Patricia Thayer - Her Colorado Sheriff

He thought back to the past year of his life. “It won’t be the first time I’ve been called that.”

* * *

AN HOUR LATER, Shelby was calling herself every kind of crazy. What had she been thinking? She had no business asking the sheriff to dinner. Her time here was temporary. She might need to move on just to keep Ryan safe. He was her first and only concern. She was the child’s only family, and Georgia trusted her to be his guardian.

The picture of her sweet new employers, Bess and Bill Cummings, came to mind. She knew she’d impressed them with her skills at the restaurant. She loved that the diner was filled up most of the day with customers wanting to eat her food. And she couldn’t wait to do her first wedding reception. A couple had a tasting in a few weeks, and Shelby wanted to come up with something special. If the truth be told, she didn’t want to leave here.

There was a knock on the door, and her heart skipped a beat. She didn’t have time to analyze the reaction, and went to answer the door. She stopped in the kitchen doorway to see that Ryan had let Cullen in.

The sheriff had crouched down to her nephew’s size. “Hey, buddy. It might be a good idea if you ask who is there before you open the door.”

The boy’s blue eyes widened with fear. “Because of monsters?”

“Just because there might be a stranger.”

The boy nodded. “Okay.”

“Good.” Cullen stood and looked across the room to Shelby. “Hi. I hope I’m not too early.”

“No, I’m just heating up the lasagna in the oven.”

He inhaled a long breath, causing his already-developed chest to expand more. “I thought I smelled something garlicky.”

“Probably the bread.” She motioned for him to follow her. “Come into the kitchen. I’m finishing up the salad.”

“Need help?” he asked.

Need help with what? He sure didn’t need any more help being sexy, or too handsome for his own good, or for being too nice to Ryan. He was guilty to all the above. She needed to keep her radar sharp, because this man made her forget all her instincts. Not good.

“I think everything’s just about ready.”

He stepped up to the small table. “Wow, this all looks pretty good for leftovers.” He looked down at the red-checkered tablecloth, and white plates set out with a wooden bowl filled with salad greens. Candles. Had she overdone it?

“I should have brought some wine.”

She shook her head. “Don’t you have to work tonight?”

“No, I’m off tonight. Of course, I’m on call. So you’re probably right, I shouldn’t drink. I don’t like to have any alcohol if I’m going to get behind the wheel.”

Not every law enforcement officer felt that way. She recalled seeing Gil drunk when he showed up at Georgia’s door. She shook away the bad memory.

“I’m glad. There are too many crazies out there already.”

He nodded in agreement. “Well, I’m hoping I don’t have to go any farther than from here to my bed next door.”

“Long week?”

“A long two weeks getting acquainted with the area and the way they do things here. These men love Sheriff Carson. I’m an interloper in their community.”

“You’re only doing your job.”

“Law enforcement is a special brotherhood. We take care of each other... Or most of them do.”

She knew all about the close connection. She slipped on pot holders and took the pan of lasagna from the oven, then set it on the hot plate on the table. She called for Ryan, then motioned for Cullen to sit down.

After a short blessing, Shelby picked up the plates and began dishing out helpings of the Italian dish. “Are the other deputies not cooperating with you?”

“No, but I’m the temporary new guy. They’re ready to tell me when I do something different from the sheriff.”

She enjoyed watching him eat so...enthusiastically. “How do you handle that?”

He tore off some bread. “I just let them tell me how things are normally done. Unless it sounds so off-the-wall I’ll go along with them, or I go ask Connie Lara, our dispatcher, and the sheriff’s sister.” He grinned and took a big bite and chewed. “This is great.”

“Thank you.”

“Another of Grandma’s recipes?”

She nodded. “What can I say? She was a good cook.”

Ryan picked up his fork, and said, “It’s my favorite.”

Cullen took another big bite, and groaned while he chewed his food, then said, “I’m thinking it’s mine, too.”

Ryan giggled.

Cullen winked at her nephew, and something melted around Shelby’s heart. She could get into trouble if she wasn’t careful. She had to stay alert and not fall into a false sense of security. Gil was out there. She didn’t doubt that he had the means to find her. Why? What did he want from her? Well, he wasn’t getting any more. He’d already stolen her sister.

Out of the blue, Ryan asked, “Can I ride your horse, Sheriff?”

Shelby started to answer, but Cullen was faster. “I’m not sure. The horses just moved in to their new home. They might be a little scared right now. So we better wait for a while so we can see how much they like little kids.” He looked at Shelby. “And your going riding is a decision your aunt has to make.”

They both looked at her. Great, now what should she do? Oh, Georgia, I wish you were here.

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