Page 3 of Claimed by the Lawman

“I already have one.” She chipped at the corner of the label on the beer she’d been nursing for the last hour. The door opened and she darted a glance that direction, disappointment making her shoulders slump. It wasn’t the cowboy she was waiting for. She took a long sip from the bottle and winced. It had long grown warm.

“Looks like you’ve been stood up, ma’am.”

“Looks about like that.” Although technically she wasn’t, she certainly felt let down. She’d told herself over and over that she needed to see Kace to convince him to reopen the case of her sister’s death, but another part of her, a bigger part, was interested in seeing him after all these years. The memory she had of him in her mind closely resembled that of a superhero. It wasn’t possible. No man was a superhero. She knew because she’d dated some real zeroes over the years. Tyler accepted that when she did see Kace again, he will have aged. Maybe have a large belly, missing teeth, unsightly warts all over his face. Then she might finally put the image of the Greek God Cade out of her mind.

“I wouldn’t stand up a purdy thing like you, but today’s your lucky day. I’m here. The name’s Tim.” He winked.

“My lucky day, huh?”

“I’m a free man and nowhere to be but here. Tell me, what’s a classy lady like you doing in Bohannan?”

She gave him a half-smile. “As they say, “home sweet home’.”

“Ah, so you are from around these parts. What made you come back, sweetheart? Let me guess…an old flame? High school reunion? Your ten year? Am I close?”

“Do you think you’re close?”

“I’m hoping I’m getting warmer.” A sloppy smile carved his clean-cut face and he leaned closer, picking up a tendril of her hair and wrapping it around his knuckle.

“My turn.” She winked. “You’re in construction. Bruised knuckles, leather skin and dusty work boots give it away. I’m also going to guess that you’re contracted in, maybe to work with a local construction company?”

He swiped a hand down his jaw, looking a little pale around the edges. “You’re pretty good. How about we grab a six pack and take this somewhere else? I have a room over at the Inn.” He jutted a chin toward the door.

“Let’s see if I’m on a roll. When you said you were a “free man” , you must have been talking free-spirited because your wagon is hitched. A wife, two and a half kids and picket fence around that place you call home. I’m curious though, does the wife know you like to use the tool after working hours?”

He frowned and shot down his tequila. “A man deserves to have a bit of fun, little lady.”

“Sure he does as long as it’s not the ‘lying and cheating’ kind of fun.”

“I made a mistake.” He grunted. “I like my women warm.” He slammed the shot glass to the bar a little too loud which grabbed the bartender’s attention. Mandy and Tyler went way back and there was question in the woman’s gaze. No doubt she had a shotgun hiding behind the bar and wasn’t afraid to use it if needed.

Tyler leaned closer. “And I’m not into men who shame a woman’s intelligence by sliding off the wedding band and slipping it into his front pocket thinking she won’t see the tan line.” She stood and laid a five-dollar bill on the bar. “Growing up with a daddy who owns Posey Construction, I got used to the shenanigans that happen after the machinery is put away for the day. My daddy certainly warned me enough about the likes of men who worked all day and played all night.”

He blinked three times. “You’re Johnny Posey’s daughter?”

“He works the family ranch more these days, but yeah, he owns the company.” She smiled when Tim’s bottom lip protruded. “A word of advice, Tim. Bohannan’s too small to play the same lines on every female that comes along. Go home before you’re served divorce papers. Some contracting job in the middle of nowhere isn’t worth losing your family.”

“And what the hell would you know?” He sniffed loudly.

“Enough, considering my momma fell for a sweet-talking, deep-dimpled, well-dressed man just like yourself. Twenty years later and the pick-up lines are all the same. He promised her they’d see the world together, make love every night and he’d treat her like a queen. She packed a bag at record speed and left her husband and kids, ready for the fantasy trip of a lifetime that lasted about two days. Once she met her lover’s wife and four kids in some two stop-light town in Ohio, things got a little crowded.” Tyler wasn’t sure what was redder, Tim’s face or the bright neon sign over his shoulder. With a smile, she waved at Mandy. “Bye, Mandy. Tell your ma I said hello.”

“See you, Tyler. Stop over to the house when you get a chance. She’d love to see you.”

There was a gentle mist outside as Tyler headed across the parking lot, her plans thwarted again. Kace was playing hard to get.

Her phone vibrated and she reached for it, checking the screen. It was her father. She couldn’t deal with any of it tonight, so she dropped her phone back into her purse. They didn’t always see eye to eye. In fact, they’d butted heads a lot since Susy passed away. Tyler was having a hard time getting over many things, especially him refusing to come see her in New York, even when she’d played in her biggest role as Juliet. He’d used excuse after excuse, but she’d finally turned a deaf ear. Her father had never liked the idea that she didn’t stick around Bohannan, work on the family ranch, and marry Kace Cade. What was she supposed to do? Rope him and tag him as hers? Once upon a time she’d hoped something more would come of her relationship with the handsome cowboy, but things just sort of fizzled, and when she’d told him she was leaving Wyoming to pursue her dreams, he hadn’t once asked her to stay.

“Well, well. Look what the cat drug back into the backwoods.”

Swirling around on her heels, she almost jumped out of her brand-new boots. “Rogue Posey. Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, boy. Last time I saw you that was all high and tight.” She reached up and tugged on the hair that touched his collar. “I bet you’re giving Daddy a coronary with all that fringe .”

“Ain’t you one to complain, sassy.” He gave her a big hug and swung her around, lifting her feet off the ground for a long twirl, just like he did when they were kids. When he set her back down, his expression became firm, but his eyes stayed warm. “Why aren’t you staying at the ranch? That’s home. Your home.”

She pulled back slightly, placing her hands on her hips. “Keep your nose where it belongs, mister. I’ve only been back in town for a week and I ain’t looking for a lecture from my little brother.” She waved a finger at him.

“I’ve missed you is all. This thing where you come to visit every few years isn’t enough.”

“Well, last I knew, the road travels both directions.” She tried to hide her hurt. From the time he was born, three years after her, she’d nestled him under her wing and taken care of him, and Susy. After their mother had taken off, Tyler had become more like a mother than a sister.

---