Page 7 of Big Daddy Sheriff

“I’ll go check it out. Thanks, Daisy.”

Daisy nodded and then went back into the dispatch center. Quinn looked at Doc. “I’ve got Don in the back there.” He jerkedhis head toward the idling cruiser. “You mind giving him a look over to make sure he’s okay? Then I’ll let him sleep it off over in the jail.”

“Of course,” Doc said. “But you already know what my professional opinion is. He’s drunk as a skunk. Three sheets to the wind. Completely plastered. I could go on.”

Joe laughed. “I’m not a doctor and I could tell you all that.” He started walking toward the vehicle, meeting up with Doc in the street as they approached. “I’ll lend a hand so you can go see about that stranded girl.”

“Why don’t we just let him sleep this off in my office?” Doc said. “That way, he’ll be under medical care, and you won’t have to worry about keeping an eye on a prisoner. Not that you really consider Don as such.”

Quinn liked that idea a lot. He wasn’t one to pawn his responsibility off on others, but Don really would be better off under the watchful eye of a physician. And, honestly, having someone locked up in jail was such a hassle. This would even save the town a couple dollars, not having to feed Don three meals a day.

Quinn nodded. “Much obliged. If y’all don’t mind, stow his rifle away for me, too. I’ll get it when I get back.” He looked at the women and added, “Ladies, stay out of trouble.”

They giggled but didn’t make any promises.

Once Don was out of the SUV, and Joe had the gun, Quinn got behind the wheel, waved to everyone, and set out to see about that call.

This day was certainly shaping up to be an interesting one.

CHAPTER FOUR

Alyssa’s car had given up a few miles before she reached her destination.

Now she was walking down a lonely stretch of two-lane, Southeastern Oklahoma highway.

At least the scenery was gorgeous.

The majestic beauty of towering trees—along with the scent they provided—was all around her. The green, rolling mountains were breathtaking. It looked a lot like Arkansas, but being from Little Rock, she didn’t really have views this beautiful.

She stayed off the road as much as possible and kept a close eye out for snakes and other critters. She wondered how far it was to Grace’s house. She’d never actually been there. Grace and Theo always came to her when the three got together.

How would they respond to her just showing up like that? She’d tried calling several times, but it went straight to voicemail. Now she was about to show up on their doorstep unannounced. Would they be okay with that?

Grace was her best friend. She’d never turn her away. Alyssa just hoped her impromptu, and hopefully extended visit wasn’t an inconvenience.

She heard the roar of an engine behind her and turned to see a giant truck coming around the curve. It zipped past, the swooshing air causing her to be a bit unsteady on her feet. It was a logging truck. That made sense. The timber was dense in this area.

Thankfully, the truck rolled past her without stopping. She was already nervous walking along the country road. And every time she heard a vehicle—which wasn’t often—her stomach muscles clenched as fear that it was Lana pursuing gripped her.

But Lana had no way of knowing where Alyssa had gone.

That fear still crept up on her once again when she heard another vehicle. She could tell it was slowing down to stop even before she turned around to see who it was. Spinning slowly, she held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest.

Instant relief filled her when she saw the lights atop the dark SUV and realized it was a cop.

She stopped and waited for them to get out.

When they did, the sight nearly took her breath away.

The cop was a strong, tall, dark, chiseled specimen of a man who looked like he’d stepped right out of one of her fantasies and into reality. For a moment, she thought that maybe she was indeed dreaming.

But the gravel crunching under his boots, along with the warm breeze and chirping insects, reminded her that this was reality.

“Good afternoon, ma’am,” he said.

“Good afternoon,” Alyssa replied.

He pinched the brim of his Stetson and gave a slight nod. “My name is Marshal Quinn Hardin. I’m from over in Big Cedar. Everything okay?”

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