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by Kris Bryant

  “You still haven’t found him? That makes me so sad,” Sarah said.

  Natalie’s heart dropped. “He’s so sweet. I really want to find him and his home. Hopefully he’s chipped. I don’t remember him having a collar.” She was jarred back to the conversation when the lamb bleated out her frustration at not getting more milk out of the bottle.

  Dustin reached over and held it at an angle. “Like this. Don’t piss her off.”

  “I just got in trouble.” Natalie giggled into the phone, knowing full well Sarah heard the lamb and Dustin scolding her.

  “Do you need to get off the phone?”

  The comfort level Natalie had with Sarah gave her a warmth that spread from her heart outward. “Nope. I’m a professional. I’ve got this. Listen, this Saturday, Main Street shuts down, and the shops open early or have wagons where you can shop or get free stuff. I think you and Harley should go. Then you can bottle-feed lambs or goats.” Natalie tried to keep the excitement of seeing Sarah again out of her voice.

  “The weather is supposed to be nice this weekend. I think we can make it.”

  “Our department’s wagon is boring, but we do have candy for the kids. And my mom bakes cookies and brownies. I swear that’s the reason I got reelected.”

  Sarah laughed. “Because of your mom’s baking?”

  “It’s phenom. Anyway, I need to go and finish up my official business. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Thanks for calling, Nat. It was a nice surprise.”

  When Natalie hung up, her smile couldn’t have been any bigger.

  * * *

  For a second, Natalie considered showering before digging into the shed to haul out the wagon. She was covered in dust, dirt, hay, and milky lamb slobber. Now that she was away from the ranch, the smell that lingered on her uniform wasn’t great. But knowing she would get dirty moving things around, she kept on her uniform and decided the shower could wait until after the wagon was freed. She reached up and clicked on her walkie. “This is Sheriff Strand. No luck at Bradfords. I’m retrieving the wagon now. I should be back to the office by two.” That gave her enough time to take a quick shower and eat lunch.

  “Okay, Sheriff. I’ll call if anything comes up.”

  Natalie opened the door and flipped on the light. Then she put her hands on her hips and sighed. This was going to take a while to unload. Thankfully her Jeep was out in the driveway, so she could move stacks of boxes to that side of the shed, where it usually was parked. The squad car got the garage. After dropping the third box, she heard a scuffling noise in the back that made her pause. Visions of a giant marmot ready to attack filled her overactive imagination. She grabbed her baton and circled the wagon. Instead of finding an R.O.U.S., there, on a padded blanket, sat Ghost Dog.

  “What are you doing here? We’ve been looking for you for a long time.” She slowly walked to him and squatted so she could be at eye level and not frighten him. “Have you been here this whole time?” He wagged his tail and kissed her hand. She felt his neck for a collar as she stroked his fur. “Are you hungry, boy? Do you want to go inside and warm up?”

  She carefully stood and looked for something she could use as a leash to get him from the shed into the house. “How do I not have any rope in this entire place?” Fishing line was too thin. She ended up cutting off a piece of an old Thanksgiving vinyl tablecloth that was padded on one side and made a short leash about two inches wide and six feet long. By the time she adjusted it for his neck, the lead was only three feet long. “Let’s go inside, okay?”

  Natalie made her voice sweet and calm. Ghost Dog wagged his tail. She held the end of the makeshift leash tight and opened the door. He walked calmly beside her, up the porch stairs, and into her house as if he belonged there. She carefully removed the leash and let him get comfortable. He never left her side.

  “How about scrambled eggs? With some cheese? Does that sound good?” He wagged his tail again. Natalie found a deep bowl and poured some water into it and put it next to the refrigerator. He walked over to it when she moved away and lapped up about half of it.

  She shot a text off to Faith: I have Ghost Dog. He was in my shed next to the trailer. I’m going to figure things out with him before I return. Radio silence. Text or call me if something comes up. He seems to be spooked by loud noises.

  No way! Do you need help?

  No. We’re good. Thanks though.

  Natalie turned off her walkie and patted her leg. The dog approached her slowly, tail wagging, nose down low. She stroked his back softly and whispered encouraging words. “You’re such a good boy. Why do you always run away from us? Did somebody bad hurt you?” She moved slowly and pulled out ingredients for scrambled eggs. He kept his distance and licked his chops from time to time as Natalie fixed them both lunch.

  She looked into his soulful eyes and told him he was going to have to wait a few minutes for the eggs to cool. She sprinkled cheese on top, more for herself than for him, and salted hers to taste. He got the bigger portion and a piece of unbuttered toast. When she put his plate down, he looked up at her as if waiting for permission. “It’s okay. Go ahead and eat.” She stood as she watched him wolf down all the eggs and the toast.

  She picked up his cleaned plate and wondered if it was enough for him. How much food did a seventy-pound dog need? He was thin, but she didn’t think he was malnourished. She was going to have to take him to Dr. Wallace and check to see if he was chipped, what she needed to feed him, and how they could find his fur parents.

  “Sheriff Strand.” Her eyes were on Ghost Dog, not caller ID.

  “Nat. Hi. It’s Sarah.”

  Natalie fumbled the phone in surprise but secured it before it clattered on the counter. “Sarah, hi. What’s up?” She paced the kitchen until Ghost Dog started following her.

  “Aunt Judy wants to know if you and your mom want to meet us for drinks again Friday at Tanner’s. I know you’re probably too busy Friday night with the pumpkin festival on Saturday.”

  Natalie tapped her fingers on the counter while staring at the dog, wondering if she should agree to go. Would she still have the dog, or would she find his owner by then? “Okay. My answer is yes, but I don’t know for how long. Guess who’s in my kitchen?” She didn’t wait for Sarah to answer. “The lost dog. He was living in my shed.”

  “What? This whole time?”

  “I don’t know. I’m still trying to figure how he got in because he’s not exactly small.” Natalie sat down on the floor next to Ghost Dog and petted his chest while she tried to figure out what to do with him. “He’s adorable, Sarah.”

  “If you need to stay at home with him, I get it. I’ll see you Saturday. Aunt Judy said they have a pumpkin-painting contest that I want to take Harley to, so we’ll be down there,” Sarah said.

  “Can I give you an answer Friday? I want to try to find this fella’s home. Somebody has to be missing him.” She made a list of everything she needed, including a brush, a leash, a chew toy, and appropriate dog food. She plucked a few pieces of hay from his thick fur and smoothed down his reddish-gold coat.

  “Maybe you can bring him to the festival if you haven’t found his home?”

  “I don’t know. He’s very skittish. Plus, a lot of people have been scolding him around town, so he probably has mixed feelings about them, you know?”

  “I get it. Just keep me posted. I’m sure I’ll find you. Spruce Mountain isn’t that big.”

  “Plus, I have your number.”

  “Just don’t be afraid to use it.”

  Chapter Eight

  “She said she’d be there. Are you sure you can’t make it?” Sarah stared at Aunt Judy, who lay under the covers with a cold compress on her forehead.

  “This headache is wicked. Just go ahead and apologize to the ladies. We can try it again next week. I want to get rid of this headache before tomorrow so I can have fun at the festival.” Judy waved her off and groaned when she turned her head.

  “Okay. Take ca
re. I’ll tell Harley to keep it down tonight. I’m sure she and Uncle Bob will just watch Frozen or put a puzzle together.” Sarah felt guilty leaving while her aunt had a headache, but the Strands were expecting them, and she didn’t want to disappoint Natalie. Who was she kidding? She couldn’t wait to see Natalie again.

  She finished primping, but not without overthinking her makeup. Less eye shadow and more mascara, or more eye shadow and less mascara? Should she put on lipstick? She straightened her hair and flattened her sweater. It was tighter than what she normally wore, but she liked how it flattered her figure. She sighed and reminded herself it wasn’t a date—just three friends getting together for drinks. Tanner’s was probably going to be packed. Aunt Judy told her to get there early, because a lot of people would be out celebrating the night before Spruce Mountain’s Super Saturday.

  “Don’t stay up late,” Sarah said. She kissed and hugged Harley before tucking her back under the blanket on the couch.

  “It’s the weekend, Mom. Can I wait up for you?”

  Sarah knew Harley wouldn’t last past nine, so she upped her bedtime to eight thirty. “No arguments. And water only to drink.” That was directed more toward Uncle Bob, who raised his hands in self-defense.

  “We’ll try to get her tucked in by then, and we definitely won’t have popcorn and apple juice. Definitely won’t.” He gave Harley an exaggerated wink. She promptly fell into a fit of giggles by his side.

  Sarah shook her head. “Good night, and keep the noise level down. Aunt Judy has a bad headache.” She waved on her way out the door and closed it softly. For a moment, she thought about walking to the bar, to cool off her warm thoughts of Natalie, but she already knew that being that close to her would have her burning all night. For as much as she was fighting the attraction, she sure was making herself available to her.

  The bar was already crowded when Sarah arrived. She parked down a side street and had to walk a block. No way would they get a quiet booth like last time. Smiling at the nice guy who held the door open, Sarah snaked her way through a small cluster of people right by the door and looked around.

  “Over here, Sarah.”

  Natalie’s voice was unmistakable. Commandingly smooth, it rose above the crowd. Sarah turned and found her in the last booth near the pool table.

  “You scored valuable real estate here.” Sarah sat across from Natalie and shrugged off her coat.

  “That’s because I’m the sheriff.” Natalie winked at her.

  Sarah smiled and looked away. Natalie was too fucking charming. “Where’s your mom?”

  “She was under the weather. Where’s Judy?”

  Sarah sat up straight in the booth and crossed her arms. “Funny how my aunt suddenly developed a headache right before it was time to leave.”

  Natalie leaned forward to hear better. “I think they’re in cahoots.”

  Sarah tried not to stare at the smooth skin above the vee of Natalie’s sweater or focus on the pink lace bra that peeked out right at her collarbone. She leaned closer, not only to get a better look, but to hear her better. “What should we do with them?”

  The intensity of Natalie’s stare made Sarah shiver. “Thank them,” she said. “I’m going to need a drink.”

  Natalie nodded and waved Trinity over.

  “I’ll have a gin and tonic with a splash of lime,” Sarah said.

  “Good choice.” Natalie held up her half-empty glass, showing Sarah it was her drink of choice for the evening, too.

  “Scoot over. I can’t hear you from here,” Sarah said. The bar was ten times louder tonight than the last time they were there. She knew she should keep her distance. Natalie had somehow taken over most of her waking thoughts and all her dreams, and now she was purposely getting closer under the guise of not being able to hear her.

  Natalie shifted to her side of the table. “Is this better?”

  She was smirking as if she knew the effect she had on Sarah. Seventeen years ago, she’d been this close to Natalie under different circumstances. Her heart pounded with the same intensity and need as it had that night. She swallowed hard when her mouth went dry because she was just staring at the blueness of Natalie’s eyes and the redness of her lips. God, she had great lips. The shy girl so many years ago really knew how to kiss. But how? She had never seen Natalie with anyone in high school. “I can hear you better, if that’s what you mean.”

  “Okay. We can start with that.”

  Talking wasn’t really an option with her tongue tied and her stomach in knots. There was no mistaking it. Natalie was interested in her. If Trinity hadn’t shown up with her drink right then, Sarah would have done or said something stupid. She took a large swallow, grimaced, and hissed through her clenched teeth. “I think they forgot the tonic.” The straight alcohol pinched her sinuses, and she stifled a cough that burned in her throat.

  “Here. Have a sip of my water.”

  Sarah gratefully took the glass and drank half in a matter of seconds. She nodded at Natalie and put her hand against her throat. “Thank you. That helped.”

  “Well, since our family ditched us and the people here are entirely too loud, do you want to go somewhere a little quieter?”

  That suggestion piqued a little more than just Sarah’s interest. “What do you have in mind?” Sarah watched Natalie play with the condensation on the glass.

  “We could always go back to my place. That would give me a chance to check on Ghost Dog, and you could meet him. And I promise I’ll add tonic to your gin.”

  Sarah cocked her head. “Should I trust you?”

  Natalie scooted closer. “The real question is, should I trust you?”

  Sarah opened her mouth and then clamped it shut. Was that a reference to Ellie’s party? “Uh, I think so? I mean, I’m pretty innocent.”

  “Pretty innocent?” Natalie winked. “Come on. Let’s get out of here. This place is giving me a headache.”

  Sarah slid out of the booth and waited for Natalie to put on her coat. “I’ll follow you.” They moved, and a group of four somewhat rowdy young adults swooped in to take their booth, almost trampling Sarah in the process. Natalie turned and waited until she had their attention.

  “I’d better not hear about anybody here driving after drinking all this alcohol. I have a nice night ahead of me and an early morning tomorrow. The last thing I need is to be called away. Who’s driving?”

  Four fingers pointed to a young man who stood at the bar ordering a pitcher.

  “Zane. Zane, come here.” Natalie waved him over. She put her hand on his shoulder. “I heard you are responsible for the table. I want you to tell me you aren’t drinking and will make sure everyone gets home safely.”

  “Sheriff, I only had one beer. I promise I will finish this one and switch to water.”

  “I need to hear the words, Zane.”

  Sarah noticed he had a hard time keeping eye contact with Natalie. It was fun to watch their exchange. Although playful, it contained a definite underlying warning.

  “I’ll make sure everyone gets home safely.”

  “Thank you. I’ll see you all tomorrow at the festival,” Natalie said.

  Sarah welcomed the cool, crisp air on her heated cheeks. She’d been in the bar only fifteen minutes, but being close to Natalie was raising her body temperature to an uncomfortable level. She kept her jacket unzipped and walked a few steps from the entrance, then waited for Natalie to catch up.

  “Want to follow me?”

  “Sure. I know the way.”

  * * *

  “Oh, my gosh. This is the escape bandit?” Sarah fell to her knees and dug her fingers into the golden’s fur. She nuzzled his face and kissed his ear. “He’s gorgeous.”

  “Yeah. He’s the rabid beast the town’s been talking about. Hey, buddy. You doing okay? You need to go outside?”

  Sarah stood and watched as Natalie hooked him up to a leash and promised they would be back in a flash.

  “Make yourself at home. Gi
n’s in the bar by the fireplace, and fresh limes are in the refrigerator.”

  Ten minutes later, when Natalie returned with Ghost Dog, Sarah greeted her with a gin and tonic garnished with a fresh lime wedge. “I thought I would leave the fire up to you because I have zippo experience with lighting them, and I didn’t want to burn down this beautiful house. Not after all the hard work you’ve put into it.”

  “That was really thoughtful. As long as the flue is open, you shouldn’t have a problem. I’ll get one started.”

  Natalie took a sip of the drink and lifted her eyebrows in surprise. “If the library thing doesn’t pan out, you can be a bartender at Tanner’s.”

  “Thank you, but the hours suck. I could never do anything in the evenings.”

  “Oh, like go on a date?”

  The heat she’d just left at the bar flashed across her body. She avoided Natalie’s eyes but couldn’t help a flush from creeping up her neck and landing on her cheeks. “Right. Or tuck Harley in at night or watch movies with her.”

  “All the important things. I say stick with the library and do taxes on the side. Have you looked into that any more?”

  “No, but I need to. My bank account isn’t getting any fatter.”

  Natalie nodded. “I totally get it.”

  Sarah petted Ghost Dog while Natalie started a fire. “So, where did you come from?” She moved closer to the dog. “You picked a great place to end up. I know Nat will do everything to make sure you find your forever home.”

  “Are you talking about me? Telling one another secrets?” Natalie pointed the poker at them playfully.

  Sarah held her hands up. “Only good things, I promise.”

  “Come on over. Sit with me.” Natalie sat on the couch and patted the empty cushion next to her.

  “What were we talking about at the bar?” Sarah sat with plenty of space between them and shifted her position so she was looking at Natalie with the warmth of the fire on her back. She shrugged and shivered at the warmth. “Wherever I end up in this life, I will have to have a fireplace.”