“Since his retirement, he’s learned to respond to the basics. ‘Sit.’ ‘Stay.’ ‘Come.’”
“Nothing like ‘kill’ or ‘attack’ or ‘take the scumbag down’?”
He smiled. “Those commands are in German. Though, ‘take the scumbag down’ isn’t one of them.”
“Really?” She was impressed. “German?”
“Police dogs are trained in another language.”
“I guess they wouldn’t be much good if the criminal could get away by telling them to stay.”
“Exactly.” Opening the paper bag, he began removing white foam boxes and placing them on the table. Obviously not dog items.
“You brought food?” Sidetracked, Ruby craned her neck for a better look. There was enough for six people.
“Dinner,” Cliff said. “From the I Do Café. I wasn’t sure how well stocked Scarlett left the refrigerator or if you had a chance to eat lunch.”
Something told Ruby he already knew the answers. Scarlett wasn’t one for stocking refrigerators, and Ruby’s lunch had consisted of a protein bar eaten—she glanced at her watch—six hours ago.
“I can’t accept,” she said.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Let me pay you.”
Cliff pretended he hadn’t heard her.
Left with little choice, Ruby accepted his generosity with a gracious, “Thank you.”
“Let’s activate this phone then I’ll get out of your hair.”
“Wait, you can’t go!”
“If you’re afraid of being alone, rest assured Sarge will do his job.”
“It’s not that.” She motioned to the table. “You have to join me for dinner.”
This time Cliff didn’t mask his emotions. Indecision showed clearly in his eyes.
“Please,” she said. “You’ve done so much for me. And there’s no way I can eat all this food by myself.”
He didn’t move.
Just when she thought he’d say no, he removed his cowboy hat and hung it on the back of the nearest chair.
“Sure.”
A slight thrill Ruby had no business feeling coursed through her.
Sarge made a wuffling sound and rested his large head on his front paws, his way of saying that his human staying for dinner was as it should be.
* * *
WHILE RUBY FRESHENED UP, Cliff ransacked the cabinets and drawers for plates and silverware. He’d observed on more than one occasion that Scarlett did next to nothing to make the place her own. He now realized it was probably because she’d never intended to stay long. As they say, hindsight is twenty-twenty.
What about Ruby?
Was there any reason to ask? She would return to Vegas the moment Crowley ceased being a threat. Possibly sooner, for the arraignment and trial. No way would Crowley plead guilty. Not with his father’s attorneys at his disposal.
Back in Vegas, Detective James would oversee Ruby’s safety. Cliff’s involvement would be at an end.
Strange, he felt more disappointment at the prospect of not seeing her again than he did her sister. And, yet, he hardly knew Ruby.
“Smells good.”
She stood in the entrance to the kitchen. Cliff had been so lost in thought, he failed to notice her. Not like him. In his line of work, a lapse in concentration could cost him his life.
“What did you bring?” She came up beside him.
Her scent, the same floral one he’d detected that morning when he pulled her into his arms, enveloped him, giving him all kinds of ideas. The wrong kind.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked. If you were a vegan or anything.”
“I’m not.” The corners of her mouth lifted ever so slightly. “Though I have the greatest respect for people who are.”
Those had to be her clothes she wore, not her sister’s. Gone were the jeans and work shirt. In its place, Ruby had donned stretch leggings and a tiny T-shirt that hugged her exquisite curves. He had never appreciated the differences between the two sisters more than at this moment.
“There’s pot roast.” He opened the first food container. “Salmon and rice, chicken and dumplings and vegetable stew. Also Caesar and fruit salads.”
“Let’s see if Scarlett left anything to drink.” She went over to the refrigerator and surveyed the contents.
“Water’s fine.”
“Good.” Ruby closed the door with her hip, a quart-size milk carton in her hand. “Because this is all I found.” She shook the carton to demonstrate it contained only a few drops.
After filling their glasses with water and ice, she sat at the table with Cliff. It occurred to him that on the six dates he and Scarlett went on, they’d always eaten out. Never here or at his house. And while they’d spent one evening together on her couch, they’d done no more than kiss a few times.
She’d been keeping him at arm’s length. He knew that now and why.
“Can I have some of each?” Ruby asked, her fork poised midair, her expression hopeful.
“Help yourself.”
She dug in, serving herself both pot roast and chicken. Not a vegan in the least, Cliff thought and started with the salmon.
“Tell me about you and Scarlett.”
He almost choked on his food. “There isn’t much to tell,” he said, sipping his water. “We didn’t date long. And, obviously, not seriously.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
“Hardly your fault.”
“She and Demitri have been together off and on for three years. Every time I think she’s over him, they reconcile.”
“You don’t like him?”
“He’s married to his work. And he’s a hothead.” Ruby sighed. “But he’s also smart and good-looking and can be very charming.” She paused, her smile remorseful. “I shouldn’t talk about him.”
“If you’re afraid of rubbing salt in old wounds, don’t be. I liked your sister. That’s as far as it went.”
“You brought her flowers.”
Sarge had moved from the rug in front of the sink to the table. He didn’t beg, he was too dignified for that. But he did wait patiently for any scraps that might happen his way.
“She was avoiding my calls,” Cliff said, slipping the dog a piece of salmon. “I didn’t want to show up at the square dance alone. I have a reputation to uphold.”
“Sweetheart’s most eligible bachelor?” A hint of humor lit her eyes. “Or is it Sweetheart’s most notorious bachelor?”
“Neither.” He chuckled.
“Can’t be most confirmed bachelor. Or else you wouldn’t have been dating my sister.”
“It was strictly for show.”
“Ah, yes. That reputation.”
“Exactly.”
Had his and Scarlett’s conversations ever been this light and easy? Not that he could recall.
“What about before Scarlett? How many women have gone down in the annals of history as Sheriff Dempsey’s girlfriend?”
This wasn’t a discussion he cared to have. He could admit to falling for the wrong woman. Even that he’d been duped by her. What he hated admitting was how close he’d come to ruining his career.
“Dating a police officer isn’t for everyone. The woman has to put up with a lot. Cancelled dates. Late nights. Stress and tension spilling over from the job.”
“Difficult or not, I think any woman would be lucky to have you.”
His reply was noncommittal.
“Why did you leave the Reno P.D.?”
He was beginning to suspect that Detective James had researched him and mentioned his screwup to Ruby.
“My father retired early.” This was a topic he could handle. “My mother’s arthritis deteriorated to the extent she needed a walker. T
here were days she couldn’t get out of bed.”
“How terrible for her.”
“Now they live in Phoenix near a clinic that specializes in cutting-edge treatments.”
“You must miss them.”
“They come home regularly, and I visited them last Christmas.”
“Are the treatments helping her?” Ruby had finished the pot roast and was starting on the chicken.
“She’s improved. The dry climate’s much kinder to her joints.”
“So, you took over for your father.”
“Family tradition. Seventh-generation sheriff.”
Cliff could have remained with the Reno P.D. In a few months or a year, the incident with Talia would have blown over. Mostly. Instead, he left. Everyone in the department was aware of his history, where he was from, and that his plan was to return one day. No questions were asked.
“The day after my dad announced his retirement, the town council approached me.”
“The town council your uncle heads?”
He nodded. “They asked me to accept the appointment for sheriff. Insisted I accept it. If I win the election this coming fall, the position will become permanent.”
For the next four years, anyway. Barring any screwups.
He didn’t inquire about Ruby’s love life. Not that he wasn’t interested. It didn’t seem appropriate when she was hiding out from a stalker.
Instead, he said, “I’m babysitting my nieces and nephew tomorrow evening while my cousin helps decorate the community center for the dance. Can I talk you into coming along with me?”
“What about the risk? I know you told Sam it was minimal, but I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to your family.”
“I spoke to Detective James earlier. He’s been keeping tabs on Crowley. The man’s sticking close to home.”
“Still...”
“The best way to throw Crowley off and to protect my family is for you to convince everyone you’re your sister.”
Her smile faltered. “I suppose helping you babysit is something Scarlett would have done.”
“She does like the little rug rats.”
“And they no doubt like her.” Ruby pushed away the last remaining bites of her dinner. “Scarlett’s always been great with kids.”
Was that a touch of resentment in her voice? Cliff had pondered the differences between the two sisters all day. How Scarlett was a natural with children and Ruby was anything but.
“Come with me tomorrow. I’ll run interference.”
“I’m not sure.”
“We’ll go out for ice cream.”
One shoulder lifted slightly. She was weakening.
“I’ll bring Sarge,” he added. “The kids adore him. You’ll hardly notice they’re there.”
“I’ll think about it. Let you know tomorrow.”
They finished their meals. While Cliff helped Ruby wrap up the remaining food, he told her about Iva Lynn and her position as part-time deputy. Ruby agreed to go by the station the following morning and introduce herself to Iva Lynn.
When the dishes had been washed, she and Cliff sat back down at the table and he showed her the new disposable phone. Together they programed the speed dial numbers she’d need: Cliff’s, Sam’s, Iva Lynn’s, Detective James’s and her sister’s.
“No personalized voice-mail recording,” he said, selecting the generic one.
She nodded in understanding.
When they were done with the phone, he installed small locks on every window in the trailer. The same kind of locks he’d installed in Maeve’s house to deter her children.
“These aren’t great,” he said, “but they’re better than nothing. Tomorrow I’ll bring a dead bolt for the front door.”
“You’re pretty handy for a sheriff.”
He noticed she tested each lock after he was done.
“Keep the phone with you at all times,” he told her at the door as he was leaving. “Don’t so much as go to the bathroom without it.”
“I promise.”
“It could be your lifeline, Ruby.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.”
Because she seemed nervous, he added, “Same with Sarge. Don’t let him stray more than ten feet from you, except when you let him outside. And don’t go out with him.”
“What about when I’m at work? He might get in the way.”
“Drop him off at the station on your way to the Gold Nugget. Then you can pick him up on your way home. He’s used to staying at the station all day with my deputy.”
“All right.”
He bent down to give the dog a farewell petting. Sarge was taking his assignment seriously and sitting by Ruby’s side, ears and eyes alert. “I’m counting on you, boy.”
The dog nudged his hand.
Cliff checked his watch. “It’s seven-thirty now—”
“I’ll call you at eight-thirty,” she finished for him. “Maybe sooner. I’m really tired. It’s been a long day, and I didn’t sleep much last night.”
“Good night, Ruby.”
“Night.” She gripped the phone in one hand. The other one rested on Sarge’s head.
“You sure you’re going to be okay? I could call Iva Lynn. Ask her to stay with you.”
“I’ll be fine.”
He drove away wishing there had been more conviction in her voice and more he could do for her. Ruby was resourceful and courageous in a crisis. That didn’t mean she wasn’t terrified.
With luck, her impersonation of her sister, his precautions and everything they were doing to keep her safe would be for nothing.
Cliff knew better than to count on it.
Chapter Six
Ruby climbed out of the old pickup truck and surveyed her surroundings. That morning, when she’d dropped off Sarge and met Iva Lynn, the community-center parking lot had been practically deserted. Now, there were more than a dozen vehicles. Volunteers had arrived to decorate the community center for tomorrow night’s BBQ and square dance.
At least one more person was going to show up, if she wasn’t already here. Cliff’s cousin Maeve. And he was babysitting her children. Ruby had begged off joining him, deciding it was for the best even if being in his company gave her a sense of security and aided her cover.
The list of reasons why their relationship needed to remain professional was a long one. Topping it was Crowley. Being at the center of a stalking case wasn’t the best time to start a new romantic relationship. And, technically Cliff was Ruby’s protector.
Her feelings for him, however, had started to border on nonprofessional. The cozy dinner last night. The hug at his vehicle after the trail ride. Her thoughts constantly drifting to him throughout her work day at the ranch. Their phone calls every hour on the hour.
Truthfully, she knew she’d already crossed the line and would head even further into dangerous territory if she didn’t put a stop to it right this second.
Luckily, because of his babysitting duties, Cliff wasn’t at the station. Only Iva Lynn. Despite her knowledge of Ruby and Scarlett’s ruse, and Cliff’s assurance she was a wonderful person and a competent deputy, Ruby was nervous around the older woman. During their introduction that morning, Iva Lynn’s narrowed gaze had constantly raked over Ruby until her skin crawled.
Ruby also had her doubts that a sixty-something-year-old woman could do more than place a phone call should Crowley appear. Of course, a phone call could save her life.
She knocked on the station door and was surprised when no one answered. Didn’t that Chevy belong to Iva Lynn? Ruby was more surprised that Sarge didn’t bark. He was a diligent watchdog, as she’d discovered last night, and raised the alarm at every noise.
When there was no response to a second
loud knocking, she tried the doorknob and found it locked. Strange. Iva Lynn was expecting her, or so Cliff had said.
Her imagination went wild. She saw Iva Lynn in trouble. Helpless in the face of Crowley’s deranged whims. Walking back to the old pickup truck, Ruby scolded herself for watching too many TV crime shows. Iva Lynn must be out on a call. But, then, why was her Chevy here?
Ruby was just dialing Cliff when she heard barking coming from the fire station. Certain it was Sarge, she began walking in that direction. Sarge barked again, and she followed the noise.
Ruby entered the metal building through an open door large enough to accommodate the fire truck. She was about to call out when she heard a woman speaking in sharp tones. Iva Lynn.
“Stay, Sarge. Sit. Good boy.”
From the sound of it, she was standing on the other side of the fire truck. Ruby started forward, only to come to another abrupt halt when a man spoke.
“There’s something wrong with Scarlett. She hasn’t been herself the past couple of days. Are she and Cliff on the outs?”
Ruby recognized the voice as belonging to Will Dessaro, trail boss at the Gold Nugget and her immediate supervisor. He also served as a member of the volunteer fire department and was the town’s on-call EMT.
“I wouldn’t tell you one way or another even if I did know,” Iva Lynn said.
“She’s acting different.”
“Is she doing her job?”
“Yeah, no problem there. Except Sam is sticking to her like gum to a shoe sole. Annie, too, when he’s not nearby. And if I didn’t know better, I’d say Sam was doing his level best to keep Scarlett away from me.”
Ruby’s breath caught. If Will suspected something was amiss, it wouldn’t be long before others did, too.
She cautioned herself to be extra careful. Not make one single slip.
“I’d leave things alone,” Iva Lynn said. “Cliff, and Sam for that matter, will tell you if there’s anything you should know.”
“I could ask Scarlett. She and I get along well enough.”
No, please! A confrontation with Scarlett’s supervisor could only go badly for Ruby.
“Don’t,” Iva Lynn blurted.
“So, there is something going on?”
MOST ELIGIBLE SHERIFF Page 7