The Sheriff of Sage Bend

by Brenda Mott

  The past twelve days had sped by, and Miranda hadn’t seen or talked to Lucas since he’d taken her to the animal shelter. Had he withdrawn from her again? She saw him now as he entered the courthouse, not here to testify but, like her, to observe. Miranda couldn’t bring herself to go over and talk to him. She was starting to like having him in her life way too much.

  She’d been at the courthouse the past two days, listening to testimony from various witnesses during the trial of the man who’d been responsible for her sister’s near brush with death. The man who’d hired Clint to stalk her. Miranda planned to be here every day, looking him straight in the eye, until it was over. As a witness, Shannon, however, couldn’t watch the trial. All witnesses were sequestered from hearing one another’s testimony. But today, Shannon would be called to the stand. She was the final witness on the prosecution’s list.

  The bailiff opened the doors to let in the spectators. Miranda paused to give her sister one last hug.

  “Good luck,” she murmured, “not that you’ll need it. You’re going to do fine.”

  “I hope so,” Shannon said. She set her jaw and went on in.

  Miranda entered the courtroom with her mother and Tori right behind her. Fae and Mae were already inside, and had front row seats saved. They sat glaring at the back of Masterson’s head, and as though he was able to sense their stares, he turned around, meeting twin looks of pure hatred. Nobody messed with the Lambert sisters, or any of their kin or friends. Especially if it meant involving Tori—who they’d quickly forgiven for deceiving them.

  Miranda would love to take a swing or two at Lonnie herself—at the very least.

  Her palms grew damp when it came Shannon’s turn to take the stand. But her sister held up like a trooper, looking Lonnie straight in the eye when she identified him and told the jury what she’d witnessed the night Jo Ella was abducted and murdered. When her testimony was done, Shannon rejoined Miranda and Tori, and the three slipped quietly outside. Fae, Mae and Paige followed.

  “Oh my God,” Shannon said, sinking onto a bench near the door. “I’m so glad that’s over.”

  Tori lit up a cigarette. “Me, too. I felt like I was up on that stand with you.”

  “Put that thing out!” Fae demanded, waving at the cloud of cigarette smoke. “It’ll give you lung cancer.”

  Tori sucked on the cigarette, moaning with pleasure. “But I’ll die a contented woman.”

  “Not hardly,” Mae scolded. “Don’t you remember what happened to your aunt Tootie? Smoked two packs a day all her life….”

  Miranda let their words fade to the back of her mind as Lucas came out of the courthouse. He merely nodded at them as he passed. Miranda’s pulse raced. She was angry at his indifference. Disappointed he hadn’t stopped.

  She watched him get in the Blazer and drive away.

  “Wonder where he’s off to?” Paige murmured. She leaned over and whispered in Miranda’s ear, “Honey, I know you’re dying to talk to him. Go on.” She grinned. “You can catch him.”

  Miranda managed a smile. She did need to air the thoughts keeping her awake, one way or another.

  In her truck, Miranda let her mind wander as she drove after Lucas. Did he have any feelings at all for her? He’d sure made her think so, the way he’d made love to her. But then, she’d been the one to initiate that. What man in his right mind would say no to a willing woman?

  It took her a few minutes to realize where Lucas was going, as he finally headed up Cemetery Road and pulled into the tiny Sage Bend Gardens. He got out and glanced Miranda’s way before walking over to his mother’s grave.

  Miranda parked beside his Blazer. Lucas’s father hadn’t killed Laura Blaylock with his own hands, but he might as well have. She’d died from a stress-related heart condition at the age of forty-five, exacerbated by Clyde Blaylock’s abuse.

  Miranda opened her door and got out. She would never forget the funeral. Lucas had lost his temper and punched his father. It was the only time she’d ever seen Lucas commit an act of violence.

  It wasn’t long after that when Clyde had gone to prison. Lucas had been nineteen, Clint seventeen.

  No wonder Lucas hadn’t been ready to marry when he was twenty-three. What had Miranda been thinking?

  She walked up beside him and stood without speaking. For a moment, she didn’t think he was going to acknowledge her presence.

  “She should’ve left him,” Lucas said. “Should’ve taken us when we were kids and left. Maybe then she’d still be here. And maybe my brother would’ve turned out differently.”

  “Maybe so,” Miranda said. “It’s sad she had to die so young.”

  “At least Dena’s wised up.” Finally, he looked at Miranda. “She’s leaving Clint. Moving out of state.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope. She’s leaving this weekend.”

  “I’m glad to hear that,” Miranda said.

  For a moment, they were silent. “You’re not like him, you know. You’re not anything like your father.”

  “That’s not true. I’ve got a bad temper. I wanted to knock the tar out of Clint that night I put him in jail, when I saw him hit Dena.” He gave a dry laugh. “I came pretty close. I’ve wanted to punch him out on more than one occasion.”

  “But that’s the difference,” Miranda said. “You might have wanted to, but you didn’t. You might even have a bad temper, but you’ve learned to control it.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Damn it, Lucas!” Miranda wanted to shake him. “You’re making me so mad, I’m about to lose my temper.” She spread her arms wide. “See, I’ve got one, too. Doesn’t mean I’m going to haul off and smack you. Why can’t you see you’re a man of integrity? You’re the kind of man any woman would be lucky to have. And if you’d stop being so stubborn for just a minute, and take a good hard look at yourself, maybe you’d see that, too.”

  He only stared at her.

  “I give up.” At a loss, Miranda turned and stormed away.

  Lucas would never see things the way she did, never realize that she loved him more than anything in the world.

  And he would never come to believe he was the good, kind and loving man Miranda saw when she looked into his eyes.

  The man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

  MIRANDA SPENT THE WEEKEND with Tori at the Silver Spur—on Friday, which was Tori’s night off, and again on Saturday, when she had to work the bar. Both times Miranda drank Coke all night and danced with every cowboy who asked her. Some were good-looking, some were not. None were Lucas.

  “I think you need something stronger than that to wash him out of your head,” Tori said, setting another Coke in front of her after Miranda came off the dance floor, where she’d done a lively two-step with Jack McQuaid.

  “I doubt all the whiskey in Tennessee could,” Miranda declared. “Is this what a rebroken heart feels like?”

  “I wouldn’t know,” Tori said. “I’ve never been one to settle for one man.” She gave Miranda a wink. “Why buy the bull when you can ride the rodeo circuit for free?”

  “Tori!”

  Her friend laughed. “You’ve got to move on, girl!”

  “Maybe you’re right.” Miranda sighed. “Hey, want to see a movie this week? The new Brad Pitt film is playing over at the mall in Pine Bluff.”

  “Sounds good. I’m celebrating all week, you know.” Tori leaned forward and spoke directly into Miranda’s ear to be heard over the music. “Lucas thinks I’ll just get probation and community service for lying to the police. He decided not to write me up for…well, you know.” She looked around to be sure no one was listening. “He said, and I quote, ‘After all, Tori, your heart was in the right place, if not your six-shooter.’”

  Miranda laughed. “That sounds like Lucas.” Then she sobered. “If your aunts found out that part…”

  “Oh, brother.” Tori clamped a hand to her breast. “They’d skin me alive.” She glanced over at a couple o
f cowboys who’d bellied up to the bar, and waved. “Be right back.” She hurried off to wait on them.

  Thinking of Lucas, Miranda suddenly didn’t feel so much like partying. She waited until Tori came back, then pushed her half-finished Coke glass her friend’s way. “I think I’m going to call it a night.”

  “This early?” Tori frowned. “Man, first you turn into a teetotaler on me, and then you go home to bed at—” she peered at her watch “—ten-fifteen? Sheesh, Miranda. You must be getting old.”

  She chuckled. “Maybe so.” Too old to be pining away for the same man for over a decade. She handed Tori a five. “I’ll see you later.”

  Outside, Miranda fired up her truck and put on some loud country music. Something sad about broken hearts. She sang along as she headed home, feeling more and more melancholy as she drove. But when she got to her house, she did a double take.

  Lucas’s Blazer was in her driveway. Miranda parked beside it and got out. Where were Tuck and Smudge? Better yet, where was Lucas? And suddenly she knew.

  Trying not to look as desperate as she felt, Miranda made her way out behind the barn, through the gate to the creek. Sure enough, Lucas sat by the water.

  And next to him sat Tuck and Smudge.

  “What have you done to my watchdogs?” Miranda demanded, dropping onto the creek bank on the other side of Tuck.

  Lucas gave her a crooked grin that melted her heart. “I fed them hot dogs.”

  “Hot dogs?” Miranda rolled her eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding.” She ruffled her dogs’ fur. “Some watchdogs you are—caving in to bribery.”

  “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before,” Lucas said. “Oh, and I gave some to Happy, too. It made her quit barking.”

  “Does this mean you plan to continue the habit of trespassing on my property? Now that you’ve got my dogs in your hip pocket? Or should I say, in a hot dog packet?”

  He laughed. “Maybe…I guess I’ve been pretty hardheaded about this whole thing between me and you.”

  Miranda held her breath.

  “It’s just that I’m not sure I’m the marrying kind.”

  She gave an unladylike snort. “I guess I figured that one out a long time ago.”

  “Miranda, I only did what I thought was best for you.”

  “Well, you hurt me, Lucas. Right here.” She placed a fist against her chest.

  “I’m mighty ashamed of that.” He edged closer, nudging Tuck out of the way. Reaching out, he gently touched her cheek. “I love you, Miranda. And I’ll never again make you a promise I can’t keep. Do you trust me enough to believe me?”

  “Lucas…”

  He placed his fingers beneath her chin and slowly raised it, covering her mouth with his. He brushed featherlight kisses across her lips, and Miranda closed her eyes and kissed him back, savoring the familiar taste and feel of him, wishing things could be as ideal forever as they felt right now. Knowing that wasn’t likely to happen.

  “I love you, Miranda,” he whispered again. “Say you love me, too.”

  She groaned, grasping his wrist to hold him still. “I do love you, Lucas. I always have. But there’s more to it than that.”

  “Please, Miranda. I’m begging you to give me another chance. Let me love you, sweetheart. Just let me love you.” He took her into his arms, and Miranda relaxed against him.

  With a sigh, she draped her wrists around his neck, pulling him close, loving the way his warm, hard body felt against hers. Gradually, he eased her onto her back in the long, soft grass. Miranda felt the years slip away….

  “Lucas,” she said, kissing him over and over. “I want things to be the way they used to be.”

  “Uh-uh,” he said, smiling when she drew back. “Things are going to be even better.” He brushed the hair away from her temple. “We were kids back then. We’re all grown-up now, and I think I finally understand what I’ve been running from.”

  “Yeah?” She held her breath, half-afraid of what he might say.

  “I was so busy being scared I might turn out to be like Clint and Dad that I forgot who I was.”

  “And now?”

  “You bring out all the best in me, Miranda. I’ve spent the past few days feeling so empty inside. Like something was missing. That something was you.” He kissed her again.

  “Then let me fill you up,” she whispered. Miranda closed her eyes and they kissed.

  At some point, she heard Smudge and Tuck lope away through the grass, in pursuit of more interesting activities. No wonder Lucas had won them over. He was an easy man to get close to, once you gave him half a chance. She wanted to give him more than half a chance.

  He undressed her, there beneath the stars, with the cottonwoods overhead. Just as he once had. But this time, his hands were not those of an inexperienced boy. They were the hands of a grown man, sure of what he wanted. And he wanted her.

  Miranda unsnapped Lucas’s shirt and slid it off, taking time to run her palms along the muscles of his shoulders and biceps. He looked so fine in the moonlight, cowboy hat, shirtless, tight blue jeans.

  Lucas tossed his shirt aside, followed by the rest of his clothes. He bunched his shirt up and used it for a pillow to place beneath her head. Miranda’s heart swelled. “Now that’s something I don’t remember from the last time we were here.”

  He laughed softly. “I know how to treat a lady.”

  “Do you, now?” She reached for him. “Why don’t you show me.”

  “Gladly.”

  He stretched across her, still holding and kissing her. Miranda lay back and enjoyed his ministrations. Last time, she’d wanted to dominate him, punish him. This time, she wanted to lie in his arms and let him do whatever he wanted to her.

  And when he entered her, Miranda moaned and wrapped her tongue around his. With her legs around him, she pulled him closer, moving in slow gyrations against him. Creating a friction that drove them both crazy.

  They climaxed as one. Afterward, Miranda lay with her head tucked against Lucas’s shoulder, his arm around her, hers draped across his chest. She ran her hand over the light dusting of hair, enjoying the feel of his hot, damp skin beneath her palm. “That was…”

  “Phenomenal,” he finished.

  She laughed. “Yes. I’d say so.”

  He chuckled softly, pulling her closer still. “I love you, woman.”

  “And I love you, Sheriff. I knew it would be fun to get you naked again.”

  “You don’t say. And how often did you think about doing that?”

  “Oh, just about every time I saw you.”

  “Really? Well, I guess that makes us even.”

  Now it was her turn to chuckle. The two of them lay quietly, staring up at the stars. Miranda closed her eyes and let the feeling of relaxation seep through every inch of her body.

  And then it occurred to her. Lucas hadn’t asked her to marry him. Hadn’t made any sort of commitment. He’d only told her he’d keep his promises from now on.

  What were those promises to be?

  Miranda drifted off to sleep, still wondering.

  LUCAS DOZED WITH MIRANDA in his arms. Never in his life had he felt so fulfilled, so content. Loving her was the best thing that had ever happened to him. He was only sorry it had taken him so long to realize it. So, what now? Did he dare ask her—for the second time—to marry him? Deciding it might be better to wait, Lucas snuggled against her, nuzzling her neck. He became aroused in an instant, and kissed her awake. She moaned and rolled into him, gladly welcoming his body again.

  They made love, slowly and leisurely. There was something to be said about no longer being twenty. He knew how to take his time with her, knew how to draw out the moment and make it great for both of them.

  When they were finished, Lucas took pleasure in the contented sigh that came from Miranda. “Are you as happy as you sound?” he asked.

  “At least. You?”

  “Without a doubt.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. “Bu
t I suppose we should get up and get dressed. After all, you never know when someone might radio in for backup.”

  “And it wouldn’t do for the sheriff of Sage Bend to be caught with his pants down…literally.” She laughed.

  They dressed, and he held her for a few minutes, standing on the creek bank, before he finally turned to leave. “I love you, Miranda,” he repeated. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “You’d better.”

  He practically floated as he walked through her back gate toward his Blazer.

  And then Tuck and Smudge dived in and heeled him.

  “Hey!” He frowned, dodging their quick, sharp nips. “I thought we were friends.”

  From the other side of the gate, Miranda laughed. “Some things never change,” she called. “Good night, Lucas.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  MIRANDA WOKE UP early Monday morning to a threatening, cloudy sky. Hurriedly, she dressed and took care of her animals, grabbing an apple as she went out the door. She needed to go to town and get some feed, and if she didn’t hustle, the rain would beat her to the draw. She couldn’t haul grain and dog food in a wet pickup bed.

  But before Miranda could get there, the skies opened up and rain poured down in what looked like a gully washer. Oh, well. She’d just have to settle for buying whatever amount of dog food and grain she could shove into the front seat. It would be enough to tide her over.

  As she rounded a corner downtown, a building caught her eye: the white-frame church where she and Lucas had meant to hold their wedding. Why had she come this way? On a whim, Miranda parked her truck in front of it and walked up to the front door.

  Pastor Hill never locked the church. He lived in the modest, white frame house next door, and kept a watchful eye on things. He proclaimed to leave God’s house open for all who might need to come in.

  Thank goodness there weren’t any homeless in Sage Bend. Miranda smiled at the thought of Pastor Hill waking up to find a dozen people sleeping on his pews. Knowing his kind heart, he’d take them all in, like the stray dogs he fed.

  Miranda felt ashamed she hadn’t gone to Sunday service in more time than she could count. She’d stopped attending once she’d been humiliated here, and somehow never found a way back to any church.