MOST ELIGIBLE SHERIFF

by Cathy McDavid

  “Am I supposed to drink this?”

  Ellie laughed. “You’re so funny.”

  “Give it to Evan. Sit down first. In the rocker.”

  “The rocker?” Did he mean what she thought he did?

  He motioned her toward the living room. “Go on.”

  She could handle this. She would not let the prospect of rocking a two-year-old child paralyze her.

  A brief inspection of the living room revealed that the rocking chair was actually a recliner that rocked. She no sooner sat down then Evan lay across her lap and grabbed the cup. She was glad one of them knew the drill.

  He drank the milk while she rocked the chair with the ball of her foot. After a moment, Ruby found herself humming a tune. One her mother used to sing to her and Scarlett when they were young. Evan’s eyes drifted closed as he drank. He was asleep before the cup was empty.

  Ruby gently removed it from his hands and passed it to Erin for safekeeping. She didn’t get up, just kept rocking and humming to Evan. Before she knew it, her mouth had curved up into a smile.

  “Night, night, little guy.” She kissed the top of his head. His hair was the texture of silk. “I’m so glad I met you,” she whispered.

  What next? Should she carry him to his crib?

  A noise drew her attention. Cliff stood in the entryway, his shoulder propped against the wall.

  My, oh, my. He was absolutely scrumptious. Even with a dish towel tucked into the waistband of his uniform slacks. And the way his gaze lingered on her, she might have been a newly discovered treasure.

  Ruby’s heart warmed. Then, it melted.

  Suddenly, Erin stormed into the room, the game tucked under her arm. Her glance pinged from Cliff to Ruby and back to Cliff. “I thought we were going to play Sorry.”

  And just like that, the sizzling awareness between Ruby and Cliff ended. Ruby wondered how marriages survived the constant interruptions from children.

  Laying a drowsy Evan in his crib a few minutes later, watching him snuggle with his stuffed teddy bear, she thought her sister might be onto something.

  Kids weren’t so bad after all. And an interruption or two was a small price to pay for moments like this.

  Chapter Seven

  Ruby hadn’t been in the kitchen at the Gold Nugget’s main house since that first morning when Cliff kissed her. She entered the room in a rush—and discovered eight pairs of eyes fastened on her.

  No less than she deserved for being late to the staff meeting. Her reasons were many.

  First, she’d overslept. Awaking with a start and a killer tension headache, she’d raced around the trailer in a frenzy, doing barely more than throwing on some clothes and brushing her teeth.

  She’d overslept because of arriving home late from Cliff’s cousin’s. Maeve had refused to let Ruby leave without ‘having a chat’. She’d gotten the distinct impression the woman was fishing for information. That, or Ruby was becoming suspicious of everyone and everything.

  Like Erin, for instance. The girl was nobody’s fool. Neither was Will Dessaro, whose furtive glances Ruby was avidly avoiding from across the kitchen.

  Granted, being late to the staff meeting deserved a furtive glance or two.

  Another reason for her tardiness was having to drop Sarge off at the sheriff station. The dog had woken her up three times during the night with his barking.

  Okay, that wasn’t his fault. His job was to alert her to potential danger and keep intruders away. But each time he’d barked, Ruby bolted upright in bed, then tossed and turned before falling back into a fitful slumber.

  During those tossing and turning episodes, she’d think of Cliff, not what had caused the noise. There had been no hug when they parted the previous night. He’d simply followed her home, checked out the inside of the trailer while she waited, then waved goodbye before driving off.

  That lack of a hug kept playing through her mind over and over. It shouldn’t matter, she reminded herself. The attention he paid her was purely for the sake of appearances.

  “Is everyone going to the barbeque and square dance tonight?” Sam asked.

  He stood by the sink. On the counter beside him the coffee pot emitted gurgling sounds as it spewed the last drops of a fresh pot.

  Ruby eyed the coffee with envy. She wanted a cup. Wanted it with the desperation of a desert wanderer craving water. Instead, she squeezed into the only vacant seat.

  The hands of almost everyone in the room shot up in response to Sam’s question.

  The woman sitting beside Ruby nudged her in the side. “Aren’t you going to the dance with Cliff?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Ruby raised her hand, too.

  Fiona. That was the woman’s name. She was Sam’s mother-in-law as well as head cook and guest relations manager. Ruby’s gaze took in the rest of the employees. She silently repeated their names and positions at the ranch. Her third day on the job, and she was still a little unclear.

  “Good.” Sam smiled. “There’ll be no trail rides after 1:00 p.m. and no evening meal served in the dining hall. Any of the guests not attending the dinner and square dance are on their own. Quitting time will be three o’clock so you all can head home early and get prettied up.”

  Prettied up? Ruby suppressed a sigh. All the hours she’d spent last night thinking about Cliff, not once did she consider what to wear to the dance. She hadn’t brought anything suitable along. Maybe Scarlett had something in her closet.

  She could call and ask. As of yesterday when they’d talked, Scarlett was in love with Demitri and dreading coming home next week. Ruby hoped her sister didn’t do anything rash and impulsive. It wouldn’t be the first time.

  Then again, who was she to talk? Wasn’t she right this minute impersonating Scarlett?

  “I want you all to have fun,” Sam continued. “You certainly deserve it. But remember, you’re representing the Gold Nugget. Conduct yourselves accordingly.”

  Luis became the center of attention and the brunt of several jokes. Apparently he’d overindulged at the last cookout and hay ride.

  “Now, for an update on the Mega Weekend of Weddings.” Sam picked up a clipboard and pen from the counter. “As of yesterday, the ranch is booked almost to capacity.”

  “That’s great,” someone said.

  “For us. Not for the rest of the town, unfortunately. According to the mayor, registration is only about half of what they’d hoped for. Fifty-three couples. Mayor Dempsey’s trying to generate more publicity and has invited TV stations from Reno, Carson and Vegas to Sweetheart hoping they’ll do a story.”

  He continued for several minutes, informing the employees on their expected duties. Ruby paid minimal attention. She wouldn’t be here in five weeks. Scarlett would. Hopefully, she added.

  At the mention of her sister’s name, Ruby was suddenly all ears.

  “I’m sorry.” She looked at Sam. “Did you say something?” Dang it. She should have been listening instead of daydreaming. Once more, all eyes were on her.

  “You can drive a buggy, right?” he asked.

  She’d never in her life driven a buggy. Scarlett, however, had spent a year working at Hickory Farms. One of her jobs had been giving wagon rides.

  “Um, yes. I can drive a buggy.” A bad feeling lodged in the pit of her stomach.

  “Good. We’ll be hosting our first guest wedding here at the Gold Nugget since we reopened. And it’s going to be a traditional cowboy wedding. The groom and groomsmen will ride up on horseback. The bride and her maids will arrive in the buggy. A makeshift altar will be set up on the west hill. The ceremony will take place right at sunset.”

  “How nice!” Fiona exclaimed and clasped her hands together.

  “The wedding is Memorial Day weekend.”

  Groans filled the room
.

  “I realize it’s short notice, but we didn’t want to turn them down for obvious reasons. It goes without saying we have a lot of preparation ahead of us. And we’re going to need several run-throughs to perfect the timing of the riders and the buggy. Will.” He nodded at the trail boss. “You’re in charge of the horses. Scarlett, you’re in charge of the buggy. Talk to me or Will on any repairs.”

  “Okay.” Ruby’s headache intensified. This was so not going to work out for her.

  “Now, about the rodeo and gymkhana a week from Saturday.” Sam moved on to the next topic without drawing a breath. “There’s been a change in assignments.”

  Ruby had heard mention of the gymkhana from Luis and the stable hand, a high school student who worked afternoons and on the weekends. It was a fun family day for both ranch guests and people from town. There would be calf roping, team penning, barrel racing and horseback relay races. The kids would have their own little buckaroo rodeo, the highlight of which was mutton busting.

  Ruby couldn’t imagine what parent in their right mind would allow their child to ride a sheep. Wasn’t there a law against it?

  Her job, or Scarlett’s, actually, was to help with the horses and calves. Again, she doubted she’d be here. Crowley’s arraignment was scheduled for this coming Wednesday. And Scarlett was due to return.

  One way or the other, Ruby would be gone by then or the next day. But she supposed she could help out before then.

  “Scarlett.” Sam consulted his clipboard. “I’m putting you in charge of the mutton busting.”

  “You’re kidding!” The words popped out before she could stop them.

  “Is something wrong?” He set the clipboard down and crossed his arms. “You told me when I hired you that you have experience with mutton busting.”

  “Well, yes,” Ruby answered meekly, silently cursing her sister. “It’s just been a while.”

  “You can practice with my kids.”

  “Mine, too,” another employee volunteered.

  “Okay.” She smiled, feeling anything but reassured. Scarlett could not get home fast enough.

  The meeting broke up not long after. Ruby made straight for the barn, ignoring the curious stares that followed her and skipping the coffee she longed for. She’d been taken off trail rides again and put on chore duty, which was fine with her. She didn’t like the idea of putting the guests in danger should Crowley appear. Better to hide out in the barn.

  Sugar Pie and Mooney greeted her with nickers and pricked ears. In the past three days, the old mare and pony had come to expect a petting and treat from Ruby. She didn’t disappoint them and pulled two carrots she’d grabbed earlier from her back pocket.

  Mooney’s thrush was greatly improved, thanks to Sam’s daughter’s diligent care. Good thing. She was a hit with the younger guests and frequently requested for trail rides.

  Sugar Pie was another story. She’d developed an eye infection several months ago that kept returning despite constant treatment. Her advanced age didn’t help her ability to fight it off.

  Twice each day, Ruby flushed the mare’s eyes with water and applied an ointment. When she was done, she exercised the mare by walking her around the grounds.

  “Poor girl,” she crooned and entered the stall. Mindful of the mare’s sensitive eyes, she gently haltered her. “Wish you were better.”

  If Ruby could accomplish one thing during her week at the Gold Nugget, she wanted it to be getting Sugar Pie over her infection.

  She led the mare outside to the wash rack beside the barn. Sugar Pie put up no resistance. Ruby suspected the cool water soothed the mare’s painful eyes. She was just finishing up when her cell phone beeped an alarm.

  Time to call Cliff. She’d found it easier to set an hourly reminder rather than miss his call and be scolded.

  “It’s me,” she said without preamble when he answered. “Are you busy?”

  The last time she’d called he’d been in the middle of a dispute between two ranchers, one with cows and the other with an amorous bull that kept pushing down the fence separating their pastures.

  “Just trying to find the owner of an illegally parked car.” he said. “Any problems?”

  “Yes, and no.”

  “Tell me.” Cliff’s tone became brusque.

  “It’s not Crowley. Don’t worry.” Ruby wished she’d kept her mouth shut. Well, too late now. “At the staff meeting this morning, Sam assigned me—Scarlett—two new job duties.”

  “What?”

  “The ranch is hosting a wedding in three weeks. I have to drive the bride and her maids up to the alter in a buggy. Then, he put me in charge of mutton busting at the gymkhana.”

  “I see.”

  “Little kids. Sheep. Me in charge. It’s a recipe for disaster.”

  “Ruby, relax.”

  How could she? “I realize I won’t be here for either event. Scarlett will. But there’s all this practice and preparation. I don’t know the first thing about driving a buggy. The same goes for sheep and kids riding them.” Her chin dropped to her chest. “This was such a stupid idea.”

  “I told Sam earlier I’ll help you.”

  “You can drive a buggy?”

  “What do you think?”

  Of course he could.

  “I don’t suppose there’s any point in me asking whether you have experience with mutton busting.”

  “Nope.” Was he laughing at her? Probably. “According to my nieces, I’m an expert.”

  “Why did I even bring it up?”

  “You’ll do great, Ruby. We’ll handle it.”

  We. He was including himself. They’d be spending even more time together.

  “Let’s talk more about it tonight at the square dance,” he said.

  “Okay. I need to go. Call you in an hour.”

  She couldn’t lie to herself. His help was what she’d wanted all along. She told herself the reason was because of Crowley and the danger he presented.

  The anticipation she felt at the prospect of seeing Cliff tonight made a liar out of her.

  * * *

  EVERY OTHER TIME Cliff had visited the trailer since Ruby’s arrival, he’d used her key and gone in ahead of her. This time, he waited at the door and knocked. Sarge’s responding bark came instantaneously. Shortly after that, the door opened and Ruby stood before him, Sarge plastered to her side.

  She was a vision. The flowered dress she wore fit as if she’d been sewn into it, and her silky brown hair fell in loose waves about her face.

  Cliff swallowed the wow he’d been about to exclaim and cleared his throat instead. “How you doing?”

  “A bit frazzled and running late.”

  “Take your time.” He stepped inside, content with the chance to look at her some more.

  “This is Scarlett’s one dress. I hope it’s okay.”

  “It’s fine.” More like drop-dead gorgeous.

  Sarge nudged his hand, vying for attention. Cliff had little to spare for the dog. Especially when Ruby sat on the worn couch in order to buckle the slinky sandals she wore. He couldn’t pry his glance away if he tried.

  Long, toned legs. Slim ankles. Painted toenails. Who knew she’d been hiding those inside her boots? His imagination ran wild, envisioning other, equally delightful, discoveries.

  She popped up from the couch. Cliff released his breath.

  “Let me grab my purse in the bedroom, and I’ll be right back.

  Thank you, he thought as she sashayed down the narrow hallway.

  Sarge whined.

  “I know, boy.” Cliff patted the dog’s head. “I’ll be careful.”

  Ruby emerged a few minutes later. She’d applied lipstick while she was gone. Cliff wanted nothing more than to kiss off every tra
ce of the pretty peach color.

  Sarge whined again, Cliff was sure in sympathy. Keeping his hands to himself tonight wasn’t going to be easy.

  “Ready?” she asked, flashing him a nervous smile.

  “Absolutely.” Was she feeling the sparks, too?

  At the door, she flipped on the porch light. “I just let Sarge out a few minutes ago, so he’s fine.”

  Cliff watched while she locked the door and engaged the new dead bolt he’d installed yesterday. At the SUV, he held open the passenger side door, enjoying the view as she climbed in and tugged on the hem of her dress.

  “You look nice,” she said when they were on the road. “I haven’t seen you out of uniform before.”

  He cemented his teeth together. Responding to that remark in his current frame of mind would only lead to trouble.

  “I’m off duty for the night.”

  “As the only sheriff in town, I’m surprised you’re ever off duty.”

  “Hopefully, a call won’t come in.” Dragging himself away from her would be torture.

  Loud voices and laughter carried across the community center parking lot as Cliff and Ruby strolled toward the entrance. He didn’t take her hand, not trusting himself to stop there.

  Heads turned when they walked inside. Cliff believed it was because of Ruby’s knockout appearance. He did take her hand after noticing several appreciative male glances cast in her direction. She was with him tonight. Make no mistake.

  A band consisting of guitar, banjo and fiddle players set up on the small stage at the front of the room. The aroma of barbequing chicken and hamburgers drifted in from the cookers outside. Linen-covered tables had been arranged end to end near the kitchen and were laden with side dishes and desserts.

  Children darted to and fro, friends mingled and couples, young and old, sat close together and smiled fondly at one another.

  “Maeve and my aunt are over there.” Cliff indicated a dining table to their right. “Do you mind if we sit with them?”

  “Um, sure.”

  The note of tension in her voice was discernible even over the noisy din. “You can do this, Ruby.”

  “Scarlett,” she said softly. “Remember?”