Cash decided to drive to town and check up on the kids at the pool. He and Aubrey got the stripes painted, despite a bad case of blue balls. Although it had been a spectacular kiss, it had been a spectacularly bad idea. He needed to be focused on his daughter and his future, not on romancing his next-door neighbor.
Aubrey had been a good sport about their brief makeout session, laughing it off and blaming it on paint fumes. But they’d had a pretty intense few minutes, and in the interest of honesty, he’d wanted to take it further. Much further. She’d felt unbelievably good in his arms, curvy and soft.
It was a relief to want sex again. He suspected that had they been in his bedroom instead of Ellie’s, they would’ve made a marathon session of it. And now he didn’t know whether to thank fate or punch it in the mouth.
He passed the bus station, snagged parking in the high school lot, and cut across campus to the gymnasium. For a tiny town, the good folks of Dry Creek had raised enough cash with a bond measure for an outdoor, Olympic-size pool, open to the public in summer. Because there wasn’t a lot to do in Dry Creek, it was considered quite a boon. Cash preferred the creek or Mill Lake, but he supposed the pool was more convenient for working parents who wanted a supervised environment for their kids.
He found Mrs. Jamison sitting with two other women under a big umbrella. The kids were in the pool. Cash hung back, taking a seat on top of a retaining wall at the far end of the deck. Travis was at the deep end of the pool with a few kids his own age. Grady was whooping it up on an inflatable bull float, pretending to be a rodeo star. The kid was the loudest one in the water, but Cash got a kick out of his exuberance.
Ellie was all alone, doing handstands in the shallow end. Cash scanned the area. There was no shortage of young girls, many of whom were laying on lounge chairs or towels, tanning themselves in the sun. There was a small clique that sat at the edge of the pool, dipping their feet in the water. Cash thought they looked about the same age as Ellie.
He watched for a while, hoping Ellie had had the opportunity to make a few new friends. But from what he’d observed so far, she was playing by herself. The kids in Dry Creek had grown up together and could be clannish. As a kid, Cash had benefited from Jace being a local and their grandfather being a big figure in the community. Still, he, Sawyer, and Angie had never been treated completely like insiders, and he was afraid Ellie would have trouble fitting in. Right now, she could probably use a few friends.
He continued to stay in the background because despite swimming by herself, Ellie seemed to be enjoying her time in the pool. Cash’s presence would probably ruin that, given how she felt about him. At least Linda had called. Thanks to Aubrey’s suggestion, Linda was sending one of Marie’s old jackets to replace the sweater he’d ruined.
Jace came through the pool gate, spotted Cash, and waved, then stopped off to have a word with Mrs. Jamison. Several pairs of hungry eyes followed him.
After a short conversation, Jace made his way to where Cash was sitting. “When did you get here?”
“About ten minutes ago.” Cash nudged his head at Ellie. “I was hoping she’d meet a few girls from the middle school.”
“It’s her first day in town, Cash. In the meantime, she’s got the boys.”
Grady shouted “Cowabunga” at the top of his lungs, and they quickly turned to see him cannonball into the deep end.
Jace tilted his head back to the sun as if he was praying for patience. “The kid never runs out of energy.”
“You used to be like that before you got old,” Cash ribbed him.
“I’m not old, asshole, just tired.” He grabbed a spot on the retaining wall, and Cash noticed for the first time that his cousin had a few gray hairs. They were both the same age: thirty-seven. “My campaign manager thinks I have to do something about the Aubrey rumors. I know what Sawyer thinks, but what about you?”
“What does she want you to do?”
Jace snorted. “Hold a press conference. To announce that Aubrey and I are nothing but friends. People are just going to believe what they want to believe. It seems making a big deal out of it just adds fuel to the fire, you know?”
“How do you think the rumor started in the first place? Her moving to the ranch?”
Jace watched Grady perform another cannonball, then in a soft voice said, “Mitch started the rumor, even though he knows there’s no Goddamn truth to it.”
“Why?” Cash had learned a long time ago that nearly everyone had an ulterior motive for everything they did. Cynical? Maybe. But working many years in law enforcement had made him a cynical guy.
Jace shrugged, but Cash got the sense it was a studied nonchalance. There was more going on here than Jace was willing to let on.
“Would it be better if Aubrey moved off Dry Creek Ranch?” Cash asked. Better for whom? he thought to himself. The woman was certainly a temptation he didn’t need.
“Nah.” Jace shook his head. “I’m not kicking her out. She needs a place to live and we need the rent.”
They’d lived without the rent all this time. Cash knew Jace was just being obstinate. It was in the Dalton DNA. Besides, he suspected there weren’t a lot of rental options in Dry Creek. “Then what else can you do?”
“I could beat the shit out of Mitch,” Jace said, but it was more to himself than to Cash.
“Yeah, probably not the soundest of plans. Abuse of power and all that.”
Jace socked him in the arm. “Since when are you the voice of reason?” He got up and threw a beach ball lying on the ground to a group of kids in the pool. “On another note, an acquaintance of mine is retiring from the Bureau of Livestock Identification. You should go for the job.”
Cash threw his head back and laughed. “A cow cop? That’s pretty funny, Jace.”
Jace turned to Cash and gave him a hard look. “You like being unemployed?” When Cash didn’t respond, Jace said, “Yeah, I didn’t think so. The pay is good, and you could continue to live on the ranch. And in my experience, cows are more amiable than people. The cattlemen around here need a good investigator and you’re the best. Think about it, Cash. With a good word from me, you’d have an excellent shot at getting the job.”
It was Cash’s turn to pin Jace with a glare. “You sure about that?”
Jace flipped Cash his middle finger. “This shit with Aubrey will fizzle out.” But just a few minutes earlier, Jace hadn’t seemed so confident. “You interested in the job or not? A position like this won’t last long.”
“Nope, not interested.” Cash was done with law enforcement of any shape or kind. Period. And it wasn’t as if he knew a damned thing about cattle rustling.
“Suit yourself.” Jace got to his feet, stuck his fingers in his mouth, and let out a whistle. It was something Grandpa Dalton used to do when he wanted to round up his grandsons.
Travis and Grady climbed out of the pool, and Jace huddled up with them for a few minutes, then strolled out of the pool area, presumably to return to his office. Ellie got out too, grabbed a towel, and found an empty chair as far away from Cash as possible.
The day had gone from hot to hotter, and a steady stream of kids and adults poured in. The place was starting to feel too crowded. Cash walked over to Ellie. He’d forgotten to give her money in case Mrs. Jamison took the kids over to the coffee shop or went to Grass Valley or Auburn for burgers at a drive-through.
“You having fun, kiddo?” He squeezed the back of her neck and she pulled away.
She lifted her shoulders, which Cash noted were getting sunburned. “The kids here are annoying.”
“Annoying, huh?” He pulled up one of the last vacant chairs. “How’s that?”
In her typical communicative way, she failed to respond. Like father, like daughter, he supposed. Cash had never been accused of being overly forthcoming.
“Perhaps you won’t feel that way once you get to know them. They’re just new to you, El.”
“See that girl over there?” She pointed to a kid with red hair and freckles, who looked vaguely familiar. “She made fun of the way I talk.”
He experienced a flash of visceral anger, which surprised him. Kids were notoriously insensitive, Ellie had to learn to stand up for herself. Yet, as overreactionary as it was, he wanted to call the redhead’s parents and tell them to teach their little brat some manners.
“Kids around here probably never met anyone from Boston,” he said. “I like the way you talk, Ellie.”
She dropped her gaze to the ground. “Can we go home?”
“If that’s what you want to do.” He should’ve told her to tough it out and refuse to let some snot-nosed girl ruin her afternoon. But he’d gone soft. He supposed his dad genes were kicking in, which was an odd revelation. Until now, he hadn’t thought he had any.
“I do.” She wrapped her towel tighter around her and went over to Mrs. Jamison to collect her stuff.
Cash waved goodbye to Travis and Grady, motioning that Ellie was going with him. Grady hopped out of the pool and gave Ellie a great big hug. She pretended to be irritated when he got her wet, but she patted his back with affection.
“Want to grab a late lunch?” he asked as they made their way through the high school parking lot.
She surprised him by saying yes. “Mrs. Jamison was going to take us for ice cream later.”
“Then we’ll get some for dessert.”
He drove the short distance to the coffee shop and asked Laney to seat them in one of the booths at the back of the diner. The restaurant held so many memories of Grandpa Dalton that sometimes Cash came in just to feel his spirit, though it was everywhere on the ranch, the place Jasper loved most.
On their way to the table, Jimmy Ray waved from the kitchen. “I’ll be out in a few minutes to meet the little miss.”
Cash got a kick out of the way Ellie studied the menu so intently. “What looks good?”
“I don’t know. What do you like?”
“The steak sandwich.” The beef was local and the sandwich was what his grandfather used to get. “You want to try it?”
“Sure.”
It was only a steak sandwich, but he’d never seen her this agreeable. He decided to press his luck.
“What do you think of going riding tomorrow? I thought we could borrow two of Jace’s horses and see the ranch from the back of a saddle.” It would probably be hot as hell, but if they got an early enough start they could beat the heat. He’d missed riding, galloping across the open range at breakneck speed and watching the day come to life under a Dry Creek sky.
“Okay.”
That was twice now. Still, Cash didn’t get his hopes up that her sudden affability was a permanent thing.
Laney came to take their orders and Ellie shyly ordered her steak sandwich. A couple of the locals dropped by Cash’s table to say hello and to say a few nice words about Grandpa Dalton.
“Who’s Jasper?” Ellie asked.
“My grandfather, your great-grandfather. I’m sorry he died before the two of you got to meet. You would’ve loved the old goat.” Everyone did.
Laney brought their drinks and rearranged the table settings.
“Did Travis and Grady know him?” Ellie asked, oblivious to Laney’s eavesdropping.
“They lived with him right up until the day he died. He was a real-life cowboy who could rope and bulldog a steer and ride a horse like a champion.”
“Woo-wee, that man was something,” Laney said and put her hand on Cash’s shoulder. “The whole town mourned when he died. And your daddy looks just like him. Spitting image. When your great-granddaddy was his age, your great-grandma had to hold the other ladies off with a stick. I swear it.”
When Laney went off to the kitchen, Ellie asked, “Is that true?”
Cash’s mouth quirked. “It was before my time, but that’s the way I heard it. You can ask your grandpa about it when you meet him. He and your grandmother are planning to come soon.”
Ellie’s glance fell to the table and she grew quiet.
“You don’t want to meet them, Ellie?”
She lowered her face until it was practically dragging on her napkin. Cash decided not to push. They’d circle back around to it eventually. Their food came, and Cash took the opportunity to change the subject.
“Did you and your mom eat in restaurants a lot?” he asked as she bit into her steak sandwich.
“Not that much. My mom had to save her money.”
The words stabbed him in the gut. He could’ve helped with that. Raising a kid on a cop’s salary in Boston couldn’t have been easy, and yet Marie had made sure Ellie got horseback riding lessons, private schooling, and a nice condo in a decent part of town.
He nodded. “We have to talk about some stuff, Ellie, about why I wasn’t around. I’d like to do that this evening when we’re home.” With no prying eyes and big ears.
“Whatever,” she said and took another bite. The sandwich was so big, she needed both hands to hold it.
The door swung open and Aubrey walked in, out of breath. Her face was splotchy red, her shirt wet with sweat, and a few locks of hair had come loose from her ponytail and stuck to her face. She looked like she’d run a marathon in a hundred-degree weather. And damn if she didn’t take Cash’s breath away.
She leaned into the kitchen window. “I need to use your phone, Jimmy Ray.”
“What’s wrong with yours?” Jimmy Ray came out and untied his apron.
“It’s out of juice.” Aubrey held up her cell and pulled the ancient cordless out of its stand at the cash register. “What’s the number for Mama’s Towing?”
Jimmy Ray lifted one bushy brow. “What’s wrong with your car?”
“Heck if I know. It got me here just fine. When I left the parking lot at the Dry Creek Market, I got a few blocks away and then it started puttering out on me.”
Cash stood up. “Want me to take a look? I’m a decent mechanic.” He used to help Grandpa Dalton repair the tractor on the ranch and one summer during college had worked in an auto shop.
She jerked back, surprised. “I didn’t see you tucked in the corner like that.” She craned her neck to get a better look at their booth. “Hi, Ellie.”
“Hi.” Ellie waved.
Aubrey turned her attention back to Cash. “That would be great, but I don’t want to disturb your and Ellie’s lunch.”
“Come join us. As soon as we’re done, I’ll check it out.” He was supposed to be distancing himself from her. Yet the minute she walked in the door, he felt his Goddamn blood rush south of his belt.
“Okay, but I’ve got perishables.” Aubrey looked at Jimmy Ray.
“Oh no,” Laney said. “Do not think you can come in here with your woe-is-me-my-car-broke-down story and think you can use our refrigerator. Why don’t you go over to the sheriff’s station and ask your boyfriend if you can use his?”
“Seriously, Laney, we’re back to that?” Aubrey put her hands on her hips. “For the last time, Jace is not my boyfriend.”
Laney stuck her hand in front of Aubrey’s face. “Tell it to the judge, Aubrey McCallister.”
Aubrey rolled her eyes. “Are you actually planning to let my groceries spoil to vindicate poor Mitch, who by the way, thinks your corn bread sucks. That’s right, on more than one occasion, he complained that it was dry as dust. I quote: ‘It’s worse than the crap they serve at Reggie’s Barbecue.’”
Laney growled—at least Cash thought it sounded like a growl—and pointed at the door. “Out! Get out, girl, before I forcibly push you out.”
“Hold on.” Cash rushed over and stepped between Aubrey and Laney. “Come on, Laney, be a good neighbor.”
“Good neighbor, pfft. Over my dead body. She left a good man just to get between the sheets with your cousin.” Laney walked to the door and opened it wide. “Out!”
Jimmy Ray came up behind his wife, lifted his hand, and pressed the door closed. “Now, sugar, be reasonable.”
He turned to Cash and shook his head, as if to say he didn’t know what had gotten in to either of them.
Laney poked Jimmy Ray in the arm. “Did you hear what she said about my corn bread?” She crossed her arms over her ample chest. “Everyone loves my corn bread, including Mitch.” She jabbed her finger at Aubrey. “The girl’s a liar.”
Aubrey came out from behind Cash’s back and got in Laney’s face again. “Think what you want, but no one loves your corn bread. Not even Mercedes’s husband, Joe, who’ll eat anything on a plate. I once saw him dig an old Danish out of the garbage, that’s how discriminating he is.”
Laney made that low sound in her throat again, and this time Cash thought she might throw a punch. He tugged Aubrey’s arm, a signal to shut up.
“Jimmy Ray, let Aubrey store her cold stuff in your cooler.” It was more of a demand than a request. Cash didn’t have a lot of tolerance for drama.
Jimmy Ray gave a slight nod and Cash nudged Aubrey to go get her groceries before Laney pitched another fit.
When Cash returned to his table, Ellie’s eyes were big as saucers. “Finish your lunch,” he told her.
“Why was that lady mean to Aubrey? Is Aubrey Uncle Jace’s girlfriend?” Uncle? Ellie hadn’t even called Cash Dad yet. And hell no, Aubrey McAllister wasn’t Jace’s girlfriend.
“It’s just a misunderstanding.” Cash scooted into the booth and pointed at Ellie’s fries. “Come on, honey, eat up.”
By the time Aubrey returned with two bags of groceries, Laney was bussing their table and looking like what Grandpa Dalton would’ve called “fit to be tied.”
Aubrey swished by her and headed for the kitchen. While she was storing her perishables, he squared up with Laney at the cash register. Ellie stood by his side, and he got the impression she was intrigued by the circus. Probably not a whole lot of country crazy in Boston.
“Ready?” Aubrey came out of the kitchen, her white blouse plastered to her like a second skin.
“Let’s go.” He forced his eyes away from her chest and called back to the kitchen, “Thanks, Jimmy Ray.”
They were barely out of the restaurant when Aubrey said, “God, she’s such a bit—” and remembered they were in the company of a twelve-year-old. Sorry, she mouthed to Cash.
“Let’s take my SUV.” The market was just up the street, but Aubrey’s car might need a jump and Cash figured she’d walked enough in the heat.
They piled into his Ford and pulled into the Dry Creek Market parking lot, where Aubrey’s Volvo sat under a tree. Cash left the air-conditioner running for Ellie, popped the hood on Aubrey’s car, and told her to start the engine. The ignition turned over, but just as quickly, the car stalled.
“Is this what happened before?” Cash asked.
She shook her head. “It started right up and I was able to drive it. I got as far as Tank Farm and all of a sudden the car wouldn’t accelerate. No matter how hard I pressed the gas pedal, the car still didn’t have any power. I was afraid it was breaking down, so I came back here.”
“Try it again,” he told Aubrey.
This time the Volvo wouldn’t even start.
From what she’d described, Cash suspected the problem had something to do with fuel combustion. He twisted off the cap on her gas tank and tried to take a look inside.
“Well, do you see anything?”
“When was the last time you gassed up?” Perhaps it was bad fuel.
“A few days ago.” Aubrey moved closer to Cash and tried to peer into the gas tank.
“Maybe someone put something down there,” Ellie said.
Cash glanced over at his daughter, who’d gotten out of the truck. The girl had a suspicious nature. What did he expect when both her parents had been cops? “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“Like sugar?” Aubrey crouched down and tried to get a better look inside the tank, which was fruitless. “Who on earth would do something like that? Mitch is out of town.”
“Look, we don’t know for sure. It could be something with your gas line. Easiest way to find out is to syphon the tank and replace the gas.”
“Should I have it towed and let a mechanic do it?”
Cash knew that between the tow and the hours it would take to diagnose the problem, Aubrey could wind up shelling out a few hundred bucks. “I’ll do it.” He gazed around the parking lot. “I can come back in the morning with tools and a can of gas. Will Stu and Marsh care if you leave the car overnight?” For as long as Cash could remember, the two brothers had owned the market.
“They won’t mind and everyone knows this is my car.”
There wasn’t much crime in Dry Creek, so Cash wasn’t worried someone would strip the ancient station wagon.
“You want to pick up your groceries and hop a ride home with us?”
“That would be great.” She wiped her brow with the back of her hand. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
He could think of a couple of ways but kept them to himself.