by B. J Daniels
Celeste was a sick, rich, psychotic Narcissus who scared the hell out of her.
Not that it stilled her anger. Nor her desire to do just the opposite of what the woman had ordered her to—if she and Flint were still seeing each other.
So what had been the point? Maggie frowned. Why had Celeste come by to tell her to stay away from Flint? She hadn’t seen Flint in weeks—just like she’d told the woman. What, she wondered, had set Celeste off again?
Something Flint had said?
She felt a shiver of excitement as she stepped to the door and locked it. Was it possible Flint still cared? Why else would Celeste feel threatened?
* * *
AFTER THE DAY he’d had, all Flint wanted to do was grab something to eat and go home and vegetate in front of the television. But as he was driving down the main street in town, he saw Celeste get into her huge SUV and pull away from the curb in front of Just Hair, Maggie’s shop.
Seeing her always brought it all back. The ugliness of not just her affair, their fights, their subsequent divorce—but the stunts she’d pulled to keep him from getting serious with Maggie.
Worse, it brought back the memory of how he had stupidly defended Celeste to Maggie. It made him groan as he slowed along the main drag of Gilt Edge.
His sister, Lillie, had told him to do whatever he needed to fix it. “I like Maggie,” she’d said. He hadn’t needed to ask her what she thought of Celeste.
None of his family had been fans of his former wife. “She certainly makes no secret of the fact that she thinks she’s better than us,” Hawk had said once, and the others had quickly agreed.
It had been the truth and another reason why Celeste had left him for Wayne Duma. She’d wanted more than Flint could provide and had found it in Wayne. But Celeste was like a kid who wanted all of the marbles. He suspected it was the real reason she couldn’t let go of him.
Or maybe she hoped to keep him in the wings in case her marriage to Duma didn’t work out?
Either way, Flint had had enough. Celeste had thrown him for a loop, but he was finally over her. There would be no going back—although she didn’t believe it. She seemed to think that all she had to do was snap her fingers and he would come running to her. He groaned, realizing he was the one who’d given her that idea since in the past he had gone running to her when she’d called needing help.
He slowed even more as he neared Maggie’s beauty shop, surprised to see the lights still on. When he spotted movement inside, he swung into the parking space out front that Celeste had just vacated. Frowning, he wondered why Celeste had been parked here only moments before. Was there cause for concern?
With relief, he saw Maggie inside, although she looked as if she was about to leave.
On impulse he got out of his patrol SUV and started toward the front door. Through the window, he saw her look in his direction. Surprise registered on her face, but was quickly replaced with a smile.
He’d always loved the way she smiled. Only thing better was her laugh. He realized as he reached the shop door how much he’d missed both.
He tried the door. Locked. Their gazes met and for a moment, he thought she might wave him away. Instead, after only a slight hesitation, Maggie hurried to open the door.
“Sheriff,” she said, sounding a little breathless.
“I was driving by and...” He met her gaze again and completely lost what he was about to say.
“I’m glad you stopped.”
“You are?”
She nodded, her big brown eyes sparkling in the light of the single lamp burning in the shop.
“Would you like to go get a burger with me?” It was the first thing that came to his mind since he’d been heading to the drive-through for one when he saw her.
He couldn’t believe how lovely she looked tonight. He realized with a start that she was wearing a pretty multicolored sundress with high heels and her long curly hair was down. It floated around her bare shoulders.
Normally at work, she wore low-heeled shoes, pants and a simple blouse. And usually her hair was just pulled back in a ponytail or some sort of knot at the nape of her neck.
“Oh, I’m sorry. You’re all dressed up,” he said. “You probably have other plans tonight.”
She smiled again. “Nothing I can’t change. I’d love to go have a burger with you.”
He found himself smiling back at her like a fool. “I hope you don’t mind riding in the patrol car.” It would have everyone in town talking before midnight.
She met his gaze. They both knew who would find out. “I’m not worried, if you’re not.”
He shook his head, still smiling from ear to ear. Celeste was the last person on his mind right now.
* * *
DARBY WENT DOWNSTAIRS after he’d showered and changed from his horseback ride. He’d felt too antsy to hang out upstairs. There was nothing good on television even if he could keep his mind on a show. Also he remembered that he still had Mariah’s check. He’d meant to give it to her earlier and had just forgotten.
He kept thinking about Mariah. At the end of their ride, he’d come close to telling her she could have her bracelet. No strings. No explanation required. But he knew that once she had it again, she’d be gone, and he wasn’t ready for that and feared he might never be.
Lillie seemed delighted to see him as he walked into the bar. Kendall not so much. Was she worried that Mariah was going to replace her? She had nothing to worry about on that score.
“I just keep thinking about those two men who came in to rob you. Mariah’s a hero,” Lillie had exclaimed.
Darby figured if his sister had been going on like this to Kendall, it could explain the cold reception he’d noticed from her.
“No wonder you’re so infatuated with her,” Lillie said, leaning over the bar to grin at him as he took a stool. It was a slow night unfortunately so his sister had time on her hands. “So, come on, how long has this thing really been going on between the two of you?”
He groaned. “We spent the night together after the robbery because neither of us wanted to be alone. Nothing happened.”
His sister first looked disbelieving, then disappointed, as if she was finally getting the message.
“Sorry, sis, I told you, Mariah and I don’t have that kind of relationship.”
“But I know you’re interested in her and after what Flint told me about her risking her life to stop the robbers...”
“I’m grateful to her, okay?”
Lillie gave him a sulky look, but because she couldn’t stay sad or mad long, she said, “Billie Dee made chili.”
Darby realized he hadn’t eaten all day and still he didn’t feel all that hungry. “I think I might go for a drive.”
“To check on Mariah.”
He smiled at his sister. “To check on Dad. Didn’t you say his Jeep wasn’t in front of the house when you came by this morning?”
“He probably just went into town for supplies. Since none of us have seen him, I’m sure he’s anxious to get back up into the mountains,” Lillie said. “He’s promised to be back for the wedding though. I want him to give me away, but I kind of wish you would be on the other side of me.”
Darby couldn’t help being touched. He gave his sister a hug. “I’ll be right beside you, if that’s what you want.”
“Tell Mariah hi,” she said, grinning after him.
Except when he drove by her cabin, her bike was gone and so was she. Same at his father’s place. No Jeep parked out front. No Ely.
What was strange was that he couldn’t shake off the feeling that both might be in trouble.
* * *
BEFORE FLINT COULD even drop Maggie off after their impromptu date, a call came in from the sheriff’s department.
“We have a
problem down here,” Deputy Cole said.
For a moment, he thought that Celeste had already heard about his “date” with Maggie and the kiss.
He and Maggie had talked, catching up as they ate parked outside the fast food joint, which had no inside service. So when they finished eating and he hadn’t been able to help himself, he’d kissed her.
Two cars honked as they passed, having seen the patrol SUV and them in the front seat kissing. They’d pulled apart, laughing. It had been the best date ever.
He had driven her back to her shop when he got the call that he was needed at the office. “What seems to be the problem, Harp?” He listened then sighed and turned to Maggie. “I’m needed down at the office.”
Maggie’s eyes widened in alarm.
“It’s not the woman who shall not be named,” Flint joked. “It’s my father. Apparently, he’s been arrested. Again. So he’ll be spending the night in the slammer and tomorrow morning the wrath of my family will be on me. Again.”
“I’m sorry. But I had a really nice time. Dinner was wonderful.”
He laughed. It felt good since it had been a while. “You’re a great date. Next time... Well, I’ll surprise you, how would that be?”
“You’re on.” She started to get out of the patrol car, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him for another kiss—right there on the main street.
When he reached the sheriff’s office, Harp was pacing the floor impatiently.
“Well, this time you’re going to have to do something about your father,” the deputy said with no small satisfaction. “He’s gone and done it up good.”
“Which cell did you put him in?” His now seventy-year-old father spent most of his time in the mountains, panning for gold and trapping. Fortunately, he only came down to town on occasion because he usually drank too much and ended up behind bars.
“Cell? He’s still in the back of the patrol car. I couldn’t lift him by myself and he sure isn’t capable of walking.”
Flint groaned. “Let’s go get him.”
“Don’t you even want to know what he did?” Harp demanded as Flint headed back outside. “He drove his Jeep up over the curb, across the sidewalk and took out one of the city’s trash cans!” The deputy often didn’t agree with the way Flint did things—especially when it came to Ely. “So, you’re going to just let him off with little more than a fine again, aren’t you?”
Flint bit his tongue, reminding himself that when he’d taken office he’d inherited Harper Cole because Harp’s father was the mayor. But a few more complaints about the deputy’s “methods” and Harp would be in the unemployment line. That’s if Flint could keep from firing him before then.
“Anyone hurt?” the sheriff asked as he walked toward the deputy’s patrol car.
“No, but—”
“Anyone file a complaint?”
“No, but—”
“I don’t see him in the back of your car.” Surely his father hadn’t escaped. That would really set off Harp.
“He’s passed out back there and if he throws up again like he did the last time—”
“Well, at least this time you don’t have a black eye, so I’m assuming you cuffed him right away.”
“He could hardly stand up and I couldn’t understand a word he said.”
Glancing in the back of the patrol car, Flint saw that his father was lying awkwardly in the back seat since he was still cuffed behind his back. “Open the door.”
He leaned in, touched his father’s shoulder. “Ely?” No answer. What took him a moment to realize was what he didn’t smell—booze. “Dad?” He shook his father. Nothing. Hurriedly, he checked his pulse.
“Quick, get those cuffs off him and give me your car keys,” Flint ordered.
“You’re not going to let him go.”
“He’s not drunk, you damned fool. He’s unconscious.” No wonder his father hadn’t put up a fight when Harp arrested him. He couldn’t. Otherwise, the deputy would have another black eye just like the last time.
Harper unlocked the cuffs and stepped back as Flint grabbed the car keys and jumped behind the wheel. “Call the hospital and tell them I’m on my way!”
CHAPTER NINE
DARBY SAW THAT it was Flint calling and pulled over to take the call. He wasn’t looking forward to going back to the bar and any more crazy speculation about him and Mariah from his sister. He couldn’t explain why Mariah had come to him last night. Or why she went on the horseback ride with him earlier. It was just this cat-and-mouse game they were playing.
And he had no idea what the rules were. But he had a feeling they were about to change. That things had already changed between them.
Logically he knew that if Mariah had a motive for wanting to stay with him last night—other than not wanting to be alone—then she would probably have wanted a look at his apartment. He almost laughed. If that was the case, then she was disappointed. Still, she had seemed genuinely in need of comfort last night. And so had he, if he was being honest with himself.
“Good evening, sheriff,” he said into the phone as he looked out at the mountains and thought about his horseback ride earlier with Mariah.
“I’m at the hospital with Dad,” Flint said without preamble. “It appears he’s had a heart attack.”
The words took Darby by such surprise that he couldn’t speak for a moment. His gaze shot to the Stagecoach Saloon just up the road.
When he finally found his voice, he said, “We’ll be right there.”
“We?”
“I’ll pick up Lillie on my way. Do you want me to call—”
“No, I already called Cyrus and Hawk.”
Darby disconnected and drove on down to the saloon. As he entered, his sister looked up.
“What’s going on?”
“Flint called. Dad’s in the hospital. He might have had a heart attack.”
Her eyes widened in alarm.
From outside came the noisy clamor of Billie Dee’s old car. For a moment he hadn’t even given a thought to the saloon.
“I can cover for you,” Kendall said to Lillie.
“Thank you. I’ll tell Billie Dee,” his sister said and hurried toward the kitchen as the cook came in.
“Kendall should be able to handle things by herself if it doesn’t get crazy,” Lillie said nervously. They were both anxious to get to the hospital.
He thought about Mariah. They would go right past her cabin. If her bike was out there... He and Lillie climbed into his pickup. He reached over to squeeze her hand.
“Dad’s going to be all right,” he said. “He’s strong as an ox and just as stubborn. Whatever has happened, he’ll beat it.”
She nodded, smiling at his attempt to reassure her, but worry was in her eyes. He was worried too. They’d known the time would come when Ely wouldn’t be able to go back into the mountains, when he wouldn’t be able to do whatever he wanted. They’d all been dreading that day. Their father would rather die.
For all they knew, he might be dying right now.
A few miles down the road, Darby slowed as he came around the corner and the cabin came into view. He caught the dull gleam of the motorcycle parked out front and felt a wave of relief. Had he thought she had taken off after their horseback ride? He always thought that it would be the last time he saw her. How could he go on like this?
Give her back the bracelet. Let her go. Don’t do this to yourself. The thought made him sad and yet he knew it was the right thing to do. He told himself he would as soon as he found out how his father was doing.
“I’m going to see if Mariah can work with Kendall today.” He pulled into the yard in front of the cabin and jumped out.
He reached the door before she could open it. She stood just inside. Her hair was
down, floating around her shoulders like a black cloak. The light from inside the cabin caught on it, making it shine. She was so striking that sometimes it took his breath away.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but—” The words were lost as he looked past her to her backpack on the bed. It appeared she’d been packing. To leave.
“What’s wrong?” she asked as she looked from him to Lillie waiting in the pickup, then stepped to block his view of the bed.
“My father’s in the hospital. My brother thinks it might have been a heart attack. Lillie and I are—”
“You need me to work.” She shifted on her feet, her gaze darting over her shoulder toward the bed and her backpack before returning to him. “Don’t worry. I’ll cover the shift.”
“Are you—”
“Go to the hospital. I’ll take care of it. And I’m sorry about your father. I hope he’s all right.”
He nodded. “Thank you.”
At the hospital he and Lillie rushed in. He was worried about his father and confused about how he’d gotten so involved with a woman who’d tried to steal his wallet the day they met. But Mariah had crowded his thoughts since the moment he’d first laid eyes on her.
Had she been packing to leave? Going without the bracelet? Or would she have paid him a visit before she left?
He promised himself that when he’d seen to his father, he would end this thing between the two of them. The thought almost made him laugh. He didn’t even know what this “thing” was. He just knew that last night, with her in his arms, he’d slept better than he had in years. It had felt so...right.
They found Flint standing by the nurse’s station as they came in.
“How is Dad?” he asked as he and Lillie rushed up to him.
“We don’t know yet. The doctor is with him. He was unconscious when I found him.”
“Found him?” Lillie cried.
They listened as Flint told them how their father had crashed his Jeep and Deputy Harper Cole had arrested him, thinking he was drunk.
“I’m going to punch Harp,” Lillie said.
“Get in line,” Flint said. “Let’s just worry about Dad right now. I don’t want to have to lock you up on an assault charge. Hawk and Cyrus are in the waiting room. The doctor said he’d tell us as soon as he knows something.”
