by Debra Holt
Going up the steps, he inserted the key in the lock and turned it. As was his habit, he usually didn’t flip on light switches in the mudroom because the light from the kitchen stove gave off enough so he could find his way inside. Only the stove light wasn’t working or some such, and then his foot landed in something wet and he jumped sideways only to land on a moving lump that let out a howl and that made him lurch against the cabinet where the ironing board fell off its brackets and clattered to the floor while he tried to grab it and then it ended up knocking down a lantern on the shelf next to it and that clattered and clanged as it hit the floor. The curse words that came flying out of his mouth at the same time were none too soft.
A light flipped on and everything came to a standstill.
“What in the world is all the noise? Your daughter is sound asleep upstairs. At least you could have the common decency to try to be quiet when sneaking into the house at such a ridiculous hour!”
The words were hissed in his direction and heated by the blue fire in the eyes of the woman facing him down. Hands on hips, a long length of shapely leg showing from what looked like some robe-thing she wore over her sleep shorts and tank top, and bare feet. He was faced with one sexy… and mad… woman. If his mind had been sharper, if his brain wasn’t focusing on some pretty fine female attributes at the moment, and his memory of touching some of that soft skin rushing to the forefront of coherent thought, then he might have been able to defend himself better. As it was, he was tired and out of sorts. Who was she to lecture him?
“What did you do to the poor puppy?” She gathered the animal up in her arms, speaking kind things to it while her eyes sparked at Cole.
“I didn’t do anything to that mutt. And what’s he doing here to begin with? And why did you turn off the blasted light over the stove? How was I supposed to find my way in the dark?” He stomped his way past her into the kitchen. Then he remembered Charlie and the stomping stopped. He removed the hat from his head and hung it on the peg beside the doorway. Shrugging out of his leather jacket, it went on the peg next to the hat. Then he faced Emma.
She was putting the dog back into its area, picking up the items he had knocked down, using paper towels to mop up the water from the overturned water dish, and then shut the door again. Gathering the short robe around her middle, she met his gaze.
It held only a bit less fire. “Look, I don’t know what your usual routine is, but your daughter missed you at dinner. She missed you tucking her in and telling her a bedtime story.”
“I had an emergency. I told you I would be very late.”
Emma’s gaze narrowed on him, her arms folding across her chest. “You never told me any such thing. I haven’t spoken to you since this morning in your office.”
“I left you two texts messages. One telling you that I wouldn’t make dinner. The next telling you I wouldn’t be in until very late. We did have an emergency and I couldn’t stand around chatting on a phone at the time.”
He took a breath, his hands on his hips. “And why am I explaining myself to the hired help?”
“In the future, you could call. I don’t stay hooked to my phone. I was too busy taking care of the feeding, bathing, and putting to sleep of your child to watch my social media.”
Looked like they had a standoff. Neither of them was willing to give in to the other. Cole just knew he needed sleep. “Fine! In the future, I will call you. One time. If it goes to voice mail… that’s your problem.”
“Fine.” She passed him and headed toward the stairs without a backward glance.
Damn woman. He was right… already she was trouble. He followed more slowly, aware of the soft scent of some floral fragrance left in her wake. As he passed the dining room, he caught sight of the table. He paused, his hand reaching to flip the light switch. He gazed at the plate of food. He got the message. She wanted to make him feel even worse. And it had to be his favorite dinner, too. Add insult to injury. So maybe he had been harsher than needed. Things had not gone well the last few hours and he might have taken his frustrations out on her. She didn’t ask to be there anymore than he wanted to have her there. But, judging by what she had done so far with Charlie, she at least was trying. And that pointed out his shortcoming. He needed to figure out how to be a better dad and still do his job to the best of his ability. And then her blue eyes wouldn’t be aimed in his direction… as much. Five months and twenty-eight days to go. He might not make it.
*
There was no sign of the man of the house at breakfast. Charlie was up and dressed and Emma had fed her the oatmeal and banana she had been told by Mae was one of her favorite ways to start the day. Emma had toast and coffee. They had the morning meal seated on the stools at the long island in the kitchen. Emma packed the lunch as Mae had left on the instruction sheet. She made certain Charlie had everything she needed inside her purple and pink backpack. So far, so good.
The pickup was the restoration Mae had mentioned Cole had worked on with his grandfather. It was red and black and shiny as a new dime. The interior was spotless and the chrome shone bright on the dashboard. Once Emma got past her initial fear of doing damage to it, she relaxed and found she liked the vintage auto… a lot. Charlie turned on the radio, and an oldies station blasted out with a Buddy Holly tune. To her surprise, Charlie knew most of the words and sang along with the music. Emma found herself joining in on the chorus. She shut the music off only when they pulled into the school parking lot. She wasn’t sure how rock-n-roll so early in the morning might be viewed by the teachers.
She walked Charlie inside to her class and was surprised at the warm greeting she received from the teacher and her aide that she had met briefly the day before with Mae. They made her feel welcome and said she could come visit their classroom anytime. If they had curiosity about her or the situation, they made certain it was not in evidence. Charlie gave her a wave and then her attention zoned in on her friends around the book table.
Emma wasn’t in any hurry to get back to the house. Hopefully, when she did, Cole would be long gone. She decided to stop and check out a couple of the stores Mae had told her about earlier. She was coming out of the second one when a shadow fell across her pathway. She looked up from digging in her bag to find the car keys and the smile she had placed on her face to greet whoever she might be crossing paths with faded quick enough.
“Surprised to find you shopping so early in the day. Already bored in the country, I suppose?”
“I am equally surprised to see you walking around so early Sheriff Drayton, after your late-night or should I say early morning escapades.”
It was clear he made an effort to not speak the first words that came to his mind after her reply. His tone was even and civil when he did speak. “I was on my way to the diner for a cup of coffee and some breakfast. I’d be pleased if you would join me. We haven’t had much time to go over your duties without others around.”
It was clear he was referring to his mother. So, this is where he lays down the law. “I don’t suppose a cup of coffee would take too long.”
They walked across the street and down the block. He held the door for her and she politely thanked him. Once seated in the booth toward the back of the diner, she felt she could breathe a bit more. Of course, there were more than a few inquisitive glances thrown their way. Many bid good morning to their sheriff and nodded to her. She felt her smile might freeze in place.
“Good morning, sheriff,” the woman said, bringing a mug of coffee and setting it in front of the man. Then she looked at Emma and gave her a wide grin. “And you must be the latest talk of the town, the pretty filly that is keeping our sheriff company.”
There was a splutter of coffee and a quick grab for the napkin holder beside him. Cole sidestepped having dribbles of the brew down his shirt front. “Darcy, what in the blazes?”
“Thought that would get him. Pays you back for that joke you made about the cherry pie I brought to the council meeting the other night.” She
turned her attention to Emma. “I’m Darcy McKenna. I own this diner and I grew up with this guy so I can get away with a lot of things. Mostly, I just like keeping him grounded whenever he starts getting too big for that hat he wears.”
Emma had to laugh. She immediately liked this woman who was about her own age. “McKenna? I met another McKenna, the—”
“Let me guess, about a foot and a half taller than me… big hat, big gun.”
“That’s him.”
“That’s my brother, Davis. He got the brawn and I got the beauty.”
“I see that. I’m Emma Cramer and it’s very nice to meet you.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Emma. You come in any time. We can gossip about you-know-who when we don’t have anything better to talk about.”
“You-know-who would like to order breakfast, if you have the time to take the order.” Cole spoke up at that point, throwing one of his looks at the woman.
“And your breakfast is on its way as we speak,” she said, nodding toward the waitress who moved their way. “It started cooking when we saw you walk in the door.” She looked at Emma. “What can we get you?”
“Just coffee, please. I ate earlier with Charlie.”
“Isn’t she a doll? Can’t imagine they’re related at times.” She shot another look at Cole as she headed to retrieve another coffee mug.
“She’s great. I like her.”
“Why? Because she has an attitude, also?”
“Because she speaks her mind and is friendly and made an effort to make me feel welcome. I can appreciate that.”
“Here you go,” Darcy said, setting the coffee in front of Emma. “I’ll leave you now, but if you need me to come back and see he behaves himself, you just give a yell.”
Cole did not respond but kept his attention on his plate. Emma took a few sips of her coffee while he demolished half the pancakes on his plate. She waited for whatever was on his mind.
Taking another sip from his mug, he pushed his plate back a bit and squared his shoulders. His gaze fell on her and for the first time, she realized that his eyes were a shade darker than Mae’s… almost a gunmetal color with a darker ring barely perceptible around the irises. Mesmerizing almost. How did she miss them the first time? He was staring back at her. She pulled her thoughts back to where they should be.
“You had something to say?”
He seemed to have to bring his mind back from wherever it had gone also. “Yes… that’s correct. I think you know that I wasn’t exactly for this idea of my mother’s. I’m still not. But part of it does make sense. My mother’s in need of some time off. She’s put her life to the side and taken on a lot of things to do with Charlie. I’m agreeing to the arrangement she made with you because of her. And if you’re as good on the computer as she seems to think you are, then you might be of some help in the ranch office. And I’m sure Charlie will like the company. But it isn’t anything long-term. We all need to understand that. This isn’t a permanent job.”
“You don’t need to worry about my not understanding this isn’t permanent. I told your mother and I will tell you, I have my plans in the city and they don’t include staying very long in this country town. I wouldn’t be here now except for the problems with my truck. But make no mistake, sheriff. While I am here, you’ll get more than an honest day’s work from me and the best care I know how to give to Charlie. In return, I expect to be treated with respect. Are we agreed?”
His expression was thoughtful and he didn’t respond right away.
Then he extended his hand across the table to her. “We are agreed.”
She placed her hand in his and they shook.
Big mistake. Something changed in that moment of contact. It wasn’t a lightning bolt or a sonic boom. No bells and whistles. But something had removed the blinders and she saw the man seated across from her. Really saw him for the first time. Was he aware of the same thing? He had a bit of dazed look. Neither of them spoke. The hand contact broke when Darcy returned to the table.
“Hope that was a good deal you were shaking on there. More coffee?’
“No thanks, Darcy. I have to get to the office.” He reached for his hat and drew it down on his forehead.
Emma gathered up her purse and bag from beside her. “Me, too. I have to get busy.”
Cole stepped aside to allow her to move ahead of him to the register at the end of the bar. While he paid the bill, she glimpsed the newspaper and saw Cole on the front page. “Sheriff Saves the Day” was the headline. She quickly read over the print. Her stomach had a funny feeling. She didn’t say anything until they were on the sidewalk headed back to their vehicles. He stopped at hers first.
“I see it got you here safe and sound.”
Emma took a moment to register what he meant. Her mind was still back on the news story she had read. “Yes, it’s really a great truck. You can be proud of it. I promise I’ll only drive it when necessary and take very good care of it.”
Was that a half of a smile? Her breath caught in her throat. It did transform him into something more human. And much more likeable. Don’t get carried away.
“I know you’ll take good care of her and do drive her all you want. She needs to be used more.”
“Look, last night or this morning rather… I overreacted. I should have known you were tied up with your work. I just saw the newspaper. What you did, well that was far more important than being on time for dinner. You rescued a kidnapped couple and I acted like a shrew when you got home. You don’t need to have that hit you after such a stressful day. I’m sorry.”
“Newspapers tend to exaggerate. But it does point out the fact that in my line of work, I can’t always be someplace on time… even when I do try. And I promise I will do better about that. In fact, I will be home for dinner this evening. No later than five. If you thaw some steaks from the freezer, I’ll fire up the grill. We may not have too many nice evenings to grill out before the weather changes permanently on us.”
She had to allow her smile to show her partial belief in the time he said. “I’ll have everything ready at six.”
“Sounds fair.” There was the upturn of one corner again.
And she needed to not look too often at his mouth. It could be habit forming… and not something an employee did with her boss.
They were actually behaving as normal adults… imagine that. She hated for the moment to end. But it had to do just that.
“And I appreciate your apology and I offer one in return. I guess I could work on the rough edges of my own manners. Have a good day. And tonight, after dinner and all, we can go over a few things in the office that you can start on tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a plan.” She slid inside the truck and he closed the door before stepping back on the curb. She was conscious of the fact he stood there and watched as she backed out and then headed toward the road to the ranch. She glanced in the mirror and saw him turn towards his vehicle. He definitely was a good-looking man. Why hadn’t he been taken out of circulation by one of the single ladies in town? She returned her concentration to the road ahead. There were always surprises when she least expected them. And he had certainly surprised her… in more ways than one. She just wasn’t sure if that would turn out to be a good thing or not.
Chapter Seven
Charlie had a memory like a steel trap. As soon as Emma picked her up from school, she asked which store they were going to in order to get a bed and collar for Angel. It was a good thing Emma had scoped those things out earlier that morning in town and found the store that would be best for their shopping trip.
As they entered the store, Charlie pointed out another important need. “And since Angel has a collar, she’ll need a name tag, too. And she needs a leash for when we go someplace and she needs to be safe when we walk. And she has to get shots so she won’t get sick.”
“And how did you get to be such an expert on what a responsible dog person needs for their animal?”
“My fr
iends, Julie and Andy. They have dogs and they told me. And we need treats for when she does good in her learning stuff. Like when I train her so she can stay in my room.”
“Well, remember what I said… you have to get your dad’s permission on that. Maybe you should talk to him about it tonight at dinner.”
“What if he isn’t there?”
“I have a feeling he will be tonight.”
Charlie gave her a look of partial disbelief. Emma simply smiled. Please be there tonight. If only to make your daughter believe you do want to be.
“I wish we had found a purple bed.” Charlie voiced some disappointment on the return trip home.
“We found a purple leash and collar. And her name tag is purple and white with little sparkles. She’ll love all of that.” Emma wasn’t quite certain Angel was a bling sort of girl, but she wouldn’t burst Charlie’s bubble. “Besides, she doesn’t know the difference unless you tell her.”
That got Charlie’s attention. “How can she not know it’s purple?”
“Because dogs are color-blind. They don’t see things in color like we do. So, to Angel, it could very well be whatever color you want it to be.”
“Wait until I tell Julie at school tomorrow! I bet she doesn’t know that.”
Crisis averted. Once they arrived home, Emma gave Charlie the task of wiping off the patio furniture outside with the rag she gave her. The Texas winds had brought in a fine coating of dust. And they hadn’t been used in a while either. She wrapped the baking potatoes and placed them on a rack in the oven. She found some corn on the cob and brought those out. Perhaps Cole would want to put those on the grill, too.
The phone rang that she had set on the edge of the island as she worked. Was it Cole calling to tell her he couldn’t make it? A sudden shaft of disappointment hit her as she reluctantly clicked the call on.
“Hello?”
“It’s Cole. Have you started dinner yet?”