When Petals Fall: A Cowboy, Second Chance Romantic Suspense (Chance Creek Book 1)

by A. L. Mercier

  "Alright. Only one, or best two out of three?"

  Katie contemplated for a second. "Best two out of three would make it fair."

  "Okay. Let's go. One, two, three."

  "Scissors cuts paper! I win! I win!"

  "Crap."

  Katie did a little happy dance. "Woo hoo, woo hoo."

  "Don't get too excited. It was only the first one."

  "I know, but I've got one up on you now."

  "Okay, here we go. One, two, three. Rock crushes scissors! Yesss!"

  Katie pouted as Lizzie grinned and pumped her fist in the air.

  Lizzie straightened her shirt then cleared her throat, regaining her composure, then laughed. "We must look ridiculous."

  "I don't care. I just want to win."

  "Last one. Ready? One, two, three."

  "We both have paper. What do we do with that?"

  "We go again."

  "Jeez."

  "One, two, three."

  "Paper covers rock! I win! I win!" Katie jumped up and down and shouted it as if she'd just one the lottery and Lizzie had to laugh.

  "Let's get out of here before we get arrested for disturbing the peace."

  "I'm all for it."

  "What?"

  "Have you seen the new sheriff?" Katie asked with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

  Lizzie laughed. "Only you would look forward to spending a night in jail because there's a hunky new sheriff in town."

  "Well, he is really, really hot."

  "Maybe I'll get a glimpse of him when we're at the fountain since the station is right there."

  Katie shook her head. "You better not. You don't have a drool rag, and with Sheriff Brooks you'll definitely need one."

  Lizzie laughed. "Alright Miss Hot-To-Trot, let's go."

  25

  Jake

  "What a long, hard, bitch of a day." Brand took a stool at the bar next to Jake. He signaled to Joe, the bartender, for a beer.

  "You said it, brother." Jake popped a peanut in his mouth and stared blankly at the same bottle of Jack Daniels behind the bar that he had been staring at for the last fifteen minutes. He couldn't stop thinking about Lizzie. He had it bad.

  "We need rain."

  Lizzie, Lizzie, Lizzie. How was he going to get her to let go and just feel? "Yep."

  "Meeting went well this afternoon."

  It would take some doing, but eventually he'd wear her down. But he didn't want to have to wear her down. He wanted her to want to be with him of her own accord. "Sure did."

  Brand grinned. "You're gonna bring over Dakota to breed with Isis tomorrow, right?"

  But if coercion was what it took. "Yep."

  "One o'clock sounds good to me."

  He nodded. Then he guessed he'd have to— "What?"

  Brand chuckled. "Nothing. A little distracted there, buddy?"

  "Yeah. A little." He blew out a breath. "No, a lot. None of the ranchers know anything about the shit that's going on, but they said they'd talk to their kids, so at least that's taken care of. Then, tomorrow I've got a horse coming in for Cami from Greybull. And, if that isn't enough, I've got to try to figure out what's going on in your sister's pretty little head."

  "Good luck with that one, partner. I've lived with her her entire life and I still haven't figured her out."

  "You're not helping."

  Brand laughed. "Hey, I'm not here to help. You wanted her, you got her."

  "That's just it. I'm not so sure I do."

  "What? You don't want her?"

  "No, I definitely want her. I'm just not so sure I've got her."

  "Didn't you two get things squared away yet?"

  Jake took a long drink of his beer. "Yeah. Well, no. Oh hell."

  Brand laughed. "Which is it? Yes or no?"

  "Neither. We got some things taken care of. Sort of. I think."

  "Lizzie's at it again, huh?"

  "If she knew the kind of power she had, we'd be in some serious trouble." Jake sighed and signaled to Joe for another beer.

  "The hell of it is, she listened, and we talked it all out, but something doesn't feel totally resolved."

  Brand grunted.

  "I know she believes me, especially after we saw Cami and Adam when we went out to eat the other night. But the minute I take one step forward, she takes two steps back. She's holding back and it's frustrating as hell."

  Brand laughed and raised his beer up in a mock salute. "Better you than me."

  "Yeah, well, your day is coming."

  "Oh, hell no it's not."

  "Don't speak so loudly, because I think little Katie Maguire has a different set of plans in mind for you," Matt said, as he pulled up a barstool next to Brand.

  "Mary Katherine may have plans, but that doesn't mean I have to go along with them," Brand bit out.

  "You just keep right on thinking that, pal," Logan said as he sat down next to Jake. "You're done for."

  "Shut the hell up, Logan."

  Logan laughed mockingly. "Sure thing, Brand."

  Joe set a beer down in front of Logan and then one for Matt before pausing while Todd took his stool at the bar.

  "You boys figure out who's been wrecking shit yet?" Only old Joe Vincent would call full grown, over six-feet-tall men, boys.

  Ryan pulled up a stool next to Logan. "Nope." He looked to the left, then to the right. They all shook their heads.

  Joe shrugged. "Then it looks like you boys better get the new sheriff involved before them kids tear up the whole damn county."

  Jake ground his teeth in frustration before answering. "I already talked to him. Twice. He and his men are looking into it."

  "If you hadn't gone to him, I would have. There's something wrong with all this." Brand scooped up some peanuts. "I can't put my finger on it, but I don't like it."

  "You and me both," Jake replied. "When we were at Archer's Cove yesterday, someone was watching us."

  "What?" Brand asked in a harsh tone.

  "Who?" Matt asked at the same time.

  "Well, we were on our picnic." He cleared his throat, not wanting to reveal too much to Lizzie's brother even if he was his best friend. "I heard what sounded like branches snapping. Normally it wouldn't be a big deal, but we went there for privacy, so I went and checked it out."

  "Did you see anyone?" Brand interrupted.

  "Nope, but I did see a set of footprints." Jake took a long pull from his beer bottle.

  "Kid size or adult size?"

  "Larger. Teenage or adult."

  "Fresh or old?"

  "Hard to say. The soil is always wet around the pond."

  "But if you had to guess?" Matt asked.

  "If I had to guess, I'd say they were fresh."

  Brand cursed under his breath. "Just what is going on around here?"

  "After I dropped Lizzie off last night, Ryan and I went back to take a look around but there was nothing. And I went in to talk to Sheriff Brooks again this morning."

  A quick, "And I'm looking into it," came from a deep voice behind them. All six men turned as Sheriff Gavin Brooks pulled up a bar stool at the end of the bar. He touched the brim of his brown Stetson. "Gentlemen."

  "Sheriff," they all said in unison.

  "Find out anything?" Jake asked.

  "Not yet. But me and my men went out to Archer's Cove this afternoon."

  "And?" Jake asked.

  The sheriff shook his head. "Nothing but footprints and flower petals, just like you said."

  "You think it's those damn teenagers again?" Joe asked bringing the sheriff a Coke.

  Sheriff Brooks shrugged. "It's possible. There just wasn't enough out there to say for certain."

  "Something's gotta be done, Sheriff," Jake reiterated.

  "I'm doing everything I can to find out what's going on around here. When I find something, you all will be the first to know, and I am making this my number one priority. I've got ranchers and business owners wondering when it's going to be their turn to be pranked. It's no
t a good situation."

  "No, it's not. But we appreciate your help," Jake added.

  Sheriff Brooks inclined his head.

  "About the phone calls, did you and Lizzie—" Brand began before being cut off.

  "Icks-nay on the Izzie-lay," Ryan muttered into his beer bottle.

  "What?" Jake asked in confusion.

  Brand's, "Here comes the bulldozer," had Jake turning in his bar stool with a wide grin and set Matt to laughing.

  Jake's, "And bulldozer number two," had Brand scowling. "And Amy," he added in surprise. What was his sister doing here?

  Lizzie dressed in tight jeans and a clingy pink t-shirt that stretched across her pert breasts in a way that had his mouth watering.

  As she reached his side, she leaned up on her tip toes and kissed him on the lips. "Hi."

  "Hi."

  "Gentlemen."

  "Lizzie," they muttered in unison.

  26

  Lizzie

  Joe's was still the same. Clean as a whistle and each bottle of beer or glass of liquor rested on a coaster. Joe had a fetish for cleanliness. His bar top, tables, and floors were spotless and, in spite of the haze from the smokers and the cooking going on in the kitchen, the place always smelled a bit like lemon-scented cleaner. There'd be no peanut shells or cigarette butts on Joe's floor, not unless you wanted to find yourself face down on it.

  To her left, Lizzie noted a dark and handsome man at the end of the bar wearing a brown Stetson. She couldn't tell the color of his hair because of the hat, but if it matched the dark brown, almost black, goatee the hunk sported, they would be stunning. From the looks of the badge he wore on the pocket of his t-shirt and the gun he was sporting on his hip, she'd guess he was the new Sheriff. Obviously, the man didn't care to wear the standard uniform, and my, oh my, what a sight he was in his deep brown t-shirt pulled tightly across his chest and muscular arms, tucked neatly into a snug pair of deep blue jeans. Her eyes locked on his belt buckle, silver and shiny with unusual design on it. She had never seen anything like it. Her gaze drifted back up his body to his face met a pair of amused grey eyes. She had been checking him out and from the smirk on his face he knew it, too. Lizzie mentally shrugged. He was really easy on the eyes. She cleared her throat and extended her arm.

  "You must be the new sheriff. I'm Lizzie Thomason."

  When his hand gripped hers it felt more like a caress than a shake. "Sheriff Gavin Brooks. Pleased to meet you."

  "I've heard a lot about you, Sheriff."

  "Is that right? Who from?"

  Katie came bounding up from across the room and threw arm around the sheriff's shoulders. "Why, from me of course."

  Brand muttered an, "I'll just bet," and Katie cut him a glare. He met her glare with one of his own. Lizzie shook her head. If those two ever got past whatever the hell it was that was holding them back from being together, they were going to be volatile.

  "What are you doing here, Amy?" Jake asked.

  Amy lifted up the brown carryout bag. "If you must know, big brother, I'm picking up chicken from Joe. I'm going on a picnic with Brian Kennedy. I'd have made it myself, but I was too busy today. But I did find the time to make a chocolate cake." She held up a hand. "And before you ask, yes, I baked two so there's some for you and Ryan at home."

  "Amy, you're the best." Jake leaned in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Don't be out too late."

  Amy rolled her eyes. She looked to Katie. "You ready?"

  "You bet. See you later." Katie said with a wink.

  "Have fun, Amy," Lizzie said.

  "I will!" She said and then left with her bucket of chicken in tow.

  "Where's Katie going with my little sister?"

  "Relax, would you? She's just giving her a ride home. She picked her up on the way to my house because Amy borrowed a sundress. Then they gave me a ride here since Amy needed to pick up the chicken anyway." Jake gave her no reaction, so she had no idea what he was thinking. "What's the problem now?"

  "I just worry about her."

  "Well, don't. She's a big girl now. She can take care of herself."

  "You're right. I know you're right, but I can't help but still think of her as my baby sister." Jake sighed. "And now she's going out with Brian Kennedy." He shook his head. "She grew up too damn fast."

  "So, Cowboy, are you ready to eat?"

  "Ready whenever you are."

  "A burger and fries sound good to me. Some onion rings too. Oh, and we can't forget the mozzarella sticks. Joe makes the best mozzarella sticks."

  "What? No breaded mushrooms?"

  "Oh! We gotta have some of those. How could I forget those?"

  "Why don't you just get the sampler platter?" The sheriff asked.

  Jake laughed at the horrified expression on Lizzie's face before he answered, "Because I'd like to be able to eat some, too."

  "And to take any of Lizzie's food is risking a limb," Brand added with a chuckle.

  "Ah, a woman with an appetite. I like that in a woman." Sheriff Brooks smiled.

  Lizzie smiled in delight and Jake rolled his eyes. "You wouldn't say that if she were taking the food off of your plate." Jake placed his order with Joe and then turned to look for a table.

  Brand chuckled at the raise of the sheriff's eyebrows as Lizzie placed her order. "We've never been able to figure out how such a little bit of a thing could eat so much and not explode."

  "Or at least resemble one of the heifers," Matt added.

  Lizzie turned and cut a glare to Matt. "Hey! I heard that!"

  Jake grabbed her arm and pulled her along behind him. "Don't listen to them, Darlin'. There's nothing wrong with a strong, healthy appetite. Besides, you could stand to gain a few pounds."

  Lizzie turned her nose up in the air with a "harrumph" and walked away with all the dignity she could muster.

  Logan laughed. "She sure is something."

  "You have no idea," Brand reiterated.

  The last thing she heard before being led to the table was the sheriff's, "Lucky bastard," and she smiled.

  27

  Lizzie

  She didn't want the date to end.

  "I had a really good time tonight, Jake," Lizzie said softly as she turned in the passenger seat to look at him. Jake was leaning forward, looking out the windshield of his truck, hands lying limply on the steering wheel.

  "So did I. Even though your choice in movies needs improving."

  "What was wrong with my choice."

  "It was a chick flick."

  "Please. Angie Jordan does not do chick flicks."

  "Love Me is definitely the title of a chick flick."

  Lizzie lifted a brow. "I didn't hear you complaining when Brett Paide had her tied up to the bed with those scarves."

  "Now, those scarves had possibilities."

  "That they did."

  "Let's go inside."

  He took her hand and urged her to slide out his side of the truck. He closed the door behind her then leaned in to press his lips briefly to hers. They walked arm in arm up the stairs, stopping every couple of steps to steal a kiss. When they reached the door to the loft, Lizzie unlocked it, then turned to face him. He pinned her against the door. "Maybe we can reenact that scarf scene."

  She froze, but only for a minute. She didn't want to give that much of herself to Jake, not yet. She walked into the loft and set her purse on the kitchen counter, Jake hot on her heels. "Only if I get to be the one doing the tying up."

  "That can be arranged."

  "Good. Why don't you grab the wine while I freshen up a bit."

  Before she could catch her breath, Jake spun her around and trapped her between his body and the kitchen counter, his hands bracketed at her sides, effectively trapping her. He just stood there looking at her, his eyes searching, and she wondered what he was looking for. Whatever it was, he must have found it because he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers, once, twice. Then he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hungrily, his to
ngue delving deep into the recess of her mouth. Challenging her. She met each thrust of his tongue with one of her own. He broke off the kiss.

  His downward gaze, now heavy with desire, followed his finger as it dipped underneath the V of the neck of her shirt. All she could do was watch the progress of his finger as with each pass, it dipped lower and lower, making her want more, yet still not low enough for him to touch her where she needed to be.

  "Jake?"

  "Hmm?" he answered, his eyes continuing to follow the movement of his finger.

  "What're you doing?"

  "Touching you."

  Well, duh. No kidding. He was very good at touching, even if it was with just one finger. "I thought you were getting the wine."

  He shrugged one shoulder. "I thought about it, then changed my mind," he said as if that explained everything.

  Well, she had her plans and he wasn't going to ruin them. She grabbed his wrist, stopping the movement of his finger. His amused gaze met hers.

  "You're ruining my plans."

  "What plans?"

  "Well," she said snuggling up close to his chest and running her finger across his nipple, "I've got this plan to take you into my bedroom, and strip you, one piece of clothing at a time, until you're naked." She stood on tip toes and kissed up and down the side of his neck, his muscles working as he swallowed.

  "And then?"

  She laughed softly. "Then I'm going to have you lie down on my bed, on your back, with your arms and legs stretched out as far as—" She was cut off as Jake pressed a hand over her mouth.

  "I'd rather you show me."

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the bedroom.

  "Hey!" she said through a laugh.

  When they reached the edge of the bed, he turned to her. "Now, what were you saying?"

  She wanted to entice him. The closest she had come to seducing him was that day at the barn, but even then he'd turned things around and ended up seducing her. The man had a thing about being in control and, personally, she'd always found that very comfortable. But it was time to step out of her comfort zone. She dug down deep and pulled out her courage. She could do this. She would do this. She just hoped she didn't make an ass of herself in the process.