“Wiley?” Vaughn asked then frowned. “Why does he hate me so much?”
“Hate you? He’s proud of you,” Mitchell said. “Guess you and Casey finally kissed and made up--or is that ‘made out’?”
Vaughn again shifted in his chair. “Okay, Tuesday night if officially closed for discussion.”
“We can always discuss Wednesday morning,” Tucker teased.
“The two of you are like a couple of horny teenage boys. Moving on--”
Both deputies appeared disappointed that there wouldn’t be any details or even an admission to what happened. It was back to business as usual.
“June stopped by with the bachelor auction schedule,” Mitchell informed him. “She was adamant about keeping us last in line. She is also quoted as saying, ‘Sheriff Holt needs to suck it up and shake his thing for charity’.”
“That’s really nice--coming from a seventy-year-old lady,” Vaughn scoffed.
“Earnest Harford was looking for you,” Tucker informed him. “He seemed pissed.”
“When doesn’t Earnest seem pissed?” Vaughn remarked with little interest. “I assume it has something to do with the incident in Town Square yesterday evening.”
“How did you guess?” Tucker teased.
“Dumb luck,” he replied. “Did you get a straight answer out of either of his boys?”
“They said they were minding their business when someone got the slip on them,” Mitchell replied. “When they came to, they were naked and tied to the cannon.”
“Yeah, I’m sure they were minding their own business,” Vaughn scoffed.
“A couple of people reported seeing Ernest’s car cruising slowly past the Remington farm driveway several times since Casey kicked the crap out of his boys,” Tucker added.
“When the rest of our rent-a-cops arrive, I want them to include the Remington farm in their sweeps,” Vaughn informed them. “I also want them to keep an eye on Ernest and his boys. I don’t want any trouble out of them during the fair.”
“You’ve got it,” Tucker said.
Both Tucker and Mitchell stood and left the office. Vaughn leaned back in his chair and appeared to sink reflectively into thought. He finally leaned forward and worked on his computer. He checked his email messages from yesterday. Most were photos of the incident with Wayne and Ryan outside Town Hall. He held back his laugh then opened a confidential file. As he read, his expression suddenly dropped and concern swept over his face.
“Oh, Casey. What have you done?”
Vaughn printed out the report, grabbed his jacket, and hurried from his office.
Chapter Twenty-three
The fairgrounds entrance was guarded by a rental cop to keep non-essential people out of the way while vendors set up rides and games in preparation for their busy week. Anyone entering was required to provide their name in order to gain access to the extremely busy area. Workers and vendors milled around in preparation for the upcoming events in two days. Casey’s horse was tied just inside the gates. Despite the commotion, the horse wasn’t the least bit affected by cars and trucks coming and going. Toward the back of the fairgrounds, there was a bustle of activity surrounding the stage area. Grey talked with Wiley toward the back of the bleachers by the sound system while the talent show contestants rehearsed their routines on stage. Casey, Dina, and several other contestants sat on the front row bleachers before the stage and watched Melanie practice her tap dance routine in workout clothing.
Casey appeared tense and leaned closer to Dina, who sat alongside her. “She’s better than I remember.”
Her comment seemed to be the same sediments shared by the other contestants. They all whispered while watching the very talented and attractive Melanie perform. Abby sat on the bleachers on the opposite side of the aisle and proudly watched her daughter’s dance routine.
Dina leaned closer to Casey and whispered back, “It’s all about how you look up there. Remember, the judges like to see a little leg and cleavage.”
“Are you sure we need to be here?” Casey asked softly. “I don’t see the point to this. Grey didn’t see the point.”
“Practicing at home and being on the actual stage are completely different,” Dina insisted. “It has a different feel, makes different sounds, and the elevation sometimes throws performers off. Trust me.”
Casey frowned and attempted to relax. As Melanie finished her act, the other participants exchanged more comments with disgust. Abby applauded enthusiastically. Melanie walked offstage and smirked at Casey as she passed. Their new rivalry was almost baffling to Casey. She knew she’d gotten into it with Melanie the other night at the tavern, but it seemed as if the rivalry had been going on much longer than that. Casey was almost certain it had something to do with Sheriff Holt. Abby handed Melanie a towel as she approached and praised her.
Wiley was heard speaking into the microphone from behind the stands. “Casey, you’re up next.”
Melanie appeared interested and remained to watch her performance. Casey eyed Dina for reassurance. Dina grinned and nodded her toward the stage. Casey reluctantly walked on stage and awaited her music. Wiley turned on the music from the sound system while Dina coached Casey on dance steps. Casey made an effort to dance to the music but got the steps wrong. She appeared very stiff and awkward. Her dance routine was borderline embarrassing. Melanie hid her humored smile and exchanged a few words with her mother. Both took pleasure in Casey’s obvious failure. The other contestants talked quietly and appeared equally stunned by Casey’s unprepared routine. Once the song ended, Casey was quick to exit the stage. Dina hurried to join her and tried to reassure her that she just needed a little more practice.
Toward the back of the bleachers, Wiley stood with Grey and watched in silence. Wiley’s smile was twisted into a slight grimace, but he appeared unable to say anything negative about Casey to Grey. Grey had his arms folded across his chest and held his chin. The look on his face was something between horrified and embarrassed.
Wiley spoke into the microphone. “Dina, you’re up next.”
Dina nodded, gave Casey a reassuring pat on the shoulders, and then hurried onto stage for her rehearsal. Casey ignored the looks and whispers from the other contestants and returned to the bleachers to watch Dina’s performance. Wiley turned to Grey and offered a timid smile.
“I know we schedule contestants according to when they sign up,” Wiley began, “but perhaps Casey would be less nervous if she went on closer to the beginning. Most of our performers feel intimidated following Melanie.”
Grey appeared to fume silently and could barely look at Wiley. He finally collected himself and managed a smile. “No, we’re fine with last spot,” Grey announced with conviction. “She was better at home. She has another two days to get the routine down. She’ll be fine.”
Wiley smiled and nodded. “I’m sure she’ll be terrific.”
Once Dina was finished with her routine, she joined Casey and they approached Grey and Wiley near the back. Grey glared at Casey then turned and walked away. Wiley smiled cheerfully at both women.
“You were both terrific,” he announced. “Why don’t you take these last two days to polish your routines? You’ll be fantastic on Saturday night.”
Casey managed a weak smile. Wiley hadn’t changed any since she’d been gone. She could do no wrong in his mind. It was sweet and troubling at the same time. It may have taken two years of absence, but she’d grown to love Wiley and understood his fatherly feelings for her. Casey and Dina left the stage area and hurried after Grey, who appeared reluctant to wait for them. They caught up to him and walked across the bustling fairgrounds in the direction of the main entrance. Once they were out of earshot of the busy vendors, Grey suddenly stopped and turned to face Casey with the rage evident in his eyes.
“What the hell was that?” Grey demanded, as the vein in his temple appeared ready to explode.
Casey appeared surprised by his tone toward her but contained her reaction. “Di
na said we should practice on stage.”
“That wasn’t part of the plan,” he snapped hotly while throwing his arms around in a fit of rage. “You almost got moved from last spot. If Wiley wasn’t so hot for you, he may have bumped you altogether!”
“It’s my fault, Grey,” Dina announced timidly.
He spun toward Dina and pointed a warning finger at her, startling her. “Things have to go according to plan,” he lashed out. “I won’t have anyone messing this up!”
Dina stared at him with surprise and a look of possible concern. She appeared unable to respond at first. She timidly replied with a soft, “I’m sorry.”
Grey’s mood softened as he fidgeted. He appeared to be wrestling with some particularly unpleasant demons. “No, I’m sorry,” he said more gently while running his fingers through his hair. He avoided looking at either woman. “I’m just a little tense. This is very important, that’s all.”
He turned and continued toward the main entrance with both following. There was a long silence. Casey then looked around and realized something was missing.
“What happened to our partners in crime?” Casey asked.
“Off doing whatever it is they do that I don’t want to know about,” Grey muttered.
Vaughn was seen approaching from the main entrance in the near distance. All three saw him heading in their direction.
Grey suddenly groaned softly and rolled his eyes with disgust. “Great, just what I need,” he scoffed softly. “One of you needs to distract him with a blowjob or something. I can’t deal with him right now.”
Casey and Dina glared at Grey. Neither was humored by the comment. As Vaughn approached, Grey immediately turned on the charm.
“Sheriff Holt, I see you survived those tequila shots,” Grey announced pleasantly.
Vaughn paused before them and glanced at Dina. “Dina, would you mind excusing us?” he announced firmly.
Dina appeared surprised then concerned and shifted nervously. “I’ll meet you guys at the shop.” She continued toward the main entrance.
“Is something wrong, Sheriff?” Grey asked while giving him an innocent look. “If it’s about what happened at the tavern, I swear, I didn’t show those pictures to anyone.”
Vaughn lacked patience and appeared unusually authoritative. “Drop the good brother, bad sister act,” he firmly announced, surprising both. “I want to know why you’re here and what you brought into my town.”
“What are you talking about?” Grey asked innocently.
Vaughn removed the folded paper from his pocket and handed it to Grey. Grey unfolded the paper and glanced at it. His expression twisted into something resembling a sneer.
“I’m talking about your ‘family friends’,” Vaughn remarked sternly and glared at both. “Former Special Ops with sealed military records. There’s a string of charges against those two from assault to attempted murder.”
Grey glared at Vaughn and carelessly returned the paper. “I don’t see anything about arrests or convictions.”
Vaughn was losing his patience with them. “I think the two of you came back for revenge, and you brought your little friends to help you.”
Grey smirked with a strange look on his face. He looked like a cobra preparing to strike. “Revenge is an ugly word, Sheriff,” he remarked lowly. “I’m sorry if we’re still a little pissed about our parents’ being butchered.” Grey stiffened while glaring at Vaughn. Grey appeared to be restraining himself from reacting, but it came off frightening all the same. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have work to do.” Grey nodded to Casey. “Come on.”
Casey turned without hesitation and headed toward the main gate with her brother. Grey headed through the gate and into town while Casey untied her horse. Vaughn approached her. She didn’t look at him.
“I don’t like being played, Casey,” Vaughn boldly informed her. “I really thought you’d finally stopped blaming me for what happened that night.”
Casey mounted her horse without comment and appeared ready to ride away. She then hesitated and looked at him as he stood near her horse.
“I don’t have to blame you,” Casey informed him. “You’re doing that enough for both of us.”
Vaughn stared at her in silence. Casey looked past him and frowned. Melanie and Abby were approaching from across the fairgrounds.
“Great, here comes your girlfriend,” she muttered.
Vaughn didn’t even look back. He stared into Casey’s eyes, despite her refusal to look at him. He placed his hand on her leg, catching her attention. She stared into his sorrowful eyes from her elevated position on her horse.
“Please, Casey,” he said gently. “Assure me you don’t intend to do anything stupid.”
“No, I already did that the other night,” she announced simply, removed his hand from her leg, and sent her horse into a gallop across the fairgrounds toward the woods.
Vaughn watched her ride across the back of the fairgrounds. She disappeared onto the trail in the woods. He frowned and groaned with disgust. Melanie and Abby approached him from behind and stared after Casey as well.
“Poor Vaughn,” Melanie announced with a sigh. “Casey Remington slipped through your fingers once again.” She then smiled slyly. “When are you going to learn your lesson?”
Vaughn didn’t bother looking back at either, although his look conveyed his emotions. “Go to hell, Mel,” he scoffed and headed toward the gate and his police blazer.
Melanie hurried after him while Abby walked behind in less of a rush. Melanie walked alongside him, kept stride, and maintained her grin. He refused to look at her.
“Face it, Vaughn,” she announced. “You and I were meant to be together.”
He didn’t stop and refused to respond. Melanie remained persistent and followed him to his blazer. She stepped in front of his police cruiser, stopping him from opening the door with her body. He finally looked her in the eyes.
“Get out of my way,” he growled.
“I’m not giving up on this relationship,” she replied.
“There is no relationship,” Vaughn retorted hotly. “There’s just you being a bitch as usual.”
Abby hung back to give them some privacy. Melanie was a little surprised by his tone but brushed it off and managed a smile.
“I’m willing to forgive you for dumping me,” she informed him.
“Well, good for you,” he remarked, “but I’m not willing to forgive you for that shit you pulled on me.”
Melanie suddenly became offended and sneered at Vaughn. “She’s going to bomb in the talent show.”
“What are you talking about?” Vaughn remarked impatiently.
“Casey’s act for the talent show,” she replied. “She’s going to embarrass herself in front of the entire town and possibly the whole county.”
“I don’t have time for this, Mel,” he announced. “Go bother someone else.” He pushed her aside.
Melanie purposely fell to the ground and clutched her shoulder.
Vaughn looked at her and appeared unimpressed. “I’m not falling for that,” he informed her.
Abby ran to Melanie’s fallen side and helped her to her feet. She turned and glared at Vaughn. “What’s wrong with you?” Abby launched hotly. “What sort of man assaults a defenseless woman?”
“I didn’t push her that hard,” he snapped. “She threw herself to the ground.”
“You threw her to the ground!” Abby appeared enraged while clinging to Melanie, who milked the sympathy for all it was worth. “I’ll have your badge for this!”
Vaughn climbed into his blazer, slammed the door, and glared at Abby. “Be my guest,” he scoffed then drove out through the main gate.
†
The Remington farm was peaceful early Saturday morning. It was nearly three o’clock in the morning and the fair was starting in just a few hours. Grey sat on the porch railing and stared out across the moonlit pasture. The porch door opened, alerting him. Dina walked onto the p
orch in a camisole top and floppy shorts. Her hair was slightly mussed, and she appeared exhausted. Grey shifted on the railing and appeared slightly uncomfortable.
“Trouble sleeping?” he asked.
Dina sat on the rocking chair with her legs curled beneath her and clung to her slightly chilled, bare arms. “Bad dreams,” she replied softly.
Grey snorted a soft laugh and returned his head to the support beam behind him. “That’s the only kind I ever have anymore,” he replied with some humor to his sad existence.
“I don’t doubt our nightmares are similar,” Dina replied gently. “I think about that night constantly. Your mother and father were the closest thing to parents I’d had since I was little.” She inhaled deeply and stared off at nothing in particular. “After you and Casey left, I felt like I lost everything.”
Grey took a deep breath and avoided looking at her. “Yeah, Casey felt bad about leaving you like that, but she was in a really bad place for a long time. There were times I didn’t even want to know her.”
Dina looked at him. He met her gaze. She stared at him a long moment with a strange look. “It wasn’t just Casey I was missing,” she said gently. “You were a bigger part of my life than I’d realized.”
He stared back at her with some surprise but didn’t comment.
She smiled timidly and shrugged. “After Melanie dumped Deputy Tucker for Vaughn, I had my chance with him,” she announced gently then snorted a soft laugh. “I couldn’t do it. I passed up my opportunity with Tucker, because I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I just wanted you back in my life, so I could make things right.”
Grey uncertainly straightened on the porch railing while staring at her with his mouth hanging open. “You liked me?”
“I still do,” she said softly while staring at him.
He slowly moved off the railing, approached her in the rocking chair, and held out his hand to her. She accepted his hand, allowing him to pull her up from the chair and into his arms. As he held her against him, she ran her hands along his chest while staring into his eyes. Grey gently touched her face then kissed her warmly but passionately. Dina immediately returned the kiss with added aggression. He became tense, broke off the kiss, and appeared embarrassed.
Town Darling Page 18