by Starla Kaye
“Me?” Cassie questioned warily.
“You’re the mayor,” Sarah reminded her as if that settled the matter.
Cassie drew in a calming breath. She really wasn’t responsible for handling everything that happened in town, although lately nobody seemed to be aware of that. Maybe Dalton was right. Maybe it was time she backed away from being mayor. But the idea annoyed her. She liked being mayor, most of the time. Today…not so much.
“This is the kind of situation that the sheriff’s office should handle,” Cassie tried to point out.
Sarah’s face pinched again. The other woman who had spoken earlier said, “Alice reported the problem to them, of course. Right after she talked to her husband.”
“Good.”
“Not really,” Sarah countered. “Evelyn, the dispatcher, was really rather rude. She said they didn’t have time to deal with the matter today. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe!”
She narrowed her eyes before continuing. “They’re working another situation, but she wouldn’t explain what it was.” She glared at Cassie, like it was all her fault action wouldn’t be taken immediately.
“Another situation?” Was it the reason Dalton had been so sharp with her last night when she’d called him? Still, he could have said that. Annoyance ringing in her tone, she said, “I’m sure they will—”
“We don’t want excuses! This problem can’t wait to be dealt with later! Whoever is responsible for this outrageous act needs to be found and put in jail. Today.” Sarah’s expression demanded attention. “Dalton Reede is…well, he’s…” She blushed, uncomfortable with saying more.
“Your lover,” one of the women offered and Sarah nodded.
Cassie gaped at them. It wasn’t like their relationship was a secret, but really! “Which means?”
Sarah’s chin went higher. “It means that he will listen to you.”
She really, really needed caffeine…maybe something stronger. “If Dalton and his deputies are busy, they’re busy. I’m sure they will get to this matter when they can.”
Her answer clearly wasn’t good enough. The women began talking unhappily amongst themselves. She thought she heard something about how Jim McAdams would make a more responsible mayor. He would make sure the sheriff looked into a criminal situation right away.
Annoyed with them all, Cassie stood straighter and whistled to get their attention. When they faced her in surprise, she said, “Go home, all of you. There wasn’t a need for your whole group to come here to begin with.”
As Sarah looked ready to protest, Cassie continued, “I’ll look into the situation and go by the sheriff’s office.” After she went to the grocery store. After she had a pot full of coffee.
Most of the women appeared satisfied with her statement.
Sarah and her two strongest supporters still frowned. “You’ll call me?” Sarah asked, although it came out as more of an order than a question.
Cassie gave a curt nod, turning back to her car. She eased inside and closed the door. She was done talking to them. Unfortunately now she had to follow-up on what she’d promised. She would have to go face Dalton in his office or wherever he was.
***
“Oh Dalton! Ohhhhh!”
He suckled Cassie’s right breast and massaged the other one. His rock hard cock was poised….
Pounding on his bedroom door shattered the dream. Dammit! He couldn’t even have a moment’s peace for a wet dream.
“What?” he yelled out, opening his eyes in defeat.
“We could use your help, big brother,” Parker said, sounding aggravated. “Unless you’re planning on sleeping the whole day away.”
Dalton glanced at the bedside alarm clock. Ten thirty. He’d gotten almost five hours of sleep, which his body barely noticed. But he felt guilty for getting around so late, although his brothers didn’t know he’d been out most of the night and morning.
“What’re you doing here? It’s too early for lunch.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed. Slept in his clothes. He really had been out of it when he’d come up here to crash.
“I’ve got to run into town and pick up some more fencing. Which you were supposed to do this morning.” His brother definitely sounded testy.
Dalton strode to the door and pulled it open, scowling. “Look, I was out half the night and morning working a case.”
When Parker looked apologetic, Dalton calmed down. It wasn’t his brother’s fault. “Sorry. I’m just angry as hell about the situation.”
“Anything I can do?” Parker studied him in concern, his brow wrinkled.
Dalton scrubbed a hand over his face. Thick bristles told him that he badly needed to shave. He smelled pretty ripe. He needed a shower, too.
He shook his head. “Thanks, but no. You’re busy enough here.” He drew in a breath and felt frustration settling over him. “I’ll probably be tied up with this mess for a day or so. Hopefully not longer than that.”
“What mess? What happened?”
He hated to talk about it, knew his brother would be as upset as he was. A good rancher—which both of his brothers were—wouldn’t like hearing about something like this. As Parker watched him patiently, he finally said, “It’s a case involving animal abuse and abandonment.”
Parker cursed under his breath and waited to hear more.
Once again Dalton thought about the sickening sight he’d seen. “The city boy nephew of Harrison Taylor that inherited his ranch… Well, he took off and left the stock: six horses, some hogs, chickens, and four dairy cows to fend for themselves.”
He ground his teeth. “It looks like he’s been gone at least a couple of weeks, maybe more.”
Parker’s black scowl made it clear that he understood how bad the situation might be. “Like I said, I’ll help if you need me.” He hesitated. “Craig would help, too. You know that.”
“I appreciate your offer, but my deputies and I will handle it.” His brothers were good men, but they would have their hands full here what with the new cattle and everything else to be done around the ranch. He sure wished he could stay and do his share, but he had duties elsewhere. “I feel bad enough not helping out here.”
“Don’t,” Parker countered. “Craig and I’ll get by.”
“You shouldn’t have to get by without my help.” Again Dalton thought about how much he was ready to quit the side job of being sheriff. He was more than ready for his life to stop being so damn complicated. But the town still needed him…like they relied on Cassie. Another sore subject.
“Guess I better head into town for that fencing.” Parker turned to walk back downstairs and then stopped.
“I almost forgot.” He faced Dalton. “I checked the messages on the kitchen phone before I came up here.”
“Evelyn called, right?” Dalton vaguely remembered hearing the house phone ringing earlier, but he’d been too tired to get up and answer it.
Parker nodded. “She wants you to call in as soon as you can. There is some kind of problem having to do with the parade this weekend.”
He hesitated and added, “She also said that Cassie had called a couple of times.” He grimaced and watched Dalton’s reaction. “Cassie didn’t sound real happy in the last message.”
“Hell, as if I need more to deal with at the moment.” Dalton rubbed at his stomach. Was he getting an ulcer?
“Are you talking about the parade problem? Or Cassie?” His brother watched him, looking worried.
“Both.”
Now Dalton remembered that she’d called him last night right after he’d gotten to the Taylor Ranch. He’d been caught up in the horror from his first sight of the abused animals. He couldn’t recall exactly what he’d said to her, but it hadn’t been much. No doubt she was pissed at him for that.
“We aren’t on the best of terms at the moment,” he admitted.
He started to move back into his bedroom. “I’d better give Evelyn a call.” Eventually he’d call Cassie, too. She wasn’t top priority right now.
&n
bsp; “Cassie?” Parker questioned concern in his voice. “Or is it duties first and your woman second?”
Dalton didn’t answer and he listened to his brother muttering about him being a jackass as he walked away. Probably true, but he wasn’t sure he could handle all the problems he faced now and the issues between he and Cassie. If they were on better terms, he would call her first. But she’d been putting him second to her mayoral duties and her community commitments. So he would handle his sheriff’s responsibilities first. He’d call her when things settled down.
He picked up his cell phone from the bedside table and dialed the office. It took two rings for Evelyn to answer.
“It’s about time you checked in, Sheriff.” She sounded stressed, and then she sighed. “Sorry. I know you were out until the wee hours. It’s just been crazy around here.”
“I slept in later than I’d planned. So what’s happening?” He had a bad feeling that his day was going to get even worse.
“Do you really want to know?” Before he could respond, she blurted it all out. “The vet called to say he’ll meet you at the Taylor Ranch at eleven. He had an emergency with a problem delivery first. There was a minor two-car accident just outside of town about an hour ago, so your two deputies are handling that. Jericho Hayes called to say he found two dead and rotting horses at the far corner of Taylor’s land and wanted you to do something about getting them hauled off. Alice Raintree called to say her husband discovered some vandalism at the warehouse with the floats. Then she and Sarah Wiggins came in to demand that you look into it today. I had to tell her it wouldn’t likely happen for another day or so. And, boy, she sure didn’t take that well! They went storming out of here.”
“Take a breath, Evelyn.” Dalton slumped on the side of his bed. Shit. He’d been right. Today was shot to hell already.
He was still mulling over everything Evelyn had said when she started in again. “Evidently Sarah gathered up her Grangeville Society gang and they went to see Cassie. She showed up here a half hour ago wanting to see you. She said something about she needed to get your help with the warehouse investigation or the Society just might tar and feather her. She wasn’t very happy when I told her you were at the ranch, probably sleeping. She said something about you ignoring her calls and about you avoiding her. Fact is, Sheriff, she walked out of here looking sadder than I’ve ever seen her.”
Great. His life was complete shit. “So damn near everybody in town wants a piece of me today,” he said wearily. “If I wasn’t a man who stood by his word, I’d hand in my badge today.”
“But you won’t.” She sounded uncertain.
Now he felt worse because Evelyn was already juggling so much at the office. “No, I won’t. Not today.”
But he would soon. The minute all of these ridiculous community events were finished this month he would be having a meeting with the town council. He’d give them a time limit on when he would turn in his badge.
Putting those thoughts aside, he calmed down. “Thanks, Evelyn. I know this hasn’t been an easy morning for you.”
“True enough. I’m earning my pay that’s for sure. Considering how quiet it is around here most days.” She called out a greeting to someone who must have walked into the office. “I’ve got to go, Sheriff. Promise me, though, that you’ll talk to Cassie.”
Cassie who had looked so sad to Evelyn. Cassie who believed he was avoiding her. In a way, he had been. It was time he bucked up and called her.
“Will do, ma’am,” he told his dispatcher. He disconnected at her relieved sounding sigh.
Dreading the call and not really knowing what to say, Dalton punched in Cassie’s cell phone number. He had a gut feeling that things between them would get seriously worse if he didn’t talk to her now. He sure didn’t want that.
But she didn’t answer his call. And he didn’t leave a voicemail.
***
Cassie stood in the middle of the warehouse and stared at the seven pick-up trucks and trailer beds with partially built floats. Over fifty-six ruined tires, probably expensive tires. Who was supposed to pay to replace them? The owners? The town? The warehouse owner? She honestly had no idea.
Harold Raintree waited awkwardly next to her, fidgeting, anxious for her words of wisdom. As if she had any. Finally he asked, “What do we do now? I haven’t even notified the owners of the various vehicles.”
Her stomach knotted. The coffee she’d finally had wasn’t sitting well now. “You need to call them, of course.”
“Then what? They’re going to be pissed off about what happened here.” He gave her an embarrassed look. “Sorry, ma’am, about the language. My Alice would chew me out about it.”
The mention of his wife made her think about Sarah Wiggins and the rest of the Grangeville Society. They were the main people behind the parade and would be waiting for answers. She didn’t have any. This wasn’t her expertise.
Feeling as if the weight of the world rested on her shoulders, she blinked away foolish tears. She swallowed hard and said with determination, “Tell them to get new tires. We’ll figure out who is paying for them later.”
He looked uncertain, but she remained firm in her decision. “The parade is four days away. They need replacing and the floats need to be finished.”
He glanced at the area where the stack of toilet tissue boxes and fake flower boxes had been stored. “And the—”
She stiffened her spine. “Contact the head cheerleader; I know you have her name and phone number. Explain what happened. Instruct her to get whatever replacements she can ASAP.” She heaved a resigned sigh. “Tell her that I will pay for them if I need to.”
“I’ll take care of all that,” he sounded relieved that action was going to be taken. “What about the sheriff? What about needing a report of the vandalism filed?”
Tears threatened again and she looked away from him. Darn Dalton! Not returning her calls. She understood he was busy and so were his deputies. All she wanted was at least a few minutes of his time so he could guide her on what to do next.
“I’ll go by the sheriff’s office again and somehow get a report filed.” She didn’t want to go back there, but something had to be done. If nothing more happened, she would hand write out some kind of report on the incident.
She walked out of the warehouse and was almost to her car when her cell phone rang. Without even looking at caller ID, she knew in her gut who was calling her. Dalton. She didn’t want to talk to him. She had to talk to him.
The phone rang four times before she managed to locate it in her purse and answer. “It’s so kind of you to finally return my call,” she said bitterly.
“Cassie,” Dalton’s tone held warning. He was in a mood, too.
“What?” she snapped. “Don’t give you attitude? Because you’ll turn me over your knee and burn my butt the first chance you get? So not happening!”
“I don’t have time for this.”
“Or time for me. You’ve made that pretty obvious.” Her voice broke and she hoped he hadn’t heard it.
“Shit, Cassie,” he said on a put-upon sigh. “Can we not get into this right now? I’m dealing with a hell of a lot of problems at the moment.”
She jerked open her car door and tossed her handbag inside. Naturally half of the contents fell out on the seat. “And I’m not?”
She heard him grumble under his breath and felt a bit childish for taking out her irritation with him. Yes, they had some problems, but the stress she was facing—and whatever he was facing—was only making it all worse. She didn’t want to argue with him. What she wanted more than anything was to have him hold her in his arms and tell her that everything would be okay…even if it weren’t necessarily true.
“I’ll try to get to the warehouse break-in problem tomorrow,” he said after a few seconds of tense silence.
“Tomorrow isn’t soon enough.” Four days away. The deadline taunted her. People were depending on her to solve this problem. Today.
More strained silence. “It’s the best I can do.”
“Well, your best isn’t good enough this time.”
She disconnected and leaned against the back door of her car. He was going to be upset with her, but she was upset with him. Disappointed, too.
Maybe this was their breaking point.
Chapter Six
Dalton finally parked his truck in front of the Sheriff’s Office just after nine o’clock. He should have gone home to the ranch. But he needed to check in here first. A glance through the big front window showed that he wasn’t the only one still working late. His deputies were doing paperwork, probably about that accident this morning. And Evelyn was at her desk, on the phone. The night replacement dispatcher sat in a side chair, obviously waiting to take over.
He managed to climb out of his pickup and move one foot in front of the other into the building. Everyone looked in his direction; all but Mary Beth appeared ready to drop. He almost yelled out for them all to get the hell out of here for the day. But he caught the firm shake of Evelyn’s head and thought better of it.
She put her hand over the mouthpiece of the phone next to her ear and mouthed to him, “Sarah Wiggins, again.” But, bless her heart, she didn’t let the annoying woman know he was there. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with Wiggins or really anyone else.
His deputies seemed to take in his strained expression and decided to call it a night. Both men shoved whatever they’d been working on into files, and then stood. Aware that Evelyn was talking to one of the problem women in town, they each gave him a telling salute and headed out.
Mary Beth, too, appeared aware that he was in a sour mood. She didn’t say a word as he walked through the main area toward his office. He was glad of that.
Dalton headed straight for the battered chair behind his desk and dropped down into it in exhaustion. His gaze took in the stack of pink messages that he dreaded looking through, the case report from the accident earlier today, and his half-filled out report on the case he’d been working. Then he noticed an invoice made out to him for over six thousand dollars for fifty-six tires. What the hell was he getting an invoice like that for?
