Authors: Paige Cameron
Tags: #Romance
“All right. See you tomorrow.” Sam waved. He didn’t like the idea of leaving and he wasn’t going to. He circled and parked the truck behind a large group of trees. Then he got his rifle out of his truck and sat against a tree where he could watch the cabin.
Sylvia was his. She didn’t know it yet, but she was, and if someone wanted to hurt her, they’d have to go through him first.
* * * *
Gab was dressed and had coffee made when she came into the kitchen. “You’re an early riser, or didn’t you sleep at all?”
“I’ll take a nap after I drop you off, and then I plan to visit my parents.”
“Are you an only child?”
“Yes, and spoiled rotten.” He grinned. “Not really. I think they were harder on me because I was the only one. They had high expectations. It didn’t include the Navy SEALs or having my own company. Dad would have liked for me to take over the ranch.”
Sylvia poured her cup of coffee in a go cup and led the way to Gab’s rental car. Once inside she asked, “You like the big city better?”
“I thought I would. But now I’m not so certain.”
“I’d think you’d find the country rather dull after the lifestyle you’ve been living.”
“The way I’ve been thinking lately has surprised me.”
He turned onto the main road to town. “I programmed your cell phone. Hit the number two button, and I’ll know you’re in trouble. You have GPS. I’ll trace you right away.”
The sheriff had parked right in front of the office. Sylvia got out, waved, and went inside.
“Good morning.” Sheriff Grady put his feet down off the desk and rose.
“You don’t have to stand whenever I come in, Sheriff.”
“I know. But my mom drilled manners into me. Even though she’s been gone five years, I still know she’s watching and will whisper in my ear if I don’t show what manners she taught me.”
“The mothers in this town seem to have a lot of influence on their children, especially the men.”
“And they raise their daughters to have the same effect.”
“Your wife still won’t let you eat at Millie’s.”
“No, this healthy diet is lasting longer than it has before.” He pretended to grumble. “I’m going for a walkabout through town. I’ll leave my car parked out front. Anyone not familiar with my routine will think I’m inside the office.” He handed Sylvia a rifle. “You know how to shoot one of these?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t hesitate to use it if you need to. Keep it on the desk. If this woman came into the office you might not get to that little gun in your ankle holster.” He waved and left.
She liked the feel of the rifle. She appreciated his forethought and that he wasn’t going to hover over her. The phone rang, starting her day. Calls came in more frequently than usual.
One man said his cow was missing and he was sure his neighbor, Abe, had stolen it. She’d promised to give Sheriff Grady the message as soon as he got back. Another call was from a woman whose cat had gone up the tree, again. Sylvia wondered what tree but didn’t ask. She called the deputy in that area. He chuckled and said they had to rescue that damn cat at least once a week.
The calls fascinated Sylvia. Sheriff Grady was apparently the man to go to for any problem, no matter how weird. Finally when the phone quieted, she worked on some letters she’d been asked to type. When the door opened, she glanced up.
“It’s time for lunch.” Sam walked inside, and she couldn’t stop herself from smiling.
“Don’t you ever work anymore?”
“I’m enjoying taking time off. My foreman is happier than I’ve ever seen him. All is right in my world. How about you?”
“The job is going well. It’s more interesting than I expected it to be. This town is populated with some strange people.”
“I suppose you’re right, but we just accept others as they are and try to deal with their peculiarities.”
“In other words, live and let live.”
“True. Are you tired of Millie’s? We can go to the pizza shop.”
“No. I like Millie and her place. But if I keep eating her food, then I’ll have to start exercising.”
“I’d be glad to help out with that.”
“Your type of exercise wasn’t what I was considering.”
Liar, it’s all you can think about.
“Too bad.” He put his hand at her waist as they walked across the street and turned toward Millie’s. “Grace and I are going shopping this afternoon in Wagon Wheel. Do you want to come along?”
“I’m not my own boss like you are. I have a job to do.”
“Sheriff Grady will let you off.”
“I don’t want to ask for favors. And I like my job. Grace can help you with whatever you want for your house.”
Sam shrugged and waved at Millie as they stepped into the crowded restaurant. A waitress led them to a booth and left the menus.
After they’d ordered, Sam sat back and studied her. “You are going to wish you’d given more input after we marry and settle in my house. You’ll want to change things. But I’ll say no, you had your chance to pick what you liked. You passed it up.”
“You are a stubborn, determined man. I’m not the homey type. If by some miracle you changed my mind about leaving this lovely little town, I still wouldn’t instantly become the type of wife you deserve.”
“How do you know what type I want?”
“I’ve met your sisters-in-law. They all love being at home, cooking, cleaning, having babies. The thought makes me want to run far away.”
“You don’t want children?”
“I never have before.”
I have no intention of telling you I’ve had visions of a little girl or boy with your serious brown eyes and smiling mouth. I’m not myself yet. When I get back to the city, all these crazy thoughts will fade.
“Hmmm, I’ll keep that in mind.”
When they’d finished lunch, he walked her back to the office. She unlocked the door and started inside. Sam held her back. “Let me check the place.”
He went in first and checked all around. “It’s all clear.”
“Thanks for checking.”
“I’ll be busy this week with Grace. How about I pick you up at the cabin around six on Friday evening?”
“Sounds good to me. Have fun with your sister.”
“Mom’s having a party for her Saturday night. She said to be sure and invite you. Please plan on coming. I want you to get to know Grace better.”
“I will if you are sure your mom doesn’t mind.”
“Not at all. She really did ask me to talk to you about coming.”
“See you Friday. I have to work.” She pushed him out the door. He waved and walked jauntily toward his truck. Soon afterward, the sheriff returned. She wondered if they’d all gotten together and set up a schedule of when to check on her.
“You’ve got this place better organized than any assistant I’ve ever had. I hope you decide to stay around.” He sat down at his desk and chuckled, reading her notes about the calls.
“All our weird neighbors called this morning. What did you think?”
“They definitely made my morning interesting.”
“Would you like to ride with me tomorrow? I’ll show you around the territory and introduce you to some of our more distant neighbors.”
“This offer isn’t just to keep me close to protect me, is it?”
“Nope. It’s a genuine invite.”
“Then yes, I’d love to ride along.”
Sylvia finished her typing. Because of her wrist, she had to type for short periods. But she was getting better, stronger.
Accepting the job in the sheriff’s office had been a good idea. She liked the sheriff, the town, and the people she’d met. In fact, she’d never been this content, not for a long time. It both scared her and pleased her. Oh well, it would never last. The restlessness always came back.
Giselle had been hiding behind the sheriff’s office most of the week watching for an opportunity to strike. She was tired of waiting.
She parked her old car at the end of town, and walked behind the buildings toward the office. No one expected Sylvia to be attacked there. They left her alone for a good part of the day. The sheriff and Sam, the man Sylvia appeared to care about, checked on her at intervals each day.
As soon as the sheriff left, she’d go around the corner and sneak in the door. She couldn’t wait to confront her nemesis. Sylvia had won every encounter until now.
But she wouldn’t win this one.
Sheriff Grady came out, got in his truck, and sped away. Giselle watched him disappear around a corner. She waited to see if anyone else would arrive. After fifteen minutes, she started creeping around to the front of the building.
When she put her hand on the doorknob, it turned. Very quietly, she slipped inside and locked the door. At first, she didn’t see Sylvia. Then she came walking into the main room from the back.
“Can I help you?”
Good, she doesn’t recognize me. My disguise as a middle-aged woman is working.
“I’m looking for the sheriff.”
“You just missed him, but I can call him back.”
“No, maybe you can help me. My husband left me with three little children. I’m trying to find him.”
“Do you have a description?” Sylvia picked up a pen to write down what she said.
Giselle gave her a vague description. “I thought I saw him in the grocery mart at the edge of town. I’m afraid I’ll miss him if we don’t go now. Do you have a car? I’d like you to be with me when I confront him.”
Sylvia hesitated. “The sheriff did leave me a cruiser to use. It’s parked right out front. But I shouldn’t leave the office. I’d better call Sheriff Grady for you.” She started to reach for the phone.
Giselle drew her gun. “I wouldn’t do that if I was you.”
“Who…”
“Underneath all this makeup is your friend Giselle. Now get the keys and let’s go.”
“Someone will stop by soon and miss me. You won’t get far.”
“Far enough. I’ve found us a very secure hiding place.”
“Why hide? I thought you wanted to kill me.”
“I do. But I’ve seen you with that handsome cowboy and noticed how you looked at him. First, I want you to see him die, and then I’ll kill you. He’ll get a message in an hour to come alone to a certain spot. When he gets there, I’ll kill you both. Now get moving before your protection arrives.”
She put the gun between Sylvia’s shoulder blades and shoved. “You must have sent the sheriff away. You always were too arrogant, thinking you could do it all alone. That’s what led to your getting caught last time. But they promised me if I helped that in the end you’d die. They failed. I won’t.
“Go around to the back of the building,” Giselle said as they walked out the door. “We’ll leave the police car here. Someone might see us take it.” She kept the gun right against Sylvia’s back. “Don’t try to run. I will shoot to kill.”
They walked behind the tree line back toward Giselle’s car. When they got close, Giselle took Sylvia’s arm and stopped her.
“The gray sedan is mine. We’re going to walk casually across the street, get in, and you are going to drive. I’ll tell you where to go. If you try anything, I’ll shoot you and whomever tries to come to your rescue. Nod if you understand.”
Sylvia nodded and they walked forward together. Once in the car, Giselle gave her directions on where to drive.
* * * *
Sylvia’s heart raced. Part of her wanted to wrestle with Giselle for the gun, but Giselle was well trained and Sylvia would probably be fatally shot. She had to bide her time.
The woman’s disguise had fooled her. Since she didn’t know a lot of the townspeople yet, she’d thought it was one of them. She was angry at herself for not expecting the disguise or the brazenness of her coming to the office. But now what?
Sam would come when Giselle contacted him. He’d be no match for this woman.
I’m not going to let her hurt Sam. Whatever I have to do, I will.
After driving about fifteen miles, Giselle had her turn left onto a narrow road. It was bumpy, and the dry dirt whirled into the air as the car drove over it. She drove around curves, gradually getting closer to the mountains. Ten miles later they arrived at one of the smaller mountainous areas. Sylvia saw the opening to a cave about six feet above the ground.
When they stopped, Giselle nudged the gun into her side. “Get out.”
This would be her best chance. Sylvia jumped out, turned, and grabbed the gun, pointing it up, just as Giselle got out behind her. Giselle didn’t give up easily. They rolled on the ground, fighting for control of the weapon.
“Stop or I’ll shoot.” A man’s voice came from above.
“It’s about time you yelled at her,” Giselle raised her head and said.
Sylvia hit her in the chin and rolled, putting Giselle’s body over hers. A bullet hit close to them.
Then another shot came from somewhere.
Damn, how many cohorts does she have?
A body fell to the ground.
A tall figure came out from behind the surrounding brush. “Drop the gun,” he directed Giselle.