Page 57 of Micah

“But what?”

“I want to make it right. I just want to ask you if you’ve ever regretted giving up being an agent.”

“Not for one minute. Being a deputy for Nathan is great. The crime rate here is less than one percent.” Mont shrugged. “I love it and being with Bella and the kids is great. They’re my life. Why? Are you thinking of giving it up?”

“Yes, but please don’t tell Isabella. I don’t want her telling Patsy until I figure out what I’m going to do. I have cases I have to finish first. I’ve got a backlog due to being shot.” Micah glanced at him. “So you like being a deputy?”

“Yep. You could be one too. We just had a deputy quit to work in another county so…there is an opening.” Mont elbowed him. “If you think you can handle it.”

Micah chuckled. “I don’t know if I can handle all the pressure.”

Mont laughed. “I’d love to work with you again. Seriously, talk with Nathan. Now, do you want to come in and have some coffee?”

“Oh, hell no! Isabella will sic those dogs on me or put poison in the coffee. You won’t tell her anything, will you?”

Mont ran his hand around the nape of his neck. “My wife will wonder why you’re here. I’ll just have to fib and tell her you wanted info on an old case, but you’d better do something fast because she knows me too well. She’ll know I’m lying and then she’ll be pissed at me and trust me, I never like it when she’s mad at me, so I do all I can to keep her happy.”

Micah grinned. “I won’t take long, I promise. I’ll go back to town now and talk to Nathan. Itwouldbe good to work with you again, Mont. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

He pushed away from the car, opened the door then looked at Mont. “How many dogs are you going to have by the time I get back?”

Mont shrugged and grinned. “As many as my wife wants.”

Micah chuckled, climbed into the car and fired it up, pulled out of the driveway, and headed back to town.

As he pulled back into the parking lot of the Sheriff’s Department, he glanced around the little town. He’d always liked Dry River and he was sure it would be a great place tolive and work. He just had to make sure he could do both before heading back to Cheyenne to finish up and give his notice. He’d miss Coby for sure, and he’d even miss Carver—a little bit. Micah had been shocked when he’d found out that Carver had been the one to shoot Melbourne. He was even more surprised when Carver visited him in the hospital. To say he’d been shocked when Carver entered his room would be an understatement, but he’d apologized to Carver for being a prick to him. Carver had laughed and told Micah he knew what an ass he could be, so no hard feelings. Micah had put his hand out and they shook.

There were a lot of agents he’d miss but he could live without them. Patsy was a whole other matter. Being without her for just the past three weeks was hard enough. He couldn’t imagine trying to spend the rest of his life without her. He didn’t want to and he was going to do whatever he had to do to keep her in his life. She’d said she loved him. He grinned remembering her telling him, but she still walked out even after he’d said it to her. But now he knew it was because she wouldn’t ask him to give up a job she thought he loved more than he loved her. He’d thought he’d cared for Vanessa once but when she asked him to quit, there was no way he would—not for her. Now, Patsy hadn’t even asked and he was ready to give it up for her. He wanted to have children with her. Along with the dogs andhorses she said she wanted. His one priority in life would be to give her whatever she asked for.

After parking the car, he shut off the engine, opened the door, and walked into the building again. Nathan came out of the back again and frowned at him.

“Micah? You lost?”

“Can we talk for a minute?”

“Of course. Come on into my office.”

Micah followed him and glanced around before they entered Nathan’s office.

“Where is everyone?”

“The men are out patrolling, and my dispatcher is on vacation. I hate it when she’s out. I can’t get shit done. Have a seat,” Nathan said as he walked behind his desk and sat down. “What can I do for you?”

Micah sat forward and looked at him then took a deep breath.

“I’m quitting the FBI and I want to move here. I’d like to know if you’d be interested in hiring me on as a deputy.” He almost burst out laughing at the look on Nathan’s face.

“You’re quitting the FBI? Why? Never mind. That’s none of my business, but are you sure you want to be a deputy? We don’t have a lot of crime here and it would be a big difference compared to what you’re used to.”

“I’m positive I want to be a deputy. For you. I’ve talked with Mont and he’s never regretted coming to work for you. I know Iwouldn’t either. I’m quitting the FBI whether you hire me or not and I’m going to move here, so if you’re interested in hiring me, I’d love the job.”

Nathan stood, and Micah shot to his feet. When Nathan stuck his hand out, Micah grinned and took it.

“I’d love to have you as a deputy. I just lost one to another county. How soon could you start?”

“I’d need two weeks. I have cases to finish up and I have to give notice.”

“Great. I’ll see you in two weeks.” Nathan grinned at him and handed him a sheet of paper. “Put down what size shirt you wear, and I’ll order you some. You can provide your own jeans and boots. Cowboy hat is optional.”

---