Page 12 of Claimed by the Lawman

“Oh, I don’t know. What if I would have? Would you have come running home faster?” Isla’s giggle vibrated the line.

“No, of course not.” The squeak to her voice didn’t lend truth to her claim. She did enjoy looking at him, not to mention she felt like she’d combust when he was near. “I’m just saying he’s still got something going on. And the uniform. Wow. Why is it that it adds to his sex appeal?” So sexy and so darn virile that she needed a fan.

“Can you believe he’s Bohannan’s Sheriff now? I mean, what are the chances that he is here and so are you? I’d say this isn’t pure coincidence. This is definitely fate. He knew you’d return one day and he wanted to be close when you did.”

“Let’s not go there. That’s ridiculous.” Tyler picked off a piece of bagel and popped it into her mouth, carefully chewing this time.

“Why? You think he’s still the hottest man alive and we all know you two were quite the item back in the day. He made you all dewy-eyed and fancy-free. You can’t tell me that you don’t wonder if he’s just as built underneath—”

“No, I don’t. Okay…sure I do, but who wouldn’t? True, we did have something great, but it ended. We were young and silly.”

“You left, sweetie. That kind of does put a wrap up on things.”

“And so did he. Remember? He joined the military. Was I supposed to wait?” She rolled her finger around the rim of her cup, realizing how rough her words sounded. “Not once did he tell me he wanted me to stay, Isla, or that he saw us as a couple in the future. When I told him I was going to New York, he acted like he was relieved, then he distanced himself. What man who is interested in a future with a woman refuses to speak to her?”

“From what I do remember, you’d fallen hard for him and didn’t tell him how you felt either. You both were immature. Maybe if you’d said something…”

Her friend’s words made Tyler wince. “Right, but if it had been meant to be, it would have been. Kace and I are history. That boat sailed a long time ago.”

“Hmm. Well, I’ll remind you of these words.”

“You won’t have to. I’m only interested in getting his help and it has nothing to do with the bedroom or what his moves are like under the sheets.”

“If you say so.”

“You’re making out like I’m a horny hopeless case.”

“I’m making out that Kace Cade is hotter than ever and any single woman would be crazy to not want to find out if his reputation stacks up to the real man.” Isla laughed.

“Reputation?” Tyler thrummed her fingers on the table.

“Honey, he’s not been a saint since he moved to Bohannan. Single women around these parts have tried their best to sink their claws into that hunk of man. Certainly, some have sank their claws deep, but he’s extracted them. He seems to like the bachelor life.”

“There is something I want to ask you. Didn’t you say the other day that he’s seeing someone…?” She took the rest of her bagel and stepped through the backdoor to toss out the crumbs into the yard for the birds.

“I don’t think they call themselves an item, but they sure do spend a lot time together. After Sadie Mae divorced Dayton Grover, she took up with Kace. Do you remember Sadie Mae?”

“Barely, except that she was prom queen. Anyway, about Kace—”

“Yeah, about him. Does he still get your juices flowing?”

“Funny. I was just curious what he was into these days.”

“Tall, blonde, big-busted Sadie Mae. But I don’t think you’ll have a problem taking her out of the equation,” Isla said.

“Whoa. How about we don’t presume that I want to take anyone out of the equation or anywhere. I just got back to town and I need to establish myself here. I have enough on my plate. I am glad that I’m closer to you. I’ve missed you.” The two had met in kindergarten when a boy had pulled Isla’s braid and Tyler had defended her. They had become friends immediately, and although years had gone by when they hadn’t seen each other, they still remained close. How could they not? They had so much in common. Both loved karaoke, cheap wine, grilled cheese, and the theater. Oh, and chocolate. They were also connected by grief. Isla’s mother had died five years ago after a short battle with cancer, and when Susy died Tyler had spent a better portion of the summer Skyping with Isla.

In school they both had been forced into music lessons by their parents, Isla the drums and Tyler the piano. So to rebel, they’d started a garage rock band that lasted about as long as the idea had. At least thereafter their parents had backed off and allowed the girls to focus on other things, like boys, instead of music lessons. Later, they both switched to drama and loved the stage. Isla had become a music teacher at the local elementary, and Tyler, well, she’d pursued her dreams and failed.

She couldn’t remember a day as a child when Isla wasn’t at the Posey house. When she married last year in Vegas, Tyler was there as her matron of honor, and now that her bestie was pregnant, Tyler planned to be there as another generation took shape.

“My hubby’s good friend from the firm is still available if you find yourself too lonely.”

Isla was always after Tyler to settle down, but her luck with men had only gotten worse after she’d left Bohannan, and Kace. She’d met and dated a few men over the last fifteen years, but Fin had been the closest she’d gotten to a long term relationship. He’d been there for her when Susy passed, but a short time after, things seemed to fizzle.

“Not every person who is single needs fixed up on a blind date,” Tyler said.

“He’s successful, nice looking and ready to settle down. That’s a lot better than most women can find these days.”

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