided she fit right in. He could easily picture her planting tomatoes in the garden or curled up on the porch swing, a book in one hand and a glass of lemonade in the other.
It was also the kind of place where he could picture himself, sitting next to her on the swing, her bare feet in his lap, the two of them lolling away a lazy Saturday afternoon.
An unexpected noise penetrated Neil’s thoughts. “Is that a dog barking?”
“My sister’s French bulldog. Actually, it’s her husband’s. The dog came with him as part of the deal. I’m babysitting while they’re on their honeymoon.”
“Should you let her out?”
“Give her a second. I had a doggie door installed, and she’s still getting used to it.”
Carolina had no sooner spoken than a compact black bullet traveling close to the ground came tearing out from behind the house. The dog stopped at the gate and proceeded to raise the alarm, letting everyone within hearing distance know an intruder had invaded the premises.
Carolina rolled down her window. “Quiet, Belle, it’s me.”
The dog immediately went from barking to scratching at the gate before plunking her behind down to wait.
“Is she okay there?”
“The gate’s latched, she can’t get out. Besides, she enjoys being outside. Give her a minute, and she’ll find a hole to dig or a cricket to chase.”
On cue, Belle trotted off, her nose glued to the ground.
“Zoey wants a dog.” Neil had no idea why he said that.
“They’re a lot of responsibility. I haven’t had one since I left home for college, and I’d forgotten how much work’s involved.”
“But you like the dog.” He could tell from her voice.
“Yeah, I do. If I weren’t so busy, I’d get one of my own.”
“I try that same argument about being too busy on Zoey, but she doesn’t understand.”
“Kids are tough to fool.”
“She also wants a horse.”
“I did, too, at her age.”
“But you had a place to keep one.”
“True.”
“She’s going to start riding lessons next week. Here, in fact. Her school’s offering an afternoon program.”
“I know. This is something new for the ranch. We’ve had such good luck partnering with the Horizon Adult Day Care Center, the family decided to try a similar program with the elementary school.”
“She’s excited. I’m not sure how but she twisted my arm and convinced me to buy her a pair of pink cowboy boots.” He leaned back in his seat. Being with Carolina was effortless. He’d felt that way about her since their double date.
Being with her, however, was also tempting, and Neil knew he should leave before his impulses won out and he did something stupid.
Except he didn’t leave.
“Would you like to come in for a minute?” Carolina tilted her head at an engaging angle.
“Thanks, but I can’t. I need to get home. Zoey’s babysitter has to leave by ten.” The excuse was a weak one, given it wasn’t quite eight-thirty.
“Please. It’s important.”
“I don’t—”
“This isn’t easy for me.”
It wasn’t for him, either. The desire to touch her was powerful—link fingers, nuzzle cheeks, inhale the scent of her windblown hair. He didn’t care what so long as there was intimate contact.
“We really should talk.”
“One of my deputies will contact you.”
“Not about the illegal mining.”
“Okay.”
No, not okay. Neil wasn’t sure he wanted to pick up where they’d left off at the mine site when he’d rejected her dinner invitation. Sitting with her in the dark, close enough that he could feel the seat shift every time she moved, he might not have the willpower to say no if she asked him out again. His imagination drifted to the porch swing, the two of them sitting with her long, bare legs draped across his lap.
Wait, wasn’t that feet? When did she go from wearing jeans to shorts?
He fumbled for the keys.
“I went out on a limb, suggesting we meet for dinner,” she began softly. “I think that entitles me to know the real reason you turned me down.”
“I told you. It’s my job.”
“Is there a conflict of interest because I’m the victim and you’re heading up the investigation?”
“There could be.”
“The investigation won’t last forever.”
“No.” With any luck, the culprits had left a piece or two of incriminating evidence behind in their haste to leave when Little José surprised them.
“And besides,” Carolina continued smoothly, “we’re both adults and more than capable of separating our work from our personal lives.”
“Maybe you are.” Even that small admission was more than Neil had intended.
“I’m flattered,” she said, a smile in her voice.
He scrubbed his face, the bristles of his five-o’clock shadow scratching his palms. This was going from bad to worse, and the only way he could see to prevent disaster was to level with her. But that would require he let down his guard.
Neil hadn’t done that with anyone since Lynne. Not even with Zoey, and she was the center of his universe.
“I guess that’s my cue to go,” Carolina said with a hint of disappointment. Unbuckling her seat belt, she reached for the door handle.
His hand covered the small space separating them and gently took hold of her arm. He had no idea what he’d done until he felt the cool fabric of her coat sleeve beneath his fingers.
“What?” She turned. Her gaze darted to his hand before connecting with his.
Insane for sure, but his grip on her tightened.
“What?” she repeated more softly.
Neil had always been a man of action, not words. That the right thing to say should fail him now was no great surprise.
“Stay.” He swallowed, took a breath. “Please.” He had to explain. Make her understand.
She remained rigid. “Give me one good reason. You’ve already hurt me once. I can’t handle a second time.”
He nodded and let go of her arm.
But before she’d moved so much as an inch, he raised his hand to her cheek and cradled it tenderly.
“How about this for a reason?” he said, and drew her toward him.
CAROLINA RESISTED Neil’s advances, and he let her. After all, she was right. He’d hurt her.
Besides, he was still buckled in and unable to maneuver more than a few inches. If they were going to finish what he’d started, it was entirely up to her.
“You’re infuriating,” she told him.
No argument there.
“And you don’t play fair.”
“Guilty as charged.” To prove her point, he traced the outline of her ear with his index finger.
She gave the tiniest, softest of moans.
It was probably just as well the seat belt restrained him. No telling what he’d do otherwise.
“Sometimes you can be a real jerk.”
Ouch! That was harsh. His finger stilled. He’d obviously underestimated her anger and should let her go. But not before he apologized.
“Carolina—”
She leaned across the seat divider, cradled his face in her hands and brought his mouth to within inches of hers. “But mostly, you’re incredibly sexy, and I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t take advantage of the moment.”
For several long seconds, nothing happened. Neil remained perfectly motionless, suspended midway between heaven and hell, afraid she’d start kissing him, afraid she wouldn’t and that he’d miss out on what was promising to be one of the best experiences of his life.
Finally, thank God, she ended his torture—or was that began it?—by sliding closer and melting into him.
Neil’s arms went around her, settling into place as if they belonged there. What started out as a hesitant exploration quickly built into an explosion of supernova proportions they were both at a loss to contain. She tasted exquisite, felt incredible and wreaked the kind of havoc on his senses that could send him hurtling toward the edge in a matter of minutes.
He knew he should put a stop to her while enough of his brain function remained for him to think straight.
In the next instant, she angled her head, slipped her hand inside his jacket and laid her palm over his pounding heart.
After that, thinking ceased altogether. There was only Carolina. How could he have gone so long without this? Her mouth tantalized his, her scent enveloped him, her heat invaded every inch of him. He must have been crazy. No, he was crazy.
Leading her on was wrong. Unfair. Unkind. He had to…had to…
He clasped her by the shoulders to gently ease her from him. She must have misread his intentions for she deepened their kiss, taking him to a place he hadn’t been for years.
Four years, to be exact.
Neil had dated and kissed women since coming to Payson. Pecks, mostly. On the cheek or sometimes the lips. But not like this mind-blowing, can’t-get-enough-of-her kiss that pushed his resolve to its very limits.
She saved him from a total loss of control by pulling back. “Well, so much for my sister’s theory,” she said, and slid back into her seat.
“What theory?” His heart continued to hammer, and perspiration lined his brow. He wiped the dampness away with the back of his hand and might have unsnapped the buttons of his jacket except for fear he’d be sending her the wrong signal.
“She had the nerve to suggest I only ask out guys I’m not interested in.” Obviously made of stronger stuff than him, she showed no evidence of waging an emotional war with herself.
“You were trying to prove them right?”
“Yes,” she purred.
“Okay.” The dig gave him a much needed reality check. It also served to remind him just how vulnerable he was where she was concerned. “I guess after all the things I said to you earlier, I deserved that.”
“You goon.” She laughed and rolled toward him, wrapping a shapely leg around his. “Don’t you get it?” Clutching the front of his jacket, she lifted her face to his for a quick kiss that was nonetheless reeling. “I’m interested in you, Sheriff Lovitt, and have been from the moment we met.”
All his silent reasoning in the past five minutes hadn’t sobered him as much as what she’d just said.
The dog, bored with being left to her own devices, appeared at the gate and resumed whining.
Carolina groaned. “She’s worse than having a mother who flashes the porch light. I really should go and feed her before she dumps over the garbage can. I didn’t know anything so little could get into so much trouble.” She sifted her fingers through the hair at Neil’s temples. “Come inside with me. Never mind,” she said, before he could answer. “I forgot Zoey’s babysitter has to leave.”
He’d disappointed her again. And once started, he couldn’t stop himself from doing it over and over.
“It wouldn’t make any difference.”
She stilled. “Because?”
“I can’t go inside with you. Can’t go to dinner with you. Can’t be alone with you.”
“I see.” She visibly stiffened.
“Before you storm off,” he said, “please listen to me.” He exhaled slowly. “I care about you.”
“Really?” The tilt of her head implied he had a strange way of showing it.
“I do. Much more than I should.” Here was the part where he could use a coach to help him choose what to say. “Lynne’s dead because of me.”
“It was an accident.”
“Call it whatever you like, my lack of judgment triggered a chain of events that ended with her dying. Afterward, I promised myself I wouldn’t put the people close to me in danger. It’s the reason I sent Zoey to live with her grandparents. It’s the reason I took a job in a small town when I couldn’t stand being separated from her.”
“How is shutting yourself off from a relationship with me going to protect me?”
He blinked away an image of Lynne in a pool of blood. “If we’re not together, you’re less likely to wind up in the path of a killer’s bullet.”
“There are no killers lurking in the shadows, Neil,” she said, her voice gentler.
“There could be.”
“This is Gila County. Hardly anything bad ever happens here. You said so yourself.”
“Ten years ago Sheriff Herberger’s house was torched by the brother of a man he’d arrested.”
“That’s one incident. And if I remember correctly, no one was home at the time.”
“One incident is all it takes.”
“You’re willing to risk Zoey’s life.”
“Yes, and I live in constant fear for her safety. It’s gotten worse since I was appointed acting sheriff. I’m suddenly more visible. More people know who I am. Who my daughter is.” He laid his head against the seat back and closed his eyes. “Zoey’s my only child, and I’m her only parent. I tried giving her up. My life wasn’t just incomplete without her, it was unbearable.”
“But you can give me up.” Disappointment more than anger tinged her voice.
“Today I can.” He turned to look at her. In the semidarkness, her features were soft and sweet and achingly lovely. “What scares me is that if we keep seeing each other, keep doing what we just did, I won’t be able to give you up. Ever.”
“It’s hard to tell, but did I hear a compliment in there somewhere?”
“You did.”
She studied him, her gaze critical. “Are you sure you’re not overreacting just a little?”
“Not everyone in Payson supported the county commissioner’s decision to appoint me acting sheriff.”
Her eyes widened. “Has something happened?”
“I received a minor threat the day of the interview, and someone’s been calling my home and private cell phone and hanging up. The same type of thing happened after Lynne died.”
“Pranks?”
“Not all of them.” A chill coursed through him. “Twice I was accosted outside my home. The perpetrators got
away.”
“What about Zoey?”
“Fortunately, she was at her grandparents’ then. I’ll do whatever’s necessary to safeguard her until Sheriff Herberger’s well and I can go back to being just a deputy.”
Or back to hiding in a hole, as Neil referred to it during those rare moments when he was honest with himself.
“What about us? Can we…keep doing what we just did when Otis is well?”
He didn’t respond immediately.
Her laugh this time was bitter. “Boy, I just keep setting myself up, don’t I?”
“I can protect Zoey better than I can you. She’s five and has to do what I tell her to.”
“And I don’t,” Carolina stated.
“You won’t. You’re very much your own person. I like and admire that about you, but it makes protecting you damn near impossible.”
A range of emotions flickered across her face. Neil began to think he was finally getting through to her.
“I don’t believe you, Sheriff Lovitt, and I’m getting tired of your excuses.” Wrong again.
“Carolina.”
She wrenched the handle beside her, flung open the door and stepped outside. “Sounds to me like you’re trying to protect yourself. Not Zoey and certainly not me.”
“Even if you’re right, which you’re not, it won’t change anything. I have a duty and a responsibility.”
She sniffed. “I need a man who isn’t afraid to get involved.”
“I understand.”
“I think you’ll regret this one day.” She slammed the door shut and walked away.
He didn’t have to wait that long. He was already regretting it.
Chapter Six
“Don’t think just because your family’s guest ranch is one of our sponsors you can pick and choose your assignments.”
“That’s not it, Ward.” Carolina sat with her hands on the table in front of her, trying not to twist the tennis bracelet on her left wrist. She’d returned the diamond engagement ring Lonnie had given her but kept the bracelet he’d surprised her with their first Christmas together.
Not all her experiences with her ex-fiancé were bad. Just the final ones.
After the other day, when she’d informed Ward she’d rather not do the story on Neil, her boss had blown up, but promptly cooled down. Then today, he’d called her into the small conference room, demanding she accept the assignment on Neil. His annoyance came across like an afterthought, as if he were following a protocol he didn’t fully support.
The Accidental Sheriff Page 7