Matt

by Lori Wilde

  “So we’re back to Clem.”

  “But why?”

  “Maybe he doesn’t even consider the idea until the other thefts occur in Nolan County. Then he starts thinking. If your cattle turn up missing the sheriff will assume it’s the same culprits.”

  “I guess it’s a possibility,” she grudgingly admitted.

  “Yeah. It’s more than a possibility. A few weeks ago I saw him in Kelly’s bar with Brent Larkins and Hootie Thompson, two of the most unsavory characters this side of Abilene.”

  Savannah didn’t like what Matt was saying, didn’t want to think Clem Olson was capable of such a thing. He’d been so good to her since Gary’s death. His advanced age prevented him from doing more, but she’d always believed he possessed a kind heart. Now, Matt’s words had her doubting her own judgment. Was she really so blind?

  Scraping the last spoonful of strained green beans from the jar, she wiped Cody’s mouth again, then peeled a banana. She broke off half and gave it to him. He squeezed it between his chubby fingers and laughed.

  “But you don’t have any solid evidence, correct?” Her eyes met Matt’s.

  He propped himself up on one elbow, stuck a blade of grass between his teeth and nodded. “If we want to catch him, we’ve got to set a trap.”

  “You think he’d do it again?”

  “If not him, then Larkins and Thompson.”

  Savannah shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  “You want to get the rest of your cattle back, don’t you?”

  “Well, sure, but will this do the trick?”

  “Worth a try, isn’t it?”

  “I suppose.” She shrugged.

  “Besides, you’re not going to be able to sell the Gerts you’ve got now if I don’t solve the case.”

  “Are you blackmailing me again?” She knitted her brow in distaste.

  “Yep.”

  “Matt Forrester, I don’t know about you.”

  “Sure you do. I’m a relentless lawman.”

  That was true. She eyed him closely. The thin scar on the side of his face, courtesy of Julio Diaz’s knife, had gone from red to dull pink. That scar epitomized Matt’s statement. He was a relentless lawman. Nothing ever got in his way, not common sense, not concern for his own safety. Not even love.

  Savannah stood up abruptly and turned her back to him. Her chest tightened as if being twisted in a vise. Why did she keep fantasizing about renewing a relationship with him? She knew better! She’d been burned by him before. “Savy?”

  She heard him get to his feet, felt him come up behind her. “Honey? What’s wrong?” He placed a hand on her shoulder. His touch sent a tremor throughout her body. She shrugged him away.

  “It doesn’t matter,” she muttered.

  “Talk to me, Savy.”

  “There’s nothing to say.”

  He grasped her arm, turned her around to face him. His eyes blazed with anger. “I am what I am. I can’t change my nature.”

  “You mean you won’t, don’t you?”

  “This is the same conversation we used to have.”

  “And nothing’s different, is it?”

  “Not if you keep expecting me to be someone I’m not.” She gave a harsh laugh. “I gave up expecting anything from you a long time ago, Matt.”

  Raising his hand, he cupped her chin in his palm. “If only you could curb this irrational fear of yours that I’ll end up getting killed, then maybe we might have a chance to rebuild something together.”

  “Why is it always my fault?” she demanded. “My irrational fear and my insecurities. What about you, macho man? Why can’t you give a little? You don’t have to be a sheriff’s detective, but you choose to live on the firing line. I’m sorry, but I just can’t exist like that. Never knowing, always wondering when that fatal call will come. I’ve buried one husband. That’s enough for a lifetime.”

  “Oh, Savy,” he murmured, “if only it were so simple.”

  “Other women feel the way I do. Look at your colleagues. How many are divorced or bachelors because they can’t find a woman who’ll put up with their dangerous lifestyle? Most women want children and they need someone to protect them, to be there for them.”

  “W'hat do you think I do?” His jaw tightened. “It’s my job to protect all the citizens of Nolan County. Not just you and your son.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes as she remembered that night at Kelly’s. Matt had taken her out on a date to celebrate. Little had she known the celebration honored his acceptance into the state’s training for sheriff’s deputies. The news had shattered her, and they’d argued. Even though she’d known he harbored dreams of becoming a law-enforcement officer, she’d managed to deny it, to push the thought to the back of her mind. Until that night, when her world had changed forever.

  They’d stopped by the bar to meet friends. An outburst between a drunken cowboy and J ackie Spencer had drawn Matt’s attention. Characteristically, Matt had gone over to intervene. The cowboy pulled a gun. They tussled. And Matt ended up getting shot in the arm. The memory of that moment echoed in her brain—the fear, the agony, the apprehension.

  Despite his own injury and a subsequent trip to the hospital, Matt had demanded they return to the bar to check on Jackie. When the barmaid had kissed him to show her appreciation, Savannah had known she could never be married to a man like Matt. A constant hero with no regard for his own safety. She couldn’t endorse his career in law-enforcement. Nor could she wait for him to finish training. Her mother was sick, dying, and she had a little sister to support. In order to protect them both, to save her sanity, Savannah had walked out of his life.

  “If it weren’t for law-enforcement officers, where in the hell would this world be? Somebody has to do it, Savy.”

  “Well, it sure as heck doesn’t have to be my husband!’’

  “But your husband died anyway, didn’t he, Savy?”

  “That’s not fair,” she shouted.

  “Is it fair of you to ask me to give up my career, my identity?” he asked quietly.

  “No.” She ducked her head. “That’s why I broke our engagement. I couldn’t ask you to change for me. I knew you’d resent me if you did.”

  “Life is full of unexpected events. We make our choices, right or wrong, and we live with them.”

  She looked away to see Cody crawling toward the creek. Moving quickly, she intercepted him before he could dive headfirst into the water.

  He squealed his displeasure and flailed his arms at her.

  “Okay, okay, I’ll let you wade for a minute.” Ignoring Matt, she squatted next to the creek, held Cody under his arms and let him splash his feet in the cool stream.

  “Remember the time we drove to Turner Falls?” Matt’s voice rumbled, husky and low, across the prairie.

  Savannah squeezed her eyes shut. Why was he doing this to her? Torturing her with memories, with regrets, with thoughts of what might have been.

  “Remember?” he repeated.

  Boy, did she ever.

  That trip to Turner Falls, Oklahoma, had been the most exotic, erotic adventure of her life. Matt had borrowed his uncle’s new pickup and they’d packed a tent and supplies. During the entire six-hour journey, she’d practically sat in his lap, Matt’s arms curving around her to reach the steering wheel, while she rested her head against his chest.

  They’d laughed and talked and sung along with the radio. She’d felt so loved, so cared for. Back when she was young and stupid and still believed in happily ever after.

  Once at Turner Falls, they’d been delighted to discover the park almost deserted at that time of year. It was late September and kids were in school. They pitched the tent, then spent the afternoon climbing the craggy rocks, exploring the caves, swimming in the clear water pools. They’d cooked hot dogs over an open fire, then kissed beneath a waterfall, long, slow and tender.

  Warmth suffused her solar plexus as she remembered the feel of Matt’s callused fingers skimming her pliant
body, the hungry taste of his thirsty mouth, the sound of water splattering around them. Only the unexpected arrival of park rangers had kept them from making love on that trip.

  The memory made her shiver.

  Cody giggled, splashed cold water in her face.

  Savannah opened her eyes. Matt crouched beside her. Her gaze floated up to meet his.

  “When did things go so wrong between us, Savy?” he asked, strings of sadness weaving through his chest.

  “The day you joined the sheriff’s department.”

  Cody plunked down on his bottom in the stream. Savannah wrapped her arms around her knees, her straw hat hiding her lovely features. She withdrew from him, closed herself off.

  Her hair grazed her long slender neck, and Matt quelled the urge to lean over and feather a kiss on that cool, white spot. Would he ever stop desiring her?

  If only he could let go. For five years he’d tried to accept her rejection, and for a while, he thought he’d accomplished that goal. He’d dated other women, but nobody special. He’d thrown himself into his work and had risen rapidly through the hierarchy. He’d always known he wanted to stay in the field, had shunned any thoughts of a desk position, but now, looking at Savannah, his mind toyed with the idea.

  What if?

  No. Stupid to think she’d change her mind. Savannah Prentiss Markum was one hardheaded fiily. He wouldn’t chase after her. Wouldn’t make a fool of himself. It wasn’t his style.

  He stood up. “Come on,” he said, “it’s time to be getting back.”

  Without a word of protest, she took his hand. It fit like a second skin, as if they were made to go hand in hand. Matt swallowed hard, drew her to her feet.

  “I’ll carry Cody,” he said, bending down to lift the tot from the water.

  They trailed back to the house, forlornly dragging their supplies with them. Even Cody sensed the mood. He whimpered and rubbed his eyes with tired fists. The happy atmosphere that had started the afternoon dissipated, scattered to the wind like dandelion seeds.

  Chapter Seven

  A hey crested the hill and neither spoke. There was nothing left to say. They found themselves perched at the same impasse that had separated them five years earlier.

  As they neared the house, Matt spotted Clem loping between the barn and the ranch hands’ cabin. A half-formed plan hatched in the back of his mind. A plan to use Clem as a foil to trap Larkins and Thompson. His instincts told him those two career criminals were behind the thefts, and Clem was merely a pawn. A very useful pawn.

  “Savy,” he said. “You take Cody and go on into the house. Clem and I are going to have a discussion.”

  She started to protest, he could see that stubborn tilt of her chin, but she must have thought better of it because she finally nodded. Setting down the empty picnic basket, she took her son from his arms.

  “I want you to play along with me, all right? No matter what I say.”

  “Matt...” She hesitated, concern reflected in her wide eyes.

  “Does Clem know I took you in for questioning last night?”

  “No.” She shook her head.

  “Good.” Matt tugged the brim of his Stetson lower on his forehead. “Get prepared to be arrested.”

  “What?” A startled expression crossed her face. “I thought you believed me.”

  “Just play along.” He inclined his head toward the house. “Go on in. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  When she’d disappeared into the house, Matt cocked his shoulder and affected his most serious lawman countenance. He stalked across the yard and rapped sharply on the cabin door.

  A corner of the curtain fluttered.

  Matt knocked again. Waited.

  “Clem? I saw you go in there. This is Detective Matt Forrester. Open the door.”

  A minute later the door creaked open. Clem peeked out like a furtive mouse, a cigarette butt clutched between nicotine-stained fingers.

  “Whatcha want?” the older man asked, narrowing his eyes.

  Matt remembered how the man had avoided him yesterday at Ginger’s wedding. Clement Olson knew something about the missing cattle, he had no doubts about it.

  Slicker than a door-to-door peddler, Matt inserted the toe of his boot inside the door. “May I come in?”

  Clem scratched his chest. He wore a dirty T-shirt and even dirtier blue jeans. A day’s worth of grizzled whiskers ran the length of his jaw. His eyes were tired and bloodshot. He looked, Matt thought, like a man hiding secrets.

  “Don’t suppose I can refuse a lawman, can I?”

  “I’d appreciate your time,” Matt said evenly.

  Clem stepped aside. “Come in then.”

  The older man shut the door behind him. Matt blinked, adjusting to the cabin’s dim light. The room was as unkempt as the ranch hand, a far different sight than when Matt had searched it looking for Julio Diaz. Obviously, Clem hadn’t cleaned the cabin since. Empty beer bottles staggered around the overflowing trash can. Dirty dishes were piled in the sink. Bits of debris littered the floor.

  “Did you catch them cattle thieves yet?” Clem asked. “We don’t know who physically took the cattle, but we do know who instigated the whole thing,” Matt said. He leaned forward in an intimidating stance. His intention was to scare the old man into running back to Larkins and Thompson with the story.

  Clem’s hand trembled as he raised it to touch his chin. “You do?”

  Matt nodded solemnly. “Yep, and it’s tearing my heart out to have to arrest her.”

  “Her?” Clem’s voice went up an octave.

  Matt smiled inwardly. Aha. The fish had taken the bait. “Mrs. Markum. We figure she hired some goons to take off with her cattle so she could cash in on the insurance money.” “Miss Savannah?” Clem gulped, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

  “Never would have thought it possible.” Matt shook his head, feigning shock. “But we’ve got the evidence. I’m about to take her in right now. Just wanted to let you know because it might affect your living arrangements.”

  Clem’s tremors increased. He fumbled in his pocket for a pack of cigarettes. “What about Cody?”

  “Sad. We’ll give Ginger a chance to claim him, but failing that, he’ll go to the foster care system.”

  Clem looked stunned. “I thought you and Miss Savannah used to be friendly.”

  “That was a long time ago, Clem.”

  “I still can’t believe you’d treat her this way.”

  “She’s a suspect.”

  “Miss Savannah was right.”

  “About what?” Matt frowned.

  Clem’s top lip curled in disgust. “’Bout you. I overheard her talking to Miss Ginger the night before the wedding. Told her she still loved you, but that she was a fool. Said you couldn’t ever love no flesh-and-blood woman because you were too in love with your gun and badge.” Clem spit on the floor at Matt’s feet. “Guess she was right.”

  The old man’s words hit Matt like a sledgehammer blow. Was it true? Savy still in love with him after all these years? But if she loved him, why had she married Gary?

  Because you were married to your job, stupid. The words reverberated in his head. Matt briefly closed his eyes, hardened his heart against the tumultuous flood of emotions. He wasn’t here to be belittled by this scrawny old-timer. He’d come to catch thieves. He’d do well to keep his mission in mind.

  Touching his hat with the tips of his fingers, Matt moved for the door. “I’m on my way to arrest her now. Thought you might like to know.’’

  “You can’t do that.” Clem pressed his body against the door, blocking Matt’s departure. Sweat dripped down the ranch hand’s face.

  “And why not?”

  Clem hesitated.

  “Something you want to tell me?”

  Clem cussed him.

  Ignoring the onslaught, Matt shouldered him aside, pushed through the door and walked toward the farmhouse. His heart thudded like a percussion drum in an echo chamber. He had to make the
show good for Clem’s sake. He hoped what was left of the old man’s cowboy ethic would kick in and he’d hightail it straight to Larkins and Thompson and demand they do something to exonerate Savannah.

  When he reached the back door, he rapped on it sharply. “Mrs. Markum,” he shouted. He felt more than saw Clem lope up behind him. He withdrew handcuffs from his back pocket, dangled them in the sun for Clem’s benefit. “This is Detective Forrester.’ ’

  Savannah pulled open the door, Cody on her hip.

  “Step out on the porch and give me the baby,” Matt said. He winked broadly at her, where Clem couldn’t see.

  Silently, Savannah handed the baby to him.

  “Turn around and put your hands behind you.”

  She did as he instructed. When he wrapped the cuffs around her slender wrists the clicking noise almost killed him. Even though it was make-believe, the image burned itself in Matt’s brain. Savannah’s warm slender hands held captive by cold, cruel metal.

  “You have the right to remain silent,” he began the spiel. Oh, Lord, he prayed, let Clem fall for their scheme.

  “Detective!” Clem sang out.

  Matt froze. Slowly, he turned, Cody clutched in his arms. “You got something to tell me, Clem?”

  “Let her go. Miss Savannah didn’t have anything to do with them cows disappearing.”

  “How would you know about that, Clem?”

  “ ’Cause I know who did steal ’em.” The old man took a deep breath, thrust out his bony chest.

  A confession. It wasn’t what he’d expected, but it would work just as well. Matt fished in his pocket for the key to the handcuffs and removed them from Savannah’s wrists.

  “Okay, Clem,” Matt said, “suppose you tell me what you know.”

  Savannah took Cody from Matt’s arms, then glanced across the yard from him to Clem and back again.

  Clem looked uncomfortable. “Remember that afternoon you saw me in Kelly’s bar with Hootie Thompson and Brent Larkins?”

  Matt nodded, waited.

  Ducking his head, Clem drew a circle in the dirt with the tip of his boot. “I lied to you when I said they was only buying me a beer.”