Page 9 of Surly Sheriff
It was glorious, the sound flowing over her, saturating her. And she wanted more of it. A lifetime of it. But that was impossible. Her mood shifted, the shadows of her past dimming the brightness of the day.
“Oh, darlin’, you are good,” he said, all grumbly and amused.
No, Beau. I am bad. Really, really bad.
She wrenched herself from her dark musings. “Good?”
“You know my life history, and all I know about you is that you own a sweet ride and stop for injured dogs. Tell me, where do you hail from, Rae? And what brings you to Nebraska?”
Her heart muscles contracted. And so, the obfuscation started.
“Just passing through. I’m from Seattle, currently working my way through our beautiful country until I reach Florida. There’s a bungalow on Key West calling to me.”
“From one corner of the country to the other. That’s some journey.”
“Footloose and fancy-free. That’s me. And as you said, I own a sweet ride. It’s fun. I get to meet many people, see new places.” She shot him a side-eye and a half-grin. “And pick up hitchhikers.”
Beau frowned, but before he had a chance to reply, theWelcome to Clearbrooksign appeared, giving her a perfect diversion. “You need to direct me to a veterinarian,” she said, slowing her speed to the posted limit.
“Turnoff’s coming up on your left.”
Noticing the sign, she slowed further, tapping the lever for the blinker. A mere minute later she pulled in beside a white siding structure with a long wooden ramp leading to the entrance. She shifted into park and cut the engine.
For a moment neither spoke.
Beau cleared his throat. “Thank you for the lift.”
“No problem.”
He opened his door. “If you don’t mind waiting, I’ll come back for my gear after I get the dog inside.”
The rational thing to do would be to offload his duffel and put Clearbrook and the fascinating man in her rearview mirror.
But Rae was tired of being rational and cautious.
It was a good day to be alive.
And she liked the fluttery feeling he evoked in her.
She pulled the keys from the ignition. “I’m coming in with you.”
3
Kismet
Following Beau into the veterinary clinic was foolish. Waiting with him, allowing her fascination with the man to grow while the vet examined the poor hound, imprudent.
Butthis…
This was just plain stupid. And she was going to pay heavily for her reckless actions. “This feels wrong, Beau,” she protested, twisting her torso to look at him. “I can’t just rock up at your sister’s place uninvited.”
“It’s not like I’m taking you to her home.” His arm swept up, indicating the multi-hued brick building. “This is her business.” He flashed a smile. One Rae liked way too much. “Or it will be soon,” he added as a man clad in white overalls splattered with various colors of paint emerged from the doorway shaded by a green-and-white striped canopy.
The painter did a double take when his eyes fell on them. “Beauford,” he called out and hurried across the sidewalk, sidestepping the green lamppost.
Beau pushed the door open and got to his feet. “Nathaniel,” he managed before the man clasped him in a tight embrace. The two backslapped each other several times before parting.
“Damn, but it’s good to see you, brother,” Nathaniel said, keeping a grip on Beau’s upper arms. “Bella is beside herself waiting for you—” Stopping mid-sentence, he stepped back, shaking his head. “No. That’s not entirely accurate. My wife is beside herself. Period. The pregnancy, the shop … it’s been too much.”
