The Sheriff 0f Wickham Falls (Wickham Falls Weddings Book 3)

by Rochelle Alers

  An elderly woman was crying and wringing her hands. “He got a hold of something and he’s real sick.”

  “Where is he?”

  “He’s in the back bedroom.”

  Seth found the teenage boy on the bed gasping for breath. Natalia entered the room and sat on the side of the bed. She held the boy’s head and sprayed a solution into his nostrils. The antidote took effect immediately. He opened his eyes and screamed for his mother.

  Natalia looked at Seth. “He’s going to be all right.” The words were barely off her tongue when the medical technicians walked into the room.

  “Dr. Hawkins took care of him.”

  “Good work, Doc.”

  Seth waited for them to leave to confront the child’s grandmother. “Mrs. Gainer, where did your grandson get the drugs?”

  The elderly woman looked at him as if he were speaking a foreign language. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Ain’t no drugs in the house except my arthritis medicine.”

  Natalia joined them in the living room. “You’re not telling the truth. The solution I sprayed into your grandson’s nose reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. He had trouble breathing and his heartbeat was slowing and the next phase was a coma and death. If the drugs aren’t in the house, then he had to have gotten them from somewhere. Either he gets help or the next time you’ll be planning his funeral.”

  Mrs. Gainer ran trembling hands over her wiry gray hair held in place with a hairnet. “I swear I don’t know where he got his pills. I can’t do nothing with him. All he does is sleep and when he wakes up, he goes out and comes home to sleep some more. He’s only fourteen and he won’t listen to me, his momma or his stepfather. I keep telling them the boy is hopeless.”

  “Willie isn’t hopeless, Mrs. Gainer,” Seth said. “The boy is addicted to drugs. I’m not going to talk to him tonight because I want him clearheaded when I come back tomorrow. Tell him he better be here because I want to know where he’s getting his drugs. And if he runs and I find him, then he’s going to be locked up.”

  She nodded like a bobblehead doll. “I’ll tell him.”

  Seth reached for Natalia’s hand and led her out of the house. “Somebody is selling drugs in The Falls and I won’t rest until I find them.”

  “How are you going to do that?”

  “I’m going to have a long talk with Willie and hopefully he’ll give up his dealer.” He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “Let’s go home.”

  “I can’t believe you worked so hard on the proposal for the mayor to approve it, and he has to wait until September to present it.”

  “Three months will go by quickly. What I can’t believe is that I finally get one whole day off and I still have to answer a call.”

  “Are you going in tomorrow?”

  “Probably, but only for a few hours after I talk to Willie.” Seth waited for Natalia to get into the car, and then came around to sit beside her. He stared at her delicate profile. “Are you sorry you got involved with me?”

  Her head came around. “Why would you ask me that?”

  “Because I can’t spend as much time with you as you’d like. That it would’ve been better if you’d hooked up with a nine-to-five, weekends-off guy.”

  A slight frown appeared between her eyes. “Stop it, Seth. Now that you’re acting sheriff, I get to see you a lot more than I did before. And don’t forget, if I worked at a hospital, we’d get to see each other even less. I’m also not working a nine-to-five with weekends off schedule, either. I don’t have a problem with our arrangement, and I don’t want or need a man in my face twenty-four seven. Think of the time we spend together as quality time.”

  Leaning to his right, Seth angled his head and kissed her. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

  Seth tapped the Start engine button and executed a smooth U-turn. He did not want a rerun of his life where he had left a woman he loved for months and she sought out another man to assuage her loneliness. He had tried to keep regular hours but knew that wasn’t going to continue to be possible. He knew he would have to resolve the problem with Andy, but first he had to talk to Roger.

  * * *

  Seth sat on a rocker on Roger’s porch staring out at the wildflowers his wife grew in large clay pots. “I’m going to give him a verbal warning and if he doesn’t change, then I’m going to write him up. After that, I’m going to lower the hammer and fire him.”

  Roger rested his hands on his shrinking belly. “There was a time when I would’ve gotten rid of Andy because I wouldn’t tolerate anyone not doing their job. But I’m tired, Seth. Twenty years in Uncle Sam’s army and another twenty policing Wickham Falls has taken its toll on me. I was talking to my wife the other day and she wants me to give it up. If I collect social security, my military pension and the one from the town, we can live quite comfortably. The house is paid off, all the kids are gone and don’t ask for anything, so I’m going to put in my papers.”

  “Are you serious, Roger?”

  “Serious as a heart attack. I suppose I shouldn’t say that when I came so close to checking out. I’m going to call the mayor and tell him I’m out and that you should stay on as sheriff. That will give you the authority you need to deal with Andy. My four-year term is up in March, which means you’ll have to campaign for the position.”

  “That’s not something I’m looking forward to. I don’t like cheesing and slapping backs for votes.”

  “All you have to do is smile at the ladies and kiss their babies and you’re a shoo-in.”

  “Yeah, right. Something tells me Andy will decide to run against me.”

  “If he does, then he’s going to lose—big-time.”

  “Maybe I won’t fire him before I announce that I’m running for the office. The dynamics in the station house should be very interesting.”

  Roger chuckled. “Oh, to be a fly on the wall.”

  “Knowing how much Georgina dislikes him, she’ll probably videotape it.”

  The older man sobered. “I think the best thing to happen to me was having the medical episode because I still would’ve continued to eat all the wrong food and definitely not exercise. Every morning I get up and walk down to the church and then walk back. I clocked it as a mile. Once I lose my first twenty pounds, I’m going for two miles a day.”

  “You can come over and use my treadmill when the weather’s bad.”

  “No, Seth. I’m not going to intrude on you and Dr. Hawkins. Don’t look at me like that. It’s all over town that you and that pretty lady doctor are as thick as thieves.”

  “Well, damn,” Seth said under his breath.

  “No good, son. It’s about time you settled down and made some babies. There’s no doubt they’re going to be beautiful. When my wife saw her for the first time, she thought she was the television journalist Tamron Hall.”

  It wasn’t the first time a man talked about Natalia’s beauty. With or without makeup, she was stunning. “I’m a lucky man.”

  “Make certain you don’t forget that or you’ll lose her. Dudes are lining up waiting for you to break up with her.”

  A shiver of annoyance gripped Seth. He had no intention of breaking up with Natalia. He’d confessed to being in love with her, but she had yet to verbalize her feelings for him. Even in the throes of passion she did not blurt out that four-letter word he wanted and needed from her. Seth knew he couldn’t put pressure on Natalia and risk losing her.

  “Keep up the good work with your diet and exercise. I’ll call before I drop by again.”

  * * *

  Seth drove back to the house expecting to see Natalia. She wasn’t there but he knew she couldn’t have gone far because her SUV was parked in her driveway. He’d given her a set of keys to the house along with the code to disarm the security system. His talk with Willie Gainer was fraught with frustration because the kid
refused to reveal where he’d gotten the pills, and he suspected the teenager was too frightened to snitch on his dealer.

  He was in the kitchen reading the local paper when he heard the front door open. “I’m in the kitchen,” he called out.

  Natalia walked into the kitchen and brushed a kiss over his mouth. “Hey, coffee breath,” she teased.

  “Do you want me to brew you a cup?”

  “No, thanks.” She set her tote on the floor. “I was across the road hanging out with Mya.”

  “It’s nice that you’ve become friends.”

  “I really like her and Lily.”

  Seth met her eyes. “You like babies.”

  Natalia climbed up on the stool next to him. “Yep.”

  “You want children.”

  “Are you asking me if I want children?” He nodded. “Then the answer is yes, but only if I’m married.”

  His eyebrows lifted. “You have to be married?”

  “Yes. Why does that surprise you?”

  “I just thought you were one of those modern liberated women—”

  “I am liberated,” she interrupted, “but there are some requisites I try to stick to. And that is I want to be married when I have my children.”

  Seth turned his head so she could see his smile. Natalia insisting on marriage before motherhood was something he also wanted and believed in. “You seem to be getting in a lot of practice with Lily.”

  “I like her because she’s feisty. When she grows up I doubt if she’s going to let anyone take advantage of her.”

  “She’s a Wainwright, Natalia, and that means she was born into a prominent New York family with immense wealth and influence.”

  “The same could be said for Aziza’s son, Maxwell. I can’t believe he’s so chill. Most babies his age are fussy, but he’s different. When he’s awake he just looks around taking in everything.”

  “Children, like grown folks, have different personalities.”

  “How was your meeting with Willie?”

  “It went nowhere. The kid’s scared and I decided not to push him. I stopped to see Roger and he told me he’s resigning.”

  A beat passed. “Does this mean you’ll be the sheriff?”

  “Yes. Roger’s term ends next March, which means I have nine months to campaign for the position.”

  “Are you?”

  “Yes. I won’t have to do much electioneering. Lawn signs and a few buttons are the norm.”

  Natalia put her arms around his neck, pulling his head down. “Congratulations. I have to register with the board of elections so I can vote for you.”

  Seth kissed her, increasing the pressure until her lips parted under his. The moans coming from her throat were his undoing when he swept her up and carried her effortlessly out of the kitchen and up the staircase to the bedroom. It had been a week since they’d last made love and he likened it to a drought. Now he was given the chance to assuage his thirst and he planned to let his body talk for him. He loved her. Wanted to marry her. And he wanted her to have their children.

  Mouths joined, they undressed each other as articles of clothing lay strewn over the floor. They came together like runaway freight trains speeding on the same track toward a head-on collision. Natalia was totally uninhibited and shocked him when her mouth charted a sensual exploration from his mouth to the soles of his feet before reversing direction. Seth feared losing control, that she had the power to control him in and out of bed. Anchoring his hands under her armpits, he eased her up, flipped her over on her back and entered her in one strong thrust.

  Fires hotter than any other he’d known threatened to incinerate Seth, and he knew he had to release his damped-down passions before passing out. Marry me, marry me, marry me. The silent litany played over and over in his mind until he had to clamp his teeth together to keep from blurting out what lay in his heart. They soared to heights of shared ecstasy and then floated back to reality to succumb to a sated sleep for lovers.

  Chapter Twelve

  For the second time in two months, the mayor issued a press release informing the residents that Sheriff Roger Jensen tendered his resignation and Seth Collier would replace him and serve out his term. He was sworn in again, and this time he invited Natalia to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

  Now that he was officially the sheriff of Wickham Falls, Seth had a long, in-depth conversation with Andy about his attitude, his inability to supervise those under him and said it would be the last time he would speak to him about his conduct. He informed him that his next reprimand would be in writing, and the final dismissal. He told Andy they had to work as a united team to combat the town’s drug problem because he could not do it alone and that he was going to recommend he attend a conference in the state capital addressing the opioid crisis. Andy appeared remorseful and thanked Seth for giving him another chance.

  Mother Nature had conspired to punish the region with torrential rain and two F-1 tornadoes; the first forced the mayor and the Chamber of Commerce to cancel the Fourth of July three-day celebration, and the second was in mid-August. Mineral Springs sustained greater property damage than Wickham Falls and volunteers were dispatched to assist the neighboring town.

  Seth returned home late one night to find Natalia on the porch waiting for him. Leaning over, he kissed her. “What are you doing up so late?”

  “I wanted to show you this.” She handed him her cell phone.

  Seth read the text message from her ex, and her response. He had asked for her address because he wanted to return Oreo. “Why show me this when you’ve already sent him your address?”

  “We’re practically living together so I don’t want him to show up and then I’d have to explain why he’s here.”

  Seth kissed her again. “Don’t worry, babe. I promise to behave.”

  She smiled. “You better behave. Daryl would love a confrontation so he can sue you.”

  “When is he coming?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “Why tomorrow, Natalia?”

  “He said he’s going on vacation and doesn’t want to board Oreo. I called Henry to ask him for the day off.”

  “I’m scheduled to work tomorrow but I’ll take off in case you need backup.”

  “I don’t think I’m going to need backup,” she said.

  “I’m still taking off.”

  “I’m going upstairs to shower and get ready for bed. Are you coming?”

  “Not yet. It’s the first time in days it hasn’t rained, and I want to do a little stargazing.”

  He ruffled her hair. “Don’t stay up too late,” Natalia said.

  “I won’t.”

  * * *

  Natalia came down off the porch when a shiny black town car pulled up in front of her rental. Her heart rate increased when the driver got out and opened the rear door. She held her breath when the man she never believed she would see again stepped out and walked toward her.

  She ignored the cut of his light gray suit, imported leather slip-ons, silk tie and custom-made shirt with monogrammed cuffs. He was thinner and his hair grayer than she’d remembered. Daryl Owens wasn’t as handsome as he was attractive. Fastidious almost to a fault, he had standing appointments for haircuts and facials, and his dark brown complexion radiated good health.

  Natalia folded her hands at her waist. “Where’s Oreo?”

  Daryl placed a foot on the first step and angled his head. “You look good, baby.”

  Her eyelids fluttered wildly. “I’m not your baby. I asked you where my dog is.”

  “He’s with a friend.”

  Natalia struggled not to lose her temper. “Liar! You told me you were bringing Oreo.”

  “I said that because I knew you wouldn’t see me otherwise.”

  “You’ve got that right! I wouldn’t have, and I never want to
see you again!” Natalia was screaming at the top of her lungs and she didn’t care who saw her or heard her.

  Daryl mounted the steps and held her upper arms in a firm grip. “Calm down, Natty. I know you’re upset about Oreo but please let me explain.”

  “There’s nothing you can say that I need to hear. Now take your hands off me.”

  “I will, but hear me out first.”

  “You heard the lady. Take your hands off her.”

  Natalia and Daryl turned, as if they’d choreographed the move beforehand, to see Seth coming toward them. She had been so engrossed in arguing with Daryl that she wasn’t aware Seth had come out of his house.

  Daryl glared at him. “Who’s asking?”

  Seth stalked Daryl like a large cat. “I’m not going to tell you again to take your hands off her.”

  His fingers loosened slightly. “And if I don’t?”

  “Don’t start with him, Daryl,” Natalia pleaded softly.

  The dapper lawyer narrowed his eyes. “Why? Is he going to beat me up?”

  “I’m not going to give you what you need for causing my fiancée so much pain, which is a good thumping. As the sheriff of Wickham Falls, I’m going to arrest your fancy ass and after you spend the night in our lockup, you can plead your case to our judge. I want to caution you that folks around here don’t take kindly to you assaulting their doctor.”

  Daryl dropped his hands as if her arms suddenly had become heated metal. “You’re her fiancé?”

  Seth cupped his ear. “I don’t hear an echo. You heard right the first time.”

  Daryl snorted. “If she’s your fiancée, why isn’t she wearing a ring?”

  Seth approached Daryl and towered over him. “She told me about you taking off with her ring and the dog. And because I didn’t want her to relive that trauma I plan to give her an engagement ring the day before we’re to be married.” A sardonic smile twisted his mouth. “Your driver is waiting, and make certain he doesn’t speed on the way out of town because we impound the cars of speeders.”

  “Have a nice life,” Daryl spat out.