Page 10 of Ranger Honor

“Understood. Thank you, ma’am.”

He hung up just as Claire darted from the office. She got back into her vehicle. Within moments, Gavin was following her down a winding road lined with trees. They passed a log house labeled private residence. Her parent’s home, maybe? A playground sat a short distance away. The road curved slightly and more of Lake Hudson came into view. The surface rippled with raindrops.

Claire stopped in front of Cabin 12. Gavin parked, grabbed his overnight bag, and raced to join her on the small front porch. “Please tell me you have heating. I’ve never been so cold in my life.”

She laughed, brushing strands of wet hair from her cheek. “We do. There’s a gas fireplace too.”

The waning sunlight caressed the curve of her mouth and the delicate line of her jaw. Claire’s gaze met his. Her eyes were the color of bluebonnets. Gavin’s heart picked up speed, as any thoughts of being cold fled his mind. Suddenly, he was burning up inside his coat.

“Sorry, I have to…” Claire held up a key. A pretty blush colored her cheeks.

Belatedly, Gavin realized he was blocking the door. He stepped to the side. “Right. Sorry.” He gave himself a mental shake. Yes, Claire was beautiful, but he needed to keep his focus on the case. And her safety. “How many guests do you have staying on the property?”

“Just five at the moment. Winter isn’t a busy time for us, but there are a few fishermen who come year-round.”

She opened the rustic wooden door to the cabin. Gavin crossed the threshold and whistled. The open floor plan was simple but decorated with comfort in mind. Wood beams lined the ceiling and picture windows overlooked the lake. Couches with comfortable pillows sat in front of a fireplace with a granite hearth. A full kitchen sat on his right. A hallway, leading to the bedrooms, curved to the left.

Gavin set his bag down. “This is beautiful.”

“Thank you. My mom stocked the fridge for you with a few necessities, but if you need something specific, just let the front desk know. There’s a coffee maker. Cups and dishes.” Claire tilted her head. “Ummm, I can’t think of anything else. I live in Cabin 11, which is just next door, so if you have questions, call.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Claire hesitated. “I’m having dinner with my family. I’d love for you to join us.”

The offer was kind, but Gavin couldn’t consider accepting. He was attracted to Claire. There was no denying that. He’d known it the minute he saw her at Bennett’s wedding in that stunning silk dress. But they were working together now and that complicated things. It required firm boundaries.

If he was being honest, even if they weren’t working together, Gavin wouldn’t ask Claire out. He’d steered clear of romance after his fiancée left him at the altar five years ago. He wasn’t good at love.

“Thank you for the offer, Claire—”

A knock at the door cut off Gavin’s reply. A large man stood on the front stoop, visible through the window next to the door. Light reflected off his bald head, and a thick beard covered the lower half of his face. Gavin recognized him instantly. It was Daniel Wilson, Claire’s father.

She answered the door. Daniel gave his daughter a hug before stepping inside. He greeted Gavin with a friendly smile and a strong handshake. “Good to see you again, Gavin. I hope everything is okay with the cabin. I purposefully put you in the one next to Claire’s. Figured you’d want to keep an eye out for any trouble.”

He did. “It’s perfect. Thank you, sir.”

“I should be thanking you. My daughter can handle herself, but I’m glad she has you watching her back, all the same.” Daniel swung his car keys around one finger. “Let me take you on a tour of the property before we head to my house for dinner.”

“A tour would be great.” Gavin had intended to take one on his own, anyway. Just in case. “But I’ll come back here and eat something—”

“Nonsense.” Daniel clapped him on the back. “Nothing beats my wife’s home cooking. I insist.”

There was no way to refuse without insulting the man. Gavin gave up the fight. He shrugged his coat back on and trudged out into the cold. The rain drifted into a light mist.

Claire zipped up her jacket. “I can’t wait to see Jacob anymore. I’ll meet y’all at the main house.”

She gave a wave and jogged up the short walkway to the log cabin they’d driven past earlier. Welcoming lights shone from inside. Gavin waited until Claire disappeared into the house before turning back to Daniel. “I’m ready.”

Daniel led Gavin to a beat-up pickup. “She ain’t much to look at, but she runs like a dream.”

Gavin got into the passenger seat. It was surprisingly comfortable. He sank into the soft fabric and rubbed his stiff hands together. He needed to find his gloves.

Daniel fired up the engine, and after adjusting the heat, took a turn leading them to the lake. “Claire filled me in on what happened today, but my daughter glosses over things so I don’t worry. I want the truth. Exactly how much trouble is Claire in?”

“Hard to say, sir. There’s no clear connection between Faye’s murder and the threat against Claire, but it’s awfully coincidental. I’d be surprised to find out they aren’t connected.”

“So would I. Claire and Faye were close as children. They’d drifted apart, as adults do when their lives go in different directions, but the affection between them was always there. Not to mention, my daughter has made waves since taking over as sheriff.”

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