The Cowboy and the Cop

by Christine Wenger

“Captain, can I speak to you in private?” Luke asked.

  Amber knew why he was asking and she fumed. Luke was sidelining her, just like Fitz usually did.

  “If you have any concern about my fitness to handle your case, then you can speak in front of me.”

  He winked. “Not if I need a place to stay!”

  The captain raised an eyebrow and his eyes grew big.

  On another day the shocked expression on the captain’s face would have made her laugh. But not today.

  “It’s not what you think,” Amber said then turned to Luke. “Say what you have to say.”

  “If your family is involved, are you able to turn them in?”

  Amber took a deep breath. “I told you before I could.”

  Luke shifted on his booted feet. At least he had the sense to be uncomfortable. “I want to hear it again. In front of the captain.”

  “I would arrest them in the same amount of time, or less, that it takes you to ride a bull. Eight seconds. Now let’s end this. The CIA has less screening.”

  “I’m satisfied,” Luke said.

  “Me, too.” Captain Fitzgerald said.

  “Finally.” Amber knew that the captain would watch her like a hawk and question her judgment until the perps were arrested and convicted.

  “Luke, I’d like to borrow one of your horses and check out your northeast pasture,” she said.

  “They’re all new to me. I believe that a couple of them are tame and broken for riding, but most are rodeo stock. I’ll have to ask Slim to get two ready.”

  “Two? I can only ride one at a time.”

  Oh, no. He wouldn’t dare. He just wouldn’t dare!

  “I’m going with you.” He dared.

  “Captain, this is an official investigation of the Beaumont County Sheriff’s Department.”

  “But you just asked Luke to loan you a horse.” The two men made eye contact. “He just wants to make sure you’re treating his animal okay.”

  She saw the wink from the captain to Luke. Soon they were going to run toward each other and bump stomachs.

  “Captain, I must protest—” Amber began.

  “Duly noted.”

  Ah...yes. The Good Ole Boys network.

  Another reason why she couldn’t wait to join the state police.

  “Now, you both just excuse me. I have an appointment with Mayor Kendall.” He picked up his cowboy hat, slapped it on his head, gave it a tap, which he did for good luck, and was gone.

  She turned to Luke. “Don’t even think about going with me.”

  “Don’t even think of keeping me away. Two heads are better than one. Besides, I have a stake in finding my cattle.”

  “So do I, Luke. So do I.”

  You have no idea.

  Luke checked his watch. “Amber, would you like to have dinner with me? Today would be perfect to treat you for all the wonderful meals you’ve been making, and the sandwiches you’ve been passing out for everyone at lunch.”

  “I don’t need any repayment, so thank you for thinking of me, but I’d like to get started on the investigation tonight. Maybe talk to Slim. But I bought the fixings for a meatloaf and a salad for us for dinner.”

  “Amber, I’m surprised that I haven’t worn out my welcome and you’re still feeding me and letting me back on your couch.”

  “Maybe I’m kind of getting used to you on my couch, and I do like cooking for you. You’re very appreciative.”

  “Since I’m on the road a lot working the circuit and eating every meal out, your cooking is heaven. It’s just like—”

  “Your mother used to make.”

  He smiled slightly but his eyes dimmed. “Yes.”

  “I like going out, but I like cooking better. Let’s do that meatloaf. While it’s cooking we can—”

  “Talk about the investigation?” Luke asked.

  “Clean out my spare bedroom so you can move in there.”

  “That’s just what I meant.” He winked. “One more favor?”

  She put her hands on her hips as if she was thinking about it, but she knew he needed a ride, and she wasn’t going to make it easy for him. He was beginning to take advantage of her. “It depends.”

  “Give me a ride to your house. My pickup didn’t start again and wouldn’t take a charge,” Luke said. “I guess I have to spring for a new battery. Your brother said that it was time, but I haven’t had a chance to get one.”

  “How did you get here? And don’t tell me that you hitchhiked.”

  “Okay I won’t. I could have bummed a ride, but I didn’t want to take anyone off the job. It was Matty Matthews who picked me up. He was going to visit my father as he had to do an updated report to the court. Matty said that Dad is doing okay. He won’t participate in group counseling, but he’s okay one-on-one with Matty and another counselor there.”

  “That’s great, Luke. I bet you are relieved.”

  “Relieved is right, but I’m still holding my breath because by now he knows that we have stock—a lot of stock—and he knows that a lot of people are helping to rebuild the ranch. It’s all happening without his approval and without him. This won’t be good for his treatment progress, and that’s what I told Matty.”

  “Do you want to visit him? I’ll drive you over. This time I’ll wait for you either in my car or in the lobby.”

  “Thanks, but I’m beat. I’ll visit him tomorrow for sure. I’ll look into renting a car, so I’m not imposing on you until your brother can take another look at my truck.”

  “Good. Tomorrow I’m going to immerse myself in your case. You’ll be busy working and visiting Big Dan.”

  “I hired a professional roofing company to do the barn roof. They have the specialized equipment. They’re starting tomorrow. I couldn’t expect the volunteers to tackle that job.”

  “That’s good. You can do something else that needs your attention.”

  “What needs my attention is my missing stock. And I’ll have the time to saddle up two horses and to help you. What a lucky break, huh?”

  “Gee, how lucky can I get? But, Luke, if I wanted a partner, I could have asked for one. Truth is, I work better alone.”

  Who was she kidding? She worked alone because none of the cavemen that she worked with wanted to partner with her. If she heard one more “you might break a nail doing real cop work” or the like, she was going to scream at them. Well, she had on several occasions. That hadn’t worked, so she’d spoken softly. She’d spoken nicely. She’d baked up a storm. She’d regularly bought doughnuts and supplied coffee. She’d used humor, briefly, she’d tried being one of the guys. Nothing had worked.

  They didn’t want it to work.

  Chief Fitz just wanted peace. Even though she didn’t like some of the things he did, she respected his position, so she gave him peace and didn’t complain.

  Not much, anyway.

  Amber waved goodbye to the dispatcher who was working behind a big glass window, surrounded by several desktop computers and various maps of Beaumont County on the wall.

  Luke looked shocked that they hadn’t been alone.

  “Right now, all the guys who are on duty are in the field. There’s always a dispatcher,” she explained.

  “Let’s go home, then. Um, I mean to your house.”

  It warmed Amber’s heart that Luke had thought of her apartment as “home” before he’d corrected himself. She supposed that it was much different than what he’d been used to over the last few years—and what he was used to were hotel rooms.

  As they walked to Amber’s car she felt boneless and fuzzy inside.

  She hadn’t felt like that since she was eight and gotten the present she’d wanted for her birthday—Teenage Tara Turner and her condo. When she’d opened th
e pink plastic carrying case, there was Tara and her magnificent pink house.

  She was glad that Luke felt comfortable at her place. It was cozy and comfortable, and it begged for a couple of kids running around.

  Amber had thought about kids occasionally, but this was the first time she pictured Luke there playing with her dream children.

  He’d be a great dad.

  Huh? Kids? Luke as a dad! Where was her head?

  She was a cop and, with any luck, she was soon to be a state police officer, and would be moving from her cute apartment over the Happy Tea Pot. Luke would go back on the road with the Professional Bull Riders.

  She didn’t have a future with Luke.

  For that matter, she didn’t have a future with anyone.

  Tears pooled in her eyes and she blinked them back—all except for one errant tear that ran down her cheek. She brushed it away with a finger.

  “Amber, are you crying?”

  Four more steps and she would have been in her car, facing the road, and Luke would never have caught her crying.

  She sniffed. “Negative. Something’s in my eye. An eyelash, maybe.”

  “Let me have a look.”

  He took both her arms and stood in front of her, so that she had to face him.

  His blue eyes studied her face. “You are crying.”

  “It’s nothing, really. Something just hit me and got me thinking. It’s gone now. Let’s get moving.”

  She always got weepy when she thought she’d never have children. With her three shifts and constant overtime, finding a babysitter would be a nightmare anyway.

  See? Impossible.

  Another tear escaped and she turned away.

  Luke wasn’t easy to shake. “What’s wrong, Amber? Did I say something to hurt you?”

  “Of course not.” She shook her head. “Let’s go.”

  Luke held on to her upper arms and searched her face as if her reason for her meltdown was inked on her face.

  It would be so easy to step into his arms, just to lay her head on his chest for a while or to get a warm hug.

  Instead, Luke gently held her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. It was so tender, she almost cried again.

  “I hate it when women cry, especially you, Amber. You’re such a strong woman, something must be really bothering you.”

  “I can’t tell you. Not right now, Luke. I will someday if the occasion presents itself.”

  He bent his head and kissed her lips—softly, lightly. “I’ll wait until you’re ready.”

  When he stopped, she wanted to scream. Then his lips closed over hers again and it was just like her dreams, only much, much better. With each kiss, she knew she’d never be the same again.

  Chapter Ten

  The next day, Amber was walking on sunshine. Her stomach fluttered whenever she thought of Luke’s kisses.

  It felt comfortable sitting with Luke in her kitchen. She was reading the paper while Luke was looking at his cell phone and drinking coffee, he let out a deep breath and shouted, “I forgot all about it!”

  “Forgot about what?” Amber asked.

  “The Bull Riders’ Ball. Because I’m the reigning world champion, they asked me to be master of ceremonies and I agreed. It’s tomorrow night in Pueblo, Colorado.”

  “Did you get a plane ticket?” Amber asked.

  “Nope. It completely escaped my mind. I’ll get two tickets on the first plane out of here tomorrow.”

  Amber wondered who he was taking with him. Her stomach sank.

  “That is...would you go with me to the Bull Riders’ Ball, Amber?”

  “I’d love to go!”

  “I’ll get a hotel, too. We’ll probably have to stay over one night. The ball is at night. Oh, and it’s formal. I’d better rent a tux.” He checked his watch. “Where should I go?”

  “The Beaumont Tux Rental. It’s on First Street. You can’t miss it. It’s in between Beaumont Bowling Lanes and Beaumont Bakery.” She laughed. Everything in Beaumont was Beaumont This or Beaumont That.

  “I have to go shopping,” Amber said. “It’s not as if I have a ball gown hanging in my closet.” In fact, her last long dress had been for the senior prom!

  Luke chuckled. “Why don’t we go together? We can grab some lunch, too.”

  Amber wanted to pick out a fabulous dress and she didn’t want Luke to see it until the night of the Bull Riders’ Ball.

  “Let’s go separately. I’ll drop you off and we can go to lunch. I’ll pick you up about one thirty. I’d like to take you to—”

  He snapped his fingers. “Smokin’ Sammy’s House of Hickory?”

  “The Happy Tea Pot and China Shop. It’s open now. I’ve always wanted to go there. It’s right below my apartment and I’ve never stopped there. I’ll call and make a reservation. How about two o’clock?”

  “I can’t wait,” he said sarcastically, but his eyes were twinkling. Luke Beaumont was a good sport.

  Amber grinned. “Okay. See you at one thirty.”

  * * *

  SHE PARKED IN FRONT of the house and sighed when she noticed a new collection of hubcaps on the porch.

  Finding no one at home, she let herself in and went to her old bedroom at her parents’ house. She had to know if her senior prom dress would fit her and if it was still in style.

  She didn’t know why she wanted to try it on, but she’d barely had time to wear it before Crazy Kenny had shot off his drunken mouth and hurt her intensely.

  Amber thought back to her prom.

  She had wished every day during senior year that Luke would ask her. But he never had. When Amber had heard that he’d asked Lacy Stevens, she’d been devastated. When Kenny Fowler had asked her to the prom, she’d said yes out of desperation.

  Taking the dress out of the closet, she looked at it on the hanger. It was a very pretty light blue chiffon with a touch of sparkle in the fabric. The bodice crisscrossed her breasts and she remembered how it fell in a gentle circle at her feet.

  She’d worked hard at Beaumont Pizza for the dress and saved every penny of her minimum-wage paycheck.

  And she’d worn it for roughly an hour.

  Slipping it over her head, she held her breath. It was just wishful thinking that it would fit.

  It didn’t. It was too tight in the chest and too short. But it was just an impulse. Now she knew the type of gown she was going to buy.

  It was just a short trip to Beaumont Formals, which had the same style in her size but in a flaming red.

  Instead she went for a slinky black dress with a fairly plunging neckline and crystal beads on the bodice. Bonnie Douglas, a self-proclaimed stylist, insisted that “Luke Beaumont’s eyeballs would fall right out of his head in eight seconds” at the Bull Riders’ Ball.

  Sold!

  She had great shoes to wear with it. Jewelry that would be perfect. She was all set and couldn’t wait to see Luke’s eyeballs hit the ground in eight seconds when he saw her in that dress.

  That would be her fantasy come true.

  * * *

  WHEN LUKE FIRST walked into the Happy Tea Pot, it was like another era. He was overwhelmed by all the teacups and saucers on display.

  The curtains were lace. The sofa and chairs were upholstered with cabbage roses, as was the owner’s dress.

  “Mrs. Prestin, do you know Luke Beaumont?” Amber asked.

  “Of course. Who doesn’t know Luke? But what I’d like to know, Luke, is why you haven’t been in my shop before now.”

  Mrs. Prestin wore a maid’s apron that was right out of Downton Abbey and it sounded like she was faking a British accent.

  Luke nodded. “I haven’t been home much, Mrs. Prestin, but I’m here now and I’d like to experi
ence high tea.”

  “Pardon my nosiness, but are you two a couple? You and Amber?” Mrs. Prestin leaned forward as if the answer was going to be the juiciest piece of gossip since Reverend Maloney had bought a Ferrari with church funds.

  Luke pushed his cowboy hat back with a thumb. “You know, Mrs. Prestin, I’d like you to be the first to know that yes, we are a couple, but we’re trying to keep it quiet.”

  He took Amber’s hand and kissed the back of it.

  “And we’re living together,” Amber added, playing around. She gave Luke a kiss on the cheek.

  “Oh! Oh, my!” Mrs. Prestin said. “Let me show you to a table.”

  They sat on a couch fronted by a low table covered with a lace tablecloth. They were handed a menu describing what they’d be having.

  Then Mrs. Prestin waddled off. Luke saw her on the phone, no doubt spreading the word that Amber Chapman and Luke Beaumont were a “couple.”

  “My name is Jill and I will be your hostess to many of our special courses. First, our tea of the day is jasmine,” said Jill, who didn’t bother with a British accent. However, she wore a type of doily on her head with two ribbons hanging down in the back, a black uniform and a white apron.

  “Isn’t jasmine a flower?” Luke asked.

  The waitress curtsied. “Yeah. Do ya still want it?”

  “Why are you speaking like that, Jill? Enunciate! I told you about that before. Several times. If you don’t want to work at a classy place like this, go to Beaumont Breakfast and Burgers.”

  Amber looked at Luke.

  Luke raised an eyebrow. “We understood Jill perfectly, Mrs. Prestin. No sense putting on airs when you’re not really British.”

  Jill smiled. “Jasmine tea is fine, Jill.”

  “And here is our menu, Luke...I mean Mr. Beaumont. I watch you riding all the time on TV. You are really the best.”

  “Jill! Our customers do not want to listen to your incessant babbling. You are here to wait on them and nothing more. Remember, you are supposed to blend into the background.”

  A blush started on Jill’s neck and before the lecture was done it had reached her cheeks.

  “Mrs. Prestin,” Amber said, butting in. She just couldn’t help herself. “I realize that you are new to Beaumont and the Happy Tea Pot hasn’t been open very long, but if you continue to treat Jill like a rented mule, you won’t have a customer in the place...ever. Word gets around, as you well know. Small-town gossips, you know.”