Ruth Herne - Falling for the Lawman

The Lawman Next Door

Piper McKinney’s got her hands full. Busy saving her farm from developers, and her family from trouble, she has no time for love. Not even for the handsome state trooper who becomes her new neighbor. But Zach Harrison can’t ignore the girl next door. Even though he gave up the farming life years ago, Piper intrigues him, and her plight calls out to the protector in him. Piper may not want a man, especially one with a badge, but Zach will show her that he’s here to serve and protect...and love.

Kirkwood Lake: A town full of heart and hope.

“We’re neighbors and that’s all we’ll ever be.”

“You’re sure about that?” His touch was so gentle, so pure that Piper’s heart wanted to melt on the spot. His gaze lingered on her short nails, the calluses on her fingers. He didn’t bring her hand to his mouth for a kiss, but his expression was a kiss, a look of warmth and understanding.

“Zach, I don’t flirt well.”

He laughed. “Yes, you do.”

“Okay, maybe I do. But I can’t. Shouldn’t. Won’t.”

“Me, either. Maybe sometime we should sit down and list our reasons for why we won’t work, Piper, because even though I live next door and I’ve only known you a few days, when I’m not with you, I’m thinking about you.”

“Well, stop.”

“I’ve tried. It doesn’t appear to be working.”

“Try harder.”

He grinned at her. “What if I don’t want to?”

RUTH LOGAN HERNE

Born into poverty, Ruth puts great stock in one of her favorite Ben Franklinisms: “Having been poor is no shame. Being ashamed of it is.” With God-given appreciation for the amazing opportunities abounding in our land, Ruth finds simple gifts in the everyday blessings of smudge-faced small children, bright flowers, freshly baked goods, good friends, family, puppies and higher education. She believes a good woman should never fear dirt, snakes or spiders, all of which like to infest her aged farmhouse, necessitating a good pair of tongs for extracting the snakes, a flat-bottomed shoe for the spiders, and for the dirt…

Simply put, she’s learned that some things aren’t worth fretting about! If you laugh in the face of dust and love to talk about God, men, romance, great shoes and wonderful food, feel free to contact Ruth through her website at http://ruthloganherne.com.

Falling for the Lawman

Ruth Logan Herne

www.millsandboon.co.uk

The Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.

—2 Samuel 23:11–12

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Kim Zarpentine of Zarpentine Farms and Robyn Sweeney of Sweeney Farms for their wonderful example of “Piper” in reality. You women bless me with your faith, industry and knowledge. May God bless you both! Huge thanks to New York State Trooper Christopher Lana, whose candid

help made Zach Harrison come to life.

To Anne Lana, a dear friend and sister-in-Christ. You bless so many with your gentle presence. To Mary and Ivan Connealy for answering my nonstop farming questions. Ivan, Nebraska truly does have the best beef! To Beth for all your help on keeping manuscripts tight. Thank you for blessing me with your time and effort! Huge thanks to Melissa Endlich, my editor, boss and buddy at Love Inspired Books. Her constant encouragement and belief are true gifts. And to the town of Parma, whose support of

“Blackie the Rooster” changed local laws allowing farm animals to live in peace. Although Blackie

is no longer with us, “Phoenix” and “Starlight”

carry on his morning tradition.

To Katie, my beautiful granddaughter… May God bless you and keep you all of your days, Katie-girl! Grammy and Grandpa love you!

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Chapter One

“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens.”

Raised in the pews of a sweet country church, New York State Trooper Zach Harrison embraced the poetic lines of Ecclesiastes one hundred percent.

But it couldn’t and shouldn’t apply to constantly crowing roosters.

He refused to look at the dashboard temperature readout as he climbed out of his car. The trickle of sweat along his neck proved the meteorologists correct. Low nineties by noon, even here in the hills of Western New York.

He shut the driver’s door and ignored the initial blast of mid-July heat. The best thing about working nights to help cover summer vacations was the cooler temperatures. The worst? Trying to sleep in the middle of the day in a new house, with his father pacing in the next room, the sun beating on the roof, no central air and the neighbor’s rooster crowing on the quarter hour.

He couldn’t change anything too major about the house. Not yet, anyway. The down payment, closing costs and lumber to replace the rotting backyard deck put a serious dent in his savings.

Three weeks ago his summer had stretched before him, filled with work on the force and his new home. One phone call had changed all that.

“Are you a real policeman?”

Zach turned, surprised, and a small part of his heart went soft in the space of a beat.

Two identical girls peered up at him from behind an aged catalpa tree. The twins were petite perfection, mirror images of each other. Pink and purple pigtail ribbons danced in the July wind, a breeze that did nothing to soften the hot, humid conditions. “Yes.” He stooped low, knowing his size could intimidate, captivated by this unexpected pair of miniature greeters at the nearby farm. “I’m Trooper Zach.”

“I’m Dorrie.” The first girl beamed him a smile, open and broad, tiny white teeth a contrast to her latte skin beneath the purple pigtail ties. “And this is my sister, Sonya. We’re five.”

“Nice to meet you.” Zach put out his hand and fought a wince as a rooster crowed again, the loud reason behind his late-morning call on his new neighbor. New chicken dishes filled his brain. Maybe something deep-fried for the bird that aggravated his father and interrupted Zach’s midday attempts to sleep.

“Are you getting ice cream?” Dorrie wondered. She pointed to the line at the window of a converted barn. “Aunt Piper has the best ice cream anywhere.”

“Grandma helps,” interjected Sonya, obviously determined to give credit where due. She looked like her more assertive sister, but one finger twirled the pink ribbon tied around her left pigtail, the anxious action speaking louder than words.

“But not Uncle Chas,” Dorrie added, determined to keep the record straight. “He hates this place. So does our mom. Uncle Colin, too.”

“Doralia! Sonya! Where are you?”

Zach straightened, remembering his task, and it wasn’t to fall in love with two kids who would cause their father plenty of worry once they turned into teenagers. “They’re here.”

A robust woman of similar coloring strode his way. She nodded thanks to him, then gave the girls an earful in a mix of English and Spanish with a hint of what might have been Native American thrown in for good measure. The girls dropped their chins, pretending penitence, but Zach knew they’d disappear again in an instant, given the chance.

That was the one thing he’d loved about being raised on a farm in Central New York. Freedom, once his work was done. Time to roam. Study nature. Hunt white-tailed deer come fall. Find birds of all sorts, tucked into nature’s God-given homes. But it was the only thing he’d liked. The endless hours of farm work, day after day, dawn to dusk, confronting the weather, market prices and wind-borne disease?