Sam Men of Clifton, Montana Book 7

by Susan Fisher-Davis

  Monday morning brought snow and gloomy skies, which didn’t help the sense of doom weighing heavily on her shoulders. Her weekend had consisted of not much sleep, lots of tears, and begging the universe to bring Sam back. Tessa’s heart was broken and Ryan knew where she was. Life couldn’t get any worse but still she tried to smile as she entered the hospital.

  "So how was your weekend?” Jodi’s expression fell when Tessa’s turned to a frown with tears threatening. “Oh, not good, huh? Sorry. You have a guest in your office," Jodi told her pointing in that direction with a pencil over her shoulder.

  Tessa came to a halt, feeling the hairs on her neck rise and her gut twist. "Who?"

  Jodi shrugged. "I don't know who he is. He said he was a friend of yours."

  Tessa glanced back to her office, and then back to Jodi. "Call the sheriff’s department and tell them I need someone here right now."

  "Did I do something wrong?" Jodi asked in alarm while grabbing for the phone.

  Tessa tried to smile. "No, Jodi. I don't know what I'd do without you. Just make the call."

  Glancing toward her office again, Tessa knew, without a doubt, it was Ryan waiting for her. Taking a deep breath, she nodded at Jodi hearing her talking to Betty Lou and headed back to her office. When she opened the door and stepped inside, she found Ryan sitting in one of the chairs in front of her desk. He glanced over his shoulder at her, and when Tessa left the door open, he smirked.

  "What are you doing here?" Tessa glared at him staying in the doorway.

  He glanced around the office. "We have things to settle."

  "Get out." She clenched her jaw. "I had Jodi call the sheriff’s department and someone will be here soon."

  "Do you think I fucking care who you called? I'm not afraid of them. You and I have unfinished business."

  "You and I have been finished for a long time."

  "I own you, Tess, and I intend to take you back home with me." Ryan stared at her.

  Tessa shook with anger. She was about to respond when she heard someone’s boot heels clacking down the hall then Sam was standing beside her glaring at Ryan.

  "Is there a problem here, Doctor McGuire?" Sam asked her, his tone purely professional but she saw the muscle tick in his jaw.

  Pain ripped through her heart at Sam using her name as if they were only acquaintances.

  “Yes, he’s here without my permission.”

  "I didn't think stopping in to say hello to my wife was something I needed permission to do.” Ryan smirked.

  “Wrong. If Doctor McGuire doesn’t want you here, I’ll have to ask you to leave,” Sam said moving to clear the doorway and making Tessa move aside in the hallway. She realized he was putting himself between her and Ryan. He knew how to do his job.

  Ryan stood and moved through the door into the hall. He looked at Tessa over Sam’s shoulder. “You and I will finish this later,” he said narrowing his eyes before turning to leave the hospital.

  “Thank you for coming over, Sam,” Tessa said wanting to throw her arms around his neck and feel his strong arms comforting her.

  Sam stared at her for a few seconds, and then nodded. “It’s my job. I’ll have one of the guys walk you home later. Don’t leave here until I send someone over.” He put two fingers to his hat brim, turned, and walked away, nodding to Jodi on the way out through the front doors.

  Tessa entered her office, collapsed in her chair, rested her forehead on her folded arms, and sobbed. He didn’t even want to walk her home later. He was sending one of his deputies over to do that and he’d only come here because it was his job, not for her—never again for her.

  ****

  Sam sat in his office and grumbled under his breath how he’d liked to kill Kirkland with his bare hands. Damn it. The thoughts running through his head were that he shouldn’t care one way or the other, but he did. He loved her so much but her lies, her betrayal was too much, and it was tearing him apart. He’d never fooled around with a married woman before because he believed them off limits. He’d always steered clear and looked for that wedding band. A wedding band was a sign of commitment, an important commitment deserving respect.

  Fuck! How in the hell was he going to get past loving her? Granted, her husband was a dick, but she should have been upfront with him from the beginning. Then you never would have had her.

  Sam shook his head. He couldn’t tell himself that. She’d lied and now the son of a bitch was here. It was true that she seemed honestly frightened but he’d sent Rick over to walk her home and to inform her that someone would also walk her to work in the mornings. He would do whatever he needed to do to protect her because he certainly didn’t trust Kirkland but he also loved her. If anything happened to her, he’d never survive the guilt. He knew the type Kirkland was since he’d dealt with them enough when he’d been a Marshal. The man was scum and he was just the type to do what Tessa had told him he would do.

  “Sam?”

  “What is it, Betty Lou?”

  “What’s going on?”

  Sam glanced up at her. “Nothing.”

  “I know when you’re lying, Sam Garrett.”

  “Betty Lou, let it go. Please.”

  “Did something happen between you and Tess?”

  Sam swore under his breath. “I said let it go,” he gritted out between clenched teeth.

  “I don’t like seeing you hurting, Sam.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “You’re not fine…”

  Standing slowly, he glared at her. “I will be. Just leave it alone.”

  “Sam—”

  “Holy hell, Betty Lou…it’s over, okay. She lied to me. Tessa’s married,” Sam shouted then took a deep breath in an attempt to calm his angry mood.

  “Married?”

  Sam sat back down and ran his hands down his face. “Yes, married. She’s been on the run from him for a long time, changed her name, and moved here to hide from him. She claims she couldn’t divorce him because she feared he’d find her. Well, he found her anyway. He’s here—in Clifton.”

  “Will he hurt her?” Betty Lou’s voice trembled, and Sam knew she was thinking of how Joe Baker treated Mary.

  “Not if I can help it. I’ve got the men watching her, and I’m hoping for her sake that he’ll eventually give up and leave.”

  “What if he doesn’t?”

  “Then I’ll deal with him.”

  Sam picked his pen up and got back to the paperwork in front of him. He knew Betty Lou had left the office and he was sure it would be all over town soon enough about Tessa being married. What possessed him to tell Betty Lou? He had no clue but his anger simply got the better of him. The woman didn’t know when to quit. He knew the minute the words came out of his mouth, he’d made a mistake then again, maybe he wanted Tessa to hurt like he was hurting. Shit!

  On his way home that afternoon, he refused to look toward the hospital. It was best if he just stayed away from her. His deputies could watch over her until Kirkland left town. Driving out of town, Sam put his sunglasses on and pulled the visor down as he drove in the direction of the setting sun. How in the hell had he gotten himself into this situation? If only she’d been truthful from the start. If only she had just told him she was married, he would have backed off. Sam tightened his jaw as he thought about how she’d lied. Would he have backed off? He had to wonder—had she told him the truth and explained the situation, would he have still gotten involved with her? He’d never been the kind of man to go after another man’s woman since he’d never want it to happen to him.

  Now, he was in love with a married woman and it pissed him off more than he could imagine. Sure, he’d wanted her from the time he’d first set eyes on her, but he’d have gotten over it if she’d just been honest up front, he would have just walked away and found someone else.

  Bullshit! She’s the woman you’re meant to love for the rest of your life.

  “It doesn’t matter anymore,” he murmured to himself. “Forget abou
t her.”

  Yeah, right.

  As he drove around the curve on Copper Ridge, he saw a car sitting on the side of the road and swore as he recognized Ryan Kirkland leaning against the vehicle. Sam pulled off the road in front of him. Only after inhaling a deep calming breath, he exhaled and stepped out of his vehicle. He placed his hat on his head and strode toward Kirkland. Stopping by the back of his vehicle, Sam folded his arms across his chest, and leaned against his SUV.

  “This isn’t by coincidence. What do you want, Kirkland?”

  “Simple, Sheriff. I want my wife.”

  “You don’t seem to understand that she doesn’t want to leave with you.”

  “Do you think that matters to me? Tess belongs to me. Always has. Always will. I think if you tell her you don’t want her anymore, she’ll go back with me.”

  Sam blew out a laugh. “Well, there you go thinking. I’m not seeing her anymore and she still won’t leave. What does that say about you?”

  Kirkland shrugged. “Maybe she thinks she has a chance with you again. I don’t know and I don’t fucking care. She is my wife and she will leave with me,” he shouted.

  “Wow. Temper, temper. It doesn’t take much to set you off, does it? You know, I hate a man who thinks he owns a woman, or one who beats her. Why do you suppose men do that? Are they just pussies and know they can’t beat up a man, so they beat a woman?” Sam knew he was making Kirkland angry when he saw the muscle twitch in his cheek and his hands clench into fists.

  “Don’t push me, Garrett.”

  “That’s Sheriff Garrett to you, and I’ll push you all I want. This is my town and I want you out of it.”

  “I’ll gladly get out of here once Tess is ready to go—”

  “So you can beat her again? Because I have a gut feeling that if she does leave with you that’s exactly what will happen. Do you beat your mistress too?” Sam pushed his coat back to show his weapon and placed his hand on it. “My sister’s first husband had a mistress. The son of a bitch died on this very road—kind of funny how you decided to stop me here.” He straightened up. “I want you out of Clifton.”

  “I haven’t done anything wrong, Sheriff. I have a lot of money, you know.”

  “So? Is that supposed to impress me?”

  “Just saying. I’m sure a small town sheriff doesn’t make a lot of money.”

  Sam smirked. “I make enough.”

  “You could make more.”

  “Are you attempting to bribe me? Because if you are, I’ll haul your ass in so fast your head will spin.”

  “Not at all. It was just a statement.”

  “Was there a reason you wanted me to stop? I don’t particularly want to waste any more of my time talking to someone like you—a thug and a man who beats up women. You know—scum.”

  Kirkland narrowed his eyes at him. “You only have Tess’s word on that.”

  “And I’d believe her any day over a man like you. Thing is, you aren’t a man. You’re a damn pussy. How about we just go at it and see just how tough you are?”

  “You have, at least, fifty pounds on me. How would that be fair?”

  Sam stepped forward. “How many did you have on Tessa?” Kirkland backed up, making Sam sneer. “Get in your car and drive off before I haul you in just for the hell of it.”

  He watched as Kirkland climbed into his car, started the engine, and tore out on the road. Sam took a deep breath and blew it out, forming it into a puff of air. He hadn’t even realized how cold it was since he’d been so angry talking with that prick. Walking back to his SUV, he watched the disappearing taillights of Kirkland’s car moving further down the road then climbed in behind the wheel, and drove home.

  Later that evening, Sam sat in his living room watching TV, when he saw headlight beams flash across his ceiling. Who the hell? Pushing himself up from the recliner, he picked up his weapon then walked to the kitchen, opened the back door and swore when he saw Riley getting out of his truck then walk up the porch steps.

  “What are you doing here, Riley?”

  “I was in the neighborhood,” Riley said as he entered the kitchen then took off his coat and hat.

  “Bullshit. There’s no reason for you to be in my neighborhood. We live in opposite directions of town.” Sam walked to the refrigerator, yanked the door open, and grabbed a beer. He didn’t even ask Riley if he wanted one. After twisting the cap off, he took a long pull.

  “No, thanks…I didn’t want a beer,” Riley said with a sneer.

  “You’re leaving, and you know how I feel about drinking and driving. The roads are bad enough without you on them after drinking.”

  “How many have you had, Sam?”

  “What the hell is this, Riley? I’m in my own damn house and not going anywhere.”

  “Not only are you my friend, you’re also my brother in-law, so I can tell you that we’re worried about you.”

  “I’m fine. Go home.”

  “You’re not fine, Sam. You’re hurting. You love her. Why don’t you go get her back?”

  Sam slammed the beer bottle down so hard, beer sloshed out of the top. “Go the fuck home. I’m fine.”

  Riley sighed then put his coat and hat back on. “Your sister is worried about you so I promised I’d stop by.”

  “Tell Katie I’m all right or I will be eventually—whatever you want. I’ll get past this. Seriously, Riley, go home to your wife and daughter.”

  “I’m worried about you too,” Riley said.

  Sam huffed, pulled a chair out from the table, and took a seat. “If I hadn’t just won the election, I swear I’d quit.”

  “You love the job, Sam.”

  “It doesn’t mean much to me anymore but I won’t let the people of Clifton down.”

  “I can’t begin to know why she lied—”

  “No, you sure as hell can’t but the point is she did lie.” Sam shook his head. “Now go home. I’ll get past this.”

  “Not for a long time.”

  “You’re right about that but I will, eventually.”

  “Are you drunk?”

  Sam smirked. “Not yet, but I’m working on it. Go home. Please.”

  Riley nodded and slapped him on the back then left. Sam just wanted everyone to leave him alone. He’d get through this on his own. Somehow.

  ****

  Tessa stood and stretched as her stomach growled. "Jodi, I'm going to the diner for lunch. Do you want anything?" she asked as she entered the lobby.

  Jodi smiled and told Tessa what she wanted, but then her smile slipped. "Are you all right?"

  "I just haven't been sleeping much lately." Tessa said. It wasn’t a lie. She hadn’t slept at all since Sam had left and that was almost a week ago. She absently rubbed the spot over her heart. Would the pain ever go away? Ryan was still in town but he couldn’t get to her with the deputies around her all the time. Rick was in the waiting room keeping an eye out.

  Jodi nodded. "Breakups are a bitch."

  "Excuse me?" Tessa said with astonished surprise.

  Jodi waved her hand. "Everyone knows you and Sheriff Garrett broke up. We were all hoping for a wedding, but since you’re already married..." Jodi shrugged and glanced away.

  "I guess news travels fast in a small town," Tessa muttered.

  Jodi nodded. "Everyone probably knew the minute it happened."

  “ “I’m sure you’re right. Jodi, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth…”

  Oh hey, Doc Mac, don’t worry about it. I’m sure you had your reasons. I just hate it that you and Sheriff Garrett are over. Anyone could see how much he loved you.”

  Tessa felt sick. Jodi, in all likelihood, was telling the truth. The people of Clifton knew everyone's business. It wasn't so much of a rumor mill as it was the actual events. It was never malicious, it just was. Tessa nodded to Jodi and left the hospital with Rick in tow to get lunch.

  She kept her eyes straight ahead so she wouldn't glance toward the Sheriff's department. The thought of
Sam sitting in there was killing her. As they walked down the street, Tessa glanced around and almost stumbled when she saw Ryan up ahead, leaning against a building, smoking a cigarette. He straightened up when he saw her. A smirk lifted his lips making her wonder how she could ever have found him attractive. He was nothing compared to Sam. She placed her hand on Rick’s arm to stop him. He glanced at her and then to where she was staring. He placed his hand over his weapon and stepped in front of her.

  “Don’t move, Doc.”

  “Is there something wrong, Deputy?” Ryan asked him as he kept his eyes on her.

  “Move along, Kirkland,” Rick growled.

  “Surely, it’s not against the law to stand here.”

  “I’ll arrest you just for the hell of it.”

  Ryan laughed. “You sound just like your boss. That’s some watchdog you have there, Tess.”

  “Ryan, leave me alone,” Tessa said, her voice trembling.

  “I’m not doing anything…yet.” Ryan tossed his cigarette down and ground it under the heel of his shoe then he picked it up and tossed it into the trashcan. “See, you can’t even arrest me for littering, Deputy.” He chuckled as he strode away.

  The air whooshed out of her and Rick touched her arm. “Are you all right, Doc?”

  “Yes,” she lied. She knew Ryan would do whatever he could to get to her and he was letting her know that no one was going to stop him. He wasn’t going to go about it in a flamboyant style. He’d sneak in when no one was looking—like a snake. They continued on to the diner.

  Rick opened the diner door, and waited for Tessa to step inside before following her. The place went quiet as everyone stared at her. She felt self-conscious as she glanced around then she saw him. Sam was sitting in a back booth with Brody.

  Tessa quickly took a seat at the counter and placed her orders with Connie. She was doing everything in her power not to glance his way. Rick sat down on the stool next to her. A few minutes later, Tessa was paying for her orders when she felt him beside her. She didn’t have to turn to see him. She knew he was there because the aroma of his aftershave had encircled her and made her heart ache. He reached past her to pay Connie for his lunch then she heard Rick telling him about their encounter with Kirkland. She heard Sam mutter something but she couldn’t make it out.