MOST ELIGIBLE SHERIFF Read online

  “As partners or competitors?”

  “Either one.”

  Was that a glint of amusement in his eyes? She must be mistaken.

  “What about you? Where did you learn to ride?” Only after she voiced the question did she realize she was truly interested.

  “I grew up in Sweetheart. We’re a ranching community.”

  “I thought the town catered to the wedding trade.”

  “We did. Until the fire last summer destroyed the local economy.”

  “Scarlett said things were getting better.”

  “They are. Slowly. We went from hosting fifty weddings a month to zero. We’re up to about five now. The town council is hoping to change that with the Mega Weekend of Weddings.”

  It was a shame the tourists had stopped coming, Ruby thought. The charming community was situated amid some of the Sierra Nevada’s most spectacular scenery.

  Formerly spectacular scenery, she reminded herself. While the area surrounding the Gold Nugget Ranch had been untouched, a large part of the region was laid to waste by the fire’s ferocious appetite.

  “Ranching is our second largest industry,” Cliff said. “Prospecting, cross-country skiing and hiking all run a close third.”

  “You’re from a ranching family?”

  “No, but I worked at the Triple C Ranch from the time I was fourteen until I left for police academy. In between helping my aunt out at the Paydirt.”

  Something Ruby’s sister said last night about the popular saloon rang a bell with her. “Your aunt’s the mayor.”

  “Twelfth one from the Dempsey family. And I’m the eighth sheriff.”

  Ruby drew back. “You’re not kidding.”

  “A family tradition. We have a lot of them here. My uncle owns the general store. Sam’s wife’s family owned and operated the Sweetheart Inn for fifty years. It burned down in the fire so now Annie and her mother help Sam run the Gold Nugget as well as oversee the Sweetheart Memorial. The Yeungs’ ancestors settled here during the 1870s when the railroad came through. As did a lot of other families.”

  Sweetheart wasn’t just a small town. Its citizens were a large extended family.

  How had her wanderlust-loving sister wound up here?

  Demitri’s last breakup, Ruby answered herself. Scarlett had been heartsick, as usual, quit her job and found a new one here. Miles away from San Diego.

  Sadly, her sister would likely follow the same path again. Cliff was lucky he got out when he did. Before he fell head over heels for Scarlett.

  Ruby recalled the bouquet of flowers. Had he fallen already?

  Did she care one way or the other?

  “You’re a natural,” she observed, inclining her head in the direction of the young girl.

  “I’m used to young kids. My cousin has three. Two girls and a boy. Seven, five and two respectively. She’s a single working mom, so I help out when I can.”

  “You babysit your nieces and nephew?”

  “The term’s subjective. My cousin claims I’m merely an adult presence in the room.”

  Ruby suspected he was wonderful with them and that they adored him.

  How was it some woman hadn’t snatched him up yet? From all accounts, he was a catch.

  “Look, there’s the ranch,” someone called out.

  They’d reached the top of a gently sloping hill. In the distance, about a mile away by Ruby’s estimation, was the ranch, the main house and outbuildings, recognizable by their distinctive shapes. The ride was nearing its end.

  To her surprise, Ruby felt a stab of disappointment and not just because she’d enjoyed being on horseback. Cliff’s company was a welcome diversion from the constant worry and stress she’d been dealing with since Crowley had first come into the casino and chosen to target her simply because she’d discouraged his inappropriate attention.

  Then again, she reminded herself, Cliff wouldn’t be far away for very long. There was the square dance Friday night and his regularly checking in with her.

  The prospect reassured her. Cliff was capable and committed to her safekeeping. It also sent a mild thrill coursing through her.

  Great. Only a few hours into their acquaintance and she was already anticipating his company. What would she be like at the end of a week?

  Chapter Four

  Cliff didn’t let Ruby out of his sight. He watched her every move as she helped Luis with the guests. Most needed a hand dismounting, their legs wobbly after the hour-and-a-half ride. Many wanted to chat, their spirits raised by the fresh air, majestic scenery and small taste of cowboy life.

  Because there would be a second trail ride later that morning, the entire string of horses was left saddled and bridled. Ruby and Luis tethered them to the corral fence. After warning their neighbors with a nip or squeal for getting too close, all the horses settled in for a well-deserved snooze.

  The sight of them resting, their tails lazily swishing, reminded Cliff of the years he’d worked at the Triple C Ranch. Attending college and, eventually, police academy, had been a difficult decision. Cliff loved ranching that much.

  But the Dempseys were the law in Sweetheart and had been since the days when the local sheriff wore a Colt .45 strapped to his side. Cliff had a tradition to carry on and didn’t regret leaving the Reno P.D. in order to return to Sweetheart. He’d taken to the job of sheriff just like his father and the multitude of grandfathers and great uncles before him.

  What he did regret was his one stupid blunder—becoming involved with a witness. It hadn’t cost him his career; the reprimand had been light. But it did blow a case a year in the making and it left a mark on his otherwise untarnished record.

  It had also cost him the complete trust of his commanding officer and partner and cut his chances for advancement in half.

  “You said you’d teach me to rope.”

  Cliff glanced down at the cowgirl in pink and smiled. “That I did.”

  “My brother wants to learn, too.” She presented a reluctant young cowboy, a good foot shorter than she.

  Cliff wasn’t sure about the boy wanting to rope. He appeared more inclined to watch and suck his thumb than participate.

  “You don’t mind?” The children’s mother had come up behind them. She also wore newly purchased boots from the looks of them. Brown, not pink.

  “My pleasure. But I don’t have much time.” He had rounds to make before returning to the station, and the pile of paperwork on his desk never seemed to shrink. He was also anxious to read the reports on Crowley that Detective James was sending over.

  “If you’re too busy...”

  “Quite all right, ma’am.” He winked at the girl. “I made this young lady a promise. Wait right here.”

  With one eye on Ruby, he strode toward the tack shed. She was engaged in conversation with Will Dessaro, the ranch’s trail boss and Scarlett’s immediate supervisor. Judging by Will’s unconcerned features, he believed he was talking to Scarlett. Ruby appeared to be handling herself, although she’d shoved her hands into her jeans pockets. A sure sign she was on edge.

  Cliff hated the idea of leaving her to fend for herself, but he had no choice. Sam had promised to watch her in Cliff’s absence. She wouldn’t be going on the next trail ride. Instead, Sam had assigned Ruby some of the endless chores around the barn and corrals.

  Inside the tack shed, Cliff searched for a lariat. He found three hanging on the wall and picked the one best suited for a child. Even then, it was way too big.

  The girl didn’t care and grasped the rope with glee when he showed it to her.

  “Come on.” He led the mother and children away from the horses to the opposite side of the corral. An old tree stump provided the perfect practice target and a tall ponderosa pine offered ample shade. “We’ll start with t
he basics. Watch me first, then you can try.”

  The girl was reluctant to surrender the lariat, but she did. Cliff adjusted the loop until it was the right size for him, then raised the lariat over his head and swung it in the air. At the right moment, he flicked his wrist and let the lariat fly. The loop landed around the tree stump with a satisfactory thwap, and he jerked the rope tight.

  The little girl’s mouth fell open, and she turned wide eyes on her mother. “Did you see that?”

  “Very impressive.”

  “Do it again.” The little boy spoke for the first time.

  “Yes, yes,” his sister insisted.

  “Don’t you want to try?” Cliff asked.

  She shook her head so hard, her pink cowboy hat tilted sideways.

  Wasn’t that just like a kid? Cliff chuckled to himself. His own nieces were no different. Gung ho one second, timid as a mouse the next.

  “What about you, partner?” The boy had once again ducked behind his mother’s leg. “Ma’am? Would you like to give it a shot?”

  She broke into a laugh. “Why don’t I just take pictures? Do you mind?”

  “Not at all.” He threw the lariat again.

  After some more coaxing, he finally convinced the girl to try her hand. Mom snapped more photos, enough to fill an album. The family left happy, the children dashing ahead of their mother as they climbed the tree-lined path toward the guest cabins.

  “If that’s how you are with kids, I’d say you’re a whole lot better than an adult presence in the room.”

  Cliff spun at the sound of Ruby behind him. He hadn’t noticed the differences in her and her sister’s voices before. Ruby’s was slightly deeper and a little huskier. Very sexy.

  He had to stop comparing the two of them. He also had to stop thinking of her other than professionally. Cliff had crossed the line before. He would not make the same mistake twice.

  “I’m the fun uncle,” he said. “I let them get away with murder. If there’s a rule, we break it. Makes my cousin mad.”

  “She’s lucky to have you.”

  “I’m lucky to have her, too.”

  He and his cousin weren’t just related, they’d grown up together and were good friends. More like siblings. Cliff had never cared much for her ex and wasn’t sorry to see them divorced. Though, he was sorry for the pain his cousin and her children had endured.

  “I’m not very good with kids,” Ruby admitted.

  Cliff had observed her awkwardness with the young girl during the ride. “There’s no secret. Just show an interest in them.”

  “Scarlett loves kids.”

  “You shouldn’t mention her name out in the open,” he warned Ruby in a low voice.

  “Sorry,” she murmured and glanced about. “I don’t think anyone heard.”

  “Walk with me.”

  “I can’t just leave the guests.”

  Cliff reached for her hand and held up their laced fingers. “Hey, Will. I’m borrowing Scarlett for a few minutes. She’ll be right back.”

  The trail boss gave them a wave. “Sure thing.”

  When Ruby would have removed her hand from Cliff’s, he tightened his grip.

  “Remember, we’re dating. People expect to see us together.”

  “Are you going to kiss me again before you leave?”

  He wasn’t sure if she’d asked the question in jest or seriousness. “We’ll compromise with a hug.”

  Her relief was visible. She’d been serious.

  “Call me every hour on the hour,” he told her when they reached his vehicle. “If you’re more than five minutes late, I’ll call you.”

  “My phone’s in pieces, remember?”

  “Use Sam’s or Annie’s or the ranch phone.” He pulled a business card from his pocket, scribbled his cell number on the back and pressed it into her palm. “Don’t lose this until you’ve memorized the number. Park the truck Sam lends you as close to the trailer as possible. And leave the porch light on all night.”

  “Porch light. Living room light. I’d better check my supply of bulbs. At this rate, I’ll be going through them quickly.”

  She was putting up less of a fight than she had before the trail ride. Crowley’s phone call was probably responsible.

  “Good idea,” he said. “Light is one of the best deterrents. Call me when you’re ready to leave work. I’ll meet you here and follow you home.”

  “With my guard?”

  She’d remembered.

  He smiled. “You’ll like Sarge. Best partner I’ve ever had.” As soon as he spoke the words, his smile faltered. Her sister hadn’t like Sarge one bit. Maybe Ruby would have the same reaction.

  “Sarge? Is he former army?”

  “Retired from the police force. There isn’t anyone else I trust more to protect you when I’m not around.”

  “Do I invite him in or does he sit outside in his vehicle?”

  “Your choice. He’ll be fine on the front porch.”

  “All night?”

  “He’s done it before.”

  “Maybe he can sleep on the couch,” she said with great reluctance.

  “Or in the kitchen.” Cliff popped the automatic lock with his key fob and opened the driver’s side door. “Remember to call me.”

  “Thank you for everything. Scarlett and I...we acted hastily. Without thinking things through.”

  “That happens when you’re scared.”

  “Everyone’s going to so much trouble for me.”

  “We’ll talk more tonight. Set up your new cell phone. Make plans for the square dance.”

  “Okay.” She started to back away.

  Cliff didn’t let her get very far before pulling her into his embrace.

  “For show,” he said. “In case Will and any of the other employees are watching.”

  And to comfort Ruby, he added to himself. She looked ready to crumble.

  Only it felt less like show and comforting and more like how a man holds a woman he wants to kiss. Cliff was reluctant to release her.

  “See you later.” Sliding behind the steering wheel, he started the engine. She turned and headed back to the corral. He watched her progress in his rearview mirror.

  Leaving Ruby was difficult and not only because he was concerned for her safety.

  He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had felt so good, so right, in his arms.

  Cliff spent a total of fifteen minutes at Tom Welch’s place checking on the missing chain saw. While there were fresh footprints behind his barn, nothing was stolen or disturbed. Cliff considered the possibility that Tom had made the prints himself. He did have a reputation for imbibing one too many whiskeys, forgetting where he’d been and what he’d done.

  After assuring Tom that either he or his deputy would drive by later on rounds, Cliff aimed his SUV in the direction of town. Traffic was light, and he passed only two unfamiliar vehicles. The occupants appeared to be tourists. Nonetheless, he made a mental note of each car’s make and model.

  The Dempsey Trading Post and General Store had changed little since Cliff was a kid, though it was easily ten times the size of the original one founded in the early 1860s. His ancestors had originally come from Ohio, traveling with one of many wagon trains heading west. For reasons unknown, they disembarked early rather than continuing to California.

  Sweetheart was no more than a primitive settlement in those days. Cliff’s entrepreneurial great-great-whatever uncle founded a one-room trading post that had catered to prospectors lured to the area by a gold strike in the nearby mountains. As the population expanded, so had the man’s business. His nephew became the first sheriff.

  Cliff grew up spending much of his youth in the store, pestering his aunt or playing with his cousin. E
ven during high school, when girls and sports consumed his every waking thought, he still visited the store. More frequently when his aunt hired the homecoming queen for a part-time cashier position.

  Striding down the center aisle, he tipped his hat to a pair of customers and made his way straight to the photo and electronics counter.

  “Hey, you!” His cousin Maeve smiled broadly at him as she rang up a young man’s order. “Be just a second.”

  He observed his cousin, taking pleasure in her happy expression and relaxed, cheerful manner. So different from last summer when he’d helped her and her children move here. Then, she’d been miserable and withdrawn.

  “What brings you by, cowboy?” she asked after seeing off the customer. “Don’t tell me Evan is throwing rocks into the neighbor’s yard again.”

  Lately, her two-year-old son had decided it was fun to collect rocks and chuck them over the fence. The neighbor had complained.

  “Not that I’ve heard,” Cliff said.

  “Thank goodness.” Maeve wiped imaginary sweat from her brow.

  “I need to buy one of those disposable phones.” He indicated the display wall behind her.

  “Something happen to yours?”

  “Nope.”

  She waited and shrugged when he didn’t offer any additional information. “I’m guessing it’s one of those sheriff things you can’t tell me about.”

  “And you’d be right.”

  She showed him the three brands of phones the store carried and recommended the most popular one. He chose the least popular. If Crowley was going to get this number, he’d have to work extra hard.

  “Need help activating it?”

  “No, thanks.” Cliff quelled her insatiable curiosity with a look.

  She grumbled in frustration. “You really aren’t going to tell me, are you?”

  “Sorry.”

  “Will I see you at supper?” She bagged the box containing the phone. “Mom wants to talk about the Mega Weekend of Weddings.” She rolled her eyes. “What else is new?”

  “Can’t. I’m on duty.”

  “You’re allowed to take a meal break.”

  She was right. And he often did join his aunt and cousin for lunch or supper and sometimes breakfast if it was a tough night.