Anywhere with You

by Debbi Rawlins

  “Grace?”

  She turned back to Noah. “Sorry.”

  “I wish I could do more about this mess. Mainly, I don’t want this thing with Wade to discourage you from staying. Blackfoot Falls needs someone like you.”

  Was he kidding? She still hadn’t figured out how he’d lasted this long. She managed to smile.

  Noah did, too. “You think you’ll be bored out of your mind.” He shrugged. “Maybe. It all depends on how much you want to put into the job. More happens in this corner of Montana than most people realize.”

  Grace leaned a bit closer. “I’m listening.”

  “I can’t say much now. Only that the BLM people are understaffed and fighting a losing battle. Not only with poachers. You should know the Fish and Wildlife warden is very impressed with you.”

  “I don’t see how. I called them too late.”

  “Joe Hardy and I go way back. He knows enough about Wade and Roy that he wouldn’t expect them to lift a finger. But here you come, new, unfamiliar with the foothills, and you charge right in. BLM agents cover a lot of territory. You had a much better chance of nailing the poachers. Joe always appreciates help from the surrounding counties.”

  “I can imagine.”

  “It’s more than that, though,” Noah said. “Blackfoot Falls, hell, the whole county, is growing.”

  “Hey, are you two talking business? It’s not allowed.” Carrying beer and a bottle of wine, Rachel stopped on her way to the back. “Where’s Ben? Did the wedding planning scare him off?”

  “Right behind you, big mouth.” Despite his teasing, Ben didn’t appear to be in a good mood.

  Grace had lost track of him for a while, and she hoped it was a text or phone call that was bothering him. Not the jokes or the sly looks. Even his mother’s well-intentioned comments could be getting on his nerves.

  Rachel exchanged Noah’s empty bottle for a full one, then offered a beer to Ben. But he shook his head. Grace hung on to her iced tea.

  “In all seriousness,” Rachel said, “it’s good to have you here, Grace. A woman sheriff in Blackfoot Hills is awesome all by itself, but—”

  Grace shook her head. “You know I’m a deputy.”

  “Okay, but surely you’ll be taking Noah’s place.” Rachel looked to him for confirmation. “I mean, come on...who else? Wade? Roy? Please.”

  “Excuse me, ladies,” Noah said. “I’m gonna go shoot some pool.”

  Rachel sighed with frustration. She started to follow him, then glanced back at Grace. “We really do need you here. Noah has spoiled all of us. He elevated the office to a new level.”

  Grace watched her go, then turned to Ben, who hadn’t lost his preoccupied frown. “Is something wrong?”

  “I don’t know,” he said, a distant look in his eyes. “Maybe.”

  She couldn’t tell if it was from anger, fear or concern.

  “You mind cutting this short?” he asked.

  “No. Of course not.”

  “Let’s go say good-night.” He gestured for her to go ahead of him.

  She expected to feel his hand on her back. Or even a light brushing of their arms. But he didn’t touch her. Didn’t say another word all the way to the den.

  The room was huge with a stone fireplace, two couches and club chairs on one side, the pool table and wet bar on the other. Trace and Jesse were playing, while Noah, Cole and Jamie sipped beers and watched. Shea and Barbara sat in front of the fireplace, laughing at something Rachel said.

  Hilda walked up behind Grace.

  “Mom. Good.” Ben stepped aside to let her pass. “Everyone’s here. Sorry for the interruption, folks,” he said, and waited a second. “Something’s come up. I have to leave.”

  “Oh, Benedicto, no.” Hilda grasped his hand. “Just a while longer.”

  “I’m sorry, Mom,” he said, shaking his head. “I have to drive back to LA first thing tomorrow.”

  There was a chorus of groans.

  But no one was more stunned than Grace.

  * * *

  THEY WERE HALFWAY to town before Ben realized that Grace had barely said anything. He’d been too distracted to notice. Hell, he’d spent most of the evening wrapped up in his own head. Dinner should’ve been a nice, relaxing way for Grace to get to know his mom and the McAllisters.

  Goddamn Lena.

  First it was the jumbled text, then an hour later, her raging phone call. He hoped she was just drunk and not doing coke with that young bartender from the club on Sunset. The guy was trouble. He knew just how to play to vain older women.

  “I’m sorry about tonight,” he said, dividing his attention between Grace and the road.

  “No need to apologize. Business is business. If there’d been an emergency, Noah and I would’ve left in a heartbeat.” She didn’t sound angry or even disappointed. She didn’t sound like anything. That was the problem. “You should’ve pulled your mom aside and told her privately.”

  Ah, okay.

  Ben smiled. Grace didn’t use sweet-talk or tears to get her way. She spoke her mind, even to tell him something he might not want to hear. He wasn’t used to that. He hadn’t figured out if he liked it.

  “You’re right.” He reached for her hand. “I should’ve told you privately, too.”

  “No, you don’t owe me anything.”

  “Grace.”

  “We’re good, okay?”

  Her hand tensed, and he let it go. “Funny, I was just thinking about how refreshing it is that you don’t play games.”

  She turned sharply to him. “I don’t. What’s your point?”

  “You’re mad. And I’m not saying you don’t have that right. It’s that you won’t admit it.”

  She exhaled a deep breath. “I’m not mad. I’m sad you’re leaving. It doesn’t matter that I knew the day was coming, I’ll still miss you.” She leaned her head back and slid down a few inches. “You and Sadie are my only two friends here.”

  Ben chuckled.

  “What?”

  “Sadie and me, huh? I thought I might rate a slightly higher ranking.”

  “Oh, for God’s sake...I can give myself an orgasm.”

  Ben laughed so loud he didn’t hear his phone ring. Grace had to tell him.

  It was Lena again. Of course. He ignored the call. Nothing he said would matter at this point. He hoped her threats were hollow, forgotten by the time she sobered up. The best he could do was be in LA by Monday when the bank opened. Once they closed on the ranch, he didn’t care what Lena got herself into.

  “It’s my partner,” he said as they came upon Main Street. “She’s being difficult.”

  “You’re still getting your ranch, though. Aren’t you?”

  “One way or another.” He smiled, hoping to chase the worry from her face. “I overheard some of what you and Noah were talking about. Sounded as if he was giving you a pep talk.”

  “He doesn’t want me to assume all is lost, or that I’ll be bored.”

  Ben nodded. He’d heard more than he let on. Selfishly, he hoped she would decide small-town living wasn’t for her. Damn, he wasn’t ready to leave her yet.

  He pulled into The Boarding House’s lot and parked the Porsche in his usual spot, away from the other cars. The light from the porch illuminated Grace’s face. She gave him a sweet smile.

  “I have to leave early tomorrow,” he said. “Really early.”

  Her gaze flickered. “I know.”

  They got out of the car and, hand in hand, walked in silence to her room.

  She let them in and without speaking they pulled the bed covers down, got undressed and slipped between the sheets. He pulled her close and soaked in her warmth. Underneath the beautiful face and silky skin, Grace was a rock. And to think he’d had to c
ome all the way back home to find her.

  “You need to sleep,” she whispered, and he kissed her until only her soft, breathy moans filled the room.

  19

  THE DAY AFTER Ben left, Grace decided to spend her day off in bed. She wasn’t moping. That wasn’t in her nature. She simply needed to allow herself the time and means to grieve.

  She missed him. There was no way around it. And why wouldn’t she? Against her better judgment, she’d taken that headlong plunge into love. A month ago, she wouldn’t have believed it possible. But a closer look at the week they’d spent together convinced her it wasn’t so surprising. She’d always been attracted to strong, confident men. But a man with those qualities who could admit his faults and be willing to own up to his mistakes?

  Come on, of course she was toast. It made perfect sense. But she couldn’t help wishing she’d never come to Blackfoot Falls. That she’d never met Ben. Because now it hurt like hell.

  After brushing her teeth, she slid back in between the sheets. Despite all the assurances, the gossip hadn’t died down. If anything, things had gotten worse, mostly because Sadie had publicly declared her intention to run for mayor in the November election.

  The announcement had everyone speculating that the rumors about Grace had to be true, and that poor Clarence was giving up hope of reelection after being duped by his own scandalous niece. Sadie had tried to straighten things out, but even with Marge’s help, word had continued to spread. The amount of sympathy for Clarence was almost comical.

  The only upside was that he was keeping his distance.

  Grace rearranged her pillow and listened to the morning traffic on Main Street, which consisted of four trucks, maybe five? She glanced at the alarm clock...then at her phone sitting in the charger.

  Ben should’ve arrived in LA by now. But she didn’t know for sure, because she hadn’t heard from him since the voice mail he’d left last night. Unfortunately, she’d been in the shower, but he’d let her know he was halfway to LA and had stopped for a few hours’ sleep. He’d sounded tired and edgy, and she’d wanted like crazy to call him back. But she would’ve risked waking him.

  She’d assumed he would try her again before he got on the road. But he hadn’t, which wasn’t like him. Or maybe it was. Right now, she wasn’t sure of anything. She’d given in and called him earlier, but had been sent straight to voice mail.

  She’d known he was upset before he left, something about his business partner being horrible, but he hadn’t wanted to talk about it. She hadn’t pushed.

  When they’d returned from the Sundance, he’d been wonderful. Their bittersweet time together had been all about deep, slow kisses and tender touches. Sadly, she’d had to cut things short knowing he had twenty hours of driving ahead of him. He hadn’t argued. Just kissed her and held her in his arms until she’d dozed off.

  Her hand ran over “his” side of the bed. It was still as empty and cold as the morning she’d woken up to find him gone.

  Yes, she’d known he would be leaving early...

  But not to wake her and say goodbye?

  It still hurt. She suspected it would continue to hurt for a long while.

  At least she didn’t have to go into the office today and see Wade’s stupid, smug face. That was something.

  God, her life was pathetic.

  * * *

  THE NEXT DAY, Noah asked Grace to come in thirty minutes early, so she grabbed a Danish from the table in the lobby and walked straight to the office.

  She opened the door, and Noah looked up from the coffee he was pouring. “Want some?”

  “Sure. Thanks.” She smiled when he passed her a mug of the dark brew. Industrial strength, she liked to call it.

  “Admit it,” he said, “you’re going to miss my coffee.”

  She blinked. He was firing her? She sighed, realizing he meant he’d be gone in a week. “I’m going to miss you, Sheriff. I would’ve enjoyed working for you.”

  He studied her a moment. “You’ll like being the person calling the shots even more.”

  Well, she was pretty sure Noah wasn’t delusional, but damn close if he still thought she’d be elected sheriff. He sat behind his desk, and she turned a chair to face him.

  She doubted he’d taken his gaze off her once. “You might be too far removed from the grapevine, but talk has—”

  Noah laughed. “Nobody is exempt in this town, including me. Though it helps to remind these good people that I carry a gun. You might keep that tip in mind.”

  Grace smiled. Smart, good-looking, great sense of humor... She wondered how many hearts Noah had broken when he’d fallen for a Sundance guest. Of course, Ben had all those qualities and more. But he wasn’t hers.

  “I trust Ben made it to LA okay?”

  She blinked. “I assume so.”

  Noah frowned. His stare lingered past the point of rudeness, then shifted to the window. Clearly deep in thought, it took him a while to get back to the conversation. “I know it’s been tough. Sometimes rumors take on a life of their own. Roy and Danny have been putting out fires here and there, but with Sadie getting in the mix—”

  “Roy and Danny?”

  “They feel badly about what’s happening. They aren’t happy with Wade playing dirty.”

  “Huh.” Their support made a difference. Though at this point, a very small one.

  “I want to name you acting sheriff, Grace, but first I need to know you’re planning to stay.”

  Now it was her turn to stare. This she had not expected. “What about Clarence?”

  “Don’t worry about him.”

  She knew her uncle had a say, but her bet was on Noah, who was well respected. He’d said not to worry and she wouldn’t, even though Noah would be long gone by November. “You’re taking a big chance on me.”

  “The hell I am.” He let out a short laugh. “Now if Wade were the only candidate, that would make me nervous.” He leaned back, looking serious again. “I’m gonna say something that’s none of my business, but seeing you and Ben together— I gotta wonder if you’ll be happy here.”

  “I don’t follow.”

  “I know Ben. We literally grew up together. And after seeing you two, I know he’ll try to convince you to join him in LA. Law enforcement is a lot more exciting out there.”

  “What? That’s crazy. We just met. We’re barely friends...”

  Noah’s small smile indicated he thought otherwise. “Look, I don’t want to interfere. I just need to know how hard I should fight for you. I owe this place a decent sheriff. Even if I have to find one myself.”

  Why was she hesitating? With Noah going to bat for her, of course she should give Blackfoot Falls another shot. Noah himself had lit a fire under her when he’d told her about what the job could be and, apparently Roy and Danny didn’t hate her.

  Ben should have nothing to do with her decision. Nothing at all. Anyway, Noah was wrong. He’d known Ben once, but not now. “Will you give me until the end of the day?”

  “Tomorrow afternoon is fine.” Noah smiled. “I’m glad you haven’t given up on the town. These people need you.”

  “Thanks.” She glanced at the clock. Almost time to start her shift. Just as she rose, the door opened.

  It was Wade. Crossing the threshold and giving them both an evil look.

  She grabbed the truck keys and brushed past him, although his pure hatred clung like an afterimage from staring at the sun. She needed air. And some coffee that wouldn’t eat through her stomach lining.

  * * *

  FROM HIS HOUSE in Valencia, Ben drove to Lena’s place, bleary-eyed and pissed. He’d made it home around 5:00 a.m. and gotten a few hours of sleep. But the ten hours before had been brutal.

  First, massive freeway delays had slowed him down, and
then he’d broken his phone six hours outside LA. He’d stopped for coffee and made the mistake of checking his texts. Lena’s bullshit had made him angry, something about her changing their contract. He’d slammed his phone down so hard, it had shattered. He’d wanted to call Grace. She would have calmed him down. But he would’ve woken her. And anyway, he had no damn phone.

  So of course he’d gotten up early, bought a new one and had it synced.

  Lena owned a place in Coldwater Canyon where it met Mulholland Drive, beautiful and private, if you didn’t mind a forty-five minute drive to and from the valley. Naturally, she didn’t answer the door. Some ripped dude without a shirt told Ben she was by the pool.

  He stepped onto the deck, then made his way to the lounge area—basically, Lena’s throne room.

  “Where the hell have you been?” She was dressed impeccably as always, this time in a tight beige skirt, a white blouse and five-inch heels. “It’s about time.” She shook back her perfectly styled blond hair. “Don’t you dare ignore my texts. Do you hear me? I won’t stand for—”

  “Stop it, Lena.”

  Surprisingly, she did.

  “My phone broke. I had to buy a new one this morning.”

  “You never heard of a public phone?”

  “Look, I’m tired, starving and pissed about my phone, so can we just get down to business?”

  She crossed her arms. “I’m not sure. I don’t like dealing with you when you’re all pissy.”

  He laughed out loud. When he finished, he turned one of the patio chairs around and sat down. He was tempted to dive into her infinity pool, but Lena sounded lucid, and he wanted to get this done.

  “What’s this about you changing the contract?” he asked. “The contract we agreed upon six months ago. The contract your lawyer drew up. What could you possibly want changed at the eleventh hour?”

  “Something I should have done from the beginning.”

  He knew that tone of voice. He’d expected it. Whenever she did something underhanded, she sounded even snippier than usual.

  “Okay,” he said when she didn’t spit it out. “What’s the change?”