Josh

by Cheryl Wright

  She grabbed his hand and scribbled down her number, wondering what he really wanted to ask her.

  “Uh, maybe,” he started again.

  She put up her hand to stop him. “Go,” she said. “Go to your sheriff. Call me and let me know when.”

  He nodded, and just like that he was gone.

  Chapter Two

  Emily sat patiently outside the Sheriff’s Office.

  She’d arranged to meet Josh here, then they’d go for coffee.

  He was late, but he’d warned her it sometimes happened.

  She was as nervous as a teenager on her first date. But this wasn’t a date. Was it? She really didn’t know what it was.

  Two people having coffee together?

  It had been some weeks since her sister’s ordeal, and all Emily had done since then was think about Josh Wrangler.

  He was a kind man, she knew he was.

  She’d seen the way he treated his horse. When he wasn’t riding, he removed the saddle and brushed the horse down, allowing her to rest when he did.

  And he’d gone all out for Laney. If it hadn’t been for Josh’s suggestion they check those old worker’s huts, the outcome could have been tragic.

  She shivered.

  Not because of the cold, but because it was the middle of summer. She put her face to the sun and drank in the warmth. She loved this time of year. Loved being here in River Valley, Montana.

  Not that she’d been here long enough to really know what it was like, but because of the ordeal they’d just been through, she knew the people were kind.

  Most of the town’s folks had been up on that mountain helping to search for her sister. Just thinking about it brought back all the emotions she’d tried to move past, and her eyes filled with tears.

  She was quickly brought out of her revelry as Josh shoved the door open and began to walk briskly past her.

  At first, he didn’t see her sitting there. Then he did a double-take.

  “Emily,” he said, studying her face. “Are you okay?” He reached over and touched her shoulder, then equally as quickly let his hands drop to his sides.

  She nodded her head, and they walked side by side to Aunt Lizzie’s Kitchen.

  Emily hadn’t been there before, but she’d heard about the little café. She was told it was quaint, and very old fashioned, and she wasn’t disappointed.

  As they entered, the little bell over the door tinkled. It made her smile.

  “Aunt Lizzie,” Josh said, letting out the breath he’d apparently been holding. An older lady stood up from stacking amazing looking baked goods into a display cabinet. “This is Emily Jacobson. Emily, Aunt Lizzie.”

  Lizzie was around the cabinet and standing in front of her in a flash. “Oh, my dear girl,” she said, grabbing Emily and pulling her into a big bear hug. “You must be so pleased. Our Josh is an amazing deputy.” She pushed herself back and looked directly at Josh, daring him to oppose her.

  Then she glanced from one to the other and suddenly had the biggest smile. Almost immediately Emily knew what she was up to. Despite being here such a short amount of time, she’d already heard the rumors about Lizzie being a match-maker. “Yes, he is amazing,” Emily told Lizzie. “He saved my sister’s life.”

  Her voice broke, and without her permission, a slow tear trickled down her cheek. “My dear girl, you come with me,” Lizzie told her, grabbing her hand and dragging her toward a table.

  As soon as they sat, Josh reached across the table.

  “I’m okay,” she said, brushing Josh’s hands away. Not that she was averse to having him hold her. Last time he’d held her, hugged her – up on the mountain – it felt so good. She could have stayed in his arms forever.

  She’d spent the last few weeks wishing she could be back in his arms again. But on the other hand, he was a cowboy. And she had history with cowboys, none of it good. Emily wondered why she’d even accepted Josh’s invitation.

  Simple. Because he saved her sister’s life.

  No, that wasn’t true. It was because she liked him. Really liked him.

  But he is a cowboy!

  She was waring with her own thoughts and it was driving her crazy.

  Lizzie put three mugs of coffee on the table and sat down. “You okay now, hun?”

  Josh looked from her to Lizzie. As though he though the older woman might put her foot in it. Emily liked her. She was honest and caring.

  She hadn’t come across that for a very long time.

  She nodded her head, then sipped her coffee.

  “What do you do, Emily,” Lizzie said, watching her over the top of her mug.

  Emily could see Josh getting annoyed at the intrusion, but from what she’d heard, this was typical Lizzie. Insinuating herself into her customers lives. Treating everyone like family.

  “Right now?” she said. “I’m taking a break. I haven’t decided what I’ll do here in River Valley, but I have a couple of ideas in the fire.”

  Lizzie looked at her enquiringly.

  “Okay,” she said, laughing. Seeing she’d piqued Lizzie’s curiosity more than a little. “One of those ideas is to open a gallery.”

  She watched as Lizzie’s eyes went suddenly wide. “Ooooh,” she said. “An artist! What do you paint?”

  “Mostly landscapes. But I’m not sure I’ll be able to make a living from it in River Valley.”

  “Fair enough,” Lizzie said, then let it go. She suddenly pushed her chair back, scraping it along the floor. “I have to get back to work,” she said. “It won’t be long, and the lunch crowd will be here.”

  And just like that she was left alone with Josh.

  The moment the older woman was gone, she caught Josh staring at her. When he saw he’d been caught, he picked up his coffee and pretended to drink.

  Her body was reacting without her authority, and without warning her hand slid slowly across the table to cover his, but she suddenly pulled it away. She had to remember Josh is a cowboy. Okay, he’s a cop, but he’s a cowboy cop.

  And cowboys had not been kind to her in the past. She looked down into her lap. Why was she thinking about that now?

  Josh suddenly frowned. “Is everything alright.”

  “Yeah, sure,” she said, knowing it was a lie. “I guess my mind is all over the place today.”

  He stared into her eyes. “I think we need to start this…. date,” he paused after he’d said it, as though wanting her to confirm. When she didn’t answer he continue. “Over again.”

  She nodded, and he continued. He reached his hand across the table and pushed it into hers. She felt a ding of anticipation.

  “Hello,” he said. “My name is Josh. Deputy Josh Wrangler. Pleased to meet you.”

  It took Emily a moment to understand what had just happened. Then she smiled. And finally, she laughed. “Hello,” she said. “My name is Emily Jacobson. I’m happy to meet you too.”

  His eyes sparkled, and she could see he was holding back laughter.

  Just then the little bell over the door tinkled again. Emily liked the sound of it. Its tone was different to anything she’d heard before. It insinuated so much more than a mere door opening.

  ~~~

  What just happened?

  Josh walked to his car at the back of the Sheriff’s Office and shook his head.

  He’d made a grave mistake inviting Emily out for coffee. The moment he’d set eyes on her he knew he’d done the wrong thing.

  Tessa was in his heart, and always would be.

  But Emily was special, and he felt ever so comfortable around her.

  What kind of a man was he, to suddenly turn around and invite another woman out? And what was even worse, to enjoy himself.

  The lump in his throat wouldn’t budge. What was he thinking? He sat in his off-road vehicle, his head on the steering wheel.

  Emily was nice. He really liked her, but…

  “I, I can’t do this,” he said, his voice cracking.

  But he couldn’t
deny, even to himself, that he wanted to.

  As he’d done so many times before, Josh went over that day. Was it something he did that caused it? Could it have been avoided?

  He slammed his hand on the steering wheel, venting his frustration. He had no control over the situation, and it annoyed the hell out of him.

  What could he have done differently? That question had haunted him since that day, and he was certain it would continue to haunt him for the rest of his life.

  He heard a faint tap on the window. “You alright young fella?” It was the sheriff, who just for the record was only a half a dozen years older than Josh.

  He leaned back in the driver’s seat and looked to his superior. Chase indicated for him to wind the window down.

  “Want to talk about it?” Chase was more than his boss, he was a friend as well. A great one at that.

  “I had coffee with Emily Jacobson.”

  Chase studied his face before answering. “Oh.”

  Josh sat quietly for a few minutes before answering. “Yeah.”

  “It’s been three years,” Chase said, frowning. “Tessa would understand.”

  Josh slammed his hand on the steering wheel again. “Would she? I’m not sure I would in the same situation.” The more he talked, the harder it became, and now his voice was breaking. He had no intention of breaking down in front of Chase. Even if they were close.

  And Chase had been exactly where he was now, so he knew what Josh was going through.

  The sheriff stood staring down at him, his face softening. “If you want to talk, let me know. Day or night.”

  Josh nodded and started the engine. Chase stepped back and watched him leave.

  ~~~

  “He’s a cowboy,” Laney said, irritation obvious in her voice. “I thought you’d sworn off cowboys for life.”

  The look on her face was enough. Laney didn’t need to say the words. The moment Emily had told her sister she’d had coffee with Josh, all hell broke loose.

  “Seriously, sis, you’re over-reacting.”

  Laney frowned.

  “I mean, we just had coffee for goodness sakes!”

  Her sister put her hands to her hips. “You promised both me and yourself that you’d never date another cowboy.” She sighed. “How many cheaters do you have to date before you learn you can’t trust them?”

  Emily stared down into her lap. “Josh is different,” she said quietly. “Besides, they couldn’t help it if women found them attractive. Especially Chad. He was gorgeous. Model material…”

  Laney put her hand up to stop her sister talking, then walked over and sat down next to her. “I know Josh saved my life. And I’m truly grateful.” She looked strangely at Emily and maintained eye contact while she spoke. “That does not mean he won’t cheat on you. He’s a cowboy,” she said, emphasizing cowboy to ensure Emily truly understood her point.

  “He’s not a cowboy. He’s a cop.” Emily’s chin came up and her back straightened. Now she was on the defensive.

  Laney stood, ready to leave her sister to her own thoughts. “He’s still a cowboy,” she said firmly, and left the room.

  “I really hope not,” Emily said to the empty room.

  Chapter Three

  Emily stared across at the magnificent scene ahead of her.

  She had her paints and easel already set up and had just placed her canvas on the easel when she heard his voice.

  “Good morning,” Josh said.

  His voice sent her heart all a flutter. And he hadn’t even touched her.

  Paint brush in the air, ready to add her backwash to the canvas, she turned her head toward him. “Morning,” she said, smiling.

  “You have a gorgeous view here,” he pointed to the mountain view the sisters had from their little rented house on the outskirts of River Valley.

  “Yes, it’s beautiful,” she said, continuing to add her watered-down paint. She looked down into the pallet and thought about which color would be her starting point. It was better than gazing at Josh. Every time she did that she lost her cool.

  Her thoughts were muddled, and she forgot he was indeed a cowboy. Her sister was totally right – she needed to steer clear of him.

  “Would you like to go somewhere?” He moved closer toward her, and she could feel his presence. It was almost overwhelming.

  She shook her head. “No, sorry. I need to do this. I’m getting some works together before I decide whether or not to open a gallery.”

  Emily had begun painting after her mother died when she was fifteen. At the time it had been therapy, and most of the time she’d painted to keep her anxiety levels down. But now she did it because she loved it.

  Her step-father had recognized her talent and sent her for lessons. For that she’d always be truly grateful. Now he’d departed this earth, she was pleased she’d made the effort to tell him.

  “I’ve never watched someone paint before,” he said, making her more nervous with every step he took closer. “It’s amazing. You’re amazing,” he said, brushing a windblown tendril back off her face.

  She stopped painting, her paint brush mid-air. She shivered, and not from the cold. “Josh.” Her voice was quiet.

  “I could watch you all day,” he said, and she was sure he meant it. But she couldn’t paint much longer with him staring at her. It was nerve wracking. She wasn’t used to an audience, especially one that sent her emotions into a spiral.

  “I need to do this,” she said. “Having you here is very distracting.”

  “Likewise.” He leaned in close and kissed her gently on the lips. As he leaned back, she realized she was disappointed. It was the briefest of kisses, almost like an angel’s wings fluttering across her lips.

  It was light as a feather, but ever so sensuous. She felt a thrill trickle down her spine.

  She reached out and touched his cheek, then started laughing. “Ooops, sorry,” she said. “I’ve just painted your face.” She didn’t feel at all sorry.

  “What, like this,” he asked, reaching down and covering his fingers with paint then smearing it over her cheek.

  “No. More like this,” she told him, streaking the paint across his forehead.

  They stared at each other for about twenty seconds then burst out laughing.

  “I know I shouldn’t, but I feel happy when I’m around you, Emily.”

  She was confused. Why shouldn’t he feel happy around her? He wasn’t married, she’d found that out, so what was it?

  “What’s going on, Josh?” she asked, but he ignored the question.

  She decided not to pursue it now, instead wiping her hands on the cleaning cloth, then stretching up on her toes, she began to clean the paint off his face. She tried to look away as he gazed into her eyes.

  “My turn,” he said when she’d finished. He grabbed the cloth and gently rubbed at the paint on Emily’s face.

  At first, he stood away from her, then as time went on he got ever closer. Her breath hitched in her throat as his face was just a breath away from hers.

  “Josh,” she warned.

  “Emily,” he said quietly. Then he leaned into her.

  Suddenly he backed away.

  Emily frowned. She liked it when he kissed her. Even if he was a cowboy. A cowboy with secrets.

  He stood away from her, gazing into her eyes.

  His hands went to her cheeks and cupped her face, but still he didn’t kiss her. She could see he wanted to, and sure as heck, she wanted him to as well. What was holding him back?

  “Josh?” Something was wrong, but she didn’t know what.

  He didn’t answer, just pulled her closer, his arms slowly went up around her back and slid into her hair.

  This was where she belonged – in the arms of Josh Wrangler. It was bliss here, and this is where she wanted to stay.

  She heard herself quietly groan and he chuckled.

  She abruptly pulled back. “It’s not funny,” she told him, and then pouted like a petulant child.


  But his eyes told her he did not see her as a petulant child, but rather a sensual woman. He also looked conflicted, and she had no idea why.

  She took a deep breath, then pushed her hands to his chest. She didn’t know what his problem was, but he needed to sort himself out before they could be together.

  She’d had too many failed relationships and wasn’t willing to risk it again. To risk her heart again.

  Now he looked confused.

  “I don’t think the timing is right,” she said. “For either of us.”

  He took both her hands, and looked down at her, sadness in his eyes. “It’s complicated,” he said, lifting a hand to her cheek.

  They had a connection, a real connection. Sparks flew every time they were together, and she was certain she was falling in love with him.

  Her heart was breaking, but she wouldn’t force him to stay with her. That would never work. For either of them.

  “Talk to me Josh,” she finally said. “Maybe we can sort it out.”

  Instead of talking, he slowly backed off, still holding her hands until they dropped away.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, staring into her eyes. His sadness was evident in his voice. “Goodbye, Emily,” he finally said. Then turned and walked away.

  She felt as though her heart had shattered into millions of tiny pieces.

  ~~~

  “What happened with that girl of yours?”

  Lizzie was onto him the second he walked in the door of Aunt Lizzie’s Kitchen. “I heard you broke up.”

  Josh didn’t feel like doing this right now. Actually, he didn’t feel like doing it ever.

  He hadn’t seen Emily for nearly two weeks, and he’d hoped by now everyone would have forgotten. He should have realized Lizzie wouldn’t let it go.

  She was like a bull at a red rag when she put her mind to it.

  “It wasn’t working out.” He knew it wasn’t true, and missed Emily like crazy, but refused to make eye contact, otherwise Lizzie would be onto him.

  “Bull.”

  The older woman came around from behind the counter and confronted him, hands on her hips. “You listen to me, Josh Wrangler. Emily was perfect for you, and you are perfect for her.”