by Stacey Wilk
“But you’re not doing your job,” Roger said. “We’ve had three burglaries in the last month. You can’t protect us. We’re going to protect ourselves.”
It took all his self-control not to flip the table. He had spent over a decade keeping this town safe. He did his job twenty-four hours a day, making sure men like Roger and Marty could walk the streets at night without looking over their shoulders. In the blink of an eye, his people had turned on him.
Kace jumped up. “You two old coots need to sit down before your hearts give out. My brother is the best damn sheriff this town has ever seen. If anyone can solve this crime, it’s Gage Ryker, and if anyone doesn’t like that, they can come see me.”
“I second that, and Lock told me to throw his vote in for Gage too, but he’s at the ranch putting the horses to bed.” Jett came halfway out of his chair, then sat back down.
His chest puffed up. He could always count on his brothers. His mother’s smile spread to her ears. She gave him a nod and patted Kace’s knee after he sat down.
“We want answers, Ryker,” Marty Boseman said.
“And you’ll have them. Until then you will respect the office of the sheriff of Backwater and allow us to do our jobs.” He headed for the door and kept his head straight, avoiding stares, glances, and whispers.
He pushed out into the night air. The breeze did nothing to cool his heated skin. He took a deep breath. He would figure out who was committing these robberies. His gut told him Justin Crow was involved, and that had nothing to do with his antics on Gage’s couch. He needed to figure out how to prove it was Justin and restore order to his town.
The problem was when he proved Justin was a criminal, Calista would hate him all over again. She wanted to save that boy, and he couldn’t figure out why this kid meant so much. But it didn’t matter. She’d have to find another disadvantaged child to rescue. She’d see her way clear to that decision. He hoped. Or the small chance he thought he had with her this time would evaporate like the sweat on his skin.
He wrestled his keys out of his pocket, ready to spend some time with the beautiful woman who had haunted his dreams for years.
“Hi, Gage.” The voice stopped him in his tracks.
“What are you doing here? I was going to pick you up.” He wanted to cross the parking spaces and pull Calista into his arms to wash away the hurt and anger still clinging to him, but he stayed put, unsure of what she wanted. Had she come to cancel because of their earlier disagreement? But she could have called or sent a text.
He swallowed the lump in his throat at the sight of her. Her floral summer dress floated over her body. She’d pulled back her long hair into a low ponytail that hung along her spine. Her toned legs went on forever to the strappy sandals on her feet. Her toenails were painted a pale color he couldn’t make out in the dim light. But whatever color it was, his heart picked up speed taking all of her in.
“I couldn’t stay another minute at home. The house feels too small, even though I have the whole place to myself. I’m afraid my dad will come up to the main house and start another fight.” She waved her hand as if to dismiss her words. “Never mind. You don’t need to hear about it. I hope it’s all right that I came to you instead of waiting for you to pick me up.”
“I planned on going home to change out of my uniform. I’m not exactly dressed to go out.” He almost said for a date.
“I don’t mind your uniform, but I understand if you want to freshen up. I could meet you at the restaurant. Or wherever you wanted to eat. We hadn’t talked about that part.” A rose flush colored her cheeks.
He moved closer, needing to be near her. Only she could ease the tension in his chest and help him shake off the memory of the people of this town staring at him with disappointment in their eyes. How could the town doubt him so much? It was as if they didn’t know him at all. He was the person who came running when they called, even for things like a broken sprinkler they couldn’t shut off. He’d found their dogs, walked their kids home from school, and driven a wagon around on Halloween when the trick-or-treaters didn’t want to walk from house to house any longer. His townspeople had cut him in a way he didn’t know could hurt so much.
“You could leave your car here and come with me. I’ll stop home for a quick change, and then we can grab something in town. It will be less driving around like that. Or we could sneak into the kitchen at the ranch, and I could whip something up.”
The ranch had guests this week. Four sets of couples. Two of whom were going on that tour. Jett and Mom would have closed down the kitchen by now, but family could reopen it.
“The ranch sounds nice. Do you still have that dining set outside? The sky is beautiful tonight.” Her smile slid wide for him and danced in her eyes.
He dared to take another step toward her. Her warm, spicy scent drifted in the space between them. “Not as beautiful as the lady.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Trust me. The view from here is better than any skyful of stars.” He willed his heart to slow down.
She smoothed her dress against her waist. “Gage, the things you say sometimes…you throw me.”
He didn’t know if that was good or bad. He wanted to whisk her away before she thought too long and decided she didn’t want his compliment.
“Let’s go.” He held out his hand. She slipped her soft one into his. He linked their fingers and hurried to his truck. If he could stop time, he would. Tonight would be about them. Not the town. Not the robberies.
Not the past.
Chapter Fifteen
Calista fought hard against the urge to run. Gage was changing in his bedroom, and all she could think about was him without his clothes on.
The ride over to the ranch and his cottage only made her hands shake and insides burn. She had tried not to stare at his chiseled face set in stone, but she couldn’t stop. At least she controlled herself enough not to reach over and run her fingers through his black, silky hair.
His twitching jaw had said something bothered him. She hadn’t wanted to ask what it was. She didn’t want to fight with him, and she worried he was still figuring out how to pin the robberies on Justin. Tonight, she wanted to forget about all the things that had tied her up in knots recently, and Gage seemed to be the only one who could ease her tension.
“Hi, Calista. Are you waiting for my dad? That’s a pretty dress.” Izzi bounced into the room. Her hair was swept back. She wore leggings and what had to be Gage’s shirt. The cotton fell to her knees, and the short sleeves hung at her elbows.
“Hi, Izzi. Yes, your dad is changing, and thank you for the compliment. I got it on sale.”
“How’s Justin?” Izzi’s face lit up as she spoke the young man’s name.
Calista remembered what being in love at that age felt like. She doubted Gage would approve of his daughter being in love with anyone at this age or any other. “He’s okay. Working hard around the B and B.”
Izzi pulled a water bottle out of the fridge. “Do you want one?”
“I’m fine, thanks.” She needed something a little stronger to calm her nerves.
Izzi held the bottle but didn’t open it. “Justin wants to see the horses. I thought about bringing him over.”
“Does your dad know?” There was no way Gage would allow that, but maybe she could talk him into it for Izzi.
“I haven’t mentioned it yet. But it’s not like we don’t have people on the ranch all the time. We even offer riding lessons. Dad can’t stop Justin from taking a lesson. Uncle Jett never turns away business.”
She was pretty sure Gage would do his best to stop Justin from stepping foot on the ranch or anywhere else that involved Izzi, and if that meant fighting Jett or Lock with two fists, he’d do it. “You should talk to him first.”
“Talk to who first?” Gage stepped into the living area with a smile on his face. His gaze searched for an answer.
She soaked him in. His black T-shirt accented his mu
scles. The collar had two small buttons left open to reveal his dark chest hair. Her memory could recall the soft texture of that hair against her fingers. She clenched her fists, and heat pooled between her legs. She needed to sit and calm her hormones. His daughter was only feet away.
“Dad, can I bring Justin here for a riding lesson?”
“Absolutely not.”
As she figured. Calista dropped into a nearby chair.
Izzi’s face fell. “Why not? What’s the big deal? Plenty of people will be here. Uncle Jett or even Uncle Lock can chaperone. Or Gammy. She likes Justin. She told me.”
“Or me.” Was it so terrible to want to be liked by his daughter? “I don’t mind being a chaperone if it helps. I’m sure Jett and Lock are busy.”
He shot her a glare that froze her to her seat, but he turned back to Izzi. “I don’t want you hanging around that boy. He’s too old for you. I thought I made myself clear.”
“You haven’t tried to get to know him. He’s nice and funny. Dad, you are so narrow-minded. You’re judging Justin without giving him a chance.” Izzi stomped out of the room. The slam of a door punctuated her exit.
Gage hung his head. “Be glad you don’t have a teenager.”
She sucked in a breath. She had wanted children for years but had to accept that the dream never worked out for her. Her chances of having a child at forty were near impossible. She didn’t have a partner to share a child with. She hadn’t been brave enough to have one on her own.
“She’s lovely. You’re doing a great job with her, though you might want to let up on some of those rules.” She edged out of the chair and went to him.
“I like my rules, you know.”
“I do know, and so does Izzi. You can be kind of inflexible at times.” The space between them was charged with electricity.
He twisted a strand of her hair between his fingers. “If I say you’re right, can we table this discussion for another time? I just want to go up to the house and make you dinner. I don’t want to fight crime or fight my daughter.”
She had never been able to curb her attraction to him. That was why she always stayed away. But this time, because of the robbery, he had slipped in and stolen her breath again.
He gripped her shoulder as if he sensed somehow she was about to take flight.
“Calista, I know we don’t have a future together any longer, but I need tonight. Would I be too much of a roughneck if I asked you to simply allow me to spend time with you and see where that takes us?”
Her head spun with conflicting emotions. She wanted to wrap herself around him and never let go, and she wanted to do the right thing for her sister and her heart.
Hadn’t it been this morning she considered moving forward? Her father had made sure that couldn’t happen. Did she need her father to change his mind in order for her to change hers? If she spent the night with Gage, would she be dishonoring Ava’s memory?
“Please say something.” His voice was low.
“I’m afraid. I keep trying to separate my feelings from what happened. How do I get involved with you knowing Ajay is the ghost in the room?” She stared at the center of his shirt, unable to look him in the eye. He was asking for one night to see where it would go. Why couldn’t she give him that?
He tilted her chin up with his strong fingers. “I’m not asking for a relationship, darlin’. Tell me you don’t still feel something between us. If you tell me that, I’ll drive you right back to your car now, and I’ll stay away from you.”
She wanted to deny how much she wanted him, but that would be a lie. This was her chance to take a small step forward. She didn’t have to be afraid, but every step closer to Gage made the ground crumble from under her. She would be looking down a large chasm soon if she wasn’t careful. What would her father say if she went back to the only man she ever loved? Would his anger shake him enough he might wake up from his infatuation with the past? Or would he drink himself into oblivion?
“I still have feelings for you.” Steamy heat ran over her skin. The uneven beads of her bracelet did nothing to calm her nerves as her fingers danced across the wood.
He cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips against hers. Every nerve ending in her body tingled. She leaned into him and ran her fingers through the ends of his hair. He moaned against her lips. She wanted the kiss to go further, but he eased back before she had a chance to take them to another level.
“Let’s start with dinner.” He took her hand and led her outside.
Disappointment shoved its way into her belly. He was probably right. They should take small steps. She could handle small steps. They didn’t have to lead anywhere.
Unless she wanted them to.
****
“The dinner was wonderful,” Calista said. She leaned into Gage’s embrace and closed her eyes. He took the moment to watch her. Her light skin against his darker complexion always made his heart gallop.
They had moved from the table in the main house’s kitchen to the small settee by the firepit. When she was wrapped around him, he was complete. He tried not to think about what was under her dress and what was once his. He didn’t want to embarrass himself with an uncontrollable erection.
“The meal was grilled cheese and a salad. Not exactly gourmet.” He drank his beer and hoped to cool his hormones.
“I don’t need anything gourmet. I came for the company. How was your meeting tonight?”
“I don’t want to talk about it and ruin the night.” The stars were out. The day had cooled down and added a slight breeze. He couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
“The town must be up to something.” She looked at him.
He eased away from her, took his beer, and stood by the fire. “I have it under control.”
She stood beside him. “Your spine is so straight it might snap.”
“Those nuts are saying I’m not doing my job. Who do they think keeps them safe twenty-four seven? Not Barry Pearce.” He wasn’t being fair to Barry, but damn it, the town’s attempt to take matters into their own hands brought about enough anger to make his blood boil.
He turned to her and twirled her hair between his fingers. “Let’s talk about something else, okay?”
“The town is just scared. Once you solve the robberies, everything will go back to normal.” She took his hand and laced her small fingers through his.
“So we’re going to talk about it?”
“You probably should. It might make you feel better.”
“What will you say if I prove Justin is involved?” He should stay away from the subject of Justin, but he couldn’t seem to keep his mouth shut. And she wanted to talk.
“You won’t, because he isn’t.” She pulled her hand away.
“If you’re right about Justin, I’ll eat my words, but don’t count on it. That kid is trouble. If he isn’t an accomplice to these robberies, it’s only a matter of time before he does something else.” He downed the rest of his beer.
“Why do you think he’s so much trouble? What has he done that says he’s no good? It can’t only be what happened between him and Izzi.”
He scratched the back of his neck. “His presence at every crime.”
“He wasn’t at the B and B when it got robbed.” She dropped down onto the chair and tucked her legs under her.
“He was there earlier that day. I need to go back to the first two locations and try to find any evidence that puts him in proximity at the times of the robbery.” He would take care of that first thing in the morning. He stopped. First thing after he took Jett’s guests out for a ride.
“Does he remind you of Ajay?”
Her words cut through him. She was always able to call him on his shit. He loved that about her, yet that very trait frustrated the hell out of him.
“I don’t know.” Or he didn’t want to admit it.
“Come on, Gage. Be honest.”
He sat beside her and laced his fingers through hers. “Justin has that d
efiant glare in his eye Ajay always had. Ajay always thought he knew better. He wouldn’t listen to anything I said.”
“You can’t accuse Justin of committing a crime to ease your conscience about not stopping Ajay.”
“Calista, it’s been too many years for me to be doing that. I don’t like Justin. I don’t like that he keeps turning up like a bad penny.”
“I think you’re too focused on one guy. You want to solve the crime, and you want to ease your guilt. Pinning this on Justin won’t change the fact your brother murdered my sister.”
He ran his hands through his hair. The ground between his feet stared up at him. “I wear my badge every day hoping I won’t be the guy whose brother shot someone. Most days I can pull it off, but when you’re standing next to me, I feel like I did when I walked up to you and you slapped me. I felt torn apart, ripped to shreds that night. My world was never going to be right again.”
She snaked her arm through his and leaned her head against his shoulder. “I’m sorry I did that to you. I should have said that sooner.”
He turned to look at her. Her lips were inches from his. Her eyes were wide and filled with tears.
“Take a walk with me.”
“Where?”
“Back to my place.” He wanted her in his bed.
At least one more time.
Chapter Sixteen
Gage held Calista’s hand and let the warmth of her skin against his travel up his arm to the hollow of his chest. He led her off the patio and to the paved path that would take them to his cottage. He didn’t know what would happen when they arrived, but he wanted to invite her in. She would probably push him away because she saw a different man from the one he was when she left him. But so far she followed him.
The big black sky offered them the backdrop of a million stars. He loved the Montana sky at night, unbroken by the light pollution big cities contended with. The air cooled his skin, but not enough. The only thing that might put out the slow burn in his belly would be feeling Calista under him. Or a cold shower. Which was more likely to be the thing that happened.