Claimed by the Lawman (Lawmen of Wyoming Book 4) Read online

  “And what am I thinking exactly, Kace?” She swiveled and sashayed her way back to the booth, hypnotizing him with the gentle sway of her flared hips in white lace. His forehead broke out in sweat as he slid into the cracked red vinyl seat and waved for Bonnie.

  “Your order should be right up. Can I get you something to drink, Sheriff?” the middle-aged brunette with large green eyes asked.

  “I’ll take a water,” he answered.

  “Another beer, honey?” Bonnie asked Tyler.

  “Sure.” Once Bonnie left, Tyler smiled. “You’re not drinking?”

  “Best I stay sober. Did you place an order?”

  “Two burgers with everything and an order of fried pickles to share. I don’t want to send my thighs into too much shock. I also have my eye on the dartboard. I have to prove that I never let anyone “allow” me to win.” Her eyes were dazzling jewels.

  If she only knew he’d pulled himself from between slender thighs she’d know just how much he could use a drink, but when it came to the woman across the table he needed to keep his head clear. And his body in check.

  When her beer arrived, she brought it to her lips and watched him curiously down the pony necked bottle as she took a long sip. Amusement sparkled in her irises. She set the beer down and picked at the label. “I’ve heard a rumor that you and Sadie Mae are a couple.”

  Tyler wasn’t wasting any time getting to the bare bones. “Yeah, and I’ve also heard wind that you and I are back together since you arrived in town. That’s news to me. How reliable are rumors after all?” He drank half his water.

  “Point taken. I’m sorry. If I interrupted something…” She tapped her pretty short nail against the glass.

  “I don’t think you were.”

  “Was she pissed?”

  “She wasn’t happy that’s for damn sure.”

  “I’ll have to apologize to her when I meet her.” Her tongue darted out to lick a drop of beer from the corner of her lips. He reached down and adjusted himself under the table. Bittersweet. The goods were working at the wrong time, but at least he wasn’t broken.

  “Don’t bother. I’m sure she’ll be fine.” He wished she’d hurry and tell him what was so important that she needed to see him right away. He didn’t figure she wanted to invite him into Lolli’s for a date. “So, what was so important?”

  She giggled. “No reason to be so impatient. The music’s nice and the beer is good, unless you’re in a hurry to get back to jasmine?” She leaned back against the cushion of the seat. “I don’t have anywhere to be.”

  “Burgers will be done shortly,” Bonnie yelled from a few tables over.

  “You said you needed to see me right away. If this is about the case…” He blew out a long, uneasy breath. A soft touch on his arm made him jerk. He brought his gaze back to her, feeling his body warm.

  “I just wanted to tell you that I visited Kyle Mansfield today.” She played with a tendril of her dark hair, winding the silken strand around her knuckle out of habit.

  “How did that go?” He took a long drink of his water while looking straight into her eyes, feeling his heart beating so fast that it knocked against his ribcage. Although he needed to stay focused, he was bewildered by how the light flickered in her pupils.

  “Have you heard the expression…never wrestle with a pig in mud because he likes the dirt? Well, I felt like I needed a shower after I left his house, but at least nothing’s changed.”

  He braced his elbows on the table. “I thought we agreed you were going to let me handle this?”

  “Sorry, I’m a bit impatient if you don’t remember. Anyway, what does it matter? He’s no longer handling the case, but I bet he knows what happened to the note my sister left.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.” She paused while Bonnie placed the loaded plates on the table along with a basket of fried pickles and dipping sauce. Tyler popped a pickle into the sauce and into her mouth and instantly she started fanning her mouth. “Hot. Hot” She grabbed her beer and slurped up the goodness.

  He smiled and gave his head a little shake. Looking down at the burger he realized just how hungry he was. “You were saying?”

  “I bet he threw it away.” She wrapped her hands around the burger that was almost as big as her head and she took a tiny bite. A drop of ketchup fell to her chin and she dabbed it away with a napkin. He liked a woman who liked eating. Not once over the last year had he witnessed Sadie Mae chowing down. Then again, they never went anywhere. Guilt plagued him. Although he wanted to move on from the past, he never really gave moving on a chance.

  “Come on, Sassy. You know you can’t throw around accusations like that.”

  Her eyes widened. Was it because he used her nickname? “Are you telling me you like him?”

  Working his jaw, Kace smiled. “I didn’t say that. The guy still rubs me the wrong way. So, what did he say?”

  “Basically, the same thing he said three years ago. That I’m wasting my time.” A pickle fell off her burger and she picked it up, popping it into her mouth. “And just like I told him back then, a waste would be if he was elected Sheriff again.”

  Kace didn’t know whether to smile or flinch. Leave it to Tyler to stir up trouble. “Remember, we might need his input on the case at some point. No reason to burn bridges.”

  “Don’t tell me wearing that badge has made you soft?”

  He set his burger down and wiped his hands. “It means pissing people off won’t help us any. I learned that while I was working with the government. If you decide to play amateur sleuth, could you at least let me know first?”

  “Fine. I guess that’s reasonable. So anyway, tell me why you took this job, Kace. Your resume is golden. You could have any job in law that you want, but you decided to be Sheriff in Bohannan.”

  He shrugged. “Believe it or not, I like being Sheriff. It’s not as bad as you think.”

  “I guess it doesn’t matter what I think. I was just saying—”

  “Not everyone wants to play hero or heroine, Tyler. Not everyone is searching for answers in the spotlight. I’m happy here.”

  “Ouch. I guess I stepped on your toes.”

  “It’s not that, sweetheart. Why don’t you tell me why you felt the need to leave Bohannan to find something?”

  She swallowed a bite of burger with a drink of beer. “I’ve thought about this. When mom left, I swore I’d never forgive her, swore I’d stay rooted on the ranch. Then I found myself getting worried. What if I was like her?” She wiped her hands on a paper napkin.

  “What do you mean?”

  “What if I stayed here and then felt trapped? I guess in my own way I believed if I branched out and explored the world some, I’d get it out of my system. Something she didn’t do, apparently. She didn’t belong here in Bohannan though.”

  “So, did you? Get it all out of your system?”

  “Yes, I believe I did. I don’t feel trapped. I feel like I’m home. How about you, lawman? You explored the world too. Any regrets?”

  “Plenty.” He chomped on his burger. Gratefully, she didn’t pressure him into explaining.

  “I thought about you often. Praying for your safety while you were in the military. I don’t know what I would have done if I’d been here waiting for you to return.”

  “Yeah, that would have been hell I’m sure,” he said a little too roughly. He didn’t want to be hurt by her words, but he was, and he didn’t like it. Not one damn bit.

  “I’ve been asked out on a date. Oh wait, you know Jake Payne. What do you know about him?”

  A pain shot up his chest. “Outside of being my deputy, not much.”

  She gave a small shrug that sent the spaghetti straps of the dress down her shoulders. He tried not to take in her delicate chest, or how her nipples pressed against the fabric. “He seems like a nice guy.” She placed her half-eaten burger on the plate and pushed it to the side of the table. “Wow. I’m stuffed already.”

  Ah h
ell, he felt a little sick. A new throbbing ache bombarded his body and he didn’t like the feeling. He could say a lot about his deputy, but Kace didn’t plan on coming off as the jealous bastard. “Payne is a good guy.” He suddenly lost his appetite.

  “Is that all?” She pushed for more.

  “What are you fishing for?” He clasped his hands behind his head and stretched his legs.

  “Oh, I’m not fishing, but I just thought you might be able to clue me in on if he’s dating material. There aren’t many available men around these parts.” She looked at him through the veil of her long, thick lashes.

  “How did you two meet?”

  “I stopped in at the hardware store and he was looking for twine. We got to talking and well, you know…”

  He relaxed, lowering his hands to his thighs. “Okay, you want my honest opinion, I’ll give it to you. He’s a ladies’ man, if you get my drift.”

  “You mean like a player?” She shredded the paper napkin.

  “Yeah, I guess you could say that. I know he’s dated a few women, but as far as I know he isn’t looking to settle down.”

  “It’s not like I’m looking to settle down either.”

  The lump in his throat grew. “You’re not also looking for just a—” He stopped and looked around the room to make sure no one was listening. “You know…”

  “Sex? I’ve been known to do that a time or two.” She sucked in a breath and covered her mouth, faking her shock. Dropping her hand, she smiled. “Then again, you already knew that, didn’t you, cowboy?”

  He gritted his teeth. He didn’t find her funny. “I’m probably not the best one to talk about this with. Ask Isla. She’s your best friend.”

  “Why not? You know him better than Isla does.” Her smile could almost make him forget the subject of their conversation.

  “I know nothing about his sexual history and don’t want to,” he growled the words.

  “Sex is an important thing for adults. We’re made for sex. Literally.” Her grin was sinful.

  “We’re not doing this, Tyler,” he ground out between clenched teeth.

  Imagining another man touching her could be comparable to being skinned alive.

  She shrugged as if she had no clue how worked up he was over her mention of sex with another man.

  “Fine, we can talk about something else, but is sex off-topic with us?” She laughed. “I sort of thought it was on both of our minds from the dance we shared,” she teased. “However, I wouldn’t want to break up anything between you and Sadie Mae.”

  With a frustrated sigh, he slid out of the booth, pulled some cash out of his pocket and dropped it onto the table. “Unless the topic is sex between the two of us, then yes, it’s something we won’t discuss. Enjoy your evening. I’m going home and getting some shut eye. In the meantime, stay out of trouble.”

  Chapter 6

  THREE DAYS LATER he was sitting at his desk staring at the notes he made from Susy’s diary, and Kace could only think of Tyler. Although he hadn’t seen her since they sat down together at Lolli’s, she remained on his mind…and under his skin.

  The door was open to his office and he looked into the outer room where Deputy Payne had his head lowered filling out paperwork. Kace liked the younger man, respected his skill at investigating cases, so why did the thought of him and Tyler having dinner rip through Kace like a dull knife blade? Hell, thinking of any man touching her made him cringe.

  Turning away from the door, Kace stared through the window at the bright blue sky that reminded him of Tyler’s eyes. Every time he turned around he thought he heard her soft voice or melodic laughter. In the clouds he could see the sexy tilt of her head as she gave him that amazing smile, the one which always made him weak.

  He blew out a frustrated breath. He was annoyed. Frustrated. He could use a long, cold shower.

  Tossing his pen onto the desk, it rolled onto the floor.

  She was his old girlfriend—not only his old girlfriend, but the one who broke his heart. Truth be known, he had scars. He had no business traveling down the same endless road he had been on fifteen years ago. In fact, he should steer clear of Tyler like the bubonic plague, and yet he wanted to go see her. Wanted to dance with her again. Kiss her lovely soft lips.

  What he needed to do was exhume her completely from his thoughts and from his dreams, stop thinking about her plush lips and ample cleavage that always got him.

  If he didn’t do something soon he was going to explode.

  Picking up his phone, he dialed a familiar number. When it was picked up, he said, “Can I see you? Are you home?” He clicked off, left his office through the back door and made his way quickly down the stairs, his boots thudding heavily on the cement floor similar to how his heart was beating heavily against his ribs.

  He’d never been a man who allowed things to get him all riled up. Discipline was his middle name. Kace had always prided himself in being level headed and owning the skills of being able to see beyond all the madness and use facts and logic. The wayward emotions that were cascading through his body were foolish and illogical. Ridiculous. These were the feelings of a boy, not a man who had experience under his belt. He’d once allowed his body and heart to go on an excursion back when they were young and look where that got him. No way in hell would he travel down that road again.

  The day Tyler told him she had dreams to pursue, he woke up to reality, realized he needed to concentrate on his own dreams. That meant the Navy and then a career in law, following in the footsteps of his brothers, father, and grandfather. He wanted to focus on things he could figure out, and Tyler couldn’t be figured out, at least not from his angle. He liked getting his hands on tangible things, putting pieces together. Dealing with emotions and feelings weren’t among the things he liked handling, or was any good at it. Having a relationship ended last on his list of priorities.

  Over the years he’d kept every woman at arm’s length, selective on who he associated with and making sure each of them understood that he wasn’t interested in a relationship. He hadn’t put much thought into marriage and kids, not since Tyler, and he figured his clock was ticking. But when he thought about having those things, no woman came to mind except for Tyler, and there laid the problem. How could he share his life with any other woman when he still fantasized about her…imagined her walking down the aisle toward him.

  That’s why he needed to see Sadie Mae, although he’d sworn it was best he stay away. She’d been there for him to relieve his needs. They could call each other to destress. She understood him, knew what he liked, how he liked it. They had the perfect set up with a direct line to great sex and no commitment. She’d forgiven him for his indiscretion the other day. He’d make it up to her and that meant he’d go to her house.

  Pushing through the exit door, he marched across the street to his truck, feeling a lot better about life after he’d convinced himself that he needed to see Sadie Mae and continue his life just the way he liked it. No ties.

  “Sheriff Cade, just the man I was coming to see.”

  Kace stopped on the sidewalk and silently groaned. Swiveling on the heels of his boots, he met the smiling expression of Mayor Wilkes. The sternly, slender man wore an expensive suit and fancy shoes that seemed out of place here in the town of Bohannan. “I was just heading out, Mayor.”

  “It’ll only take a moment, Sheriff. Walk with me,” the shorter man said.

  “Sure.” Kace didn’t have anything against the Mayor and they’d always gotten along okay, although he suspected Wilkes cared more for his material belongings than the wellbeing of the town. Kace wanted to shrug the man off but reminded himself that being an elected official meant needing to rub elbows with his counterparts. Over the last year he’d had to hold his tongue a number of times just to keep the peace.

  “Coffee?” the Mayor asked as he handed over a bill to the street vendor.

  “No. I’m good.”

  Once the sugar and cream were added to hi
s cup, Mayor Wilkes started walking again and, with a silent curse, Kace followed.

  “How’s the job going?” The Mayor headed for the bridge that led to the park.

  “Busy, but good.” He stuffed his hands into his front pockets. “Sir, were you just stopping by to check on things or is there something you need to discuss with me?” Kace didn’t have time for this.

  The man stopped and looked at Kace with scrunched brows. “I hear Susannah Posey’s sister is back and causing a lot of trouble.”

  Kace should have figured this conversation would happen. “Who told you that?”

  “Doesn’t matter who told me. Is it true? Is she hounding you about the closed case?”

  “She asked me to look into some new revelations. Right now, that’s where I’m at. I haven’t promised her anything.” Kace thought it best that he didn’t go into too much detail.

  “Look, Cade, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this, but we don’t have the manpower to dredge up old cases just because we have a connection with the victim’s family.” Wilkes plastered on a fake smile and waved at several passersby.

  “My job as Sheriff is to uphold the law, sir. If something was missed, or overlooked, we have a duty to fix that,” Kace said.

  “Now, now, good man. Are you suggesting that Mansfield didn’t do his job?”

  “Of course not. We both know he was detailed.” Kace didn’t bother hiding the sarcasm in his tone.

  A sliver of agitation covered Wilkes’ expression and then he shifted from one shiny loafer to the other. “This isn’t a pissing contest, Cade. This is about the taxpayers’ money. Just keep that in mind. You know how bad this looks on the Sheriff’s office?”