She bit into the second half of her sandwich and went to work comparing the thick pile of checks against the deposit slip.
Chapter Two
Heres your problem, Gramma. Its right here. Youve transposed a check amount on the deposit slip. Kendra grabbed the nearby pen and made the corrections. There. That should do it.
Wonderful! My dear, what would I have done without you?
Youd have found it without my help. I
The bell above the door jingled.
Cameron. She didnt need to turn around to know it was him. She felt his presence as surely as the current of August heat radiating through the opened door.
Why was she so aware of this man she hardly knew, as if hed reached out and laid his hand on her arm? It was odd. Shed never felt this before with him or with anyone.
The door clicked shut, and he stood in the direct blast of the air-conditioning vent. Hat off, eyes closed, his head tilted back in appreciation. He seemed to be enjoying the icy draft as it ruffled his short, dark hair.
That sure cooled me down. He clutched his hat in his big, capable hands. There was a streak of grease across the backs of his broad knuckles. Good afternoon, Helen.
Sheriff. Grammas pleasure warmed her voice. Its good to see you. Come in and cool down. Kendra will get you something to drink.
Oh, I will?
Leave it to her grandmother to try to matchmake. As if it would do any good. And poor Cameron. He was struggling to be elected, and he had to be desperate if he wanted to change her tire in this heat. He shouldnt have to keel over from heat stroke because of it.
The chair groaned in the joints as she stood, although it could have been her knees, but she didnt want to think about the creaks in her joints since shed turned thirty. Her tennies squeaked on the clean floor as she put as much distance between her and Cameron as she could.
Iced tea or soda?
One of those flavored teas would do just fine. Cameron followed her, as if he wasnt about to let her escape until he had her vote. Surely thats what this was all about.
She wasnt so sure when she turned around, with the cool metal handle in hand, and didnt notice the icy draft from the refrigeration unit. He was behind her, and this time she didnt tremble. She fizzed, like those carbonated bubbles in a glass of cola. She felt bubbly down deep in her soul.
Lemon-flavored, if youve got it. His voice came warm, deep and as inviting as ever.
The bubbles inside her fizzed upward and she felt lighter than air. As if her soul turned upside down and wasnt sad anymore. How wrong was that? Get a grip, girl.
She handed him the squat bottle. Anything else?
This is all I need. He didnt move away as he covered the mouth of the bottle with his wide palm and twisted the cap. Zach lent a hand, too, so we did double-time getting it done. Youre all set.
Thanks, Sheriff.
Cameron. Ive loosened your lug nuts, I think we ought to be on a first-name basis.
Arent you funny?
I try to be. I get that way when Im sugar-deprived.
I can take a hint. You want more of a reward for a job well done? My vote isnt enough.
I could use a snack.
Was it her imagination, or was he trying to be charming? Does the town council know what youre up to?
Why? Im doing nothing wrong. Every cop has the civil right to doughnuts. Or those amazing chocolate cookies your grandmother makes if you happen to have any lying around taking up too much space on your shelves.
He was definitely trying to be nice. It was hard to shoot down a man complimenting Grammas baking. Maybe that was one way to win elections. What did she know about politics?
Its your lucky day. Kendra spied two chocolate cookies left over from the days sales, looking lonely on the pastry shelf below the hand-off counter. Could you do us a favor and take them off our hands?
I reckon I could try. Helping the lovely ladies of this town is my beholden duty.
He sure must want to be reelected, since he was trying so hard. As if he had any real competition anyway. From what everyone said, hed been one of the best sheriffs the town had ever had. She grabbed the two cookies with a slice of waxed paper and handed them over.
He had a nice smile. Not flashy or too wide, but honest and easy. Sincere. My stomach thanks you. Helen, every time I see you zipping around in that little red convertible of yours, I think Ive got to get me one of those.
Nah, youre too stodgy, young man. Gramma teased as she zipped up the banks deposit bag. Youre better off in that sensible SUV you drive.
Youre making me sound middle-aged, Helen. I dont appreciate that.
Its not my fault youre stuffy. Laughing, Gramma slipped the laptop into her shoulder bag and, clutching the deposit, she headed for the door. Much faster than usual.
Gramma, where are you off to in such a hurry?
The bank.
Its already closed.
As if shed temporarily gone deaf, Gramma didnt answer, just smiled sweetly as she backed through the doorway. You keep up the good work, young man. Its reassuring to see a man who knows responsibility.
Her grandmother tossed Kendra a knowing wink before snapping the door shut with a final jangle of the bell. That matchmaker!
What was that about? Cameron looked puzzled, which proved he couldnt be the best detective.
It wasnt obvious? My other sisters are married off and providing her with grandchildren, so shes trying to find me a husband, I guess. Sorry about that. Kendra rolled her eyes as she grabbed her half-full bottle from the table.
Hey, I understand. My grandmother is the same way. She asked me for years every time I saw her, which was every Sunday for church, why I couldnt find a nice girl and settle down. He ambled toward the door, talking conversationally.
The good-natured banter lifted a weight from her shoulders. Cameron was no threat. He was simply making conversation. Hed treated Gramma the same exact way.
More at ease, she followed him and dug in her shorts pocket for her keys. So, how did you handle your grandmother?
I informed her that if I could find a nice girl, then I would marry her. The problem is finding a woman whos interested in me.
Sure, I can see why thats a problem. Dependable man, handsome and fit and went out of his way to help others. She locked up and tested the locksometimes it was tricky.
Once she saw it from a prospective brides viewpoint, she stopped bothering me. She wouldnt want to inflict any nice girl with a husband like me.
Theres more to life than having a ring on your hand, thats for sure.
Was it a lie if you wanted to mean what you said, even if it wasnt the truth? Kendra wondered as she loped down the steps and crossed the street.
Sure, he agreed, keeping stride with her.
Was it marriage she was against, or the fear of trusting a man that much?
Theyd reached his cruiser. You should be safe to drive home.
Thanks again, Cameron. You have a good evening. She strode around the back of the trailer, jingling her keys in the palm of her hand as she went, blond hair blowing in a long silken ponytail behind her.
Cameron bit into a cookie as he waited by his cruiser to make sure she got on her way all right. Chocolate broke apart in his mouth, as rich as cake and made richer with sweet chunks of milk chocolate.
It almost soothed away his disappointment as Kendras truck engine rolled over with an easy hum. Taillights winked on and the right blinkers flashed. She eased out into the empty street leaving only tire marks and a hint of dust in the air.
That didnt bode too well, man. She was sure quick to get rid of him. Not that hed come across as an intelligent future customer. No, hed yakked on about his re-election when what he should have done was ask her about the boarding fees at her stable.
Seeking refuge inside the car, he started the engine and flicked the air-conditioning on high. Not even the second chocolate cookie made him feel better.
Maybe some things werent meant to be. And if they were, then wouldnt the Lord present him with another chance?
He was upset, and it wasnt only about the questions he didnt ask Kendra. Hed fibbed when shed asked how hed handled his grandmothers desire for him to marry. His nana was a fine woman, a real lady, and she worried about him being alone.
The truth was, hed lost his heart when he buried his wife. Hed lived in darkness ever since her passing. His grieving was done, but the loneliness remained.
Hed loved being married. If he could find a woman that filled him up like sunlight, that made him alive again, well, wouldnt that be something? Did true love happen twice in a lifetime?
Hed leave that answer up to the Lord. In the meantime, his workday was done. There was nothing else to do but go home. He would face the lonely house and the silent kitchen as he did every night and make a tuna-fish sandwich for supper while he listened to the world news.
Alone.
Alone. Finally. Kendra collapsed on her secondhand couch and let the window unit pummel her with blessed, cold air. Her fat tabby cat meowed a weak protest from the top of the cushion, but his demand for more treats was the last one in a long list.
Shed done everything. The new horses were in the paddock, the stalls in the stables were cleaned, the horses fed and watered, the trailer hosed out. Shed returned messages, paid a few bills and checked on a pregnant mare.
The cats meow was louder.
Pounce, can you wait two minutes? Just two? I dont think I can move.
Meow.
The treats are on the other end table. I cant reach them from here.
Apparently tired of her excuses, the twenty-pound orange tabby leaped off the top of the cushion and onto Kendras stomach.
Okay, Ill get the treats. Laughing, she rubbed the cats head, as he purred. The shrill ring of the phone had her reaching for the cordless handset tossed in the mess on the coffee table. This had better be good.
Ooh, it is! It was her littlest sister Michelle, trembling with excitement. Not that Michelle was all that little now that she was grown-up and married. Were all on our way to the hospital. Karen was admitted about thirty minutes ago.
Shes having the baby? Excitement must have reenergized her, because Kendra found the will to stand up, carrying Pounce as she crossed the room. Did you need a ride or is your hubby there?
Brodys locking up right now Oops, I gotta go. Hes dragging me to the front door. Michelle was laughing. See you at the hospital!
Another niece or nephew to welcome into their family! Kendra tossed the phone onto the cushions to worry about later. She was going to be an auntagain. She had to hurry. She had to drive. She needed caffeine. Good thing shed made a pitcher of sun tea yesterday.
A swift brush along her ankles reminded her of her primary mission. The cat led the way to the treat bag and his demanding meow left no doubt. He was annoyed with her.
I know, that phone was more important than you. Im sorry, buddy. She gave him an extra treat, rubbed his head while he purred gratefully and made the long journey of about seven steps into the small galley kitchen.
Okay, so she hadnt done all her chores today. Bypassing the counter of dirty dishes, she rummaged through the back of the cupboard until she found a clean cup, dumped some sugar in for good measure and went in search of her keys.
Where were they? The cat was no help, as he was settling on his cushion in front of the air conditioner and couldnt be bothered with lowly human dilemmas.
Found em! On the floor beneath her tennies. Bye, Pounce!
The cat managed a disdainful frown, which Kendra took to mean hed miss her.
Twilight was creeping into the long shadows as she started her truck, but that didnt provide any relief from the heat. No. At least she wasnt towing a trailer, so she punched up the air-conditioning. The sinking sun blazed bright orange and magenta in her rear and side-view mirrors, tailing her as she headed to Bozeman.
The sun had set in a lavender hush by the time she pulled into the hospital parking lot, found an available space as close to the front doors as she could manage and climbed out into the coming darkness.
Kendra, is that you? A mans voice rumbled behind her.
Her keys tumbled through her fingers and crashed to the pavement at her feet. She recognized his deep, warm baritone instantly. Smooth move, Kendra. Cameron. What are you doing here?
Startling you. Here, let me. He knelt and retrieved her keys.
It was gentlemanly of him. If he hadnt spoken first, she might not have realized it was him right off. She was used to seeing him in his navy-blue uniform. Tonight he wore a simple T-shirt and jeans, belted at his lean hips, and scuffed boots.
He straightened to his full six feet and held her key ring on the wide palm of his hand. Ive come to your rescue again.
I guess. If you hadnt come along when you did, Id have been in a real dilemma, being unable to pick up my own keys.
See? Glad I could be of service.
And just what are you doing here anyway? Following me?
Youd have noticed in your rearview if I had. Nope, my pager went off halfway through my supper. Big wreck on the highway.
Shed taken the back road to Bozeman, not the highway. Was anyone hurt?
A tire blew out, and the driver was injured. It was the father of a family on their summer vacation.
Will he be all right?
Broke his leg. Hell be spending the night in the hospital, so I told him Id make sure his wife and kids get settled into a hotel room. During tourist season, you dont know the strings I had to pull for that one.
That was decent of you.
Yeah? Well, I try not to be such a bad guy, considering I wear a badge and give people tickets.
Ive heard you cops have unfair quotas to fill.
Pressure of being a cop. His smile broke wide, showing a row of straight even white teeth and a hint of a dimple. Why do I have the pleasure of running into you on this fine evening?
Im about to become an aunt again.
Congratulations. He fell in step beside her. Thats hard work, becoming an aunt.
Yeah, I have it much harder than Karen. I have to shop in the gift store. I have to sit and wait in those uncomfortable chairs.
There must be an unspoken but ironclad law in hospital administration that states they can only allocate funds for the most uncomfortable chairs on the planet. They would have to buy them on purpose. Theres no way they could find those chairs by chance.