She's The Sheriff (Superromance Series No 787)

by Duquette, Anne Marie

  In any event, this bedroom had a lovely, welcoming atmosphere that had Desiree sighing with pleasure. A frown followed as she remembered the previous night’s confrontation with Virgil—hardly the best way to start a new life. She crossed her legs and readjusted her covers, inadvertently waking the sleeping dog on the foot of her bed.

  Oscar’s little jaws opened wide in a doggy yawn. He looked up and immediately inched toward her lap, where he went limp again. Desiree fondled the silky ears. Oscar closed his eyes in contentment and rolled over on his back, presenting his belly for a rub. Desiree obliged.

  “Lazybones. What am I going to do with you today?” In Phoenix, he’d had a secure little fenced patio, but she couldn’t let him outside here; Oscar was no ranch dog. “If the horses don’t scare you silly, the dogs will.”

  “I thought you could leave him with me,” Caro suggested from the other side of the door.

  “Caro?”

  “Yes. Can I come in?”

  “Of course!” Desiree hopped out of bed to unlock the door, much to Oscar’s disgust. He burrowed under her covers and was out of sight before the two women were inside the room.

  “I know you’re an early riser, and I wanted to give you your present before you got dressed.” From behind her back Caro withdrew a clothes bag with a huge red bow tied onto the hanger. “Ta-da!”

  Desiree blinked. “What’s this?”

  Caro smiled. “A surprise. Open it.” She sat down on the bed. Oscar popped out of the covers again and thrust his nose toward Caro for scratching.

  “I can’t imagine what—oh, my gosh!” She shucked the suit bag and pulled out the contents. Caro’s gift was a brand-new uniform: a beige sheriff’s shirt with insignia and badge. On one of the front pockets was a bright yellow embroidered star, a replica of a sheriff’s star from the Old West, with circled points at the end, and set in a circle. A patch of the Arizona flag, a copper star rising from a blue field in the face of a red-and-yellow sunset, adorned one shoulder.

  “My very own uniform!”

  “Well, you can hardly report to your first day of work in jeans and a T-shirt, right?”

  “But you shouldn’t have spent your money! The town would reimburse me for uniforms.”

  “I know that, silly. Consider this an extra. I wanted to be the first to see you in uniform. Mom and Dad will be so proud!” She paused. “I’m sorry Virgil didn’t win—but I’m glad you did.”

  Desiree gently ran her fingertips over the starched material. “I’ll pay you back for this.”

  “No, you won’t. I want you to have this. A gift from me.”

  The reality of last night’s election finally sank in. “Oh, Caro, thank you! Wow, good thing I won or I’d look pretty silly in this.”

  “I had a hunch you’d win. I didn’t get to say it last night, but congratulations, sis. You’ve done the Hartlans proud.”

  Desiree carefully laid the uniform on her bed and hugged her sister tight.

  “Wyatt has a spare Colt for you to use, too, until you get around to buying your own gun.” Desiree remembered that Wyatt’s pearl-handled .45 caliber revolver was an official law enforcement firearm for Phoenix, but unlike the high-tech clip guns used in other major cities, this gun was a reminder of the Wild West and the hard-edged men—and women—who survived those primitive, often savage times.

  “He’ll get it out of the gun locker whenever you’re ready to leave. He’s got a key for you, too. With kids in the house now, Wyatt insists that all firearms be locked up as soon as you step foot inside.”

  “That’s a good rule, even without kids around. I’ll follow it, as well—you have my word.”

  “Good, because Cat’s a curious little hellion. I don’t want any accidents—ever.” Caro shivered, then glanced up at Desiree again. “Oh, and Wyatt ordered you a uniform hat this morning. The supplier was out, but he told Marta to have it shipped to your office. It should be in today or tomorrow.”

  “My own office... I can hardly believe it.”

  “You and half the town, sis.” Caro gestured toward the suit bag. “Well, don’t just stand there! Put it on!”

  Desiree immediately shucked off her nightgown and reached for a bra from the open suitcase on the floor.

  “So, are you okay with the room? It’s not really your style, but...”

  “I love it. It’s so comfortable.”

  “I’m glad. I hope you’ll get some use out of it,” Caro said tentatively.

  Desiree knew her sister well. She was referring to the suitcase.

  “Of course I will!” She really looks worried. “I feel right at home here.”

  Caro brightened a little at that, but not as much as Desiree would have liked. “Really? I was under the impression that you were moving out....”

  “What?”

  Caro hesitated and played with Oscar’s wagging tail. “This ranch house has a central fireplace and...well. Ray, sound does carry.”

  So does Virgil’s voice, I’ll bet.

  Desiree pulled on the uniform slacks and made her voice as casual as possible. “Just because I was overtired and Virgil was a poor loser doesn’t mean I intend to move into the nearest trailer court. Though with you and Jasentha both pregnant, it might be a good idea if I looked for an apartment. You’re going to be strapped for bedroom space.”

  “Not for long. Wyatt plans on adding to the house after the rains, so don’t use that as an excuse. Unless... unless you really don’t like it here.”

  “I love it here.” Desiree’s tone was firm as she put on the shirt. “So, don’t worry, I’m not leaving for a while.” She finished with the buttons. “You know me. I like my own space, but I wanted to spend some time with you and the family first. Besides, I just got here.”

  “I’m really glad you came.”

  “I am, too.” She tucked in the shirttail, fastened the belt and turned with a model’s flair toward Caro. “Well, what do you think?”

  “Add a gun and some boots, throw on a hat, and you’re John Wayne personified.”

  Desiree laughed. “Thanks, but John Wayne didn’t use lipstick and perfumed body talc.”

  “Thank goodness for that.” Caro smiled. Oscar hopped down, sat in front of the closed door and barked. “Shall I take him outside?”

  “Maybe you’d better, if you don’t mind.”

  “I don’t. And I meant what I said earlier. I don’t mind keeping him with me.” Caro sighed. “I miss Wyatt and Cat during the day, but I’m just not up to watching her or going out with him.”

  “Then Oscar will be good company. Feed him, and he’ll be your pal forever. If you need me, just page. I’ll come running.”

  “Thanks.” The two sisters embraced.

  “Now, get going before he leaves a puddle on this brand-new rug,” Desiree warned.

  “I’m gone. And, Sheriff?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Good luck.”

  Makeup, hair gel and a quick cup of coffee later, Desiree headed for her car. She’d decided to get into the office especially early and have breakfast in town later. However, someone was up even earlier than she was and waiting by her car in the ranch parking area.

  “Travis? What are you doing here?”

  “Waiting for you. Can I come, too?”

  “Sweetheart, I’m going in to work.”

  “I know. I want to learn about being a deputy, just like Dad. I know how to ride horses, and I know how to shoot, too. Can I see your gun?”

  Desiree didn’t like the sound of that question one bit. She opened her car door while she thought out a tactful response. “Maybe your father would be the best person for that, Travis.”

  “I already asked. He said no.” Travis kicked at the dirt with his name-brand athletic shoes. “And I don’t wanna go back to those smelly caves, either!”

  “I don’t blame you. I’m not too fond of them myself.” One tour was enough. “What would you usually be doing now if you were at home?”

  “
I’d study with my tutor, then later he’d take me to the arcade with my friends, or we’d go to the mall. Or maybe we’d take our rollerblades to the beach and skate on the boardwalk or go surfing. There’s nothing like that around here!” he complained.

  “I’m sorry, Travis. It’s really hard moving, I know.”

  “I miss my old house. Do you?”

  “Yeah, I do. Especially my friends and family. My parents and cousins live in Phoenix.”

  “And your boyfriend, too?”

  “Ex-boyfriend.” Despite last night’s nightmare, this kid was big-city sophisticated, for sure. “I had one in Phoenix.” He dumped me as soon as I got fired.

  “I miss my girlfriend. Heather and I used to go with our bodyguards to Disneyland sometimes. Her mom is some big-shot producer at the studio Mom works for. I guess she’ll find a new boyfriend now. Just like you.”

  How old was this kid? “I think I’ll pass on a love life for now.”

  “Me, too.” Travis kicked at the dirt again. “Heather gave me this surfin’ shirt before I left. She cried, but I didn’t.”

  “It’s okay to cry when you’re sad. I do. Now, turn around. Let me see your shirt.”

  Travis spun with the masculine poise all the Bodine men seemed to have.

  “I love it. It makes you look very—” she searched for the right word “—studly.”

  Travis grinned. “Really?”

  “Yep. Your... Heather has good taste.”

  “So it’s okay to wear it to your office?”

  “It would be if I could take you, kiddo, but I can’t.” Her heart ached as the boy’s face fell. “Tell you what, though. Why don’t you ask my sister if you can stay home with her?”

  “Aunt Caro?”

  “Sure. You’d be a big help. She’s not feeling too good.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “You could help her take care of Oscar.”

  Travis grinned again. “You sure?”

  “Yup. I’m sure. Oscar’s like us, you know. He’s sad that he had to leave his home, and he’ll be lonely for me while I’m gone. You could cheer him and Caro up.”

  “Oscar’s a cool dog. I asked Dad for one, but he said it made me too visible to stalkers and photographers. It would make my bodyguard’s job harder when I was around Mom.” The words were spoken matter-of-factly; this was a part of the boy’s life.

  “Well, you can share Oscar with Caro while I’m at work. If your dad and Caro say it’s okay,” she qualified. “Tell them it was my idea.”

  “Thanks. I mean, thank you, Aunt Ray.”

  “Skip the aunt part and give me a hug, okay?”

  Travis did. For a ten-year-old, his hug was firm and strong...and full of longing. He and the dog could give each other plenty of attention. Maybe, later on, he could get his own dog here at the ranch.

  “Time to check up on Caro and Oscar. You get to be their bodyguard for a change. Do a good job, okay?”

  Travis smiled happily, his expression so like his famous mother’s that Desiree actually started. My, oh my—with his Bodine physique and his mother’s classic features, this boy’s going to break hearts someday.

  Travis opened her car door for her, an old-fashioned courtesy she’d learned to expect from all the Bodines. Desiree climbed in. Before he closed the door after her, she said, “Thank you, Travis. We’ll talk when I get home.”

  “You’re welcome. Bye, Ray.” He closed her door.

  Desiree started her engine, waved to him and drove off.

  Poor boy. Bad enough his parents are divorced Now he has to learn a whole new way of life in the middle of the desert. And I thought I had it rough.

  She vowed to make time to get to know Caro’s nephew much better. In the meantime, she had work to do. The large wooden entrance to the Silver Dollar Ranch threw a shadow over her car as she drove off Bodine property toward town, her town—Tombstone, Arizona.

  The sheriff’s office was located on Fremont Street in the City Hall building, its front facing north toward the desert mountains, its back close to the O.K. Corral. Desiree found the drive somewhat unnerving.

  This sure isn’t anything like the Phoenix court complex. I can only pray they have computers inside! If I have to work with parchment and pen and ink, or worse yet, a typewriter...

  Like her older sister, Desiree loved high-tech equipment. The less time spent researching a case, the more time there was to actually work, document and present it. The Bodine men were traditionalists when it came to law and order.

  Let’s hope the sheriff’s staff isn’t.

  She parked her car, took one last glance at herself in the rearview mirror, then stepped out into the morning air of downtown Tombstone. With sure steps, she headed for her office.

  VIRGIL WATCHED DESIREE enter the sheriffs office. He lounged against the wall as he gave her a solemn onceover. To look at her, no one would guess she’d never been inside before. Her chin was up, her expression confident.

  Damn if she wasn’t wearing a uniform! That had to be Caro’s doing. His keen eye took in her appearance, noting that nothing was amiss. Everything from the patches on her shirtsleeves down to the gun belt and weapon, including the boots, was uniforminspection proper.

  Except she isn’t wearing a hat. So, officially, she was out of uniform. Virgil himself wore jeans, a western shirt borrowed from Wyatt and boots borrowed from Morgan. They were killing his feet. He wasn’t entitled to wear a uniform until he was sworn in as chief deputy. He’d attend to that piece of business just as soon as Ray—no. Sheriff Hartlan—settled in.

  “Good morning,” Desiree said as she walked in. “Mrs. Chilton.” She nodded at the day-shift dispatcher and receptionist. “Is my hat in yet?”

  “I put it on your desk chair, Sheriff. And please, call me Marta.”

  “Thank you, Marta.” Desiree picked up the hat, tried it on, nodded. Then she threw it across the open space toward the coat stand near the coffee machine. The hat hooked on a pole, swung once...twice...and stayed in place.

  Virgil wasn’t impressed. Lady, that’s a cheap tourist trick and beneath the sheriff of Tombstone.

  “I saw that once in a John Wayne movie,” Desiree said with a smile as she sat at her desk. “I used to practice as a kid. Show of hands, who doesn’t like John Wayne movies?”

  No one raised a hand.

  “Good. I won’t have to fire anyone.”

  The staff stared, then broke into chuckles. Despite himself, Virgil couldn’t help admiring how she’d grabbed the room’s attention.

  Nice touch, Ms. Lawyer. You’ve broken the ice. What’s next?

  “Jamie, morning report, please.”

  Jamie, the head deputy, rose from his desk.

  “You don’t have to stand for me, Jamie,” Desiree said. “When I’m in uniform, you can treat me the same way you used to treat Wyatt.”

  Virgil noticed the trim curves of her hips and the rounded form of her bustline and shook his head. Good luck, Jamie. The new sheriff has more curves than a bag full of bobcats—no resemblance to Wyatt at all. She’s a looker, no doubt about it. Desiree Hartlan was an intriguing study in contrasts that teased his eyes and fired his imagination. Was she an equally delightful blend beneath the packaging? And why was he even fantasizing about finding out? She wasn’t the type of woman who usually snared his interest...

  Jamie sat back down. “Yes, ma‘am. We had one loose cow, two parking violations, and a feed truck had a stuck horn around two this mornin’.”

  “Anything else I should know about?”

  “We’re doing an antidrug lecture for the sixth-graders this afternoon. That’s already covered. So far, it’s a light day.”

  “In that case, I think we’ll spend the time getting acquainted. Mrs. Chil—Marta, could I have everyone’s personnel files, please?”

  “I thought you might want them. I have them ready for you, broken down into all three shifts.” Virgil watched as the ever efficient Marta walked them over to Desiree.<
br />
  Desiree quickly scanned the files, noting that the “night shift” consisted of only one deputy who handled the phones, the dispatcher, and basically notified the sheriff if there were any serious problems. “I guess the first order of business is introductions and then swearing in the new chief deputy.”

  She certainly knows how to get down to business, Virgil acknowledged grudgingly. Well, I’m ready to be that new chief deputy.

  The introductions went quickly. Jamie, who’d been Wyatt’s and Morgan’s chief deputy, had the desk second closest to the door, right behind Marta’s. There were two other male deputies, one fluent in Spanish, his primary tongue, and one single female, a tall young woman with the name of Mary Ann Brown, who was the deputy on the night shift. She’d come in at Desiree’s request to meet her new boss.

  “I guess Virgil will be taking over my position,” Jamie said, resigned to the fact. “The Bodines always choose their own.”

  “My name is Hartlan, not Bodine. And I’ll choose the person best suited for the job. According to these personnel records, Jamie here has had more experience, more training and put in more time than any other deputy.”

  “He doesn’t have more experience than me,” Virgil argued.

  “As deputy, he does,” Desiree corrected. “I’m looking for an experienced deputy, not an experienced sheriff. According to your file, you’ve never held that position. Just out of curiosity, Jamie, why didn’t you run for sheriff?”

  “I’ve got a big family, and I like the steady hours, ma’am. The sheriff can easily end up working all three shifts. I’m a homebody. I like being home with the youngsters and sitting down with my wife to dinner. But I’m a good deputy.”

  Desiree nodded. “I can see that.”

  Son of a desert jack—this isn’t going the way I expected! “Sheriff, deputy, whatever...” Virgil growled. “A lawman is a lawman. You’re a rookie sheriff who needs someone to show you the ropes. I’m the person best qualified to do so. Period.”