No Strings

by Gerri Hill

  “We’re hoping you change your mind about that. You may not be a local and no one knows you, but come election time, they’d all vote for you over Googan.” He laughed. “Because they do know Googan.”

  He left as quickly as he’d come in, bidding a quick good day to Eloise before the jingle of the bell signaled his leaving. She picked up his card, turning it over in her hand, seeing his scribbled cell phone number on the back. She let out a deep breath, then tossed the card into her drawer. She couldn’t imagine the county producing a whole lot of revenue, and she suspected the allocation they got from the state was small seeing as how the population of the county was less than a thousand souls. Most likely, Brightmen and Thompson footed the bill, which was why they got reelected.

  The locals may resent them, but they also knew they needed them. That was how politics worked in small towns.

  But, not her concern, she reminded herself. Ten more months and she was free to leave. But in the meantime…

  She picked up the phone and dialed the Forest Service office, listening patiently as Berta greeted her.

  “It’s Chief Daniels. Is Morgan in?” she asked politely.

  §

  “Chief Daniels for you,” Berta called across the room.

  Morgan looked blankly at the phone, then glanced back at Berta who was staring at her. She couldn’t just ignore it, even if she wanted to. So she summoned her most professional tone as she answered.

  “Morgan here, may I help you?”

  “Hi, Zula.”

  Morgan gritted her teeth. “Chief Daniels.”

  “I haven’t seen you around lately. I’m wondering if I’ve done something to upset you.”

  Morgan turned her back to Berta, only to find herself staring at Charlie who watched from his office. Good grief. Could she not have one moment of privacy? “I’m fine,” she said.

  “Can’t talk?”

  “Right.”

  “Shame. I wanted to tell you how much I’ve missed you and that I can’t wait to see you naked again and that I want you to come over tonight so I can make love to you.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Absolutely. But since you can’t talk, how would I know if you want to make love to me?”

  Morgan closed her eyes, hating the fact that her heart was racing. Damn the woman. She looked up at Berta who was still watching her. “It’s nearly lunch. Do you want to meet at Sloan’s and we can discuss it?”

  “I’m on my way.”

  Morgan smiled as she hung up. Yes, she’d stayed away from Reese Daniels on purpose. Getting her period was as good an excuse as any. But both nights as she’d paced restlessly in her cabin she’d had to force herself to stay home. And apparently Reese had missed her. She stood, scooting her chair back and slinging her backpack over her shoulder.

  “I’m going to Sloan’s,” she said.

  Berta just nodded and Morgan knew as soon as she was out the door, Berta would be on the phone. First with Eloise, then with Tina, filling her in. She didn’t know why they were trying to keep their affair a secret. She knew speculation was already running rampant among the locals.

  And there Reese was, waiting for her, impatiently tapping the table as she lounged in a corner booth, two glasses of tea in front of her.

  “You’re evil,” Morgan said as she slid in across from her.

  Reese laughed. “Sorry. Couldn’t help it. And I ordered you a grilled cheese. Jeff said it was your usual.”

  “Thanks.” Morgan stared at her, trying to recall exactly why it was she’d stayed away. Because Reese’s eyes were friendly, open, her lips relaxed in a smile. And yeah, she’d missed her too.

  “I started my period,” Morgan blurted out.

  Reese’s eyebrows rose.

  “Sorry.” Morgan leaned her elbows on the table. “That’s why I didn’t come over,” she said. It was somewhat the truth.

  “You could have still come over. We don’t always have to have sex, Morgan,” she said quietly. “We can watch a movie or…or share a meal together. You don’t have to stay away because of that.”

  Morgan shook her head. “That’s too much like dating,” she said. “And I think that was one of your stipulations. You didn’t want to date anyone. You were just looking for sex.”

  Reese leaned back against the seat. “I did say that, didn’t I?”

  She shrugged. “Seeing as how I’m leaving after a year, dating wouldn’t really be fair anyway.”

  “Right.”

  “That still doesn’t mean we can’t see each other. You know, as friends. Unless you’re only interested in my company if sex is involved.”

  “No. I happen to enjoy your company. Truth is, well, I get a little cranky when I start my period. I thought it best to spare you,” Morgan said with a quiet laugh. It was true. She did enjoy Reese’s company, sex or not. She liked the fact that they could tease each other in a friendly manner, even with the underlying sexual tension that seemed to follow them. Even now, sitting with her in a very public place, when their eyes met, there was that familiarity that only existed between lovers.

  “Cranky or not, why don’t you come over tonight? I’d offer you dinner, but we’ve already discussed my limitations there.”

  “You know, there is a grocery store in town.”

  “Yes. I pass by it every day. In fact, I’ve stopped in a couple of times for necessities like chips and peanut butter.”

  “Okay, I’ll confess. My lack of cooking has nothing to do with not knowing how and everything to do with hating it.”

  “So you do cook?”

  “Yes, I can. I think I hate it because my mother used to insist on giving me cooking lessons when I was a kid. Instead of being outside playing, I was stuck in the kitchen, cutting up vegetables, browning hamburger meat and learning how to make spaghetti sauce from scratch.”

  “Homemade spaghetti sauce?”

  “Let’s start with something simple. Like a casserole or something, hmm?”

  “You tell me what to buy and I’ll go by the grocery store,” Reese said. “What about wine? The liquor store down the street always has a closed sign. Are they out of business?”

  Morgan shook her head. “No. But in the winter, they only open on Saturday. Come May, they’ll be back to regular hours. But I have a couple of bottles. I’ll bring one.”

  “Now see, isn’t this nice? Planning a dinner with no mention of sex.”

  “So you think I’m going to cook for free?”

  Reese leaned closer. “If you’re game, we can work around your crankiness.” Reese met her eyes. “I would hate to miss an opportunity to be with you.”

  Morgan felt the fluttering of her pulse and she reached for her tea. She always got a visual whenever Reese mentioned them being together. A visual that included them both naked and wet.

  Good grief. She wondered what her reaction would be if they really were dating. Reese had a smooth, sensual voice that sent shivers down her spine. Thankfully, she was saved from responding when Jeff brought over their lunch.

  “Hi, Morgan. Hope the grilled cheese is okay,” he said as he put the plate in front of her, a generous portion of fries piled beside the sandwich.

  “Perfect, Jeff. Thanks.” She raised her eyebrows as a salad with grilled chicken was placed in front of Reese. “Tired of burgers?”

  “I was having vegetable withdrawal, I think. Thanks, Jeff.”

  “Sure thing. Let me know if you need anything else.”

  “Why don’t he and Tracy hook up?” Reese asked when he left them. “They’re about the same age, aren’t they?”

  Morgan nodded. “They’re also cousins. They both refer to him as Uncle Sloan.”

  “So both born and raised here and never left?”

  “No, Jeff went to college. Went to Ft. Lewis in Durango but didn’t finish. When he came back, Sloan gave him a job so he wouldn’t have to work at Thompson’s Ranch,” she said as she took a bite of her sandwich. “This is so good. And so fatte
ning.”

  “I almost ordered one myself,” Reese said. “Speaking of Thompson’s Ranch, Ron Brightmen came to see me this morning.”

  “Oh yeah? I didn’t know they were back.”

  “Back from where?”

  “They fly to the Bahamas each year after hunting season. That’s their busiest time at the B and B. Although they’re packed during the summer too.”

  “I got the impression he and Thompson run things in the county.”

  “For sure. But they have money, they have connections. We have the smallest population of any county in the state, by far, yet we don’t lack for state funds when it comes to road repairs and the like. Even as isolated as we feel in the winter, they’ve managed to make sure snowplows don’t forget about us after a storm. Making financial contributions to state lawmakers has its advantages.”

  “Yet he’s got his own mini-town up at his resort?”

  Morgan laughed. “He likes to think he does. He hired some big-time chef from Denver to head up his restaurant, but it’s all Italian fare. His hunters flock down here to Sloan’s on steak night.” She chewed on a fry. “Why did he come see you?”

  “Just to introduce himself and to thank me for taking the job.”

  “He doesn’t know about the mayor’s wife, does he?” she teased.

  “I’m guessing not.”

  “So he was thanking his lucky stars that Googan wasn’t sheriff?”

  Reese nodded. “Pretty much, yeah. And I know Googan is a bit out of his league, but he’s surely not that much of a Barney Fife, is he?”

  Morgan’s eyes widened. “You don’t let him have bullets for his gun, do you?”

  “I assume he does. He’s a deputy, isn’t he?”

  “I’m surprised Eloise didn’t fill you in. Ned let him carry a gun, but he couldn’t keep it loaded. He kept a clip in his car under the seat for emergencies,” she said.

  “What happened to cause that?”

  Morgan laughed. “It’s funny now, but it could have been very tragic.” She shoved her plate aside after dipping a fry in ketchup.

  “One night he was out on patrol and saw a light on at Lou’s Grocery. Well, it had been a busy summer day with lots of tourists in town, so he had it in his mind that someone was breaking in. No, it was just Lou sneaking over for some ice cream. But Googan burst in right about the time Lou turned out the light. He fired six rounds into the store.”

  “Oh, my God.”

  “Shot the glass out of the cooler door, shot the cash register, fired twice into the freezer. Then he got turned around and shot out the front store window, the bullet going into his truck, shattering the glass there. The final shot went into the ceiling.”

  Reese laughed. “But I’m assuming Lou wasn’t hurt?”

  “Not hurt but plenty pissed. The county footed the bill on the repairs obviously, but the only way Googan kept his job was to agree to no bullets. That was six years ago.”

  “So you’re saying I need to inspect his weapon to see if he’s got it loaded?”

  “I would.”

  “And he’s going to be your next sheriff, huh?”

  Morgan rolled her eyes. “I doubt they’ll let it come to that. They meaning Brightmen and Thompson. They’ll talk somebody into running against Googan.”

  “And does Googan know how everyone feels?”

  “He probably doesn’t have a clue.” Morgan leaned her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her hands. “How does beef stroganoff sound?”

  “For dinner?”

  “Yes.”

  “You can make that?”

  “It’s not difficult. I have a nice bottle of merlot that’ll go good with it.”

  “And you’re going to send me shopping?”

  “I’ll handle that too. I have a hard time picturing you shopping for food.”

  Reese reached across the table and stole a fry from her plate, her eyes twinkling as she popped it in her mouth.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  “Corkscrew?”

  Reese frowned. “Can’t say that I’ve seen one here.” She pulled out a drawer in the kitchen and rummaged through it, then stopped. “I’ve got a Swiss Army knife.” She grinned. “It’s always good for something, isn’t it?”

  Morgan laughed, watching her hurry into her bedroom and return with the familiar red knife. “Perfect.”

  “Do you think anyone actually uses this thing as a knife?”

  Morgan pulled out the corkscrew and carefully fitted it, twisting it tightly into the cork. She handed it to Reese. “You can do the honors,” she said as she went back to the stove to drain the egg noodles.

  “That smells great, by the way.”

  Morgan smiled as she heard the distinctive pop of the cork being released. “Beef stroganoff is easy to make. It just sounds hard. Besides, this is the poor man’s version.” Morgan nodded as Reese pointed to the wineglass. “Instead of ground beef, you should use sirloin or tenderloin cut thin. And fresh mushrooms instead of canned.”

  “But Lou was out?”

  “Yeah. Fresh vegetables are iffy during the winter. Depends on the weather whenever the truck is scheduled to come down from Gunnison. Plus Lou doesn’t like to order as much when there’s only the locals shopping. There’s just not that many of us.”

  “And I guess some make the trip to Gunnison to shop?”

  “Oh, yeah. Some can’t live without their Wal-Mart fix.” She piled two plates high with noodles, then covered them with the beef stroganoff mixture and added a spoonful of green beans on the side. “Ready?”

  “Starving.”

  Morgan was touched by the table Reese had set. With the lights turned down, two candles lit the table, and she touched glasses with Reese in a silent salute. “Cozy,” she said.

  “I was shooting for romantic,” Reese said.

  “Okay, it is romantic. I just didn’t want to say that if you were only shooting for cozy,” she teased.

  Reese moaned as she took her first bite of dinner and Morgan was secretly pleased.

  “Oh, my God,” Reese mumbled with a mouthful. “This is so good.”

  “Thank you. Every cook likes to hear that.” She sipped her wine. “The moans help too.”

  Reese smiled as she took another bite. “I’m in heaven. I’ve lived on Sloan’s food since I got here. My taste buds are doing the happy dance.”

  “I eat a lot of soup in the winter,” Morgan said. “Canned though. And I know I should cook more, but it’s just such a chore to do it for one person.”

  “Well, now there’s two of us. Let that be motivation for you,” Reese said as she pointed to her plate. “Because this is delicious.”

  “I guess I could make an effort to cook occasionally. But don’t expect it every night.”

  “It?” Reese grinned. “What it are we talking about?”

  Morgan laughed. “Yeah, don’t expect it every night either.”

  They ate in silence for a moment, then as Reese refilled their wineglasses, she said, “Tell me about Jackson.”

  Morgan looked up, surprised. She had only mentioned Jackson once. She hadn’t thought Reese remembered.

  “Jackson was, well, he was my friend,” she said, embarrassed by the welling of tears. She looked away. “Sorry. But I miss him.”

  “It’s okay. Tell me about him.”

  Morgan thought back on the day she got him and smiled.

  Her first dog. “It was a spur-of-the-moment thing and one of the best decisions I ever made,” she said. “I got transferred out to the desert in Arizona. BLM land, very remote. I was told the winters would be busy, as RVers congregated there to wait out the cold. But the summers were long, hot and lonely. So, the day before I left, I found an ad for Labrador puppies. I’d never had a dog before, but I thought I needed some sort of companion if I was going to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere.” She laughed.

  “And you think Lake City is remote.”

  “I’ve heard of Quartsite in Arizona,
where they have RV orgies,” Reese said. “Were you near there?”

  “About eighty miles away, but the same concept.” Morgan put her fork down and picked up her wineglass instead. “He was seven weeks old when I got him. And we arrived at our new post just as the wintering RVs were leaving. And the summer was long and hot. But not really lonely as Jackson and I got to know one another. And a big plus were the springs. Jackson loved the water, and it was the only place to cool off. We pretty much had the summer to ourselves. There was only the occasional camper. By October, the RVs started coming back. It was quite the reverse from what we have here. October to April down there was far busier than our summers are here. But the rest of the year, it was just brutal. I lasted four full seasons, then transferred to Colorado. I was supposed to be in the Gunnison district at Blue Mesa but got sent to Lake City at the last moment.” She shrugged. “After the initial shock, it really was the best thing. The little house I have, it’s right at the edge of the forest. Jackson loved the freedom he had here. If we’d been in Gunnison, he’d have been in a yard in town.”

  “So he had a good life.”

  “Yeah, he did. And he made mine all the better.”

  “But you’re not ready for another one?”

  She shook her head. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready. We were so close. I feel like I lost a part of my family, and I’m not sure I can replace that.”

  Reese took their plates to the sink and rinsed them. “I’ve never had a pet,” she said. “Even as kids, we never had a pet around the house.” She pointed at the stove. “You’re going to let me keep this for leftovers, right?”

  “It’s all yours.” Morgan got up and brought their wineglasses to the sink. “All done with the wine?”

  “I think so. Unless you want some more.”

  “No, I’m good.” She covered her mouth as a yawn escaped.

  “Sorry.”

  “Go relax while I clean up,” Reese said.

  “I should really get going. If I sit down, I might fall asleep.”

  “You can stay here tonight, you know.”

  But Morgan shook her head. “I’m not up for it tonight, Reese. Besides, you know, I’m still—”

  “I know, Morgan. And you must think I’m a sex monster or something. I just meant you could stay here. Sleep here,” she said.