Page 13 of Taken by the Lawman

“The yuppie? The one who didn’t stay to eat his pizza? He looked like he’d just lost his puppy when he walked away. Yeah, some relationship.” He chuckled. “Admit it. You broke it off with him.”

“This isn’t any of your business. I’m just trying to prove that you’re wrong. I’m capable of keeping my head in the assignment.”

He took a step back, reeling from the emotions she erupted in him. “We’re here now. Let’s do this. How about we get out of this room, grab lunch because I need more substance than bread with cheese. We can ask around, and with any luck, we’ll be heading back to Cheyenne by evening with some clues to this case.”

“Fine, Deegan. If we’re working this case together though, then we need to decide ‘together’ how we’re doing this. That’s not too much to ask.”

“I forgot. You always like to be in control.” He dropped down on the bed and the mattress springs squeaked loudly which received a look of disapproval from her. He leaned against the headboard and stretched his legs, crossing his ankles. “Okay then, how do you think we should handle this?”

Several seconds floated by. “Fine, you’re right that we will fit in better as a couple. We’re getting out there and finding this woman, and the second we have our questions answered we’re getting out of Folklore. Not a second later. Got it?”

“Then let’s not waste any time.” He climbed from the bed, opened the door and ushered her out. When they took the last step of the stairs onto the first floor, he placed his hand on the small of her back and they headed for the desk. He bent and said close to her ear, “Put a smile on your face, Cade. At least pretend you like my touch a little.”

“Stick it where the sun doesn’t shine, Bronx,” she seethed.

“Now that’s a thought.”

*

As they approached the customer service desk, Kiersten had to work hard to keep a smile on her face while Deegan’s hand stayed pressed on the small of her back. She wanted to swat it away, but the pert, blue-eyed blonde desk worker lifted her head, watching them.

“Is everything okay with your room?” she asked.

“Yes, Sandy, it’s lovely,” Kiersten said. “We’re wanting to get out and do some sightseeing and grab some lunch. Do you have any recommendations?”

“There’s a deli right down the street that serves a variety of subs, or Mila’s Grille that is a few blocks south. You can’t go wrong with the pulled pork. And Mila makes a signature sweet potato souffle that’ll remind you of Thanksgiving.” She reached under the desk and produced several coupons. “And for our guests. Special discounts.”

“Thank you.” Deegan took the coupons. “What would you like, dearest? A sub or meat?” He nuzzled her cheek.

Her throat constricted. “Oh, I’ll leave it up to you, snookums.” She patted his cheek a little too hard.

“You two are so adorable,” Sandy gushed.

Kiersten thought she’d be sick.

She and Deegan walked out together, his hand remaining at her waist.

“Watch your hand,” she whispered.

“I’m just wanting to be convincing.”

“How convincing would it be if you lose that hand?”

She spotted his smile, but he did drop his hand.

The town reminded her a lot of her home town. Benches lined the sidewalks, quaint shops housed in historical brick buildings, and passersby raising their hands in greeting. There were times she missed home, missed her brothers because their lives were taking them in different directions. The last time she visited, her mom had announced that she had a heart condition and Kiersten worried Beatrice wasn’t taking good enough care of herself.

Since Kiersten was moving back on the family ranch temporarily while her house was being finished, she’d make sure her ma was listening to the doctor’s advice.

They chose Mila’s Grille and her stomach growled at the welcoming smell of a firepit and smoky barbecue as they were shown to a table close to the window. There were only a couple other late-lunch patrons and, as she would have expected, they stared as she and Deegan passed. He couldn’t be missed. At six foot two and two hundred pounds of lean muscle and good looks, he caught many an eye, including hers. At five-eight herself, she’d always liked tall men who were independent and self-confidant. Although she’d bitterly pointed out to him earlier, she thought he put others in danger, what she left out was that he was a damn good Fed. She’d recently recommended him for a promotion that would put them at equal levels, but she couldn’t tell him.

Since he’d been transferred into her unit, he’d proven time and again that he could bring home any criminal who crossed his path.

Working undercover put his life in danger. Agent’s had been killed in the line of duty, which was another reason why she didn’t date other badges. It was imperative that an agent could leave work at work and enjoy life on their days off. An agent very seldom could shut down but put two badges together and it was impossible.

Once they were seated and had ordered, Kiersten said, “So, where do we start?”

“She’s out there somewhere. She’s worked as a waitress so I’d say she stayed in the same career.”

“That should narrow it down some. Do you have a picture of her?” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a mug shot. “She’s been arrested?”

“Petty crimes.” He turned the picture upside down just before the waitress passed.

“I think we’ll get farther if we divide up. I can visit the shops. In a town this size with fewer opportunities for work, she may be working in one.”

The waitress brought their meals and he waited to say, “I’ll do a deeper search in public records. We just need to be careful that we don’t draw attention to ourselves. We don’t know if she’ll talk to us.”

Kiersten nodded and bit into her cheeseburger, following it with a sip of sweet tea. “Let’s meet up at the B&B in, let’s say, two hours. That should give us enough time to come up with something.”

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