NOAH SAID NOTHING AS HE AND Alana walked toward his office. Her mother was sitting in the Caddy, no doubt watching them like a hawk. If he hadn’t seen with his own eyes how Alana behaved around her he wouldn’t have believed it. Any parent-child relationship could be complicated, but Alana’s inability to hold her own in the face of Eleanor had surprised the hell out of him. Especially after he’d seen her in action with Gunderson. The strong, capable woman he’d begun to know had reminded him of a rebellious teenager struggling to cut the cord. She didn’t want to give in, but she wasn’t ready to draw a line in the sand, either.
“You’re angry, and I’m sorry. I don’t blame you,” she said the second they entered his office and closed the door.
“I’m not angry.” He took off his hat. “You want me to call Rachel, or do you want to do it?”
Alana folded her arms across her chest. “I couldn’t tell her I was staying with you, because then…” Her shoulders sagged and she cast a helpless look out the window. “Believe me, this is the path of least resistance. I’ll spend the night with her at the Sundance. She’ll leave first thing tomorrow, and I’ll come back to town.”
“You don’t owe me an explanation.” When he almost added that he was only the local sheriff, he realized he was a little angry…and hurt. Shit. They just had a few days left.... “Here’s the number to the Sundance.”
“Noah.” She tugged at his arm. “Please.”
“What?”
“Kiss me?”
He glanced toward the window, wondering if Eleanor had stayed put as her daughter had asked. When he looked into Alana’s pleading eyes, the misery he saw there softened him, and he finger-combed the tangles away from her flushed cheeks.
“I’ll make this up to you, I swear.” She rose on tiptoe, and he met her partway, brushing his lips across hers. “I’ll call Rachel myself. Did you figure out who took my luggage?”
“I have a hunch.”
She didn’t ask who he thought it was, which was just as well, because he wasn’t about to throw a name around without proof. There was still some shred of lawman in him.
He left her in the office using the phone, and considered the idea that this could be the last time he ever saw her. She had nothing at his house of any value, and if her mother pushed hard enough, he wouldn’t be surprised if Alana took off for New York with her tomorrow morning.
Just as quickly he discarded the notion. Not the leaving tomorrow, that was a solid possibility. But she wouldn’t simply disappear without saying goodbye to him. Oh, he had no illusions that she would admit the truth about their brief fling. No reason to, really, but if keeping the secret meant she’d have to leave early, he didn’t see her coming clean in order to justify staying.
Noah let out a heavy sigh. Hell, he understood keeping secrets. Nobody in town talked about his mother’s drinking, at least not to his face. She rarely left the ranch anymore, and somehow he and his sisters had convinced themselves that no one knew about Celia Calder’s decline. They’d kept her out of sight, under the guise of keeping her safe.
Yeah, Alana thought he was a great son. Right. Easy to be Zen when you can shove the problem under the rug. Keep it nice and tidy and compartmentalized, separate from your daily life. Nah, that wasn’t true. He was doing right by his mother.
Before he climbed into his truck, he stopped at the Watering Hole. No one had seen Avery since Noah had barred him from bothering Sadie earlier. Good. He’d rather confront the old man at his ranch and not before an audience. Not because Noah thought he might be wrong about the man. Made sense it was someone like Avery. The old man was angry and lonely and aching to hit someone who couldn’t hit back. He’d probably seen a chance and gone for it.
Noah turned off onto Avery’s gravel road, which was sorely in need of grading. The truck bounced over deep potholes that were going to be hell to cross come winter, after the first major snow. If Avery used a quarter of the time he spent drinking to maintain the place, maybe he wouldn’t be so miserable.
The run-down cabin-style home came into view, the small spread looking deserted until Noah spotted his quarry’s truck parked on the side of the house closest to the barn. He pulled alongside the rusty clunker, got out and looked around. The place really needed work, although it wasn’t used for much anymore other than to keep a roof over Avery’s head and house his chickens and last cow.
Before Noah had to knock, Avery opened the front door, rubbing his eyes as if he’d been sleeping. He shuffled in his stockinged feet onto the porch. Usually he wore coveralls instead of dungarees. One of his suspenders had slid off his narrow shoulder and he snapped it back into place.
“What are you doing here?” he asked in the cantankerous tone that made people want to wring his neck. He stopped at the edge of the porch, spit into the dirt. “You bring that filly with you?” He craned his neck toward Noah’s truck. “Or did she give you the boot already?” He smiled slyly. “You shoulda known better, Calder. That one’s a Thoroughbred.”
Noah gritted his teeth. No way would he let the man rattle him. “I need you to do something for me.”
His weathered face creased into a suspicious frown.
“I want you to let me inside.”
Avery stumbled back a step. “This is private property.”
“You have a problem showing me what you got in there?”
“Damn right I do.”
“You wouldn’t have something that doesn’t belong to you, would you?” Noah asked calmly, and saw fear creep into Avery’s small dark eyes. “Like some luggage and a purse?”
“I ain’t got anything you need worry about.” He moved to block the door.
“There’s a lady in town who says different. Seems she had a real nice phone conversation with you.”
Avery’s face lit up. “She’s here? Is she pretty?”
Noah heaved a tired sigh. Maybe someday he’d laugh about this. “Move aside, Phelps.”
He blinked rapidly and shook his head. “You got no call to make me let you in my house.”
“I’m asking nicely, because one way or another, I’m gonna have a look, you understand?”
“Don’t you need one of those warrants?” Avery must’ve recognized Noah’s exasperation because he lifted his gray-whiskered chin with renewed confidence. “I reckon I’d like to see one of those pieces of paper, Sheriff.”
Noah took off his hat, stared at it while he fingered the brim, and tried to regain control of his rising temper. He had to remain professional, forget the remark about Alana being a Thoroughbred.
After taking a deep breath, he looked up at Avery’s smug face. “Force me to get a warrant, and I’ll cuff you to the goddam bumper of my truck and make you walk to town.”
* * *
RACHEL’S DIRECTIONS TO THE Sundance were perfect, and if Eleanor harbored any suspicion that Alana hadn’t been staying there all along, she kept it to herself on the largely silent drive out to the ranch. Good thing, because Alana’s mind was racing crazily. Rachel had no spare rooms, but she’d kindly offered to make up one in the family quarters.
At first Alana was horrified that she would have no choice but to share the room with Eleanor. But cool, calm, wonderful Rachel had offered her the couch in the den. It was for only one night, and it worked out beautifully, because if they did share, it would be obvious to Eleanor that Alana had not been staying there. But instead, when they parted company at the end of the evening, Eleanor would assume Alana was going to her own room.
The sun had dipped low by the time they arrived. Floodlights were already turned on outside the house and both barns. The front of the three-story house consisted of an amazing expanse of windows—odd for a place that got so cold in winter, but it made for stunning views of the Rockies in the distance.
As Eleanor parked the car alongside a row of other rentals, Rachel stepped onto the large wraparound porch. The sight of her welcoming smile brought a lump to Alana’s throat. She barely knew Noah’s friend, and yet the woman had bent over backward to help.
“Hi,” Alana said, climbing out of the car and trying hard to hide her nerves. “Thank you,” she mouthed to Rachel over the roof of the Cadillac as her mother gathered her purse and opened the driver’s door.
Eleanor took an inordinate amount of time stepping out of the car and around the patches of dirt. Alana wanted to make the introductions, but waited with a clenched jaw for her mother to find an acceptable grassy spot on which to stand.
“I’m sure Alana has explained that we don’t have any vacant rooms in the guest wing,” Rachel said smoothly. “I had to put you on the same floor with the family, but I think you’ll be comfortable.”
Eleanor cast a critical eye toward the house, then offered the benign smile she generally saved for doormen and waitstaff. “I’m sure it will be fine.”
“Well.” Rachel rubbed a palm down the front of her jeans. “We’re about to serve dinner. You two hungry?”
“I’d prefer to go to my room,” Eleanor said quickly. “I’ll have something light later.”
Meeting Rachel’s startled gaze, Alana felt the heat crawling up her neck. “This isn’t the Ritz, Eleanor. You eat when they serve.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Rachel said, pretending she hadn’t seen Eleanor’s expression tighten. “We’ll have something for you later. Let’s go get you settled.”
“You have someone to bring my bag?”
Alana had seen the small Louis Vuitton overnight bag in the backseat. For God’s sake. “I’ll get it,” she said.
At the same time Rachel said, “Yes, someone will bring it right up.”
Eleanor seemed momentarily confused. Was someone who was so intelligent really that clueless? It was weird seeing her out of her element.
Their element. The thought unsettled Alana. But the fact was, her life was full of similar expectations. Up until five days ago, when she’d slipped down the rabbit hole.
Rachel was frowning at something. “I think that’s Noah.”
Just hearing his name was enough to start Alana’s heart fluttering, and she shifted her gaze in time to see a truck turn off the road onto the long gravel driveway.
“Do we need to wait out here?” Eleanor asked. “Surely he’s not come to see us.”
“Go on inside,” Alana said, not keen on being around him in front of her mother in any case. “After what you told him, he may have information about my luggage.”
“Right.” Eleanor studied her a bit too closely. “I’ll wait with you.”
Alana knew it was no use arguing. She’d already ignited her mother’s curiosity. Aware that Rachel was watching them, she felt shame wash over her, and averted her gaze. Her mother had behaved like an ass, and Alana, well, here she was a grown woman still cowed by her. Temporarily, of course, to avoid a scene. Everyone would understand later.
The three of them waited in silence while Noah drove up, then stopped a few feet away. Through his tinted windows, Alana could tell someone else was sitting in the cab, but she couldn’t see who.
Noah stepped out of the truck. He got something from the backseat, and when he cleared the pickup, she saw her luggage and purse.
Letting out a small shriek, she raced toward him. “You found it! I can’t believe… I’d given up hope.” She threw her arms around Noah, then remembered she had an audience and quickly backed off. “Is everything there?”
“You’ll have to tell me,” he said, passing over her purse and studying her face. His eyes were difficult to see under the brim of his hat, especially because, unlike her, he was standing in the shadow of the house.
She lowered her lashes and concentrated on inventorying her things. “You can put the bag down. It has wheels.”
“Why don’t I take it to the porch so it doesn’t get dirty?”
Alana slung her purse over her shoulder and reached for her laptop case. “I think we’re too late for that.” She felt her mother’s gaze burning a hole in her back. “I’ll just take it inside now.”
“Who’s that in the truck?” Rachel asked.
Noah turned briefly to throw a disgusted look toward his passenger. “Avery. I have to take him to my office. Start writing up the paperwork to charge him.”
“Isn’t this evidence?” Alana asked, nodding at her luggage and purse.
“Yeah, technically.” Noah gave a small guilty shrug and glanced at Eleanor. “I figured you need your things, so don’t worry about it. I’ll make it work.”
The sound of the truck door opening drew everyone’s attention. Avery ambled around the hood, his bowlegged gait slowing him down. His eyes went to Eleanor and lit up. He spit into his palm and smoothed back his wiry hair. Alana heard her mother’s soft gasp of disgust.
“Dammit, Avery, what did I tell you?” Noah said, his voice low and stern. “Get back in the truck or I’m cuffing you.”
“I just wanna apologize to Miss Alana, Sheriff.” He looked over, but had trouble meeting her eyes. “Didn’t mean no harm.” Then he grinned at Eleanor. “You’re even prettier than you sounded on the phone.”
That startled a laugh out of Alana.
Her mother stiffened. “I’d like to go inside now,” she said in a voice that brooked no argument. Ignoring Avery, Noah and even Rachel, she gave Alana a censuring gaze. “Coming?”
Alana gripped her purse strap tighter. “I’ll take this,” she said, not surprised when Noah promptly released the handle of her bag. “Thank you,” she added, hoping desperately that by the time she had a chance to explain, he’d still want to hear it. She met his eyes, then wished she hadn’t. Hard to miss his disappointment. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Her heart sank when he looked as if he didn’t believe her.
* * *
“I CAN’T IMAGINE HOW YOU withstood being stuck here for this long.” Eleanor shook out her silky nightgown and carefully laid it on the bed, which was covered by a quaint patchwork quilt she’d already made a condescending remark about. Thankfully, not in front of Rachel. “You should’ve called me immediately.”
Alana merely picked up her mother’s designer toiletry bag and carried it to the attached bathroom, which hadn’t met with her approval, either.
“Why didn’t you call me when everything got stolen? That sheriff…” Her mother waved a dismissive hand. “Whatever his name was, didn’t he offer you a phone call? He certainly seemed accommodating enough.”
Oh, Alana wasn’t fooled by Eleanor’s show of indifference. She’d sensed the spark between Alana and Noah, and now Eleanor was fishing. Alana felt too numb to care. All she could think about was how horribly she’d disappointed him. How profoundly disappointed she was in herself.
Funny how in Blackfoot Falls, Eleanor’s cracks showed so glaringly. In her own world, she was a star. She needed only to smile and accept the praise. In the real world, she was awful—intolerant, judgmental, completely out of touch with how most people lived.
“When are you going to change out of those horrid clothes?” Eleanor called out, and Alana realized she was still standing in the bathroom, finding it hard to meet her own gaze in the mirror. “I understand why you would want to have everything washed or dry-cleaned first, but surely there’s something in your suitcase that would do for now.”
Alana finally raised her eyes to her reflection, and what she saw shamed her. She’d gotten it all wrong. Eleanor hadn’t embarrassed her; Alana had embarrassed herself. She could try to blame her unspeakably childish behavior on her mother’s unexpected arrival, but that was crap.
She was just as guilty as the rest of Eleanor’s sycophants, treating her mother as if she were above the use of courtesy or compassion. When had she ever stood up to the woman? Alana had spent her life ignoring her, evading her, taking petty vengeance with passive-aggressive behavior. But had she ever made a stand and fought for something she wanted? How had she put it to Rachel? Better to take the path of least resistance?
God, even her assistant had seen through her. Pam knew Alana was incapable of saying no to Eleanor. Why was it so easy to stand up to strangers, when the only relationship that was truly hurting her was the one with her mother?
And now Alana had hurt Noah. He’d taken her home to dinner without a whisper about his mom’s problem. He hadn’t been embarrassed by her. He lived his life, and he left his mom to live hers.
Eleanor was still going on about something, but Alana had quit listening. Time to fight for what she wanted, and the hell with letting her mother stand in her way.
“Hey, Mom,” she said as she left the bathroom. “You do know your way back to the airport, yes?”
Eleanor gaped at her. “What? Is something wrong?”
“I hope not.” Alana smiled and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you in New York.”
“Excuse me?” Her expression grew furious.
“Have a safe trip,” Alana said, and slipped out the door. She had to find Rachel, her luggage and a ride to town.
* * *
IRRITABLE AND DEPRESSED, NOAH slammed the door between his office and the cell where Avery had been bellyaching for the past two hours. The man hadn’t shut up since they left the Sundance. Not only that, but Noah knew he was in for a chewing out from the judge. He’d had no business releasing evidence, but he’d wanted to see Alana, mostly for reassurance. A lot of good that had done. Now he was more certain than ever that she’d be out of here tomorrow. If she stopped in Blackfoot Falls at all it would be only to sign a statement against Avery. She’d say goodbye, talk about a return trip, but he couldn’t see it.
He’d like to convince her otherwise, but then what did he have to offer her? He wasn’t willing to move to New York, and her life was there, not here, or anyplace resembling Blackfoot Falls. Besides, they barely knew each other. What had it been, five days?
He sat at his desk and rubbed his throbbing temples. This afternoon he’d been convinced that he knew her well. They’d shared so much, so easily. But she’d acted so strangely with her mother. The difference between the woman putting Gunderson in his place and the girl twisting herself in knots for her mother was like night and day. If he hadn’t witnessed it himself, he’d never have believed it.
Damn.
He still felt as if he knew her, but he didn’t comprehend the dynamic of that relationship, not one bit. He’d seen her with Sadie and his mother, though, and knew that Alana had a good heart. She was smart and quick, and he understood her in ways he couldn’t explain, but he knew there was more to learn. Maybe someday… If they had more time together…
Man, going home tonight was gonna be a bitch. Not just because the house would be empty, but Alana wouldn’t be there to ask about his day, tell him about her plans for the Watering Hole. She wouldn’t be there, eyes sparkling, standing on tiptoes waiting for his kiss.
Forcing in a deep breath, he stared at the paperwork summarizing the charges against Avery. Noah hadn’t finished yet, but it was no use; staring wasn’t improving his concentration. He had to do something. Like drive out to the Sundance and talk to Alana in private. He threw down his pen and pushed back from his desk.
Damned if he knew what he was going to say.…
He heard the door open, stick for a second, and then he saw Alana. She looked different dressed in tailored black slacks and a red turtleneck sweater, her designer purse slung over her shoulder.
“I was hoping I’d catch you here,” she said, smiling nervously and closing the door behind her.
“I didn’t expect to see you tonight.”
“No, I don’t suppose you would have.” She moved to the guest chair and sat down, and he flashed back on last Friday. Probably because she looked more like that woman who’d first sat across from him—mysterious, disheveled, and still so captivating he’d marched right past his own rules in order to be close to her.
He could barely believe how hard his heart was pounding now that she was back in that chair. He wanted so badly for this not to be goodbye.
Her gaze lowered to the report. “I don’t want to press charges against Avery.”
“He stole from you, no matter what his reasons were.” Confused, Noah watched her fidget with the strap of her purse. “No one will blame you for lodging a complaint. Legally, he has to answer for his actions.”
“Look, as far as I’m concerned, it was a misunderstanding. I won’t sign a statement against him.”
“A misunderstanding?” Was this about not wanting to return for the trial? The thought depressed Noah all over again. “You won’t have to come back to testify, if that’s what you’re worried about. Avery admitted everything, said he was trying to hurt the Sundance and keep tourists away.”
“You know,” she said, leaning forward, “I have every intention of returning. And when I do I’d like to find the town and everyone in it just as they were before.” She smiled. “I’m with Avery. I don’t want to see tourists like Eleanor ruining things.” Alana moistened her lips. “Tourists like me.” Her chin lifted and her eyes blazed as she smiled. “But that’s just too bad, because I’m coming back, anyway.”
Noah felt his own smile spread across his face. “Did your mother come with you?”
“No,” Alana said, her back ramrod straight. “I told her to go back where she belongs first thing tomorrow. Rachel dropped me off.”
“Ah.” Noah got to his feet. “So where are you staying tonight?”
“Well, I heard there’s this hot sheriff who takes in strays,” she said, rising from the chair.
“Is that right?” He caught her hand and pulled her toward him, the tension melting at the feel of her lush warm body pressed to his.
She slid her arms around his neck and smiled up at him. “Besides, you have my clothes.”
“You have your luggage.”
“Oh, please, I have nothing appropriate for the fall festival on Friday.” She stretched up and kissed him, firmly but briefly. “I have no idea where this thing between us is going.…” She hesitated. “Your input about now would be welcome.”
Noah stroked her back. “I don’t know, either, but I’m willing to keep doing what we’ve been doing until we figure it out.”
“It’s going to require some traveling back and forth for both of us.”
He smiled. “Is that a problem for you?”
She shook her head. “The problem would be never seeing you again.”
Lowering his head, he whispered, “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to Blackfoot Falls.”
Her head tilted slightly. “So you want me back just to help out the town?”
“Hang the town. I want you back for me.”
The way her lips parted on a gasp made it impossible not to kiss her. And kiss her.
And kiss her....
* * * * *