Chapter Fourteen

Gage slipped into the main room of the community center and took a seat in the back. The room was filled with people in various stages of standing and sitting. The chatter of their voices echoed off the high ceiling. Metal chair legs scraped against the wood floor. The lack of fresh air hung in the room like a wet wool blanket. The air conditioning must have been on the fritz again because sweat beaded on his forehead and he had just arrived. It would only be a matter of time before someone noticed him, but he wanted a few minutes to assess the situation.

He had a few allies in the mix. His mother, Kace, and Jett were present. Barry Pearce, still wearing his uniform, spoke with a couple of old-timers up in the front corner. Phyllis sat two rows back from the front, deep in conversation with Margo. Probably about Margo’s tomatoes and whoever had stuck their thumbs into them.

The mayor shuffled through papers at a table set before the crowd. David Moore’s balding head reflected the overhead lights as he licked his finger and turned pages. Gage hoped that wasn’t his speech. They’d be there for hours. He wanted to deal with the town’s concerns and get home. He wanted to change out of his uniform before he picked up Calista and spend a few minutes with Izzi.

“Sheriff.” Jodi Fry plopped down in the seat beside him. Her blonde hair hung to her shoulders in a puffy wave that wouldn’t crash if Poseidon himself commanded it to. Her many bracelets jangled as she adjusted the sleeves of her suit.

“Evening, Jodi.”

“Are you hiding back here?” She kept her voice low and looked at him through her thick eyelashes.

His mother would say Jodi’s makeup was expertly applied. Makeup was something Karen Ryker didn’t bother with, and he was glad about that. He preferred his women natural. Like Calista. Though he wouldn’t mind seeing her in red lipstick.

“Guilty as charged.”

“I’ll make this quick because the lions are getting ready to feast on you.”

He stifled a groan. “It’s just a meeting.”

“You can believe that if you want. What’s your plan to catch these criminals? Because I’ve been pushing a marketing campaign to increase the number of new residents in our town. I don’t want an uptick in the crime rate to sabotage me. My business can’t survive without a healthy house market.”

“Even small towns experience crime. The idea that they don’t is a misconception. As a realtor, you must have come across that piece of information.”

He hated that the people of his town thought they could go around without locking their doors or their cars. Crime happened everywhere, even in Backwater.

“I know that, but others don’t. New residents want to feel safe when they choose a home. We’re lucky here that our small-town businesses have foot traffic. Our schools are decent. We just need new people because we lose the young people to the big cities. I’m sure your Izzi is getting ready to put on her wings and fly as far away from Backwater as possible.”

His spine snapped straight. Izzi wouldn’t leave for good. Backwater was in her blood as it was in his. She would realize that once she had a taste of the outside world. He’d been plenty of places, and nothing was like home. He always came back to Backwater even though the space held as much pain for him as it did joy. Ajay was everywhere he looked.

He had told Izzi going to college was a non-discussable issue. She could go where she wanted. He pushed for the University of Montana, but he’d settle for something else. And then she would come back and live in Backwater like every other Ryker.

“I’ll find whoever is committing these robberies.” He pushed out of the chair before Jodi could say another word. He meant what he said. He would get to the bottom of things.

He marched up the middle aisle to his family. He needed to be around people who understood him, people he didn’t have to explain himself to.

Kace patted him on the shoulder. “Hey. What’s bothering you?”

“Nothing.”

“That’s why your face is twisted into a snarl.” Jett laughed at his own joke.

“Hi, honey.” His mother snuck in one of her hugs. “Did you have a bad day? I made some dinner for you and Izzi. Just heat it up when you get home. You’ll feel better.”

“What are you talking about? I’m not mad.” He clenched his jaw.

He wasn’t angry, but he would feel a lot better when he left and saw Calista. He had been looking forward to her smile all day. He was determined not to argue with her. Not after what was about to happen at this meeting, if the meeting would ever come to order.

“I’d be pissed off too, if I were you. The whole town is steaming mad about these robberies. That’s all anyone is talking about downtown. They want to blame someone. That someone is you.” Kace scratched at his jaw.

“I’m not pissed off. Will everyone stop staying that?” Sweat ran down his back. Damn broken AC. He’d need a shower before he picked up Calista.

“You keep believing that,” Jett said.

“Honey, just relax. I know you’ll solve these crimes. You’re very good at what you do.” His mother beamed at him.

“I am relaxed.” He clenched his fists.

“Everyone, take your seats. Let’s get this meeting started. We’ve wasted enough of your precious time.” Mayor Moore’s voice carried over the noise.

Gage searched for a seat between his brothers.

“Sheriff Ryker, would you join me up here?” The mayor arched an eyebrow.

Faces turned to stare at him. Nothing like going straight to the firing squad. Kace gave him a thumbs-up. His mother squeezed his arm. He took the place by the mayor.

David tapped on the table with his ruler. “All right, everyone. Let’s quiet down. We’re all concerned about the recent proliferation of crimes. I want to get to everyone’s concerns. Make sure to raise your hand before calling out. Who wants to begin?”

Almost everyone’s hand shot up. Gage bit his inner cheek. “Mayor, before you begin, may I say something?” He did not want to be on display, but he could at least steer this meeting his way.

David’s mouth opened and closed as if he were a fish. “That wasn’t the plan, but certainly. Everyone put your hands down until the sheriff speaks.”

“I know you all want answers as to who is committing these robberies. I don’t have those answers for you. Yet. I’m sorry you have to wait, but that’s how police work goes. Your safety is my top priority. And the success of our Fourth of July is as important to me as everyone who owns a business. Keep your eyes open. If you see something, say something to me. Or Deputy Sheriff Pearce. Don’t gossip about it to your neighbor. Lock your doors at night. As soon as I have answers, you will too. We can’t rush this. It’s too important. Thank you.”

“Sheriff, I’d like to open the floor back up to questions,” the mayor said.

“I don’t think that’s necessary. I don’t have anything else to say. I can’t reveal what evidence I do have. As far as I’m concerned, this discussion is over. You’ve all put your faith in me for years. I ask that you continue to do that now.”

Marty Boseman stood up. “What if we want someone else to run this investigation? You don’t have the experience. We’ve never had any problems like this in town. What do you know about solving real crimes?”

Marty was one of Backwater’s oldest citizens. He had been here when most of the roads were made of dirt. He didn’t like change, and he’d never liked Gage.

“Mr. Boseman, I’ve been the sheriff of this town for quite a few years. I think I know what I’m doing.” He’d handled robberies before. They had been small time. A few of the kids stealing bales of hay from some of the farms. An ex-husband trying to steal jewelry from his wife. But before he worked in Backwater, he’d been on the police force as a patrolman in Missoula. He’d worked robberies there.

“I’m with Boseman. I want someone else on this.” Roger Wilson joined in, pointing a finger toward him.

“Roger, are you deaf? I’m the damn sheriff. Who do you think is going to come into our town and run an investigation on a few robberies?”

“We can ask the county for help. I checked.” Roger puffed up his chest and searched the crowd for someone to agree with him.

“I’m not calling the county for this.” If he were dealing with a murder investigation, then maybe.

“How are you going to keep the business in our town? If tourists get wind of these crimes, they won’t come. We’ll all go under,” Marty said.

“That’s not my job to bring foot traffic into your stores. My job is to keep our town safe.” He clenched his fists at his sides again. His mother was right. He needed to relax.

“If every other day another business is being robbed, how the hell are we going to keep making money? Who is going to come into our shops if they’re afraid of getting robbed? What if someone gets shot or murdered? Look what happened to Kennedy. She’s lying in a hospital bed with her head busted up.” Marty pounded his chest.

“Marty, I understand your concerns, but I can’t catch the thieves any quicker. If someone comes into your store to rob you, give them what they want. Don’t argue. Especially if they have a gun. After they leave, call for help.” He wished Kennedy had called sooner instead of going out into the bar area to check things out herself.

“I’m not giving up one damn thing.” Marty held a finger in the air. “I have a shotgun under my register. I’m going to blow the face right off the bastard that comes into my place and tries to take what’s mine. I’ve worked my entire life for what I have. Some no-good hoodlum is not going to steal from me, so help me God.”

“I second that,” Roger said.

“Me too.” From someone in the back.

“And me,” said Howard Hornsby.

“This is our town, and we’re going to keep it safe when you can’t.” Marty waved an old, wrinkled fist in the air.

Clapping and jeers grew in volume until the ceiling shook.

Gage ran a hand over his face. What the hell was he going to do with a bunch of vigilantes? “Everyone. Everyone. Please settle down.” He waved his hands in hopes they would follow his command.

The noise continued. He gripped his baton and slammed it on the table. “Shut the hell up. All of you.” His voice challenged the chants and stomps.

The room settled down. Everyone stared at him with wide eyes and open mouths. He took a deep breath.

“You all need to listen to me. Don’t go taking the law into your own hands. It’s a crime. Do you understand me? I will have to arrest each and every one of you, and then your businesses will suffer for sure. Let me do my job.”

“But you’re not doing your job,” Roger said. “We’ve had three burglaries in the last month. You can’t protect us. We’re going to protect ourselves.”

It took all his self-control not to flip the table. He had spent over a decade keeping this town safe. He did his job twenty-four hours a day, making sure men like Roger and Marty could walk the streets at night without looking over their shoulders. In the blink of an eye, his people had turned on him.

Kace jumped up. “You two old coots need to sit down before your hearts give out. My brother is the best damn sheriff this town has ever seen. If anyone can solve this crime, it’s Gage Ryker, and if anyone doesn’t like that, they can come see me.”

“I second that, and Lock told me to throw his vote in for Gage too, but he’s at the ranch putting the horses to bed.” Jett came halfway out of his chair, then sat back down.

His chest puffed up. He could always count on his brothers. His mother’s smile spread to her ears. She gave him a nod and patted Kace’s knee after he sat down.

“We want answers, Ryker,” Marty Boseman said.

“And you’ll have them. Until then you will respect the office of the sheriff of Backwater and allow us to do our jobs.” He headed for the door and kept his head straight, avoiding stares, glances, and whispers.

He pushed out into the night air. The breeze did nothing to cool his heated skin. He took a deep breath. He would figure out who was committing these robberies. His gut told him Justin Crow was involved, and that had nothing to do with his antics on Gage’s couch. He needed to figure out how to prove it was Justin and restore order to his town.

The problem was when he proved Justin was a criminal, Calista would hate him all over again. She wanted to save that boy, and he couldn’t figure out why this kid meant so much. But it didn’t matter. She’d have to find another disadvantaged child to rescue. She’d see her way clear to that decision. He hoped. Or the small chance he thought he had with her this time would evaporate like the sweat on his skin.

He wrestled his keys out of his pocket, ready to spend some time with the beautiful woman who had haunted his dreams for years.

“Hi, Gage.” The voice stopped him in his tracks.

“What are you doing here? I was going to pick you up.” He wanted to cross the parking spaces and pull Calista into his arms to wash away the hurt and anger still clinging to him, but he stayed put, unsure of what she wanted. Had she come to cancel because of their earlier disagreement? But she could have called or sent a text.

He swallowed the lump in his throat at the sight of her. Her floral summer dress floated over her body. She’d pulled back her long hair into a low ponytail that hung along her spine. Her toned legs went on forever to the strappy sandals on her feet. Her toenails were painted a pale color he couldn’t make out in the dim light. But whatever color it was, his heart picked up speed taking all of her in.

“I couldn’t stay another minute at home. The house feels too small, even though I have the whole place to myself. I’m afraid my dad will come up to the main house and start another fight.” She waved her hand as if to dismiss her words. “Never mind. You don’t need to hear about it. I hope it’s all right that I came to you instead of waiting for you to pick me up.”

“I planned on going home to change out of my uniform. I’m not exactly dressed to go out.” He almost said for a date.

“I don’t mind your uniform, but I understand if you want to freshen up. I could meet you at the restaurant. Or wherever you wanted to eat. We hadn’t talked about that part.” A rose flush colored her cheeks.

He moved closer, needing to be near her. Only she could ease the tension in his chest and help him shake off the memory of the people of this town staring at him with disappointment in their eyes. How could the town doubt him so much? It was as if they didn’t know him at all. He was the person who came running when they called, even for things like a broken sprinkler they couldn’t shut off. He’d found their dogs, walked their kids home from school, and driven a wagon around on Halloween when the trick-or-treaters didn’t want to walk from house to house any longer. His townspeople had cut him in a way he didn’t know could hurt so much.

“You could leave your car here and come with me. I’ll stop home for a quick change, and then we can grab something in town. It will be less driving around like that. Or we could sneak into the kitchen at the ranch, and I could whip something up.”

The ranch had guests this week. Four sets of couples. Two of whom were going on that tour. Jett and Mom would have closed down the kitchen by now, but family could reopen it.

“The ranch sounds nice. Do you still have that dining set outside? The sky is beautiful tonight.” Her smile slid wide for him and danced in her eyes.

He dared to take another step toward her. Her warm, spicy scent drifted in the space between them. “Not as beautiful as the lady.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

“Trust me. The view from here is better than any skyful of stars.” He willed his heart to slow down.

She smoothed her dress against her waist. “Gage, the things you say sometimes…you throw me.”

He didn’t know if that was good or bad. He wanted to whisk her away before she thought too long and decided she didn’t want his compliment.

“Let’s go.” He held out his hand. She slipped her soft one into his. He linked their fingers and hurried to his truck. If he could stop time, he would. Tonight would be about them. Not the town. Not the robberies.

Not the past.