Her Colorado Sheriff

by Patricia Thayer

  He looked up at the house. Did he trust the woman? He used to rely on his cop instincts, but these days he wasn’t so sure. He walked up the steps, knocked on the door and waited until she answered.

  The door finally opened and Miss Townsend motioned him inside. “Please, come in, Sheriff.”

  He stepped across the threshold and caught a whiff of her fragrance, soft and clean like soap. Damn, if she didn’t remind him the past year had been a long and lonely one.

  “You and the boy can stay for the night and I’ll come by in the morning to see about making other arrangements.”

  “That’s not necessary, Sheriff. Ryan and I are planning to head west.”

  “Do you have somewhere to go?”

  She hesitated, then shook her head. “But I have a laptop and I can look for a job.”

  “The B&B Café is looking for a part-time cook,” he blurted out.

  She looked surprised at his volunteering the information.

  He shrugged. “I only know that because I was in earlier for supper and Bill told me he and Betty needed to cut down their workload. They also run a catering business on the side. I know cooking for cowboys is different than cooking for a restaurant...”

  “I am a chef, Sheriff.” She combed back her hair with long fingers. “I graduated from culinary school.”

  “Then it shouldn’t be difficult to find employment.” He played with the hat in his hands. “If you do plan to stay and get a job maybe we can help you find a place to stay. There is the cottage out back. It’s a lot smaller, but there are two bedrooms.”

  He saw the interest in her blue eyes.

  “I’ll just need to talk to Trent.” His brother Austin was one of the owners, too, but wouldn’t care if he rented the place. “Not sure how the Donaldsons left it, but I’m sure it’s livable.”

  “That’s very nice of you,” she told him. “I’ll have to think about it.”

  “I understand. I should get back on patrol.” He didn’t move. Why did he hate leaving her alone? He could sense her fear and couldn’t help but wonder what was causing it.

  “You and your brother are being very generous for letting us stay the night. I’ll make sure we clean up before we leave.”

  “So you’re not staying in town?”

  “Only if I get employment.”

  He nodded. “Okay, if you want to try for that job, the B&B Café is just off Main Street on Aspen.”

  She hugged her robe together. “Thank you again, Sheriff. I’ll think about my options. Of course, Ryan has to be my first consideration. I’ll let you know tomorrow.” She headed to the door, letting him know that he should leave.

  He shouldn’t care, but he found he wanted to help. Why? Maybe it was because when he had trouble, there’d been few people who wanted to stand by him. Sometimes, it took a stranger to step up and give a person a hand.

  He stopped at the door. “I’m new here, too, just a few weeks as the interim sheriff. Hidden Springs is a nice town.” What was he, the chamber of commerce? Then he realized what he said was true. Maybe he should take his own advice and give this place a chance.

  Chapter Two

  The next morning, Shelby packed their suitcases. No matter what happened today, they weren’t going to be staying in the farmhouse.

  By ten o’clock, Ryan had been fed his usual bowl of Cheerios and they headed into town. Shelby parked her compact car off Main Street and eyed the storefront building, the B&B Café.

  Should she go in and see about the job? She glanced in the backseat and saw Ryan busy with his picture album. He kept looking at his mother’s photo. She had no way to explain to the boy about the evil of some people. How they could take another life.

  “Look, Ryan, we’re going to go inside so I can see about getting a job.”

  “Mama worked. She worked at my school.”

  “That’s right, sweetie. She was a teacher.”

  “She was going to teach me, too.” He blinked really fast. “Now, she’s in heaven with Daddy.”

  “Yes, she is, and he’s going to take care of her forever and ever.” Shelby had trouble holding back the tears. “So don’t worry about her.”

  Shelby got out of the car, went to the backseat and helped Ryan out, too. They walked into the café, and she opened the glass door. Here goes. She released a breath, hoping to relax a little.

  Inside, Shelby looked around and decided she liked the down-home atmosphere. Several gingham-checked-cloth-covered tables were situated on a black-and-white-tiled floor, and black leather padded booths ran along the wall under the windows. There were pictures of the area’s skiing and hiking trails, and many just of the beautiful Colorado scenery.

  A slight woman about fifty-five came out of the back. She had short gray hair, warm brown eyes and a big smile. “I’m thinking you might be Shelby Townsend.” She smiled down at the boy. “You must be Ryan.”

  Her nephew hid behind her. “Yes, I’m Shelby.” So the sheriff had been here.

  “Welcome to town, I’m Bess Cummings. My husband, Bill, and I own this restaurant and the catering business next door.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Cummings.”

  “Please, call me Bess.”

  Shelby nodded. “I’m told that you might possibly be looking for some help in the restaurant.”

  “Could be. We’re overworked, especially when the wedding season begins in a month or so. It’s hard to run both sides of our business. Oh, pardon my manners.” She motioned to the end booth. “Please, go have a seat. Would you like some coffee?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Bess looked at Ryan. “How about some pancakes with fruit? Some strawberries?”

  The child’s eyes rounded and he looked at Shelby, and she nodded. “That would be nice.”

  Bess went into the kitchen and returned with two mugs of coffee and a small glass of milk. “I hope this is okay.”

  “Yes, thank you, milk is fine.”

  She got Ryan situated with his photo book. “You picked a good time to come in with the breakfast crowd already gone.” The door opened and two customers walked in. “That always happens.”

  A large gentleman came out of the back as two men sat down at the counter. He filled their coffee mugs, then took their orders. “That’s Bill. I’ll introduce you later.” She looked at her. “I hear you’re a chef.”

  The sheriff again? “Yes, I graduated from culinary school in Louisville, Kentucky.” She pulled out her folded résumé from her purse. “Here are some of the places I worked.”

  Bess read over the paper. “I’m impressed. A sous-chef, huh?”

  “I just recently moved in to the position when I left town.”

  “May I ask why you left the restaurant?”

  How much should she say? “My sister and nephew were moving here, and they’re my only family so I decided to come with them.” She glanced at Ryan and lowered her voice. “My sister passed away unexpectedly. So now I’m Ryan’s only family.”

  Bess’s hand touched her heart. “I am so sorry for your loss.” She looked at Ryan, showing her sorrow. “If there is anything I can do... Of course there is.” She looked over the résumé again. “How would you like to work for Bill and me? We’re not fancy, and we can’t offer you full time yet, but I am curious to see your ideas for our catering business. Our May and June is nearly booked with weddings, so maybe you can add some new items for our menu.”

  “Really? You want me to help with catering?”

  She nodded. “That’s when Bill and I really get overwhelmed, and we’re too old to run around like that. So if you don’t mind working at the restaurant and cooking hamburgers in between a few specialties...”

  Wow, she was being offered a job. Did she dare take it? “Of course not. I mean, I
can cook a hamburger.”

  Bess smiled. “Good, because your help would be wonderful, especially with your skill level. I doubt we can pay you what you’re worth, but there are good tips working here, and especially in the catering. So if you can deal with that, you’re hired.”

  “Sounds fine to me. Thank you, I’ll take the job.”

  Bess grinned, then turned to her husband. “Bill, get over here and meet our new waitress.”

  * * *

  NEARLY TWO HOURS LATER, Shelby drove back to the ranch, excited she had accepted the job. A good one and she had to take it. Step one was taken care of with her getting the job. Now her biggest concern was Ryan. He’d had enough changes in his life already, so she couldn’t just drop him off for a stranger to watch him.

  Georgia had been adamant about her son’s special care. She was an overprotective mother, but with good reason. Ryan had lost his father, Lieutenant Joshua Hughes, while he’d been deployed in Afghanistan three years ago. Ryan never really knew him. Now his mother was gone, too.

  Since Georgia’s murder, Shelby didn’t know whom to trust. Her thoughts turned to Sheriff Brannigan. The law was supposed to help you, but she’d learned that wasn’t always the case.

  She pulled into the driveway and saw the sheriff’s car along with the familiar oversize black truck parked around the side of the house.

  “Aunt Shellie, who’s here?” Ryan said, with fear in his voice.

  “It’s okay, Ryan. Looks like Sheriff Brannigan and Mr. Landry.”

  So the family was here to make sure she was moved out. What was she going to do now? She needed to figure out a place to stay. Maybe a small apartment, but her money was limited until she got her first paycheck. It would take everything she had to get together the first and last months’ rent, and she wasn’t sure if this job would work out here. Maybe she could find something that she could pay week to week. The savings Shelby had planned on, a lot had been spent on Georgia’s burial. So this job was all Shelby had.

  She climbed out of the car, helped Ryan from his safety seat in back, then they walked the single step of the guesthouse porch. The door was open, and voices reached her before she saw anyone.

  She hated to interrupt. “Hello, is anyone here?” she called out.

  Soon a tall blonde woman appeared. “Hi, you must be Shelby.” Her green eyes sparkled when she smiled. “I’m Brooke, Trent’s wife.” She looked at Ryan. “And you’re Ryan. My niece, Addy, is about your age.”

  The boy looked at his aunt and then smiled at the woman.

  Shelby held out her hand and shook hers. “It’s nice to meet you, Brooke. I apologize for invading your house last night.”

  “Not your fault.” Brooke waved her arm. “Trent talked with Jake Donaldson this morning, and he feels terrible about the mix-up. I hope the guys didn’t frighten you too much.”

  After her dealings with Gil and his police buddies, the sheriff and Trent Landry were sweethearts. “No, they were very considerate about the situation.”

  “Well, please come inside. The Donaldsons were great tenants, but still the house needs a good cleaning.”

  “Wait. Are you saying you want to rent this place to me?”

  Brooke paused. “That all depends. If you’re staying in Hidden Springs, and did you get the job at the café?”

  She hesitated, then nodded to both.

  “Then with your employment, I’m sure Trent and Cullen won’t have a problem renting to you.” Brooke gasped. “Of course, you want to see it first before you commit.”

  Shelby looked around the small, but cozy, living area. There was a leather sofa, and a high-back chair with two end tables and lamps. An area rug covered the scarred hardwood floors. She was drawn to the brick fireplace, then followed Brooke down the hall to a retro bathroom with green and black tiles. The next stop was a small bedroom with a single bed and dresser.

  “This could work for Ryan,” she suggested.

  Brooke agreed. “Yes, he doesn’t need much room.” She looked at the boy. “Do you like it, Ryan?”

  Her nephew nodded.

  They went to the last bedroom, which was a little bigger and held a bare queen-size bed and a dresser. The windows were void of any curtains, but there were shades for privacy.

  “If you add your own touches, it would really dress up the place.”

  She would love to. Question was, could she afford this house? “It’s lovely, but I need to know what the rent is.”

  “I guess we should ask the brothers that question.” Brooke smiled. “I love saying that they’re brothers. Trent and Cullen hadn’t been together in a long time. It’s time they were family again.”

  * * *

  WHEN CULLEN’S SHIFT ended he hadn’t been crazy about going back to his temporary residence at the motel. Instead, he’d stopped for breakfast and somehow he ended up talking with the Cummingses about Shelby Townsend, then called Trent and asked him about renting the guesthouse.

  Trent told him it wasn’t a problem, but then Cullen would have to live in the main house. He wasn’t crazy about that, but it was temporary, like his job.

  Damn. Why was he so gung ho on helping this woman?

  Two years ago, he wouldn’t have lifted a finger to help. So many things had changed, and his life would never be the same. To be on the safe side, he’d run Shelby Townsend’s name through the system and found she’d checked out. She was who she said she was. Not even a parking ticket.

  Now he was here, cleaning. And if Shelby and Ryan moved in here, they were going to be neighbors.

  “So Miss Townsend intrigues you,” Trent said as he paused from cleaning the upper cabinet.

  “She doesn’t have anywhere to go,” he said. “It was Hank Donaldson who brought her here for a job. A job that doesn’t exist anymore.” He continued to toss out all the packaged food and spices in the cupboard that had been left behind. “We’ve never had a problem about knowing where we’d live.” He couldn’t imagine having to do it with a child.

  “No. Uncle Sam took care of me for over a dozen years. And then Dad left me the Lucky Bar L.” Trent gave him a big smile. “And I finally found my home.”

  Cullen had to admit he was a little envious of his stepbrother. “And that pretty wife of yours.”

  “I think I heard my name.” A smiling Brooke walked into the kitchen, followed by Shelby and Ryan. He felt a sudden awareness as the woman glanced in his direction.

  Trent was the first to speak. “Hey, there, Ryan.”

  The boy’s eyes widened, but he stayed glued to his aunt’s side.

  Cullen’s attention stayed on the pretty aunt. Today she was dressed in a pair of dark slacks and a pretty pink blouse with a long tan coat sweater.

  “Hello, Shelby,” he finally greeted her.

  “Hello, Sheriff,” she returned.

  “I’m off duty, so call me Cullen.”

  Trent chuckled. “Heck, he’s only been sheriff what, ten days? Call him Cullen all the time.”

  That got a smile from her, and he wished he’d been the reason for it. “How about Sheriff Cullen?” she joked, and even Ryan laughed.

  Cullen looked at the boy. “So you like that, huh, buddy?”

  He was rewarded with a bigger grin and a nod. Why did that make his day?

  He looked at Shelby. “Did you go to the café?”

  She nodded. “Thank you for recommending me for the job.”

  Trent shot him a look, but he ignored it. “I only told Bess that you might be in today.”

  “Well, she hired me part-time for the restaurant now, then more hours for the catering side. They have several weddings booked starting next month.”

  Cullen nodded. “That’s good.”

  She didn’t look as happy. “I’m worried about Ryan. W
e’re in a new area and I need someone reliable to watch him. When we planned to work the roundups, he would stay with us.”

  Brooke spoke up. “I have a few names we use for our son, Chris. There’s also St. Francis’s preschool. My niece went there last year. I’ll get my phone and give you all the info. So does that help you make the decision about staying?”

  Shelby nodded, but she was pretty sure she couldn’t afford to live here. “I guess that depends on the rent for the cottage.”

  Trent looked at Cullen, then his brother said, “Why don’t we go a hundred a week until you see if everything works out with the job?”

  Her eyes grew wide. “Oh, no. I can’t accept that. That’s...too generous.”

  Trent raised a hand. “This was our mother’s ranch.” His voice grew husky. “I have no doubt she’d offer you the same arrangement. Sometimes we all need some help to get started.”

  Brooke stepped in, and slipped her arm around her husband’s waist, then said, “How about we give you a trial period, then increase the rent then?” She looked at Cullen. “Do you both agree to that? A trial period then if Shelby wants to stay you’ll raise the rent.”

  Cullen looked at the pretty brunette, suddenly hoping she’d take the agreement and stay around.

  * * *

  THAT AFTERNOON, SHELBY had their meager belongings moved over to the cottage. With the brothers giving her a cut in rent, she agreed to take the place only if she’d be the one to finish cleaning it.

  She looked around and saw the beauty of the place. Okay, it was small, but the brick fireplace and the hardwood floors, scarred or not, gave it character. She’d mostly lived in apartments, with roommates, but after finishing culinary school, she’d hoped to finally put down some roots. Could Hidden Springs be that place?

  She could see the brothers both wanted to help her, but she didn’t want to be beholden to anyone. Most of her life, she and her older sister had been in the foster care system. A lot of those years she’d lost touch with Georgia. They’d found each other only about a year ago when she’d learned about the hell her sister had been going through with Gil Bryant. Shelby had seen firsthand what Georgia’s ex-boyfriend could do when angered. She’d shown up one day and found Georgia beaten and bruised, but her sister refused to go to the ER.