“I’m not there yet,” I countered. I knew full well I couldn’t have slowed down in time, but it sounded like a decent argument in my head.
“There’s another one back there. I can show you if you’d like,” he offered, a laugh in his voice as he pointed behind me. “About four years ago, the city voted to lower the speed limit along Lick Creek Road and into town. A lot of families live along this road. Their kids often walk up this way to grab the school bus, and they didn’t think it was safe for people to be driving fifty-five miles an hour anymore.”
I sighed, having no choice but to admit defeat. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize they’d changed it. Old habits die hard, I suppose, but admit it - you enjoy this. You’ve always enjoyed picking on me.”
“I never enjoyed any of it,” Teddy said, his brown eyes meeting mine. “Just doing my job.”
I clenched the steering wheel with both hands. I felt like screaming. I knew Teddy was probably right – I’d been a hellcat back in my younger days. I’d done a lot of things I shouldn’t have, mostly to survive. Had Teddy, or anyone else, actually cared, maybe I wouldn’t have had to steal food to feed myself and my brother. I met Teddy’s gaze again, and I wanted to believe he cared about me as a person and wasn’t just meeting a personal quota.
But I didn’t trust him.
I didn’t trust anyone in Liberty besides my two best friends, Hannah and Cassie.
“So, are you gonna give me a ticket or what?” I asked. “Because I have places to be.”
“Nah, no ticket,” he replied, waving his hand. “Just a warning since you weren’t aware and probably a bit distracted.”
I cringed, knowing what was coming next.
“I’m really sorry about your father, Madison.”
I let out a deep breath, trying to calm myself before speaking, but it didn’t work. “Are you really, though?” I asked, my eyes narrowed. My heart clenched in my chest as I stared into those deep, brown eyes.
Oh boy. He really is handsome, I thought, especially when he wasn’t scolding me for something.
“Aren’t you at least a smidge happy that you don’t have to deal with my father anymore? I know he didn’t make your job easy.”
“I’d never wish harm on anyone, Madison. Not even a criminal or a man with his demons,” he said pointedly. “Your father had issues that ran deeper than any of us will ever know, and I’m sorry about that. I’m sorry I couldn’t have done more.”
“You know, there’s still more you can do,” I said, speaking softly.
“What do you mean?”
I looked him hard in the eyes. “We both know there’s no way my dad would have killed himself. That man thought too highly of himself to ever take his own life.”
Teddy remained silent for a moment, but I could see the wheels turning in his head. He didn’t seem entirely surprised by my suggestion. “We’re looking into every possible angle.”
“Are you? Or are you going to just write it off as a suicide and thank the heavens that someone finally took the old man out?”
“Like I said—”
I interrupted with a hand wave. “I know, I know, you’d never wish harm on anyone. But his death isn’t exactly the last thing folks here have wanted. No more drunken bar fights, no more DUIs, no more drama. Liberty is free of Glen Wiley.”
I knew how the old sheriff used to talk about him. Teddy was just a deputy back in those days, but his boss had told my dad the world would be better off without him many times over the years. Hell, everyone in Liberty hated my dad. When he walked into a business, people would stop and stare, muttering to themselves. Some would leave, others would hang around to see what drama he might cause.
Teddy’s radio made a sound and pulled his attention away from me. “Listen, Madison, I have to go, alright? I really am sorry about your dad. Take care of yourself.”
“Yes Sir,” I said, taking the written warning Teddy handed to me. “Thank you for letting me off.”
“Believe it or not, I don’t like making your life difficult.” He straightened and walked back to his police cruiser. I couldn’t help it; I watched his ass as he walked.
Ass like that should be illegal.
He kept himself in good shape, even though most Liberty deputies didn’t have to do much. Not like the little town was riddled with crime. Especially now.
I drove off, feeling even more frustrated than I had before. I had to keep reminding myself that I was only there for a few days. Just a few days, and I could head back to California’s golden coast. I could head back to my life and far away from this town.
I pulled up to the diner and parked in the tiny parking lot.
Smothered in Love. The place was new. It used to be a shitty greasy spoon without a name. My brother Jack and I would sometimes eat there when he had some money. The restaurant looked much nicer now.
I got out of my car, and my eye’s widened when I saw Hannah at the front entrance. My best friend ran toward me, and we hugged tightly.
“Gosh, your hair has gotten so long,” she cooed, pulling at my blonde strands, which fell below my bra.
“Yours too,” I said. “It looks beautiful curly.”
Hannah’s auburn hair fell in big curls over her shoulders. “Yeah, trying this new method to work with my natural features instead of against them.” She giggled happily. “I think it’s working.”
“I’d say so. You look good.”
“Thanks, babe. You do too. California is taking good care of you, I see.”
“Well, it is summertime,” I said with a laugh. “I spend a lot of time at the beach.”
“Explains the tan,” she observed with a big smile. “I need to come back and visit you again soon.”
“I agree. Or make the move. We could be roommates, you know.”
Hannah’s face fell. “I could never leave Liberty. I’m not like you and Cassie. You know that. This is my home. But I’ll visit again soon, I promise.”
Hannah had come to visit me twice since I’d moved away, but neither of us had an abundance of money, which made it hard to see each other often. I missed my best friends, and hangouts via Skype weren’t cutting it anymore. Her mentioning our other best friend, Cassie, was like a knife through my heart.
“I miss Cassie,” I murmured.
“Me too. But she’s doing well, following her dream. She’ll be a lawyer in no time.”
“Yeah, I know. I just wish we could all hang out again, like the old days.” I smiled as brightly as I could manage. “But at least I have a few days in town with you.”
She grinned back and pulled on my hand. “Come on; you’re going to love what Felicity has done with the place. We’re a little late for breakfast, but her sandwiches are the bomb dot com!”
I followed Hannah through the door, and we found seats by the window. Summer in Utah was pretty – bright green trees and colorful flowers lined the sidewalk outside. People were out and about. Kids were out of school, so the playground across the street was bustling with activity.
I felt relaxation in my shoulders as I looked across the table at Hannah. She smiled at me again, but I saw the pity.
“So, you haven’t talked to your mom or brother yet?” Hannah asked.
And there went my relaxing moment.
“No,” I said bluntly. “Neither of them has my number, and I don’t know Jack’s. And we both know I have no desire to talk to my mother.”
Hannah reached for my hands from across the table, squeezing them firmly. “Maybe you can see Jack again.”
“Have you seen him?”
“Well, he’s been pretty reclusive ever since he was paroled. Not that I blame him considering the way people talk in this town.”
A waitress came over and gave us some menus, but I didn’t bother to open mine. Suddenly, I wasn’t very hungry.
“Can we talk about something else?”
“Sure,” Hannah said. “How are you doing? How’s school? Work?”
“School i
s good, just slow. I can only take a class or two a semester, at most,” I said with a shrug. “And work is…well, work. I make decent tips, at least.”
“Still living with roommates?”
“I have no choice, it’s LA,” I chuckled. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to afford my own place. Even after I get my degree.”
“Why do you stay there?” Hannah cocked her head to the side, studying me.
Normally when people asked me that question, I told them it was the sunshine and the beaches that kept me there, which wasn’t a complete lie. But in all honesty, it was the first place I’d stopped, where I landed after leaving Liberty, and I just never left. I knew there were cheaper places to live, but I was settled in now. I had a job. I had an apartment, even if I shared it with a revolving door of strangers. It beat the home I grew up in, which set a pretty low bar.
“I dunno, Hannah. It just feels right, you know? Why do you stay here?”
“Because it’s home,” she stated simply as if it were the easiest answer in the world. “I like visiting other places, but Liberty is home to me.”
Hannah and I were a lot alike, but in many ways, we were different. This was one of them. Hannah had a fairly normal childhood, which I envied. Perhaps if I’d had parents like hers, I wouldn’t hate this place as much as I did.
I caught a glimpse of someone walking toward the door.
“Oh shit,” I muttered. “Is he following me or what?”
“Who?” Hannah asked, turning around.
Teddy walked in the door, and when he saw me, he tipped his hat.
“Afternoon, Ms. Wiley.”
Teddy
Madison Wiley.
That was a name I hadn’t heard in a while.
Her name brought back a lot of memories.
Not all of them good, though I blamed her circumstances for that.
The girl had lived through some dark days. The kind that would cause most men to break down completely. Lucky for her, she always had a fighting spirit about her.
When I saw her little Toyota speeding down the road, I called in her plates. Her record as an adult was clean. Call me a little shocked, but I was also pleasantly surprised.
Good for her. She seemed to be leaving her family’s legacy behind. It made me proud.
Both her parents had turned to crime, alcohol, and drugs. Her brother raised her, stole food to feed them, and did what he could.
It was sad that he’d ended up in jail, but he’d recently been released after years of serving time.
When I stepped up to the side of her car, I was caught off guard by her beauty.
The last time I saw her, she’d been very much a kid. Eighteen, but in my eyes, still a child.
But now she was grown up.
Her honey-blonde hair fell over her shoulders, not the bleach blonde that her mother often strived for, but her natural color.
Blue eyes. Big and wide.
When she was younger, she’d perfected the sweet, innocent look, giving me doe-eyed looks when I stopped her for anything. She’d fooled me a few times back then. She still had that look about her, but it felt more sincere.
It felt real.
But dammit if it didn’t stir up a desire I wasn’t exactly comfortable with.
I had to be a good fourteen years her senior. She was a beautiful young woman, and she’d stolen my breath.
Truth be told, she’d made all the blood flow straight to my groin.
I struggled to force the thoughts of her out of my head. She was too damn young, and I was too damn set in my ways to be thinking about Madison Wiley as anything but another community member under my protection while she was in town.
Later that day, when I saw her at the restaurant, she frowned at me.
The girl practically shot me daggers for from across the dining room before getting up from her table and marching over to where I was seated.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re following,” she said, crossing her arms over her ample chest.
Getting to see the whole view of her - body and all - I was even more taken aback by her beauty.
She had a damn good figure with luscious curves I wanted to grab in all the right places. I could see now she was sporting form fitting jeans and a white t-shirt, but even the simple outfit looked good on her.
Dammit Williams, get your head out of the gutter. She’s practically a kid compared to you.
“Nah, it’s a small town, and it’s lunchtime,” I said. “I eat here every day. Ask Felicity.” I motioned toward the diner’s own, Felicity James, who waved at me.
“I’ll be right over, Teddy,” Felicity called.
“Take your time. I’ve got company,” I responded.
Madison glanced at her, then back at me. She seemed to be thinking it over, trying to decide if she should believe me. Her frown was replaced by a sheepish expression. She relaxed her shoulders.
“I’m sorry if I’m acting a bit crazy,” she muttered.
“You have nothing to worry about,” I assured her. “Your record is squeaky clean, Madison. I have no reason to think you’re up to no good; no reason to follow you.”
She bit her lip, then looked at me. I notice the freckles lightly dotting her cheeks and bridge of her nose, and it reminded of the young girl I had to haul into the station countless times in the first few years I was on the job.
Dammit, I’d always wished a better life for her.
I’d wanted to do more, and heaven knows I tried, but my efforts didn’t get very far.
I was more than pleased that she’d turned her life around.
I’d always known she had it in her.
“Alright, I’m gonna leave you alone now,” she said, turning on her heels.
My gaze fell on her ass.
Her waist was fairly small, but she had thick thighs and full hips. The perfect figure, in my opinion. As soon as I caught myself staring, I looked away.
Don’t be a damn fool, I scolded myself silently.
I turned my attention to Felicity, who was heading my way with a smile.
“The usual for you?” she asked.
“Don’t you know it,” I replied.
“I heard about the break-in at Gerald Peabody’s place last night,” Felicity commented as she jotted a note on her pad. “Second one this week. Should we be worried?”
I wished I could tell Felicity that she had nothing to worry about and that the break-ins were a rumor. Or even better, that we’d caught the person, but that would be a lie. I’d like to think it was a group of bored teenagers causing trouble, but whoever it was seemed to be far more advanced.
Lenny Roberts was sitting at the table beside me, and before I could answer, the old man spoke up. “I find it awfully coincidental that all these break-ins happen just as Jack Wiley is released from prison. Think there’s a connection, Teddy?”
“I really can’t answer that at this time, but we’re looking into all options.”
Anger began to swell in my belly towards Lenny and his negligence, and I resisted the urge to tell him to keep his opinions to himself.
My eyes darted to Madison, wondering if she could hear our conversation. Her fists were balled up and placed on the table, and she was staring right at me. A look of pure hatred was in her eyes, but I wasn’t sure if that look was directed at Lenny or me.
“Yeah, well, I can’t believe they ever let Jack out. Especially with only six years served. Seems like they’re just asking for trouble.” He cleared his throat noisily as if trying to attract attention. “Takes after his father. Worse, if you ask me. That whole family is trash.”
I was just about to reprimand the damn fool but Madison beat me to it.
She stood up and was at Lenny’s table in a second. She pointed a finger at the old man. “You don’t know anything about my brother or my family.”
“Oh look, speaking of trash,” Lenny cackled, seeming to enjoy the drama. “Felicity, you really need to take the garbage
out.”
I was out of my chair and grabbing Madison’s shoulders just as she lunged forward. She let out a growl and broke free from my grasp, turning and glaring at me.
“Don’t you dare touch me,” she seethed. She turned back to Lenny. “And you—you think you can call my family trash? After you slept with at least half the married women in this town?” The old man’s grin vanished. “Your poor wife. I don’t know how she puts up with you. And what about your daughter – oh wait, you don’t claim her or take care of her, but you think you’re better than the rest of us.”
That’s my girl. Stick up for yourself.
Lenny opened up this mouth to say something and I interfered.
“Let the girl speak.”
“I’ve stayed silent for too long while the rest of this shit town talked trash about my family. Yet not a single one of you did anything to stop it or to protect us kids. You just left us to fend for ourselves. How did you think we were gonna do that?”
Madison’s body was trembling, and tears ran down her face. My heart broke for her, and I reached for her. She pulled away again and stomped toward the door.
She stopped and yelled, “Maybe you should take a long look in the mirror before thinking you’re better than me.”
She pushed open the door and let it slam behind her. Hannah hurried out after her, apologizing to Felicity and offering to pay for everything later.
I stared in silence at the doorway, watching the two of them through the glass. I wanted to go out there to speak to her, but I knew my presence would only make things worse.
She was right about the past, what the town had ignored. Most people turned a blind eye while her parents had neglected them. While she and her brother had to raise themselves, resorting to crime just to survive. I had just started as a deputy back then, and I had tried to do something. I’d reached out to social services to report the family. But they were too backlogged and had worse cases than the Wiley’s to deal with.
“You know what?” Lenny said after a couple of moments. I turned to look at him, waiting for his response, thinking the old fool may have realized the error in his words. “You should add Madison Wiley to the list of suspects. She may have been gone for a while, but she’s still a Wiley - probably just like her old man and her brother. I’d keep an eye on her, Sheriff.”
Take a Mountain Man Home for Christmas: A Mountain Man Romance Christmas Collection Page 96