Page 14 of Stormy Ride

Thoughts of Olivia crowded my brain as I was coming out of a deep and dream-filled sleep, and those beautiful thoughts were knocked out of the park by guilty feelings about leaving Annie at home in Texas.

Annie-girl won’t be faithful to me while I’m gone, and I’ve caused her too many years of grief to expect it. Is that going to bother me? It always has. Why would now be any different?

One thing I did know for certain—I couldn’t allow my life to get screwed up again after all the treatments I’d undergone and all the time I’d spent at the VA hospital. Taking my meds was my number one priority. Without Doctor Alderson, I was depending solely on the medication to keep me rational.

I had a speedy shower in the cold bathroom, dressed for work and headed for the kitchen. A quick cup of coffee and a fast fried egg sandwich and I couldn’t get out of my frigid house fast enough.

As I headed for my truck with Max and Sarge running ahead of me, I swore I’d chop wood later and fill the wood box.

“I’ve got to get that house warmed up, doggies.”

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

On the drive south to the station, I called my accountant in Cut Bank and made an appointment for later in the week. There had to be tons of things she needed me for after I’d been AWOL for so long.

After being away from the sheriff’s job for five long months, it was going to be hard to get back into a routine. I’d been convalescing at Annie’s ranch and not doing much of anything but riding with the kids and going to my out-patient appointments.

The dogs and I checked in with Molly and I had a cup of coffee with her. No calls had come in so far and I was in the clear.

“I’m going to the bank, then to the garage to fill up the squad and then to Cut Bank to see Billy. Call if anything comes in.”

“I will, Travis. It’s good to have you back.”

Not too bad so far.

Coyote Creek Credit Union.

I lined up at one of the tellers and took two hundred bucks out of my account, just giving myself an excuse for being there.

“Nice to see you back, Sheriff Frost.”

“Thanks, Wilma.”

I strode down the hall to the manager’s office to introduce myself to the guy who had taken over from Jensen, the previous asshole who ran the bank.

For one reason and one reason only, I needed to see the new guy in town. I wanted to meet the guy hustling Olivia.

Before knocking on his door, I studied him through the glass wall and sized him up. About forty-five, under six feet, reasonably fit, dark hair cut too short, a decent off-the-rack suit.

I tapped twice, opened the door, and stuck my head in.

Ravary glanced up with a slightly annoyed look on his face, probably because I’d interrupted his bean counting.

“Travis Frost. Just a quick visit.” I shot my hand across the desk, and he responded. “I’m the new sheriff—actually the old sheriff—and I’ll be filling in for Billy Johnson for the next while. Any problems come your way, feel free to call the office.”

Miller Ravary got to his feet and told me his name, but I already heard it from Olivia.

“Nice to meet you, Sheriff Frost. I wondered if we were completely devoid of law enforcement with Sheriff Johnson in the hospital.”

“Close, but not completely.” I laughed. “Y’all have me.”

“Do I detect a Texas accent, Sheriff?”

“Former Texas Ranger, sir. At your service.”

“Good to have you, Sheriff. Welcome to Coyote Creek.”

Back in my truck, I was about to call Molly and ask her to do a background check on Ravary when she called me.

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