Something About a Sheriff (Wild West Book 2)

by Em Petrova

  “Sit down and have one on me. Bartender,” he called.

  Tense, Sam sank back to the stool but didn’t speak. The bartender placed another beer in front of him.

  “We’re just having a talk here, Sam. No need to worry. Unless, of course, you have something to worry about.”

  “I got nothin’ to worry about.” His voice elevated.

  “Then enjoy your beer. And the view. That bartender’s sure got some sway in those hips, doesn’t she?”

  Sam’s gaze locked on the bartender’s ass. He grunted and brought the beer to his lips. “She’s okay.”

  “You prefer blondes?”

  “Don’t have a preference.”

  “That business partner of yours sure has a great body. The Howard girl—Aubrey?”

  “Audrey. And I don’t notice. We’re not like that.”

  “Ah. She won’t let you in her pants then.” Judd sipped.

  Sam’s male pride was bruised, which was exactly what Judd had been going for. “She’s willing enough. I just haven’t gone there.”

  “Damn, why not? Maybe she isn’t enough for you in the sack.”

  “Don’t know that—yet.” Sam grinned and downed more beer.

  Judd chuckled. “Women are all the same, don’t you find? A few sweet words and they’re taking off their panties for you.”

  Sam nodded. “Mostly.”

  Judd couldn’t tell if Sam was holding out on him about Audrey Howard. She had a motive—she wanted a spa and Cecily had beat her to it. Killed her dream. And Sam had experience with breaking and entering and a beef with the sheriff’s department that had been responsible for his arrest.

  If Judd could prove they were more than business partners and Audrey had coerced Sam to do her dirty work…

  Sam set the bottle down on the bar top.

  “Have another.” Judd started to wave to the bartender, but Sam grabbed his sleeve.

  “I’ve had enough for one night. Can’t have the good sheriff carting my ass to jail for a DUI, can I?”

  “Not my town.”

  “But you’ve got friends, I assume.” Sam got up and swaggered to the door without another word.

  Judd watched him go. He didn’t have a reason to follow or engage him in conversation again. He’d given away nothing, and Judd knew no more about the crime against Cecily than before.

  He tossed down a few bills to cover the tab and left the bar too.

  * * * * *

  Judd turned up the volume on his phone to better hear his brother and cousin on the three-way call. “Thanks for taking the time to talk to me, guys.”

  “Anything for your ugly ass,” Wes returned.

  “Have you finally hung up your helmet now that the first snow’s on the ground?” Aiden asked his cousin.

  Wes snorted. “It’s a light snow. Burns off at the first ray of sunshine. You two aren’t about to nag me like your momma, are you? I don’t know why she’s so against me ridin’ anyway. It’s not like I’m in the illegal stuff. I work for the government, for God’s sake.”

  Judd sat up straighter. “The government?”

  “Uh… Classified. Shouldn’t have said anything. Let’s erase that from your memories, all right, guys?” Judd could almost see Wes chewing the inside of his cheek, as he did at times when under the gun.

  “Scratched from my memory—at least until I see you face-to-face, Wes,” Aiden said.

  “Same,” Judd added. “Now I called you both to see what you know about the Howards, if anything.”

  A beat of silence. “Like the king of Bracken?” Aiden asked.

  Judd snorted. “If you wanna call him that.”

  “Shouldn’t you know more about a man in your own town than we would?” Wes asked.

  “I know what I know. I just need to know if you’ve heard anything.”

  “Anything criminal?”

  “Anything at all. Rumors, wind of him buying or selling businesses. Also, any word of a Sam McFee is appreciated.”

  “Sounds like you already know something. What the hell’s going on up there?” Aiden put in.

  Judd stared out the windshield of his SUV at the white-cloaked mountains. Wes was right about the sun burning off the snow in the valleys. The streets were only wet right now.

  “I found out he applied for a new business license and then pulled it before it could go through.”

  “What was the business?”

  “Some sort of beauty shop. Spa.”

  “Oh shit,” Aiden said.

  “Yeah.”

  “When did this take place?” Wes asked.

  Having the three of them on a call this way raised nostalgia in Judd, memories of them hidden in Wes’s closet talking about local crimes and how they could help to solve them even though they were just boys.

  “The license was applied for a few weeks before another day spa moved into Bracken.”

  “What in the hell would a man like Howard want with a day spa? He owns half the shit your ex got in the divorce, right? Beer distributor, bowling alley…” Aiden trailed off, probably seeing his error in bringing up Judd’s ex.

  Funny enough, that sore spot was no longer so sore. Cassie had half of his shit—and her own life. The minute he’d walked out the door of the jewelry store with a shiny new two-carat engagement ring in his pocket for Cecily, that door on his past had slammed shut.

  The ring was in his console. He hadn’t quite worked out when to pop the question, but he ran on instinct most of the time, and he’d know when the time was right.

  “Unless it’s not Howard who has interest in a spa. Doesn’t he have daughters?”

  “A daughter. That’s my thinking too. Actually, she’s got motive enough,” Judd said.

  “You think she is the cause of the break-ins at Cecily’s shop? How is that possible? You said the place was wrecked, the door broken off the hinges. Unless the Howard girl’s an Amazon woman, she couldn’t have that sort of strength.” Leave it to Aiden to question all angles. He always was the skeptic who shot down his and Wes’s ideas.

  “She’s got a business partner with a past and enough muscle for the job.” Judd’s voice silenced the others.

  “Then what are ya doin’ talking to us about it? Go follow the lead.” Wes was the guy who jumped on the tiniest hint of a rumor and followed it to the end. No waiting, no bullshit.

  “Spit it out, Judd.” Aiden was as impatient as ever.

  “Sam McFee.”

  “That asshole who owns part of the well you did?” Wes had his finger on the pulse of every arrest list in the state.

  “Yeah.”

  “Seems like you’ve made up your mind who to investigate, bro,” Aiden said.

  “Yeah. But I’ve got a little problem. He’s got an alibi—was pulled over for speeding the same time as one of the break-ins took place.”

  “So? He could have still made it to the shop and broken in,” Wes said.

  “Not that night. He wasn’t even in the state that night.”

  Aiden let out a whistle. “That does put a damper on your theory.”

  “There’s a little get-together down at the creek, all the Howards go every year and invite their friends. Bonfire in the snow, beer and visiting.” Judd didn’t often ask for backup, especially on such a simple case. Asking now didn’t set well with him, but if anybody got it, Aiden and Wes would.

  “When?” Wes asked.

  “Tonight. I think it’s a good opportunity to catch the Howards when their defenses are down.”

  “And you want us to come along?” Aiden asked.

  “Since it’s about Cecily, I don’t exactly trust myself to remain unbiased. I could take my deputy with me, but you guys know me.”

  “You mean we’re the only guys strong enough to hold you back when you get pissed off.” Amusement sounded in Wes’s tone.

  “That’s right,” Judd drawled.

  “Name the location and we’ll meet you there,” Aiden said.

  Judd sat back
against his seat, relaxed for the first time in weeks. “I knew you’d want in on this.”

  “We’ve got your back,” Wes said.

  * * * * *

  Cecily walked past Judd’s living room window for the tenth time, looking out for his headlights. Dusk had fallen rapidly, the snow making Judd’s little rental home seem like something out of a postcard. Flakes fell slow and steady. By morning, there would be more accumulation, which meant more snow bunnies needing facials on their wrecked winter skin.

  She should smile at the thought of more business, but she was worried about Judd. Where was he? She hadn’t heard from him in hours, and even Echo went to the door again and again, whining to be let out to find his master.

  Cecily adjusted the apron over her naked front. Last time she’d welcomed her hunky sheriff at the door wearing only an apron, they’d had hot, mind-blowing sex. Ever since tying those apron strings, she was raring to go.

  If only he’d come home.

  Echo sat up straight, ears alert. She swung her gaze to the dog. “What is it? Do you hear something?”

  The dog sat as still as a statue for another heartbeat before launching off his haunches and racing for the door. Tingles ran up and down Cecily’s spine as she thought of her man walking in and putting his hands on her the way he had last time. She was all about spicing things up and not falling into a routine in a relationship, but this fantasy had been too good not to relive at least one more time.

  Barking made her ears ring as she made her way to the door and let the dog out. He hurtled through the dark and snow to greet his master. She heard a soft oomph as Echo jumped on Judd.

  Warmth spread through Cecily and she leaned in the doorway, sheltered from the worst of the draft as she waited for him to come inside.

  At the sound of his boots on the porch, liquid heat shot between her thighs. Oh yessss, she’d been waiting for this all day. Her hands might be tired from giving so many massages today and her feet ached from standing, but she’d never be too tired for this man.

  He walked in with Echo leaping around his legs. “Hey, baby doll.” He leaned in and planted a cold kiss on her cheek, not sparing her so much as a glance.

  She blinked in surprise—he really must have a lot on his mind tonight. No matter. She’d get him out of work mode.

  Closing the door, she watched him tug off his gloves and fondle Echo’s ears. Patiently, she waited, but honestly, she was starting to feel like she was in one of those dreams where you showed up naked to school.

  “Smells great in here. Can you keep a plate warm for me? I’ve gotta meet Aiden and Wes.”

  Her face fell. “Umm. Okay. I can keep it warm. When will you be back?”

  He met her gaze for the first time but didn’t hold it very long before looking away.

  Something was up.

  On high alert, her nipples strained against the apron cloth and it had nothing to do with the cold swirling around her knees. It was the icy treatment she was getting from Judd.

  “Why didn’t you just meet them straight from work?” She folded her arms over her breasts, causing the strings around her back to pull against her skin.

  “I needed to stop home and grab that chainsaw Aiden lent me a few months back after a storm blew down a tree in the yard.”

  She had no idea what he was talking about, but she could smell bullshit a mile away. Whatever Judd Roshannon was up to, it stunk.

  “I see,” she said.

  He leaned near and dropped a kiss to her cheek. “I won’t be too late.”

  “All right.” She watched him stomp back outside. The night enveloped him as he made his way back to his SUV. She didn’t wait to see the lights pull out—she rushed for her cell phone and dialed Amaryllis.

  “What’s going on with our men?” she asked before the woman could say hello.

  “Cecily?”

  “Yeah. Judd just marched in here with some story about being late and meeting with Aiden to give him a chainsaw. I think he was just checking up on me. Where’s he really going?”

  Silence on the other end.

  “Amaryllis, you know what’s going on. Why am I being left out of the loop? Is it because Judd isn’t that committed to me?” She heard the break in her own voice and wanted to smack herself silly.

  “No! Nothing like that. Judd’s head over boots for you, Cecily.”

  “So where’s he going? You know. Tell me.”

  “Uhh, I can’t.”

  Cecily used her own leverage she had against a pregnant woman with intel. “I know your joints are starting to loosen up with your pregnancy. I bet your lower back aches.”

  “Oh, does it. Especially after sitting on those long-distance drives.”

  Cecily could nearly see her stretching now. She moved in for the kill. “I’ll offer you a weekly massage whenever you can drop by the Drift Away. Good until you have that baby, though you’ll need some postnatal massage as well. New-mommy back and all that.”

  She groaned. “Dammit, Cecily, you know how to work a woman’s weaknesses. I’d love those massages.”

  “So tell me where they went. What’s Judd up to?”

  “I have a better idea. I’m sitting here wondering why I’m being left out too. I’m just as capable as the Roshannon men are. Get ready and I’ll pick you up.”

  In excitement, Cecily ripped off her apron and ran to the bedroom for her clothes. She blew out the half dozen candles she’d lit on the dresser, only slightly sad that their night had been ruined. She and Amaryllis had some adventures to see to.

  When Amaryllis showed up at Judd’s place, Cecily ran outside and hopped in the passenger’s seat. Amaryllis hit the gas and sped out of the driveway. “We don’t have much time. If we hurry, we might beat them.”

  “How’d you get here so quick? Don’t you live an hour away?”

  She slanted a look at her. “I have my ways.”

  Cecily stared at her.

  “Okay, I was nearby at a doctor’s checkup. I realized Aiden hadn’t asked me to reschedule because he didn’t want me to be there when—” She cut off.

  Cecily wanted to grab her arm and shake her. “Tell me what’s happening.”

  “Judd thinks he’s found out who’s been breaking in to your spa.”

  Her jaw couldn’t have dropped lower if she’d seen Bigfoot flying a UFO. “What? He didn’t tell me.”

  “He asked Aiden and Wes for backup.”

  “B-backup? Why? Who is this person? Is he a dangerous criminal?” Her blood froze in her veins.

  “Not any more capable of violence than any other man.”

  “Then why did he need backup?” She gripped the seat to hold herself in it.

  Amaryllis made a humming noise low in her throat as if deciding whether or not to tell her. Finally, she pushed out a breath. “Because Judd doesn’t trust himself not to go apeshit on the guy for what he did to you. He needs Aiden and Wes to hold him back.”

  “Oh God. Drive faster.”

  Amaryllis flashed a grin and stepped on it. The woman could have driven Nascar races. She took the turns around the Wyoming mountains like she’d lived here her entire life, though she was a Texas transplant.

  Within minutes, she stopped on a dirt pull-off. Three other trucks were parked there.

  Cecily looked to her sidekick, eyes wide. “Where are we?”

  “Word was there’s a party down at the old bridge. A big spot for people to go and have a bonfire. In the summer, there’s a rope from a branch and they swing into the deep parts of the creek.”

  “And we’re going down there?”

  “Yup.” Amaryllis got out of the truck.

  Cecily’s face felt numb as she followed. She’d never faced anything like this before. What if they got in over their heads? She trusted Amaryllis had a weapon, but where the hell was Judd and the other men? He’d left well before her. Of course, if he was meeting the guys, they could be delayed.

  Amaryllis walked with confidence to the head of
a trail. She pulled out a flashlight and shined it on the ground, revealing a rocky path wending through the trees to the creek. She could hear the burble of running water.

  “Watch your footing. Aiden will kill me if you fall and injure yourself or the baby,” she whispered to Amaryllis.

  She waved a hand. “I’m fine. Surefooted. C’mon.”

  A couple minutes later, they were at the creek, the bridge a short distance from them. A bonfire had been lit, and someone had a guitar. The scents of burning wood hit her senses, and she was having a hard time remembering she wasn’t attending the party but going to… what?

  “Oh shit. The guys are already here. They must have parked where we didn’t see them.” Amaryllis’s words barely registered before Cecily spotted Judd.

  Face carved by the flicker of firelight. And he was in a black temper as he spoke with man in a lawn chair who held a woman on his lap, a blanket wrapped around them both.

  Judd’s words drifted to Cecily. “…come with me nicely or you can—”

  “Lawyer!” the blonde woman screamed.

  The blonde hair was very familiar to Cecily. Her mind couldn’t wrap around the fact that Audrey, one of her best clients, was sitting here being asked to come with Judd.

  “Hold up, Roshannon. You can’t just take my daughter—”

  “Keep out of this, Boone, or you’ll find yourself in a cell next to her. An hour ago, we questioned a man named Sam McFee. It took a bit to get him talkin’, but once we did, we found out that Audrey here is responsible for the break-ins at the Drift Away Massage and Spa.”

  Cecily’s jaw dropped. She wanted to make a sound, but nothing came out. Or maybe it had--everyone in the group swung their gazes to her and Amaryllis. Aiden gave a low growl, and Judd glowered at Cecily.

  “Stay out of this. Get back to my truck.”

  “I have a right to be here. You can’t order me to go. I’m not under arrest.” Cecily lifted her jaw a notch, and Judd’s face blanked.

  She glanced at the man holding Audrey. He too looked familiar, though it took her a full second to place him.

  He was the guy at the Slug and Chug who hadn’t wanted to take no for an answer on her first day in Bracken. He’d asked her to dance and Judd had stepped in to put a stop to it.

  She met the man’s cold stare. “You…” She found her full voice and an inner strength that came with righteous fury. She balled her hands and let loose. “You’re the one who’s been breaking in to my shop! You stole my cash, ruined my things. Why?”