Zeph Undercover

by Jenny Andersen

  “Solved a crime we didn’t know we had and saved our vet’s life. I’d call that hero stuff, boy. Here—” Monty thrust a mug of coffee into his hands. One of the new, unchipped mugs with the bright red county logo. Hero treatment for sure. “Have a seat. Just the man I want to see. Got some ideas to spin past you.”

  Zeph sank into the ratty plastic visitor’s chair and glared at what he knew was typical cop-house coffee. One of the worst things about Stone’s Crossing had to be the coffee.

  The concern on Monty’s face rubbed salt in the wound of his guilt. He’d known it wouldn’t be easy to say goodbye to his new friends. He hadn’t expected it to be this hard. Leaving had always been his stock response to difficult situations. Why should it be so hard this time? Putting off the moment, he gulped coffee. Shuddered.

  “You’re not lookin’ like a happy man this morning, Zeph. Somethin’ wrong?”

  How could he be happy when his world would be gray and joyless without Allie? “Nothing wrong. The case is over. I’ve got to get back to the office.”

  “How long do you think you’ll be gone?”

  Oh, God. Monty thought...Monty really believed he would quit. Live in Stone’s Crossing permanently. And what? Live on Allie’s hard work? Learn to love country music at The Cowboy Bar? “I’m going back permanently, Monty.”

  “Going back? What th’ hell are you talkin’ about? I thought you and Allie...”

  Zeph drew in a deep breath. Monty sure knew how to pile it on. “I got a call this morning—I just made partner in the firm. I’ve got to go back.” Back to a home that didn’t exactly beckon him right now. Have to work on that.

  Monty sat back in his chair, hands flat on the desk. “What about Allie?”

  Zeph hadn’t really expected him to pussyfoot around the subject. “I care about Allie. She’ll visit me. I’ll visit her. We’re not saying goodbye forever here.”

  “Hmph.”

  The sheriff’s level stare made Zeph want to squirm. “Hey, it’s not like I’m sneaking out in the middle of the night, you know. She knew from the start—”

  “Oh, bull pucky. There ain’t a woman alive—” He slammed one fist into the other hand. “Well, hell. Reckon I’ve got no business getting’ in the middle of your business, but— Hell of a thing, though.”

  No argument there. “Couldn’t agree more, but Allie can’t see her way to move to L. A.”

  “You asked her?”

  “Of course I asked her.” Zeph drank the last of his so-called coffee and stood. “I just stopped in to say goodbye. Guess I’d better—”

  “Sit.”

  When Monty used that tone, mountains obeyed. Zeph sat.

  “Don’t reckon this’ll change your mind, but I got somethin’ to say.”

  Zeph raised an eyebrow, sure that whatever this was, it wouldn’t make things easier.

  “Don’t know if you heard while you were here, but I’m fixin’ to retire in a couple of months.”

  “I heard you’ve been fixin’ to retire in a couple of months for a few years now.”

  “That’s right.”

  “Bad thing for Stone’s Crossing—for the whole county. You’re a good lawman.”

  “Thanks. Appreciate that. But you’ve put your finger right square on the problem. When I retire, someone has to take over the job.”

  No. Not him. Live in Stone’s Crossing? Not in a million years.

  “I had this thought—”

  “No.”

  “And then I had a visit from what you might call a citizen’s committee this mornin’.”

  “And that would be—?”

  “Mayor Bartelett, Lincoln, Harley, Betty, Mabel.”

  Zeph braced himself, figuring a blind man could see this one coming. “Seems like a good cross-section of the town. And...?”

  “They all figure you’re a shoo-in for the job.” Monty leaned across his desk and looked Zeph in the eye. “The town wants you. You’d be the best thing since sliced bread. For the town. And the county. And Allie.”

  “Why do people always say that?” Zeph mused, glancing out the window at the ice-frosted trees sparkling in the sun to buy some time. Monty just might be capable of tossing him in a cell until he said yes. “Sliced bread is never as good as real, home-made bread.” He looked up and met the sheriff’s gimlet gaze.

  “I know when someone’s stalling,” Monty growled. “If you’re so pig-headed determined to throw away something most men would kill for, just say no and get out of here.”

  “Well, I—”

  “But you ought to at least think about it. Allie told me you’re a real hot man-about-town, but you ought to give some thought to how borin’ all that chasin’ around is gonna get in a few years. L.A.’s gonna keep gettin’ bigger and noisier. Here you got no traffic jams. No smog. Lots of quiet. Scenery that won’t quit instead of filth and ugly. Allie.” Monty cocked his head and grinned. “Think about it.”

  Damned if he didn’t make it all sound good. Except for that last one, those were the reasons he liked city living, he reminded himself. “Don’t see how I can keep from it, now that you’ve put all that in my mind. Yeah, I’ll think about it, Monty.”

  Once he settled into the Carrera, he shook the image of Allie from his mind. He wouldn’t be able to stop himself from thinking about Monty’s offer, but he didn’t have to do it until after he got home. Some day when he had nothing to do. Right now, he had goals. Home, Starbucks, the gym, and a good game of squash. Get back into the loop on the newest night spots. Check out the latest concerts. Yeah, he had a lot to look forward to.

  As he idled along Main Street, the thoughts crept in. The easy pace of life in Stone’s Crossing. Having a head start on solving whatever crimes were committed because he knew everyone in the community. Coming home to Allie every night.

  The image of coming home to Allie gripped so hard he blitzed right past Betty’s diner, completely forgetting he’d meant to say goodbye.

  ****

  A week ago, she’d been on top of the world. Allie rolled over in bed and stuck her head under the pillow. Today, the world was on top of her. Knowing Zeph wouldn’t be coming to see her, knowing she wouldn’t hear that delicious, deep voice, knowing he’d never touch her again—she wanted to howl.

  Been there, done that. Grudgingly she climbed out of bed and went about the morning routine. She barely had time for breakfast before patients thronged the waiting room.

  Margaret Bartelett thought Bongo needed a rabies booster.

  “Not for another six months, Margaret,” Allie said.

  “Oh, silly me. Well, I’ll see you then. Say hello to Zeph for me.”

  Allie steeled herself. “I’m afraid he’s gone back to Los Angeles.”

  Margaret commiserated. At length.

  Would the woman never leave? When Allie finally closed the door behind her, she leaned against it with relief. Short-lived relief. Each of the next three appointments asked about Zeph. “Where’s that gorgeous man of yours?” “Where’s the great guy who caught the drug dealers?” “Where’s that wonderful man who saved Bongo’s life?” Allie’s face hurt from forcing a smile and her heart hurt, from the polite lies and just on general principles.

  By dinnertime, she had seen a record number of patients, and every single one had come to talk about Zeph. Even Kenny. Well, not Kenny, but his mother had brought the boy and his puppy in, and she... Allie slammed the door and got in her truck. Dinner with her father had about as much appeal as a root canal. She’d have to pretend she wasn’t miserable, and he’d pretend he believed her. She hoped.

  He handed her a drink when she walked into the living room. “Hi, Dad,” she said with as much enthusiasm as possible.

  “Rough day?”

  “Busy, anyway.” The first swallow of wine went down like ambrosia. “Days like this make me understand alcoholism.” Her father’s glance made her qualify the statement. “Kidding, Dad.”

  He continued to look at her with so much conc
ern that she wanted to cry. Oh, who was she kidding? Everything made her want to cry right now. Suck it up, babe. You knew he’d leave. Remember the good times. Well, wasn’t that the problem? She did remember the good times. And wanted more.

  Elena bustled into the room. “Oh, Allie, there you are. I—”

  “Not now, Elena,” Allie’s father said.

  “But how could she turn down my son? He loves her, I know he does, and I know she’s your daughter and you love her, but that was just a terrible thing she did—”

  “Not now, I said.”

  Allie flinched at the judge voice that he so rarely used at home. She straightened. “I didn’t realize you were still here, Elena. I thought surely you would leave with—” Her voice cracked. “With Zeph.”

  “I asked her to stay for Thanksgiving, Allison,” her father said. “I hope you don’t object.”

  “Of course I don’t.” That at least was the truth. Happiness had gone winging south like a Canadian goose. Having Zeph’s mother gone wouldn’t make her think of him any less. “And we might as well talk about the great big elephant in the room. I’m sorry you’re mad, Elena, and I’m even sorrier that Zeph is unhappy. But he always knew that I had no intention of leaving Stone’s Crossing.”

  “I just can’t understand that, Allison,” Elena said. “You’ve never given Los Angeles a chance. You might learn to like living in the city and—”

  “And I might not,” Allie said in a level voice. “I lived in Washington and New York and Athens when Dad had to be in those places, and I did not learn to like cities.”

  Elena puffed up like an angry pigeon. “Well, I think you’re just a silly, silly girl to turn down true love for a bunch of mountains.”

  The words stabbed Allie right in her already wounded heart. “It’s not only that, Elena. I’m not going to leave my father here alone. His heart attack—”

  “I’ve completely recovered from that, Allison. I will not have you trying to live your life for me. Will not, do you understand?”

  The flush of anger that colored his face alarmed her. “Of course I understand, Dad. And I have no intention of living my life for you. I just want to be with you. And I don’t want you to be alone, but...”

  Her father looked at Elena, who shrugged and nodded.

  Allie’s mouth dropped open as she realized what was coming.

  “I’m not going to be alone, Allie. Elena has done me the honor of accepting my proposal of marriage.”

  Yep, that’s what she thought he’d say. Didn’t make it any less a shock, though. She stared at him, unable to form the words she knew she should say. Actually wanted to say.

  He reached out and took the glass just as it slipped from her fingers. “Allie?”

  “Oh, Allie, I’m so sorry,” Elena said. “This is such a horrible time to tell you. I do hope you won’t mind too much. I really want to be friends with you and—”

  The flow of words warmed Allie and her mind began working again. She laughed. “I don’t mind, Elena. I was just so surprised. And we are going to be friends. I think this is wonderful, and I’m sure you’ll be very happy.”

  “Oh, I think so. And so you see, you don’t have to worry about your father being alone. I just love Stone’s Crossing. It’s going to be such a pleasure to live here.”

  Why couldn’t your son feel the same way?

  Elena’s sharp glance didn’t miss much, apparently. “Restful, you know, for us old folks,” she added. “Now. Lincoln, give her back her wine. Dinner’s ready. Allie, Martha and I made salmon en croûte...I think you’ll like it.”

  Allie swallowed a protest. Salmon en croûte. The dinner she and Zeph had had that night in Los Angeles.

  Elena’s cooking couldn’t be faulted, but memories gave the salmon a bittersweet flavor.

  Chapter 17

  Zeph shut the door, the one with his name on it, and stood in the middle of his new office, turning to look at the acre of mahogany desk, the elegant matching bookshelves, the two windows with their panoramic view of Los Angeles. This was what he’d wanted, what he’d worked so hard for. Why didn’t it feel better?

  He walked over to the windows. A murky, tobacco-colored haze blotted out the sight of the ocean that he knew was only a few miles away. He’d noticed it this morning, too, when he’d taken coffee out on his deck.

  Allie had complained about the traffic noise on the deck, too. She’d been right.

  Allie.

  His stomach knotted and he had to clench his fists against the pain of loss.

  After a tap on the door, his new secretary came in. “There were some personal pictures on the memory card from your camera, sir. I sent them to your computer and printed a copy for you.”

  “Thanks, Susie.” After she left, he walked over to the desk and picked them up.

  Allie.

  Of course. Allie in her clinic, swabbing the ears of an annoyed-looking dog. Allie leaning on the corral fence feeding a carrot to Promise. He’d have to remember to send her a check for stable and board. And Allie, up on the mountain, looking at the camera, at him, alight with laughter and... He swallowed. And love.

  He put the photos down and looked around the office again. Out the window.

  Why had he wanted this?

  He couldn’t do it. L. A.—smog, white bread, and loneliness. Stone’s Crossing—mountain air, Martha’s home-made bread, and Allie. Not such a hard choice after all.

  Feeling fifty pounds lighter, he moved to the phone.

  ****

  The bittersweet flavor stayed with Allie for the next three days, dogging her days and hounding her nights. More worn than she’d ever been, even in the stressful days of school, she sat at her desk and ran through the endless litany of arguments again.

  She couldn’t leave her father. Sure she could. Zeph’s mother had that covered.

  She hated cities. So? She loved Zeph.

  She had a commitment to the town. She could find a vet to take over her practice.

  She didn’t have the money to start a new practice in Los Angeles. She could work for someone else.

  She loved Zeph.

  She loved Zeph more than anything.

  Stone’s Crossing would always be in her heart, she’d always yearn for it, but she’d have Zeph and Zeph made her blood sing.

  She picked up the phone.

  ****

  Allie slid into a parking place in front of Betty’s Café and climbed out of the truck. She waved to Hannah, who sat inside at a window table, and called, “Hey, Bill,” to the mayor, who balanced on a ladder fastening a plastic bell to a street light. “Street needs some more sand here.”

  He climbed down and took her arm to help her across the ice-frosted sidewalk. “I’ll get right on that, Doctor, Ma’am.”

  “More to the point than putting up decorations,” she mock grumbled. “They look very Christmassy. But it’s not even Thanksgiving. Not until tomorrow.”

  “You going to be here for the party at the church?” he asked.

  “No, afraid not.”

  “I knew it,” he chuckled. “Los Angeles, hey?” At her grin, he opened the cafe door for her. “I’ll call Tom to put down some sand along here. You have a good lunch.”

  “So, what’s up with Bill?” Hannah asked as Allie sat. “Secrets?”

  “He asked if I’d be out of town for Thanksgiving.”

  “Silly. You’ll be at the church party.”

  “I’ll be in—” Allie began.

  “Beef stew’s good today,” Betty said. “Made it this morning.”

  “Great.”

  The bell over the door jingled and Allie glanced up to see who had come in. Shock buzzed through her. Her vision blurred and the stodgy, familiar café swirled dizzyingly. Not again. Didn’t we do this already? “Zeph,” she said helplessly.

  Hannah turned to look. “Zeph!” she cried. “You’re back.”

  Zeph walked over to the table and looked down at Allie, the distress in his dark eye
s melting her brain. “I was wrong,” he said.

  “Um, I think I hear Luke calling me.” Hannah bolted from her chair and headed for the kitchen.

  Zeph settled into Hannah’s seat. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Go?”

  “Have you eaten, I mean?”

  Had she had lunch yet? Caught in his gaze, she couldn’t remember.

  “It doesn’t matter. I hoped we could talk in private, but—” He shrugged, and the ghost of a grin caught at one corner of his mouth. “After all, this is Stone’s Crossing.” He took Hannah’s napkin and began to shred it.

  Allie shook her head. She must be goggling like she’d just seen a five-legged cow. She picked up the glass in front of her and tried to take a sip. Water cascaded down the front of her shirt.

  Zeph reached across the table to take the glass, and handed her a couple of paper napkins. “I was wrong,” he repeated.

  “Wrong? About?”

  “Everything. Especially, I was wrong to ask you to leave Stone’s Crossing. I’ve been wrong about everything, from the first time we met. Everything except that you’re the only woman I want to spend my life with.”

  Her head swam as though she stood on the high diving board preparing to jump. She swallowed. “Me?”

  “So I’m going to run for sheriff, like Monty suggested.”

  “What about your partnership?”

  “I gave it back. Win or lose, I’m going to be here. Whether you say yes or not. If it takes the rest of my life for you to forgive me and say yes, I’ll be here.”

  Hope began to beat through the shock that held her frozen. “You want—you want—” she stammered. “You— You haven’t asked me anything yet.”

  “Oh, yeah. I guess I forgot that part. I meant to do this right. I’ve been rehearsing the whole drive and then I flubbed it.” He stood, and her heart skipped a beat. But he didn’t leave. He took a couple of steps and went down on one knee. “Allie, I love you more than anything in the world. Will you marry me?”

  A smile struggled and then bloomed across her face as she realized what his very public proposal meant. Mister Big City, Mister Privacy Preferred, had really gotten with the small-town program.