Thats not right. Its my trailer.
Yeah, well, its a slow day. I dont see a lot of wild speeders or crime sprees on Thursday afternoons. Its okay to let me do this, Kendra.
He could see the argument coming. Hed learned to read people during his fifteen years wearing a badge. He saw a woman used to doing things herself. If it bothers your conscience, then you can bring a batch of cookies or something by the station. My deputy has a sweet tooth you wouldnt believe.
She swept down from the seat with an easy grace that she didnt seem aware of.
He was. It sure threw him for a loop.
Today she looked summery and girl-next-door fresh in a white tank top, a pair of jean shorts and slip-on tennis shoes. Her blond hair, streaked by time in the sun, was tied back in a long ponytail. She slipped her sunglasses from the top of her head onto her nose and circled around the rig to look at the damage.
I think my spare went flat. She said it wearily, more to herself than to him. Probably expecting some kind of reprimand.
Why would he do that? Didnt a woman who worked hard to make her own living deserve a break? He sure thought so. Zachs at his garage. Ill take the tire over for him to patch.
Hes my brother-in-law, and I can do it.
Toll House, no walnuts. I have a soft spot for butterscotch chips.
He left her standing there, watching him with a slack jaw as he yanked the jack from his cruisers trunk. Im helping you, no matter what. Just accept it.
I should help you.
Why? It would make me look bad. Ive got my public image to think about. Voters care about that kind of thing.
He didnt care about his image, he worked hard to do the right thing and he was proud of his record. He had time, and in helping her maybe hed find a way to approach her. Ask her professional opinion. Im not taking no for an answer. Your only option is to let me do my job.
She studied him and the jack he was carrying and the nearly flat tire. Fine. Thank you. The horses
Will be fine. Ive done this before.
Okay.
She didnt sound happy, but Cameron bet that shed let him do it. He wasnt about to budge, hed been waiting for this chance forever, thats what it felt like. If he had a choice, then hed want her to stay and watch so they could talk while he worked.
He knew her well enough to know she wouldnt hang around. She kept her distance from men, not just him, and with good reason.
He felt her sadness every time he was around her. Now maybe he was imagining it, because hed been there to arrest Jerrod Melcher, and he saw how bad shed been hurt. That was likely to make any woman wary about men for a long time.
It was understandable.
As he watched her cross the road, jaywalking, heading straight to her familys coffee shop, a streak of pain jabbed through his heart. A widower was used to feeling a certain amount of pain down deep, but this was something different. Something that felt a lot like longing.
One thing was for sure. When Kendra looked at him, she didnt feel any positive emotion. Not a chance. When she looked at him she remembered that night. He could feel that, too.
Perhaps he should just leave her alone. Ask Sally at the Long Horn Stables for help instead.
Frustrated, he got to work.
It was her trailer, she ought to be dealing with it. But that stubborn sheriff had refused to leave, so what was she going to do? Stand there and make small talk? She didnt need his help and she was getting it anyway. It ate at her as the bell over the coffee shops door jangled.
The welcome breeze from the air-conditioning skimmed over her, but it didnt cool her anger. Men were bossy, every one of them. Who did the sheriff think he was that he could just do what he wanted to her trailer?
Face it, you appreciate that hes helping.
Sure, but it still bugged her. She was hot, exhausted, and dealing with a flat tire in over hundred-degree weather would have put her over the edge. Well, at least close to it.
Because of Cameron, she was able to rest for a few minutes instead of dealing with one more disaster in a doom-filled day. She didnt want to be grateful to him. But she was.
See why it was a good idea to stay far away from men? Even the nice ones?
Kendra? You look too hot, are you all right? Gramma sat at the far end of the otherwise empty room, behind one of the cloth-covered tables. Ignoring her spread of papers and her open laptop, she examined Kendra over the lines in her bifocals. Something is wrong. Why are you back so soon?
Im fine and its past closing time. Kendra flicked off the neon sign and turned the Open sign in the window to Closed. How long have you been in here slaving over the bookkeeping?
Goodness, let me see. She checked her gold wristwatch. For much longer than I thought!
You lose track of time when youre doing the books. I do the same thing.
I suppose so! Gramma took off her glasses and wiped them on the corner hem of her stylish summer blouse. Ive lost two dollars and seventy cents I cant find anywhere. Id just finish the deposit and say, forget it. But itll be all I think about when I get home. Come, dear, sit down. You look as though youve got too much sun.
No need to fuss, Im fine. Im going to raid the kitchen and pray there are some leftovers in the fridge. Im too beat to cook when I get home.
I knew it. You work too hard, sweetie. You cant work every minute of every day.
I take a few minutes off now and then.
Dont sass me, young lady. Youve been skipping meals.
Not intentionally.
Kendra ducked into the kitchen to avoid the lecture. She knew what was coming when Gramma got started. She loved her grandmother within an inch of her life, but how Gramma fussed! Kendra yanked open the industrial refrigerator and studied the contents. Jackpot!
Grammas sandals tapped on the floor, announcing her approach to the kitchen.
I can do it myself. Kendra pulled a bowl of chicken salad from the top shelf. Do you want me to make you a sandwich, too?
Me? Youre the one needing to eat. Give me that. Wheres the mayonnaise?
I said Id do it and I meant it. Kendra wrapped her grandmother into a hug and breathed in the honeysuckle sweetness of her perfume. Youve had a long day, and you dont need to make it longer by doing one single thing for me. You work too much.
Ive got good help. The girls Ive hired this summer have been a real blessing. Theres the macaroni salad you like in the bottom shelf. No, let me get it.
Kendra snatched the big stainless-steel bowl from the shelf. Out. Go back to your table. Shoo!
Nice try, but I wrote the book on bossy. Gramma dug through the pantry and came up with a wrapped loaf of homemade bread. Well both fix us something to eat while you tell me about your new horses.
Youre a tricky woman, Gramma.
Thanks, dear, I try. Hand me the serrated knife.
Kendra did as she was asked and found two plates while she was digging through the dishwasher. I won the bid for the prettiest mustangs Ive gotten yet. One is as wild and mean as a bull, but the others have potential.
You bought a mean horse? Grammas disapproval wreathed her soft, lovely face, as she cut thick slices of wheat-nut bread. Is that safe?
You bought a mean horse? Grammas disapproval wreathed her soft, lovely face, as she cut thick slices of wheat-nut bread. Is that safe?
Hes a stallion.
I dont like the sound of that! Not at all. Boarding and training horses is one thing. But a stallion? How will you handle him? And hes wild, to boot!
I have a little tiny eensy-beensy bit of experience with horses, remember? Kendra twisted open the jar of mayo. Ive been riding since before I could walk.
I didnt approve of that, either, the way your father would put you and your sisters on the backs of horses when you were nothing but toddlers! Grammas eyes twinkled, though. He must be a good-looking horse, if you bought him.
Hes a beauty. Bright chestnut coat. Perfect white socks. A long black mane and tail. And his lineshes got some Arabian in him. Kendra sighed. Of course, he gives new meaning to the word wild. Im sure I can tame him, so dont start worrying. I havent been killed by a horse yet.
Heavens, I should hope not! You do have a way with them. I dont doubt that. Gramma bit her lip as she layered meat mixture and cheese on a slice of bread. As if she were thinking better of saying anything more.
Kendra whipped the knife from her grandmothers hand. You go sit down. Ill finish this up and bring you a cup of iced tea to the table. Go. Away with you.
Youre getting just as bossy as me. I like that. Planting a kiss on Kendras cheek, she left the kitchen without further complaint.
That wasnt like Gramma at all, but Kendra was too exhausted to dwell on it. She put away the sandwich makings, grabbed two bottles of iced tea from the case, shouldered through the swinging doors and into the silent shop.
With the wide bank of windows along the end wall, she had a perfect view of Cameron. He was rolling the tire across the street, apparently whistling as he went, looking like a hero in his navy-blue uniform.
That Durango boys helpin you out, I see, Gramma commented as she tapped keys on her computer. Funny that youd let a man do something like that for you.
Dont go reading something into it thats not there.
Is something there?
How many times had they discussed this? Im not going to get married, you know. Ever. So dont start getting your hopes up. The truth is, Im so tired I can barely pick up my feet and Cameron offered to help me. He helps with this kind of thing all the time.
Which kind of thing would that be? A tire low on air? Or helping a very pretty eligible woman? Grammas eyes twinkled as if she knew something Kendra didnt.
If youre going to torture me about this, Im taking my food and Im leaving. Kendra said it lightly, but she meant it.
The impenetrable titanium walls around her heart were sealed shut. They were going to stay locked tight. Im not interested in Cameron.
Then why, sweetie, is he fixing that tire for you?
Because hes a sheriff and I had a long day in the hot sun and no lunch.
She took a big bite of her sandwich to prove it.
Fine. All right. I believe you. She held up her hands helplessly. You cant blame a poor grandmother for hoping.
Oh, yes I can!
Only three of my granddaughters are married and have given me perfect grandchildren. Theres no crime in wanting more. Marges youngest girl married just last year and had a new baby boy last week. That makes for four grandchildren for her. Ive got to keep up.
Kendra rolled her eyes, her mouth too full to speak. What was the point? As if Gramma listened anyway. She had her definite opinions and nothing short of laser fire was going to change her mind.
Cameron is certainly a good man, isnt he? Hes so nice and courteous. Everyone raves on about what a fine sheriff hes been.
Yes, Im sure hell be reelected. Now, can we change the subject?
Look how handsome he is in his uniform. I have a weakness for men in uniforms myself. The first time I saw your grandfather in his dress bluesit does make a girl feel safe, doesnt it?
Stop. Laughter escaped anyway. How could she be mad at her grandmother who so obviously loved the idea of marriage and happily-ever-afters?
But it wasnt for everyone. It even said so in the Bible. God chose different paths for everyone and some women were meant to be married and mothers.
She wasnt. It hurt, but there wasnt anything she could do to change the direction her life had taken.
It wasnt as if she were alone.
Look at the blessings the good Lord had placed in her life. Her grandmother, her parents, her sisters, her friends and her horses. How many people actually got to do what they loved for a living? Shed always wanted her own riding stable, and thats what she had. She wasnt going to complain about her life. Not now. Not ever.
Oh, where are the books off? This is the most aggravating thing on earth. Who invented bookkeeping, anyway? Whoever he is, hes a very bad man. Grammas frustration was good-natured as she held up her hand and gave the computer a death-ray glare. I should just quit, but itll keep bothering me if I do.
Youre just tired. Let me take a peek. Kendra pulled the ledger so it faced her. Its probably just a transposition.
You are simply a wonder, my dear. Thank you.
As she ate, Kendra squinted at the numbers and tried to make her eyes focus. Minutes ticked by as she studied the long row of numbers and paired them against the deposit slip. It had to be a coincidence that shed chosen a seat that faced the windows, right? She wouldnt pick this spot on purpose because she had a perfect view of Cameron Durango kneeling in the hot sun, working alongside Zach, her brother-in-law, who must have come over to help.
He may be handsome and kind and dependable, sure, but the steel doors around her heart stayed locked.
Where are the checks? Kendra tore her gaze from the window and noticed her grandmothers eyes were sparkling, as if shed noticed where Kendras gaze kept straying. Oh, I get it. You think Im interested in the sheriff.
Oh, no. Of course not. She was the perfect face of innocent grandmotherly denial. I was just thinking what a blessing it is that God sends us what we need when we need it most.
And that cryptic comment means
Oh, nothing about Cameron coming to help you when you needed it, of course. Heavens, no! I was referring to you walking through the door when I was ready to give up in frustration. The checks are here, in the bank bag.
Kendra waited while her grandmother slid the small dark bag across the table. Liar. Whether Gramma admitted it or not, she wasnt fooled one bit.
Why argue about it? There was no point. Her grandmother would come to understand in time and to accept Kendras choices in life.
Cameron Durango, no matter how striking and protective and capable he looked in his uniform, would never be one of her choices.
Why did that make her sad? She decided her barricades were weakening, probably because she was still so tired and hungry.
See? A girl needed to keep up her strength so she wasnt susceptible to random, pointless emotions. It was pointless to feel sad about what could never be made right.
She bit into the second half of her sandwich and went to work comparing the thick pile of checks against the deposit slip.