Page 53 of Caught By A Cowboy

“I thought we were fixed on JJ.” He grins back at me, and I can’t help wondering what the hell's gotten into him as he rolls up his sleeves and makes a start on the dishes.

“My advice is, we send in Sawyer.” I give him an alternative to his plan. “Him and Hale got history and there’s chemistry between them. She looks at him like she wants to rip his clothes off and slit his throat, at the same time.”

“Knowing Sawyer, he’d enjoy that,” Jamie sniggers.

“He can get her talking or, at the very least, he can get into her office,” I assure him

We both turn silent when Maddison appears in the doorframe.

“What do you need, darlin’?” I ask her with a smile.

“A ride…” She looks a little confused as she looks down at her phone. “Isabel just messaged to say that Sheriff Hale has invited us over to her place. Apparently, she won the church raffle and can’t eat all the cake that Jean donated as a prize. Strange that she invited me, huh?” She looks down at her growing belly and laughs as she strokes it. “I’d usually make an excuse but Isabel doesn't want to go by herself, and itiscake…Do you mind?”

“Of course, he doesn’t mind,” Uncle Jamie answers for me, taking my girl’s shoulders and turning her around. “You go get yourself ready. I’ll drive ya there myself.” He waits until we’re alone again before he shakes his head. “I told ya that bitch was clever. Looks to me like Hale’s one step ahead of the game.” He gets back to the dishes while I let that sink in.

MADDISON

Sheriff Hale’s home surprises me. For a woman who seems so emotionally detached, it’s actually very homely.

“Thanks for coming, especially at such short notice.” She sees me and Isabel through to the living room and when I see the selection of cakes and brownies laid out on the coffee table, I lick my lips and feel my stomach growl. It’s been less than an hour since I’ve eaten dinner, but I don’t enjoy savory things these days, I’m all about the sweet stuff.

“Please sit down and help yourself. I really didn’t expect to win, I was just trying to support the church.” She proves she’s not very good at being sociable as she hovers awkwardly and blocks our way to the couch.

“Sorry.” She shifts out of our way and after I take a seat, closely followed by Isabel, I check my phone.

I’M PARKED AROUND THE CORNER, LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU’RE READY

I read Jace’s message and smile to myself. I’m surprised he let me come here considering we’ve both had our suspicions overthis woman, but I guess she’s been here a while without causing any trouble. What no one else in this room, or Jace will know, is that I didn’t come here just for the cake. Sheriff Hale’s invitation is the perfect opportunity for me to find out what she knows.

“So, as you can tell I haven’t exactly made many friends since I’ve been here,” she explains.

“You're the sheriff, I didn’t think you were supposed to make friends,” Isabel points out, as she reaches to the table and takes one of the little plates, starting with a gooey-looking brownie. A sharp kick against my ribs from little JJ encourages me to do the same.

“Riley, when I’m off duty.” Hale smiles awkwardly at us both. “And you are right in thinking that, Isabel, but I’m also planning on making Clearwater Creek my permanent home.” She pours some lemonade from the jug that's on the table into a glass for each of us.

“I think that’s a great idea, I’m new to town myself and it’s a great place to live. Nice people too.” I look at Isabel and silently plead for her to go easy on the woman. I think it would be wise to have Riley Hale as a friend rather than an enemy.

“So, when's the wedding?” Riley asks, taking an interest in my engagement ring.

“Oh, I managed to convince Jace that we should wait until after the baby comes. I didn’t want to look like a frump in the wedding photos.”

“Please, you do not look like a frump, you look sensational. Can you believe she’s still getting her ass into size ten jeans?” Isabel looks at Riley in amazement.

“My ass, yeah, but not the rest of me.” I drown my sorrows by taking a huge bite out of my brownie and kudos to Jean, like everything else she makes, it tastes incredible. “ I'm also kind of hoping my parents come round to the idea of me and Jace oncethe baby gets here. I want my dad to walk me down the aisle.” I decide to be honest, it might encourage Riley to open up.

“That's very true, and what about you, Isabel? Do you and Eli have plans for a family?” She turns her questioning to my friend and the room goes quiet. Eli has admitted to me that they’ve been trying for some time with no success. But Isabel has never mentioned it. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that she’s not in love with the man, but I still get the impression she feels as if she’s letting him down. I wish she’d open up and talk to me so I could explain to her that she isn’t.

“It’s kind of a work in progress.” She picks up her lemonade and takes a sip.

“I’m sorry…I–”

“So… you and Sawyer,” I chime in. “I sense that there's something between you. I saw the way he was looking at you last week when you were both in the grocery store.”

“Sawyer?” Riley laughs. “No way, the man is, crude and?—”

“Funny. Handsome too, but I bet you haven’t noticed that.” Isabel keeps the hits coming.

“Well, maybe he is all those things but I much prefer a man who takes life seriously. I may be young and doing well in my career but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to start a family.” She smiles at me as she reaches forward and takes a slice of cake for herself.

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