Home for a Hero

by Heatherly Bell

  “Nope.” He waved her inside. “What’s up?”

  Jill filled him in on her business on the ridge and the status of the home Sam was building for them. Even though he’d heard the latest from Sam yesterday, it was interesting to hear his sister’s perspective. She ended by asking him about the anniversary party.

  Should have seen that coming, genius. He cleared his throat. “Yeah, that was a great party.”

  “I told you. I guess Zoey didn’t crush on you too hard.”

  It would have to be said eventually so he might as well do it immediately. “Yeah, see. Here’s the thing.”

  “Oh, boy.” Jill’s eyes got wide. “What did she do?”

  Everything.

  He scrubbed his chin, an occasional nervous tick of his. “You might as well know. Zoey and I...we’re a thing.”

  Jill’s expression went from worry to shock to anger to shock and back to worry again. It had to be exhausting to be her.

  “Ryan. She’s my best friend.”

  “I know.”

  “You can’t hurt her, or I’ll have to kill you.”

  “I won’t but thanks for the vote of confidence.”

  Jill frowned. “I’m sorry, but didn’t you say that you’re not ready for a serious relationship? That you don’t believe they work?”

  “I did say that, and yet you, Mom and nearly everyone in town has a niece, granddaughter or daughter that I absolutely need to meet. And last I checked you didn’t want me to deprive a child of my dimples.”

  “That’s true, but Zoey...she’s so sweet and innocent.”

  Well, he’d fixed that, hadn’t he?

  “She’s not that innocent.”

  “Oh, god!” Jill plugged fingers in her ears and started singing. “La la la, I can’t hear you. La la la.”

  He smiled in spite of his innate desire to tell her to get out of his personal business. “Okay, Lady Gaga, you need to get going. Your brother has sheriffing to do.”

  As he led Jill toward the exit, she stopped, unplugged her ears and turned to him. “This is amazing. When you took Carly to a wedding, she met Levi right after. Now you took Zoey to a party and she met...you.”

  “Yeah, that’s super.”

  “You know, I really think I might be good at this matchmaking thing.”

  “No you’re not. You’re not a matchmaker.”

  “I could be.” She straightened, chin up.

  He knew better than to argue with her. He patted her back. “You can do anything you want, Jilly.”

  “That’s right!”

  “Sheriff, it’s Trenton LaRue on line one,” Renata called out.

  “Got to take this,” Ryan said as Jill waved goodbye.

  Trenton was his best prospect for taking his place in the next election. It was still six months away, but Ryan had been searching for his possible replacement since almost day one. Actually, it had been day two, when he’d intervened in some kind of parade that Renata wanted to arrange for him. Another parade! Hometown hero wins in landslide! Uh, no.

  The parties after his election had been enough. Despite what everyone believed, he didn’t enjoy being the center of attention. It was simply that he understood how to handle it, having been an officer. He understood leadership and the chain of command. It didn’t mean he enjoyed it. Not anymore.

  It had been logical to approach the current deputies first, but they weren’t interested in running, even when he explained that he wouldn’t run against them. Even when he explained he’d endorse them. It had been a no-go. But Trenton would be different. They’d been in Iraq together and Ryan knew he could trust Trenton with his six anytime, anywhere. Best, Trenton had been working as a police officer in Denver and wanted to make a move to California. So when his request had been approved to add one more deputy to the force, Ryan had contacted Trenton immediately.

  Fortune’s town rules stated that Trenton had to work as a deputy for Fortune for at least three months before running for sheriff, with Ryan’s full endorsement.

  “Hey, dude,” Ryan said. “Hope this is good news.”

  “It’s a go,” Trent said. “I’ll be there in about three months to check the area out.”

  “Good, I’ll schedule your interview.”

  “So what’s it like, being the sheriff?”

  One piece of information Ryan hadn’t yet shared with Trent was that he’d like him to run as his replacement when the time came. Either way, though, he needed another deputy and Trent needed the work. No sweat if Trent wouldn’t do it, but Ryan had a feeling he’d welcome the opportunity.

  “It’s a great position for an upwardly mobile individual.”

  Trent practically had a coughing fit on the other end of the line. “Cut the BS.”

  “Yeah. Won’t lie to you—it’s slow here. Most of the time I’m dealing with residents who think I control the oxygen in this town.”

  “You don’t?” Trent chortled.

  “There’s work to be done but it’s not the adrenaline rush you’re used to.”

  “Right now, bud, I could use a break from the daily adrenaline fix.”

  “No doubt. I take our nuisance calls so that my deputies can take care of the real work.”

  “You’re a prince. Always knew that.”

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  “What kind of nuisance calls?”

  “Residents calling because a neighbor’s dog defecated on their lawn. Noise disturbance calls when someone’s TV was too loud. Someone revving their engine too loudly next door.”

  Zoey calling 911 because her dog had been stolen.

  Trent whistled. “Whoa. That’s a slow day.”

  It wasn’t that Ryan minded the slow days, especially when they’d managed to put him in Zoey’s orbit, but he felt he’d outgrown his usefulness. If the job was simply being a figurehead and mouthpiece, someone else would be more effective. He’d had enough of that as an officer to last him a lifetime.

  Chapter 16

  For the first time in a long while, Zoey was having a wonderful Monday. It had started in the morning when she found Ryan’s note tucked under Mr. Coffee.

  Indie snores. Bella farts in her sleep. Corky is the quiet one. Go figure. Call you tomorrow. R

  Ryan had also left the night-light on that she’d forgotten about last night. You had to love a man who noticed details. There had been no issues with her pets in the morning, and this with them having been locked out of her bedroom all night. After Ryan left, she’d decided to keep them out since she thought they might as well get used to the fact. With any luck, there wouldn’t be any room for them in her bed for the foreseeable future. No guarantees but fingers eternally crossed.

  There were no packages blocking her way into the store. No skin cream from Mami and no botched product deliveries. No fires in the dumpster. Fred, too, seemed in a particularly good mood, waving to Zoey as she opened her store and flipped the sign from Closed to Open.

  “That was a good picture of you and the sheriff,” Fred called out.

  “Thanks.”

  She’d made the decision to no longer be humiliated or embarrassed since Ryan returned her feelings. After all this time, he saw her as a woman. Someone besides his little sister’s best friend. She was sexy. Wild. It sounded like someone else but it was her. Zoey Castillo, sex symbol. Exclusively for Ryan Davis.

  The morning went swiftly with some of her regulars. She sold parakeet food and specialty cat food, two leashes and two dog beds. Carly came in with cute baby Grace to pick up dog food for Digger, their Chihuahua mix.

  “You went to the anniversary party with Ryan?” Carly asked, as Zoey rang her up.

  “Yeah, he offered.”

  “I met Levi right after I went to a wedding with Ryan.”

  “Yeah, I’d forgotten about that but Jill reminded me.
”

  “Isn’t he a perfect gentleman? He gave me a hug at the end of the evening. It was kind of like going out with my older brother, if my older brother was super hot.”

  The differences between the two experiences confirmed, Zoey’s heart fluttered and did a little somersault. She wanted to tell Carly about how her date with Ryan had gone much differently, but Grace started fussing and took Carly’s whole attention. Then something happened that Zoey really should have been prepared for but wasn’t.

  “Hey, guys,” Jill said as she walked into the store and gave Grace a squeeze. “I need more of that organic food you say is so good for Fubar.”

  “Of course,” Zoey said and left the register. “See you later, Carly.”

  As she located the specialty bag in the back of the store, Jill came up behind Zoey.

  “You realize you can’t talk to me about this. Ever.”

  Zoey startled. “W-what?”

  “I just talked to Ryan.”

  “Oh. I was going to call you.”

  “Look, I’m happy for you. Really. But if you ever tell me anything romantic about you two, like how he kisses or, ugh, other stuff, I’m going to stuff fingers in my ears and start singing ‘Baby Shark.’”

  “Geez, anything but that.”

  The song was from a show that Grace listened to on a regular basis. Once Zoey and Jill had been over to Carly’s and the repetitive three-note song was more than they’d been able to bear. They’d left the house with their ears bleeding, swearing that they’d never let their kids listen to such junk even if it did keep them quiet.

  “And one more thing.” Jill pointed. “You can’t hurt him, or I’ll have to kill you.”

  “I would never!”

  “You say that now but you may not have a choice.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You have to support him. Are you going to be okay dating the sheriff? There are going to be parties, dealing with the media and elections, all the stuff you hate.” Jill cleared her throat. “You might have to buy a few fancy dresses even.”

  “Actually, Ryan says he’s not going to run again.”

  “And you fell for that.”

  Zoey’s stomach dropped. “Why? You think he’s lying?”

  “No. What I’m saying is, Ryan does what he needs to do. If he has to run again, he will. Anyway, is this a relationship? Is it a fling? What is it?”

  “It’s not a fling! Why? What did Ryan say?”

  “Calm down. He didn’t say. As it turns out I barely got a word out of him. I know that he wouldn’t do a fling with you, but Lauren really screwed him over. She basically abandoned him when he took this job. Like being a small town sheriff just wasn’t cool enough for her.”

  “That’s horrible. Poor Ryan. All I told him is that I just want to see where this goes.”

  “So...no pressure.”

  “No. We’re dating.”

  “Well, I wasn’t sure about the two of you, but you do look good together. And I was beginning to wonder about you.”

  “What about me?”

  “I was worried that you’d grow old, being known to everyone as the cat lady.”

  “But I just have the store cat.”

  “You know what I mean.” Jill shrugged. “Maybe you have too many animals.”

  “I basically have dogs that have been abandoned. And I was trying to find a home for Boo. Corky, too. Do you know how many people don’t want to own a pot-bellied pig?”

  “I just hope they don’t keep you from being in a serious relationship.”

  Zoey crossed her arms. “Any guy who would break up with me over my dedication to animals is not worth having.”

  “That’s not what I mean, Z.” Jill went palms up. “I just think sometimes...you might be afraid to be hurt again. And it’s safer to be with pets that won’t abandon you than it is to be in a real relationship where you have to take a risk.”

  “You’re wrong.” Zoey huffed.

  “Okay. I’m glad I’m wrong.”

  “And also? I never did talk to you about my boyfriends. That was you. And Carly.”

  “See, you never said anything so that’s where I got the idea that you were so sweet and innocent.”

  Zoey scrunched up her eyebrows. “Wait. How do you know I’m not?”

  “Ryan said something.” Jill slapped her forehead. “Look what you made me do!”

  Despite Jill’s disgust, Zoey couldn’t help but smile. To Ryan, she was definitely no longer sweet and innocent, which was good to have confirmed yet again.

  “Gah! Don’t smile like that. You’re making it worse.” Jill plugged her fingers in her ears and sang the “Baby Shark” song.

  Zoey did the same and sang at the top of her lungs as protection. She had the sudden unnerving desire to stick toothpicks in her eyes. Anything to make the song stop. That’s when Zoey noticed her ninth grade music theory teacher, Mr. Olson, standing in the cat food aisle staring at both of them like they’d taken leave of their senses.

  She hip checked Jill, who followed Zoey’s gaze.

  “Oh, hello there,” Jill said, stopping the song. “We were just...just...”

  “It was a bet. That’s what it was. We bet each other.”

  “Yeah, and I lost the bet. So I had to sing a song I hate.”

  “And I had to listen to it.” Zoey nodded.

  “Listen, I don’t care what you girls were singing,” Mr. Olson explained, moving down the aisle. “Just so long as you stay in key.”

  “I’m sorry.” Zoey turned to Jill. “I didn’t mean to smile.”

  “That’s okay,” Jill said. “You’re allowed to smile.”

  “Aw, thanks.”

  “It’s just... I don’t know, weird.” Jill cringed. “I was never friends with any of Ryan’s girlfriends. Or stupid Lauren. So...this is weird. Different. Did I mention weird?”

  “I can see that.”

  Still, Jill was going to have to get used to the idea that her brother was a hunk of a man who was going to have sex with Zoey. Often, if she was lucky.

  “Alright,” Jill said, helping Zoey lug the bag of dog food to the front. “I’ll talk to you later. I need to get back up to the ridge.”

  “By the way, how are the wedding preparations going?”

  “We’ve finally decided to have it on the ridge. It’s official.”

  “You’ll save money on a venue.”

  “And I’ve always wanted to get married outdoors. Turns out, so did Sam.”

  “But you’re not going to do that first thing you were thinking about doing.” Zoey hoped. There was, after all, something to be said for tradition.

  “No.” Jill sighed. “My mother had a conniption fit.”

  “Getting married while wakeboarding could be a little tricky.”

  “You’d be surprised. We found a minister who would do it. I’m getting so much better, and we already practiced. Anyway, guess we’ll have to do it the old boring way. I don’t mind as long as we get married.”

  “I’m still on the lookout for a dog tux for Fubar. Is he still your ring bearer?”

  “That’s the plan. But we’re still working on training him.”

  After Zoey cashed Jill out at the register and she was off, Zoey got busy adding dog treats to the display she had in the front. They were ordered in bulk from specialty vendors, looked like biscuits and biscotti cookies, and once during a particularly rough day, Carly had mistaken one for the real thing.

  The store phone rang and Zoey ran to answer it. Could be Ryan, though he had her cell phone number. “Pimp Your Pet, how can I help you?”

  “How was the dinner?” Tia asked. “Did he love Tio’s rice and chicken?”

  Ahem. “Oh, yeah. He really did. Thank Tio again. He’s such a lifesaver.” />
  “Ay, mi amor, don’t you know by now he’d do anything for you?”

  Zoey did know. She sniffed a little bit, not wanting to cry when nearby a customer was looking for the perfect collar and leash combo.

  “Your mami called. She wants us all to have dinner together before she goes back. Isn’t that nice?”

  “What? Where? When?”

  “Next Friday night. Here. Bring your young man with you if you’d like.”

  “Next Friday? Oh, I can’t. I’m busy.”

  There was a long silence from Tia. Zoey rarely turned down an invite for dinner with Tio and Tia. “What’s wrong?”

  I can’t handle seeing my mother again so soon, that’s all. I don’t know if I’m ready to tell her yet. But Tia wouldn’t understand, and why would she when Zoey had never explained? She’d kept Tia in the dark, which wasn’t fair. But now so much time had passed, it might hurt her to know Zoey had never felt comfortable confiding in her. It had just been easier to stop dwelling on what had happened. To forget.

  Of course, look how well that had worked.

  “Is Jorge coming, too?”

  “I assume so, since he’s her fiancé. But I didn’t ask. Why?”

  Zoey couldn’t do this over the phone. And she didn’t want to make a scene on Friday either. So she’d just have to come over before then and explain everything to Tia.

  “I don’t like him very much.”

  “Ah, so this is the problem between you and Veronica. No wonder she wouldn’t say anything about your disagreement. But honey, you aren’t likely to appreciate any man that she chooses. And I agree it’s hard to think of anyone good enough for her, but you and I must trust her judgment.”

  Zoey swallowed and fought the urge to be sick. Tia wouldn’t say that if she knew what Jorge had done.

  “Fine, I’ll come to dinner.”

  She’d have to talk to Tia first. Explain everything. Even if this meant a fracture in her family, a crack that might never be repaired, it had to be done. She’d waited too long and protected both Tia and Mami without realizing she’d inadvertently protected Jorge.

  Zoey glanced down at her smartphone. Still no calls or texts from Ryan. He was probably having a crazy-busy Monday, and she knew he had his basketball game at the Boys and Girls Club tonight. She barely resisted sending him a text of her own, even if he’d said that he’d call her.