Hugh's Chase Read online

  Table of Contents

  Front Matter

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Epilogue

  Back Matter

  Bonus – Resisting Pressure, #5 Rhinestone Cowgirls (Chapter One)

  RHONDA LEE CARVER

  Hugh’s Chase

  2017 Rhonda Lee Carver

  Copyright 2017 Rhonda Lee Carver

  All rights reserved

  Edited by: Todd Tinker

  Hugh’s Chase (Book 5, Saddles & Second Chances)

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission from the author, Rhonda Lee Carver—except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages written in a review. For information, please contact Rhonda Lee Carver @ [email protected].

  This work is fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue in this work are from the author’s imagination and creation. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, dead or alive, is completely coincidental.

  This book is for your personal pleasure. Ebooks are not transferrable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work. If you have enjoyed this book and wish to share with another reader(s) please purchase another copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, purchase a copy. Thank you for appreciating the hard work the author invested into this book.

  Blurb:

  She has trust issues, he’s wrapped up in his job…and together they define trouble.

  Sheriff Hugh Jericho likes his job, but he doesn’t like messy and that describes Adira Mitles. When she is sentenced to community service and she becomes his responsibility, things get messy.

  Since walking away from her ex, Adira has been on the run—running from the past that haunts her. Up until now, she’s done a good job at sedating the demons, but the sexy Sheriff has knack at finding each and every one of them. He offers her things she has never known—kindness and adoration. A future. What’s a girl to do but give in?

  As the two become closer, each helping the other close doors to the past and open them to the future, Hugh comes to grips with his love for Adira. To keep her in Colton though, he must help her learn to trust him completely…and he must show her that she doesn’t need a man, she needs a champion.

  Murder and mayhem threaten to unravel the small town and they’ll both face turmoil, in their hearts and in the community. But he’ll risk his own life to offer her peace…

  “We can’t control the water, but we can choose the boat we’re in…”

  Acknowledgements

  For those of you who have read any of my books, you’ll already know that my characters have flaws, are damaged and have overcome trials and tribulations. Adira Miles has a heartbreaking story, as well as several of my characters in this book. Talking about abuse and drug use is the first step in bringing the devastation to light and hopefully helping others. These problems affect everyone, no matter where you live.

  Hugh grew close to my heart. Considering this was the last book in the Saddles & Second Chances series, I think it ended on an amazing note. I found he had the balance of rough and tough hero, but also the sweet, compassionate Sheriff who protected everyone around him. After all his brothers found happiness, it was only right that Hugh did also.

  As I start a new adventure with a new series, Lawmen of Wyoming, I hope you’ll find yourself absorbed in the stories that’ll lead us into the suspenseful, romantic afflictions of lawmen. Expect to find heroines with flaws. Heroes who are tough, but treat a lady with respect.

  If you, or someone you know, is being abused and needs help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. All calls are confidential.

  If you, or someone you know, is addicted to drugs and needs help, please call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). All calls are confidential.

  Table of Contents

  Front Matter

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Epilogue

  Back Matter

  Bonus – Resisting Pressure, #5 Rhinestone Cowgirls (Chapter One)

  Chapter 1

  Hugh Jericho opened the drawer and fumbled through the stack of neatly folded uniform shirts looking for his favorite, the one with the tiny hole in the arm. “Do you know where my shirt is?” he asked.

  “Not in the drawer?” the soft female voice said.

  “I’m looking. I can’t find it.” He turned on his worn boots, scanning the interior of the bedroom.

  “You’re not looking hard enough then,” she said.

  Then he found it on the overstuffed, flowered chair with a note attached. He picked it up and read…

  “You didn’t wash the dishes last night.”

  With a smile, he looked over to where she was standing at the vanity brushing her long, dark hair. He loved the silken strands, how they coiled into soft waves and the highlights shone in the sunlight. He also loved how the white gown flowed over her luscious curves, landing mid-thigh, showing off her slender, toned legs. Taking the necessary steps that brought him to her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her back against him, nuzzling his nose in her fragrant tresses. Inhaling her sweet scent, his heart tugged. What had he done in his life to deserve such a gift?

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered next to her ear. “How can I make it up to you?”

  She leaned her head back onto his shoulder, looking at him through the reflection of the mirror. “I can think of a few ways, but you’d be late for work, Sheriff.” Her low, sensual voice made his body throb and the hair on his neck stand.

  “The bad guys can wait.” He swung her around and looked down into her mesmerizing blue eyes. There he found himself.

  Adira looked up at him, her eyes sparkling and her smile competing with a thousand-watt lightbulb…

  “Sheriff Jericho? Wake up.”

  Hugh fluttered his eyes open from the dream and rolled over on the hard cot, groaning in agitation. “Has it been an hour already?” After working a fifteen-hour shift, he’d needed some shut-eye so he’d plopped down in the cell hoping his body wouldn’t care that the lumpy cot mattress wouldn’t compare to his comfortable bed at home. When he sat up and a sharp pain reverberated from his neck down into his shoulder, he squinted. “Damn body.”

  “That shoulder still bothering you?”

  He turned and looked up into the concerned expression of Deputy Carol LaGatta. Since he was elected as Sheriff, the forty-something woman had become quite the Mother Hen. Mother of three, one still at home, she seemed comforted in taking care of everyone at the station, including Bennett “Ben” Hall, the new deputy he’d hired a few weeks ag. The twenty-six-year-old had the ambition Hugh respected, and the energy of a ten-year-old which certainly helped him get things done.

  After a month on the job, things were starting to take shape and he’d found his niche. Townsfolk were calling him “Sheriff” and he’d kept the peace, so far. Even Marshall Reed had stopped by the station to wish Hugh good luck. Sure, he’d suspected there was more to the welcome than a frien
dly visit, but allowing the man to ruffle his feathers would only give the bastard leeway. Little did he know that one of the reasons why Hugh had taken the job was to keep a closer eye on the other man and his right-hand men who did Reed’s every bidding. Most of his close employees had a record, which wouldn’t mean anything if he was the type to help a man get back on his feet, but there wasn’t a kind bone in Reed’s body. Up until this point, no one had suspected, or snooped into, the rich man’s business dealings.

  “Are you ignoring me?” Carol said, handing him a cup of steaming, black coffee.

  “Yeah, a bit. Thanks for the caffeine.” He balanced the disposable cup as he sat up and rolled his shoulder clockwise. Breaking up a fight two nights ago, he’d gotten the bad end when two bikers didn’t take authority very well. Too much alcohol and one pretty lady had turned a casual outing ugly. After a night in lockdown, the men had sobered up, realized the error of their ways, and were sharing a few laughs. Probably wouldn’t last long. Not when the blonde who’d instigated the fight had picked both up from jail.

  Hugh was learning quickly the difference in how he would handle a situation as plain ole Hugh Jericho compared to handling things as Sheriff Jericho, a man who upheld the law and guaranteed peace in the community. Wearing a badge meant he always had the public eye on him and why when he’d broken up the two brawny men who had allowed things to turn disorderly, and one accidentally knocking Hugh to the ground, he’d slapped cuffs on their wrists instead of using his fists. Hugh had never been much of a fighter, but he also never tolerated anyone’s shit. Growing up in a house full of boys, he learned to handle himself about the same time he sprouted the first hair on his chin. Living in a town the size of Colton, no one crossed paths with the Jericho cowboys. Reed had pushed his limits a few times, but even he realized all the money in his bank account couldn’t buy a Jericho.

  “Is Ben back yet?” Hugh had sent him on an undercover stakeout to watch Reed’s men.

  “Here are two ibuprofens. Take them.” She dropped the pills into his palm. “And yes, he was back and left again. Remember he and Jenny had an appointment at the doctor’s office?”

  “Yeah, that’s right. I told him to take the day off, but I was hoping to find out if he saw anything suspicious.”

  “Not a thing. He told me to tell you. Now, about that shoulder…”

  “I’ve suffered worse being thrown from a bull.” He swallowed the meds with a sip of coffee. In time, he would get used to the idea that he’d traded bull riding for a badge. Hopefully his body would appreciate the career move.

  “That might be true, but will you finally listen to me and head over to the Urgent Care and have it looked at by a doctor?”

  He dropped his booted feet to the floor and swiped a hand down his whiskered jaw. “I don’t have the time.”

  Carol crossed her arms over her chest, her perceptive grey eyes narrowing as she shook her head. “You’re the boss. We need you at your best and right now you need an X-ray.”

  Realizing she was probably right, and knowing she wouldn’t back off until he followed her suggestion, he nodded and stood. “Fine, but there won’t be anything that the doc can do. I’ve been there, done that.”

  “Then humor me.” She smiled.

  Grabbing his Stetson from the bottom of the cot, he placed it on his head and adjusted the rim. “I’ll head there now while it seems things are quiet.”

  “Want me to drive you?”

  “No, I don’t need you to drive me. Don’t worry. I’ll go to the clinic. I won’t even stop off for a good cup of coffee.” He laughed.

  “Hey. You want a good cup of coffee, hire a barista, but until then, you have me.”

  He stopped at the glass door, grabbed his field coat and shrugged it on. “If I stop at the coffee shop, you want a cup?”

  “Yes. A large, non-fat Americano with a dash of cinnamon and a dollop of vanilla flavored whipped cream,” she answered with no hesitation.

  “Sure thing.”

  He stepped out onto the sidewalk and pulled up his collar against the blustery wind. The clouds were dark and the leaves were turned, promising rain, which meant more accidents in the evening.

  “Morning’, Sheriff.” The town mechanic tipped his dirty ball cap. “Tell Weston I have his truck ready.”

  “Will do, buddy.” Hugh pulled out his cell from his pocket and typed in a text to his brother letting him know about the truck.

  Starting for his truck, he decided to walk instead. The Urgent Care building was only a few blocks from the station and the fresh air would do him some good.

  A hot shower and shave would do some good too.

  He strode down the cracked sidewalk of the two-light town, getting waves and greetings from townsfolk and greeting them back with a tip of his hat. Today was just like any other day in Colton. It was quiet minus the few people who were running errands or heading to work in one of the quaint shops or businesses along Main Street.

  The town itself was a grid of streets with familiar names surrounded by miles and miles of pastures, crops, a river, and in the distance, rolling hills. As Sheriff, he hadn’t seen much activity except for a few traffic violations, petty theft, and bar fights. He hadn’t run for the position thinking he’d face convicted killers and black-market dealings, but he’d recently seen a rise in drugs in the charming town. He didn’t want to see Colton end up like many places all over the country where criminal activity ruined the livelihood. He wanted to preserve safe living where people didn’t have to worry about locking their doors at night.

  He had big dreams.

  Here lately he’d been giving a lot of thought about his future as well.

  Wrapped up in the rodeo circuit and the arms of buckle bunnies for years, time had passed and he had nothing to show for it…nothing to cling to outside of his family’s ranch and security business, and now the law. His brothers had all married, were having kids, and Hugh was the odd man out. He was in no hurry to settle down, but couldn’t help but feel a bit restless about his life. Where would he be in the years to come?

  The dreams that had plagued his nights didn’t help.

  From the moment he met Adira Miles, he’d been caught fighting a warped need for the filmmaker who’d come to Colton to do a documentary on Urban. The dreams were about her, crazy considering he barely knew her—had barely said more than three words to her outside of the short interview she had with him for the film. For seven weeks, he had stayed away from home, coming up with excuses why he couldn’t attend family dinners, and staying clear of any chance he might run into her except for Presley and Urban’s wedding. They didn’t get many fresh faces around town so she’d caught the interest of a few single men at the reception, especially Hugh’s undivided attention. She showed up at the shindig wearing a baby blue dress trimmed with lace that brushed mid-thigh each time she moved, adorned with a pair of black open-toed sandals with thin ribbon wrapping around her slender calves. He’d never seen anything quite like those…or the dress that flowed over her curves so nicely. He caught a glimpse of a small tattoo on her shoulder and he’d wished to ask her what it was, but kept himself far away from her. She was a beauty, no doubt, and the star of the best damn dreams he’d ever had, but that’s the extent he would allow his intentions to go.

  When he’d heard that she was leaving town, he’d felt a twisted sensation. A cross between disappointment and relief. A man could only deny himself satisfaction for so long. It was best he left everything about Adira to his creative imagination and forgot how shiny her hair was or how her hips swayed delicately as she walked.

  So, if he knew she was gone, why was he still having dreams about her? Not sexual dreams, which he could understand, but no, these were more along the blurred lines of sharing a household, washing dishes and laundry, long term…things he’d never experienced with any woman. He knew the problem…Second Chances Ranch had been overrun by women these days. His sisters-in-law reminded him, every chance they got, that he n
eeded to concentrate on something more than work and that his house needed a woman’s touch. Recently, Harley washed his clothes and Pippa filled his freezer with meals. Hugh told them both that his dirty laundry, and freezer, were off limits.

  Best thing for him to do was chalk his awkward dreams up to the stress of a new career, being surrounded by women who wanted to take care of him, and be glad that he would not see Adira again.

  Entering through the automatic sliding glass doors into the Urgent Care waiting area, he stopped at the receptionist desk and received a welcoming smile. He touched the brim of his hat in greeting. “Hey, Maggie.”

  The blonde’s cheeks blushed two shades of red and she nibbled her bottom lip. “Hi, Sheriff Jericho.”

  “How’s everything?”

  “Could be better if you’d agree to take me out dancing tonight,” she said without humiliation. “I’d even make you a homecooked meal. I bet you’d love my lasagna.”

  Hugh had taken Maggie out several times and, although he liked her enough, things just hadn’t worked up to the next level. She was in her early thirties, had beautiful hair, and always seemed to look on the positive side of things. Truth of the matter was, he didn’t have time for dating, let alone a relationship, and a woman like Maggie deserved a man who could give her the world on a silver platter. “I haven’t had the time to eat a homecooked meal let alone go out on a date. Tonight’s no different.”

  “Then what brings you here if not to ask me out, Sheriff?” There was slight irritation in her tone.

  “My deputy has demanded that I have my shoulder looked at. What kind of waiting time are we looking at?” He didn’t have all day, although he was looking for any reason to not see a doctor.

  She leaned closer. “For you, Hugh, I’ll put you first on the list.” Her eyes dazzled.

  “That’s mighty kind of you, Maggie, but I’ll wait my turn.”