Page 30 of Wanted by the Lawman

CHAPTER 9

DRAINED FROM LOOKING over the case files he’d received from Rudy, Zander wanted nothing more than to take a long shower and de-stress with a beer. He could see Wynn’s house and the lights were on. He hadn’t seen much of her in the last week, although he’d kept a close eye on things going on. He’d wanted to stop and see how she was doing, but he was swamped taking care of the horses and helping Rudy out with the unsolved cases. And yet, he knew his busy schedule wasn’t the real reason.

He didn’t need the added diversion of a beautiful woman, or the worry about some crazed ex who was wanted by the law. His instincts warned him Wynn could turn his world upside down.

Zander had a feeling she worried that her ex would show up.

If Salvano came to Crooked Creek stirring up trouble, he’d find more than he bargained for.

Climbing from his truck, he strolled up onto the porch and opened the door. “Susie-Q, I’m home.” He was met with silence.

Shit. He’d forgotten that he and Wynn had made plans for her to take care of his dog today.

Taking a step back out of the door, he looked over at her house. This worked out well. If she had his dog, that meant he had an excuse to stop over. Admittedly, he wouldn’t mind seeing her again.

He stepped inside the house and left through the back door, taking the quicker way to the neighboring property. Once he made it there, he knocked.

“Come on in,” Wynn called from inside.

He opened the door and came to a halt. Wynn was touching a man…not just any man, but Deputy Lansing. “Hey there, Cade.” The young man dipped his hat.

Zander looked from the deputy to his hand that Wynn was cleaning with a cotton ball. “Am I interrupting?” Zander really didn’t like the sudden rush of emotions pounding through him. Susie-Q had a perch at Wynn’s feet and hadn’t even stirred when he walked in. At least Wynn offered him a smile, one that could have made his body hard if she wasn’t holding the hand of another man.

“Not at all.” She applied a bandage to Lansing’s hand, washed her hands, and dried them off with a towel. “I was patching up Jeff’s hand.”

Jeff? She called the deputy by his first name? “Was there a problem that I missed?” Zander asked.

“Nope. I was in town and wouldn’t you know, the rental broke down. Thank goodness Jeff saw me and stopped to help. That would have been one long, cold walk. Would you like a glass of tea? I was just making us one.”

Zander closed the door behind him and pulled off his Stetson, holding it against his chest. “I have a few minutes. Thank you. What happened to the hand, Lansing?”

“Clumsiness. I’m doing some work on a friend’s house and damn drill slipped.”

“You should be more careful.” Zander didn’t even look at the other man. He was busily watching Wynn as she reached high into the cabinet. The way her worn jeans cupped her bottom should be illegal. Then he noticed he wasn’t the only one sneaking a peek. Lansing had his gaze locked and loaded on Wynn.

Zander cleared his throat and the younger man jerked his gaze upward, looking a little flustered. “So, the car wouldn’t start?”

“I told Wynn I’d call the rental agency in the morning. They’re closed.”

“That’s a shame,” Zander muttered.

“Not only did he come to my aid with a lift home, but I found out he paints like a pro,” Wynn said, no longer reaching into the cabinet. She was pouring water into a glass pitcher.

“He does, does he?” There was a rawness to Zander’s tone that he couldn’t hide. That would explain the splatters of paint on the man’s black tee.

Lansing grinned. “Well, I have some experience. Before I got hired on at the Sheriff’s department I had my own painting business. I couldn’t just carry in the container of paint without doing the gentlemanly thing and offer to help. Every pretty lady deserves a nice bedroom.”

“Yeah, that’d be a catastrophe.” Zander didn’t care that his tone was rude. He caught Wynn’s narrowed expression as she stirred the contents of the pitcher. He guessed he deserved her questioning stare. What the hell was wrong with him? He had no skin in this so why was he acting like the jealous boyfriend? This was no different than when he’d sent his buddy over to help her with the furnace and wood…and yet, it was hugely different. Lansing was different. Zander wasn’t one to judge a man’s looks, but he’d gather the deputy didn’t have any trouble getting a date. He spent enough time in the gym. He probably wasn’t much older than twenty-five.

Downing the tea that Wynn handed him, Zander needed to tighten the screw that was loose inside his head. He really hoped he didn’t make a fool of himself.

Lansing pushed off the edge of the counter, placed his glass in the sink and flashed Wynn one of those smiles that showed off a row of toothpaste commercial worthy smiles. “I should be going. I won’t have another day off in a few weeks. Nose to the grind and all.”

“Good luck with the case. I sure hope they figure out what’s happening to those young women. You’re working the case too, right Zander?” Wynn asked.

“I offered the Sheriff a little help.” He realized he would break the glass if he didn’t release his hold some.

“If you need any help, just give me a call. I left my number on the table,” Lansing was already to the door.

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