Love had changed Tanner into a completely different man. A happy one.
Madison held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Dr. Madison Marks. How can I help you?”
The woman pushed back her long hair from her face and for the first time Sam was able to get a good look at her. The lighting in the truck had been too dim to really see anything.
Tiny in stature, at least next to his six foot plus form, her hair was a shiny golden blonde he thought only existed in those magazines he’d seen at the dentist or the barber. Her skin was pale and smooth and her lips a rosy pink even without gloss or lipstick. Her eyes, which were open wide as she took in her surroundings, were the same color as a Montana summer sky. She also appeared to be young, much younger than Sam’s forty years.
“I’m Tabitha Bartlett. Tabby for short. I got in a little car accident.”
Tanner was looking at Sam with raised eyebrows making him flush with embarrassment. His boss had caught him staring at the woman and Sam was sure he’d hear about it at a later date and time.
“Let’s get you back into the examining room then. Why don’t you leave your coat out here?”
The two women disappeared into the back, leaving Tanner standing there with his arms crossed over his chest and a shit-eating grin on his face.
“I wasn’t staring.”
“I didn’t say a damn word, Sam.” Tanner was obviously laughing at him. “I was simply going to ask you why you’re still on duty.”
“I got the call about twenty minutes before my shift ended.”
“You could have had the operator call Larry. Or me, for that matter.”
Sam wasn’t about to drag his boss’s ass out of a warm house. Besides, after a twelve hour shift, a few more hours didn’t matter much.
“It was no big deal.” Sam shrugged. “I was nearby.”
“If I could clone you a dozen times I would,” Tanner declared, much to Sam’s embarrassment. He’d just been doing his damn job, but he was glad that Tanner appreciated the effort Sam put into his work. He was proud of being a deputy for Springwood. He made a difference here, not like when he was just a cog in the wheel in Los Angeles.
He and Tanner chatted a few more minutes about the inclement weather and an open case before the ladies returned. His damsel was limping and holding a small envelope that probably contained a prescription. Sam had been given the same type of envelope by Madison when he’d cracked a rib six months earlier.
“There’s no concussion and the ankle is just a sprain. I gave her some pain pills, but Ms. Bartlett should probably get some rest and stay off that ankle as much as possible.” Madison’s eyes twinkled and a smile tugged at her lips. The town had played matchmaker for her and Tanner and it looked like she wanted to return the favor. One resident at a time, starting with Sam.
“Please call me Tabby. Everyone does. And I’m fine,” the pretty young woman assured them. “A hot meal and a good night’s sleep and I’ll be good as new.”
Sam liked her spirit. She wasn’t a whiner, that was for sure. She could have bitched and moaned about her car as several already had today, but she hadn’t played the victim once.
“I’ll take you to the hotel so you can get settled,” Sam replied, picking up her coat and helping her on with it. He caught a whiff of her perfume, a light vanilla fragrance that was warm and inviting. It made him want to lean closer but instead he stepped back a few feet.
Sam didn’t need to be lusting after a pretty blonde that would surely be gone the minute her car was able. He shoved down the instant attraction he’d felt and gave himself a silent but stern warning.
Look, but under no circumstances touch.
Chapter Two
Sam Taylor’s tiny bungalow was only a few streets over from Dr. Marks’ home and office. The deputy had first taken Tabby to the Springwood Inn only to find out there wasn’t a room to be had. In fact, a few stranded motorists were camped out in the drafty lobby.
After the evening she’d had it had almost been too much. He’d taken one look at her stricken expression and tear filled eyes before steering her right back into his SUV. For a moment she’d thought he was taking her back to the doctor’s house. Instead he’d pulled into the driveway of the cutest craftsman style home she’d ever seen before unloading her bags from the back of the vehicle. A nod from his head told her to walk ahead of him and he quickly unlocked the door so she could get out of the bitter cold.
Sam wasn’t much of a talker. He’d barely said a word as he’d followed her into the house. She hadn’t walked in far when she was immediately accosted by a tiny fur ball running circles around her feet and barking up a storm.
“Tink, calm down. Calm down,” he repeated in a soothing tone. The tan and black Yorkie looked up at the lawman with sheer adoration in its dark eyes, jumping up as he knelt down to scratch behind the canine’s ears. The dog rolled onto its back clearly hoping for a belly rub.
“He’s cute,” Tabby giggled. She was fond of dogs and this one was adorable. She wouldn’t have pictured a big bad cop with a Yorkie that probably weighed all of ten pounds and sporting a pink bow on the top of its head.
“He is a she. Tinkerbell. Tink for short. She loves to have her ears and tummy scratched. Do that and you’ll have a friend for life.”
Tabby petted the wriggling dog before following Sam to the rear of the house where he placed her two suitcases in a small bedroom with a full size bed and a dresser. The Spartan furnishings indicated this was a spare room and for the first time in hours Tabby breathed a sigh of relief.
She was safe, warm, and she had a bed for the night. The house, however, appeared to be deserted except for the two of them and Tink.
“There’s a bathroom in the hall if you’d like to take a shower. Towels are in the linen closet right outside. Are you hungry? I’m going to heat up some dinner.”
She nodded. “A hot shower sounds lovely, and I could definitely eat. Um, Deputy Taylor? This is your house, right?”
He hadn’t looked her in the eye since they got out of the truck, but he did now. “Yes. I guess it was pretty presumptuous of me but I couldn’t leave you to freeze in the lobby of the inn after being hurt and all. Madison said you needed to be watched over tonight.” He tipped his head. “Are you angry with me? Are you scared of me?”
The last was said a trifle incredulously as if six foot men packed with muscle were veritable pussy cats. She was surprised to find that she wasn’t scared of him at all, which was really kind of stupid. Just because he was a lawman didn’t mean he wouldn’t hurt her.
Except he really didn’t seem like the type to hurt anyone.
Tabby inwardly snorted at her flight of fancy. Her parents always said she was way too trusting and here she was…being trusting. A niggling doubt in the back of her mind kept her from being completely at ease.
“I’m not angry. I’m just wondering what my mother would say if I told her I was going to spend the night in a man’s house and just met him. I think she would say it’s not a good idea. Even if it was only because of an emergency.”
He frowned, the dark brows, that were just a shade darker than his close cropped brown hair, pulled down over eyes the color of melted chocolate. “I didn’t really think about that. I was only thinking about getting you somewhere you could rest and get a hot meal.”
Could any man be that nice? If so, she’d been dating all the wrong men. Her last boyfriend didn’t even like it when she’d call or text during a sporting event. And there was always a sporting event on somewhere in the world. He’d had a satellite dish and could get dozens of sports channels.
Sam pulled his cell phone from his pocket and pressed a few buttons. “Hey, Tanner. It’s me. Listen, the inn was full so I brought Tabby to my house for the night. She’s nervous about me, understandably, and I was wondering if you and Madison would vouch for me?”
He listened for a moment and then handed the phone to her. “They’d like to speak with you.”
She’d
had a couple of shocks tonight. First her car, then the full hotel, but this took the cake. A man that actually took her seriously and didn’t think she was a total flake for raising a flag. Tentatively she reached for the phone.
“Hello?”
It didn’t take long for both the sheriff and his physician wife to assure her that Sam Taylor was trustworthy with a capital “T”. The sheriff even offered their spare bedroom if she didn’t want to stay there. She chewed on that for a moment but in the end declined.
She was here. She was exhausted and hurting. She was staying.
Sam tucked the cell back into his pocket. “Thank you for your trust. I promise you I’m harmless.”
He smiled, displaying even white teeth and a dimple in his right cheek. He was a handsome man with even features and a strong square jaw. He had a calm, confident air about him that spoke of integrity.
“Is that what the criminals say?” She wanted to lighten the atmosphere which had grown tense when she’d been unsure about staying.
He grinned wider. “They usually avail themselves of the right to remain silent.” He stepped back toward the door. “I’ll leave you to shower and change, if you’re so inclined. There’s a lock on the bathroom door and also on your bedroom door. It won’t hurt my feelings if you use them.”
With that he turned and was gone with a panting Tink at this heels. She sighed, her head and ankle hurting and her thoughts muddled. It was only for one night, after all. He seemed like a decent man and she was in pretty desperate straits.
Limping into the bathroom, she showered and changed into a baggy pair of sweat pants, a thick cable-knit sweater, and a pair of heavy white socks. With her wet hair hanging all around her face and her skin scrubbed of any makeup, there was little chance of him being overtaken by lust. If anything, he might push her out into the snow.
Giggling at the image of the burly deputy lifting her bodily and then tossing her into a snowbank, Tabby slowing entered the kitchen, careful not to jar either her head or her ankle. A warm fire crackled in the fireplace and a lovely aroma wafted from the kitchen. Her stomach growled in protest at how long it had been since she’d fed it. Tink was lying on the rug in front of the fire stretched out and apparently fast asleep.
He had also changed from his uniform and was similarly dressed in sweats, a T-shirt, and socks. Somehow on him though it looked good. Very good.
“Have a seat.” Sam waved toward the table and Tabby sank into the chair gratefully. Tired and in pain, she wanted to eat and go to bed. He slid a large bowl of beef stew in front of her and a plate of warm cornbread with a pat of butter melting on top.
Almost lightheaded with hunger, she picked up her spoon ready to dig in. “Thank you. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I came into the kitchen.”
“When was the last time you ate?” Sam sat down at the table across from her and placed her prescription pills on the table. “You might want to take one of those. They’ll help you sleep.”
She was so exhausted she didn’t think she’d have any problems but both her head and her ankle were throbbing. She simply wasn’t hero material. She tossed one back with a gulp of water, hoping it kicked in quickly.
“Thank you. I am in some pain.” She looked appreciatively around the great room. A cheery fire was lit on the far side throwing shadows on the walls of the comfortable living room. Neat as a pin, the leather couch, two matching chairs, and large flat screen television gave a decidedly masculine vibe. Even the kitchen was sparkling clean with only a toaster and coffee pot on the counter. Her own kitchen was littered with various small appliances, cookbooks, and at least one or two pot holders.
“You have a very nice home. You said you live here alone?”
The beef stew was warming her up nicely and making her a little sleepy. Or maybe it was the pain pill. Either way, she was certainly happy and content.
“Just me.” The corners of Sam’s mouth tipped up. “And Tink, of course.”
“I wasn’t trying to pry. It’s just that it’s so neat and clean. It hasn’t been my experience that men like to keep house.”
Tabby thought about the apartment her two younger brothers shared. She wouldn’t enter it without a hazmat suit.
“I didn’t think you were. It was a natural question. I was raised by a single working mother.” Sam laughed, and she enjoyed the rich timbre of his voice. “That meant it was up to me and my brother to keep the house clean while she worked. I can cook, clean, and do laundry. I can even do minor sewing jobs.”
“You’ll make some lucky woman a wonderful husband some day,” she teased.
“Been there, done that. Doubt I’ll do it again. I’ve met all the women in a five hundred mile radius. Looks like I’m going to be single for the foreseeable future.”
Tink had perked up and joined them at the table, camping out at Sam’s feet. Her tail wagged and she looked up hopefully as if Sam might toss her a treat.
“Tink looks like she might get jealous anyway. She’s very attached to you.”
Sam’s mouth turned down for a moment. “Tink belonged to my mom. She passed away about eight months ago. Cancer. I took Tink in and I think she’s afraid I’ll go away one day too, so she sticks close when I’m home.”
Wasn’t there anything wrong with this man? Did he snore? Pick his teeth? Something? So far he’d rescued her from her wrecked car during a blizzard, given her a place to stay, made her dinner, and taken in a frou-frou girly dog when his mother had passed away. At this rate, he’d save her from a burning building before morning while single-handedly pulling her car from the ditch without the aid of a tow truck.
“It was sweet of you to take her in. Not everyone would have.”
“She’s no trouble, and it gave my mother peace of mind to know she’d be cared for. Would you like some more?” Tabby looked down and realized she’d eaten her entire meal. The beef stew had definitely been homemade and delicious.
“No, thank you. I’m full. It was very good. I’ll have to get your recipe.” Leaning back in the chair, she patted her stomach. Sam stood up and filled his bowl again before returning back to the table. The scene was homey and domestic. Anyone looking in the windows would think they were an old married couple instead of virtual strangers.
Wow, these pills are strong.
They enjoyed the quiet as Sam finished his dinner. The only sound was the crackling of the fire and the patter of Tink’s paws on the hardwood floor. The pain in Tabby’s head and ankle dulled to a slight ache and her eyelids started to feel heavy.
“Can I ask you a question?” Sam pushed his empty bowl away and gave her an inquiring look.
“It’s only fair. You’ve answered my questions,” Tabby answered shyly, wondering what he wanted to know. She wasn’t a secretive person but she didn’t go around displaying her thoughts and emotions on her sleeve either.
“Why were you driving in the middle of a snowstorm?” Sam’s head was tilted in question.
“That’s a fair question,” she conceded. “I wasn’t paying any attention to the weather. I should have been and that almost turned into a fatal mistake. I won’t do it again, I promise.”
“I wasn’t trying to make you feel guilty.” Sam started to clear the table. She stood to follow him but he shook his head. “Sit and rest your ankle. I can get this. As I said, I wasn’t trying to make you feel guilty. You were one of many I pulled off the road tonight. I just wondered if there was someone waiting for you. Someone you might need to call?”
Was this his way of asking if she was married or involved? It was too bad she’d be leaving soon. If he had lived in her hometown of Baltimore she would have wanted to get to know him better.
“Actually I was headed here to Springwood,” Tabby replied carefully, unsure of how he would perceive her after she told him. “My family runs a production company that produces a few shows regarding the paranormal. I’m here to talk to Addison Wheeler about the unusual happenings in the cemetery next to her home.
We might feature it on a future episode.”
Sam’s brow arched. “Addie? You’re here to talk to her about ghosts? You want to put her on television?”
“Do you know her?” Tabby asked. Luckily his reaction had been neutral, which was all she could ask for. Some people were openly scathing when it came to unexplained events. Others could be extremely annoying with their enthusiasm. More than once she’d been cornered by an amateur ghost hunter who wanted to be on television. “I’m hoping to talk to her. She sent us an email about the Springwood Cemetery and how it’s haunted by a cowboy who lost his true love.”
“Everyone in Springwood has heard that old story. It’s been circulating for years. It’s something of a rite of passage as a kid to walk through the cemetery at night around Halloween.” Sam chuckled as he rinsed out the last dish. “Every year I have to run a few teenagers out and send them on their way.”
“Have you ever seen or heard anything? Do you know anyone who has?” she asked, holding her breath. In all the years she’d been working for the family business, she’d seen very few things she would call paranormal. Her sister, on the other hand, seemed to find the unexplained around every corner. It made Tabby feel slightly inferior as if the ghosts and UFOs were staying away from her on purpose.
“Never. It’s just an old story.” Sam settled back in the chair across from hers. “Addie loves to tell that story but it doesn’t make it true. There’s no such thing as ghosts.”
He said the last part gently as if he was telling her there was no Santa Claus.
“You sound like you have no doubts at all,” she challenged.
“I don’t have any doubts.” Sam shrugged, steepling his fingers. “Do you believe?”
“I’m not sure,” she admitted, hating that she couldn’t answer with an affirmative. Her family certainly didn’t have any doubts. “I’ve never actually met a ghost but I have heard and seen some things that I didn’t have a logical explanation for.” She paused, not sure how to say it. Her mind was growing fuzzy from the pain medication. “I want to believe in ghosts. I want to believe there’s more to the world than what we can explain with science and logic. I want the magic.”
The Deputies: 3 Novella Box Set Page 10