by Em Petrova
Shit. The last time she’d seen the woman, she’d been running out of her spa sporting a face full of welts. Audrey.
She’d never told Judd who the woman was, but she wouldn’t be surprised if he’d done some sleuthing on his own. Still, he had no reason to be glaring at Audrey when Cecily was to blame.
She’d never expected to see the woman again. In fact, she was shocked she’d come to her grand opening.
Judd didn’t remove his glare from her, and Cecily’s inner radars went off.
In this small town, the pair most likely knew each other. Had they dated at one time? She seemed young for Judd, but Cecily could be wrong.
He tugged the brim of his hat down lower, and Cecily bustled through the group of women before Audrey realized he was glaring at her and took offense. Cecily couldn’t have the woman insulted in her shop anymore.
She grabbed Judd’s arm, and he turned his gaze on her. His eyes cleared.
“Why are you glaring at that woman?” she whispered.
He looked to Audrey again, a crease between his dark brows. “You know her?”
Cecily reached up and cupped his jaw, drawing him down to speak quietly. “A customer who’s come in a few times. The last time, she had a facial mask applied and left with welts and hives on her face because she was allergic to it.”
He slanted a look at the woman again. “That was her?”
Cecily brought his attention back to her. “I’m surprised she’s here, honestly, but I don’t need her to see you glaring at her and leaving with another reason never to come back. What’s your problem with her anyway?”
She held her breath, waiting to hear if Audrey was an ex of his, but did it matter? He had a life before she’d come to Bracken.
“Do you know her?” she asked.
“Reminds me of my ex.” His voice was rough. “But yeah, she bartends sometimes at the Slug and Chug, remember? She was there the first night you were in Bracken. I don’t even know why she takes shifts there when her father gives her all the money she needs.”
Cecily mostly heard the part about Audrey looking like his ex.
“She looks like her?” Cecily asked.
“Just the hair. But no, there’s something else about her I don’t like. Her daddy’s a big business owner in town.”
Judging by his tone, that wasn’t a good thing. “So?” she whispered.
“So he owns half of Bracken and thinks of himself as a sort of mayor. Thinks everyone should drop and kiss his boots as he passes.”
“Well, that doesn’t mean his daughter’s that way. She seemed perfectly nice when she came in those few times. Until…”
He brought his attention fully to Cecily, mouth grim. “I’m sorry you had that trouble. I know it really upset you. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You were already solving enough problems around here, with the break-ins and everything. You didn’t need to know I screwed up somebody’s complexion and she ran out threatening a lawyer.” She went for an airy laugh, but Judd’s brows lowered like two exclamation marks.
“She threatened you?”
She gripped both his biceps. “Don’t get all growly on me now, Judd Roshannon. Nothing happened, it was just anger talking. Let’s get some cookies before they’re all gone.”
“I’m not much on sweets.” He broke away from her hold, and to her shock, strode across the room to Audrey.
* * * * *
As Judd approached the woman, a cloud of perfume enveloped him. The floral scent too overwhelming to the senses to smell good. He pushed forward and delved into the miasma.
Audrey looked up, the pasted smile on her face widening. “Why if it isn’t Sheriff Judd Roshannon?” She let her gaze skim down his shirt front and back up to his face, slowly.
He didn’t like her looking at him. As if he hadn’t gotten a bad enough vibe from her in the first place, now she was twirling her hair around her finger in a flirtatious manner.
“I see you know me. You’re Boone Howard’s daughter. Haven’t seen you since you were riding around in the parade. What were you, Miss Teen Bracken?”
She slapped at his shoulder. “Oh, that was ages ago. I’m all grown up now. See?”
He gave a nod. He’d seen plenty since walking into the spa, and he didn’t like a single fucking thing about Audrey. Mainly the way her gaze darted around the room, and several of those times to the shelf where the money box had been hidden. The one that had been stolen after the first break-in.
Yeah, he got a bad vibe from this polished, overaffected woman, and it was more than the fact she reminded him of Cassie.
“You know, Sheriff, I always had a thing for you Roshannon men. All so tall and handsome. All of you being in the law. Very exciting.”
“That so?” He watched her body language. How she acted so interested in him yet was turned aside as if to run. She wasn’t nearly as comfortable speaking to him as she was letting on.
“Yes, all three of you together, well, it would make a woman swoon.” She fluttered a hand in front of her face as if fanning herself. “Then Aiden went and got himself hitched. Isn’t that his wife over there?”
He pivoted to see Amaryllis speaking to Cecily. He hadn’t spotted his sister-in-law when he’d walked in. All he’d noticed was Audrey Howard’s eyes twitching all over the room—to the shelves and the new door lock.
Could be just his imagination, but his gut instincts were howling like a wolf at the moon. Something was off about this woman.
“Then Wes went and got on his motorcycle and well, I stopped holding out hope that he’d notice me. I don’t favor black leather,” she added, leaning close to Judd. “But you’re still available, aren’t you, Judd? And you’re practically partners with my daddy. He owns part of the bowling lanes too.”
“I don’t own that share anymore. That went to the ex.” A foul taste filled his mouth, and he resisted the urge to spit.
“Now that was a painful breakup, I’m sure. But to be truthful, I was happy when she ran off with that lawyer in the next town. It meant you were free…” She extended one finger and skidded the tip of her too-long nail down his shirt front. Over his buttons.
He steeled himself against the need to step back. This woman wasn’t only throwing off mega-creepy waves. Judd was sure there was something more about her, something he needed to look into further.
Last woman he’d dug into her past, he’d found she was married.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cecily turn to speak to a few more ladies. Her laugh sounded tight to his ears, but he knew her well. Anybody else might not hear the tension in her voice.
She opened the book she was carrying with her and wrote some appointments down. He was happy for her—the start of the tourist season would definitely help her business, and the grand opening was giving the ladies in town a chance to see what she could offer them.
She raised her head and waved a hand at those around her. “I’ll be giving free nutritional nail soaks to the first ten people who book for mani-pedis in the next two weeks. Who’s in?”
A group stampeded her.
Judd swung his gaze back to find Audrey’s expression one of disgust. She caught him looking and quickly rearranged her features. “Why, Judd, aren’t you rushing over to claim your nail soak?”
“Aren’t you?” he returned.
“Not today. I do my own nails.” She held out her hands and examined her talons painted bright red with swirls of black.
“Very nice. Excuse me.”
“I didn’t get a chance to invite you over for dinner. My father would love to see you.”
“Another time.” He tipped his hat to her, though that left a sour taste in his mouth too. He tossed a look at Cecily, but she was busy booking appointments. He couldn’t even catch her eye.
On the way out, he and Amaryllis exchanged a long look. She gave the slightest nod as he made his exit. As he hurried to his vehicle parked down the street, he wished he’d been able to say good
bye to Cecily. Over the past week, they’d drawn close, and she’d be upset by him leaving without word. But once he told her why, she’d understand.
First, he needed to get to the office and do some digging. Once he had everything he needed, he’d be able to relax and think about how to tell Cecily that he was so in love with her that he was tossing out his vow to remain single.
Chapter Eleven
“Mr. Howard, mind if I steal a minute of your time?” Judd plunked his ass in the seat across from the man before he could respond.
Boone Howard had always had his nose bent out of shape about something in Bracken and was seen in the sheriff’s office at least once a month. It was no secret Boone had been pretty happy when Judd’s ex had won half the property he owned around town—because it meant he could buy it up.
He also regularly rubbed it in Judd’s face.
Resting against the chair back, Boone offered a wide smile. “For you, of course, Sheriff.” He waved a hand toward the waitress. “Bring the sheriff a coffee.”
Yeah, Boone owned half the coffee shop now. Apparently when your wallet was tied up here, you were exempt from saying please and thank you.
“What’s brought you to my table this morning, Sheriff?”
Judd hadn’t taken time to rehearse what he’d say. Things came out better that way. “Wanted to ask you about some of the businesses you have a hand in.”
“Why, you hit more oil money and lookin’ to buy me out again?” He leaned across the table and laughed in Judd’s face.
Drawing a deep breath, he fought down the urge to fine the guy for bad breath. Luckily, the waitress brought his coffee and set it in front of him with a smile. Judd thanked her and took a sip before addressing Boone.
“Your affairs in order, Boone?”
He straightened. “What’s that supposed to be—some kind of threat?”
“I wasn’t asking if you have a will updated. I’m referring to your businesses. You got the proper licensing, all the taxes paid up?”
“Of course I do,” Boone sputtered. “Everything I do is on the up and up. What are you digging at?”
Hopefully a scab.
“I saw you had a permit a few months back to break ground for a spa. Nothing ever happened.” Judd brought the mug to his lips again. The coffee shop was busy at this time of day—Boone liked to frequent it when everybody could see him and kiss the elk-tooth ring on his pinky.
“Well, plans fall through. No crime in that.” Boone eyed him like a poker player who believed his opponent was calling his bluff.
Judd might be. Just wanted to see what Boone had to say and how the man reacted when he said it.
“I just wondered about that piece of ground, if you still have plans to put a spa in there.”
“Did at one time, but no longer. One spa in Bracken’s enough, don’t you think?”
“I wouldn’t know. What interested you in opening a spa, Boone?”
He waved a hand. “A notion of my daughter’s. She’s since moved on to other pursuits.”
“Ah. You planning to buy her a pony for the 4-H fair?”
Boone’s face flushed from the neck up. He stared at Judd for a long minute, the blue of his eyes sharp against the red of his face. “What happens in my family is none of your affair, Sheriff. But if you must know, my daughter has a business partner fixin’ to put a fast-food restaurant in that location. Perfect place for a drive-thru, don’t you think, Roshannon?”
Judd nodded. “You plan to secure a permit for that soon?”
“I’ve gifted the land to Audrey, and what she does with it is her business. Any licenses would come from her or her partner.”
“Who is?”
“You’re the sheriff—can’t you do your own investigatin’? Oh yeah, you crime types only do bullshit CIA stuff, analyzing DNA in labs these days rather than doing real law work.”
Judd chuckled. Boone was set off-balance, for sure. “I can look if I have a mind to. But this is only a friendly conversation between citizens of Bracken. Small-talk.” He lifted his mug. “And coffee.”
Boone issued a sigh through his nostrils. “Her partner’s name is Sam McFee. You might have heard of him.”
“Why would I have heard of him?” Judd asked.
“Because he owned part of the same oil well you did.”
* * * * *
“Troyer, get in here.”
At Judd’s call, the deputy appeared in the doorway.
“Close the door.”
He did, taking up most of the doorway. “What’s up, boss?”
“You hear anything about the oil well up north lately? Any calls of trouble? Rumors?”
Confusion etched itself between Troyer’s brows. “Not lately, no. Last call we had was a while back, when that guy broke into the rigger trailer on site.”
“Yeah.” Judd flipped his pen end to end on his desk, thinking and staring into space.
“What’s this about?” Troyer sank to a chair.
“Just tryin’ to make sense of things in my mind. Place people where they belong.”
Troyer grinned crookedly. “Which means in jail?”
“Didn’t say that. A guy who owns part of the well I used to own is planning to open a fast-food place in town.”
Troyer blinked. “Seems an odd investment.”
“Not really, if you think about it. He’s got money to spend and that venture will make money in a skiing town.”
“True. So what’s up with the guy?”
“Well, he’s got a record.”
Troyer sat up straighter, looking like a Great Dane in a child’s chair. “Record for what?”
“Breaking and entering—that trailer at the oil rig. He confessed, was given a slap on the wrist.”
“And now you’re thinking to connect him with another B&E here in town?”
Judd dropped the pen. “Didn’t say that. Just thinkin’ aloud, I guess. Bouncing around theories.”
“Might be a good call to pay him a visit.”
Judd’s lips twitched at the corner. “You free right now?”
“Just been lookin’ at internet porn. You know, wastin’ the taxpayers’ money.”
Judd knew damn well Troyer was lying, and he laughed. “As long as Birdie doesn’t catch you. She’s a stickler for being idle.” He came around the desk and he and Troyer walked out of the office. Snowflakes were rioting in the air, the good fluffy stuff to bring in more visitors over the weekend. Cecily would be thrilled.
Judd got behind the wheel and half an hour later, they arrived at the well. A few trailers for the men who were on constant watch were parked well off, though if something exploded, they’d still be launched sky-high. When they approached a couple workers, Judd stuck out his hand.
“Sheriff Roshannon. Just stopping by to see how things are going here.”
“You want to talk to my super.” The guy twitched his head to another man standing some distance away, a cell phone in hand.
Evasion. Passing the buck. Normal among the blue-collar man to do his job and get home to his family as quickly as possible. Judd shot Troyer a look to see what he could find out and walked toward the supervisor.
The man didn’t look up from his phone. Judd cleared his throat.
“What can I do for you, Sheriff?”
Judd met the man’s gaze. “I’m investigating a breaking and entering in town and I’d like to discuss the trailer that was broken into here. My deputy was on the scene after that took place, and he reported the door was forced, broken on its hinges.”
“That’s right.” His phone buzzed again and he punched a few more things on the screen.
“I understand you’re busy, but can I ask what you know of the man who was connected with that crime?”
He glanced up. “Sam McFee. Part owner here of the well.”
“Yes.”
“All I know is he had a bit of a jealousy thing against this guy who was staying in the trailer. Trashed the place and stole a
few things just to shake him up, warn him, I guess.”
“Yes, that’s the motive in the court reports. Do you know what the cause of the jealousy was?”
The supervisor narrowed his eyes. “You’re the sheriff—you have access to all that. Don’t you?”
“Just wondering what you know. Answer the question.”
“Sam was fucking around with the guy’s wife, is the story. Now I have a problem on my hands and I need to take care of it. Excuse me, Sheriff.”
Dismissed, Judd went back to Troyer, who was standing with one of the workers, shooting the breeze. “Hey, I’ll catch ya later,” Troyer said with a wave.
They walked some distance away from the well before Troyer spoke. “Find out anything?”
“Nothing we didn’t already know. The guys here aren’t involved—I know that much. All of this Sam McFee stuff could be nothing.”
“Or not.”
“Right. We need to talk to him next.” Judd stared toward the mountain, almost completely blurred out by the falling snow. Imagining Cecily’s shop booming and her running back and forth between customers.
Later, instead of her giving him a massage, he’d be happy to work over her muscles.
* * * * *
By a stroke of luck, Judd and Sam McFee ended up at the same bar in the neighboring county at the same time of day. When Judd sank to the stool next to Sam, the man didn’t look up from the beer he was nursing.
College football was on the TV and Judd watched for several minutes while sipping his own brew. Their team scored a touchdown, and Judd commented on it.
Sam looked up. “Yeah, good one.”
“Hey, aren’t you Sam McFee?” Judd asked in feigned surprise.
The man looked at him more closely, his dark brows drawn down. “Do I know you?”
Judd wasn’t in uniform and with his Carhartt and jeans, he could be any other working man in the county. “I used to co-own the well with ya.”
It took understanding a full minute to dawn, and Judd watched with amusement as the emotions played over Sam’s face. Judd could almost pinpoint the second he realized he had a record and a man of the law was his drinking buddy.
He moved to get off the stool, but Judd grabbed his shoulder.
