He came to a stop a few steps in front of her and, with the back of his forearm, pushed the brim of his cowboy hat back off his forehead.
“I’m Joseph Hollister. Deputy Sheriff of Yavapai County,” he said to identify himself. “I saw your vehicle turn into the entrance of this property. Since your truck is carrying Nevada plates, I figured you might not be aware this ranch is currently unoccupied.”
Was he naturally a suspicious man, she wondered, or was he simply a very dedicated lawman? Either way, he was definitely something to look at. His thick, coffee-colored hair was just long enough to curl around his ears, while his deeply tanned complexion told her he spent long hours in the Arizona sun. He had a square jaw, the type that looked as though it could take several punches and never flinch. However, all this was just a gorgeous backdrop to his eyes. Even from a distance, she could see the brown orbs were full of golden flecks, a color that reminded her of dark, potent whiskey.
“I’m Tessa Parker,” she told him. “And, yes, I’m from Nevada. Between Carson City and Reno, to be exact. And, yes, I know the ranch house is currently vacant.”
His razor-sharp gaze slid over her as though he was sizing up her honesty.
Tessa tried not to bristle. After all, the man didn’t know the first thing about her. And he was a deputy sheriff.
“The Bar X is obviously a long distance from Carson City. So what brings you all the way down here, Ms. Parker?”
She straightened her shoulders. “I’m here to see my new property. Is that some sort of crime?”
Tessa didn’t know why the tart question had popped out of her. It wasn’t like her to be testy with anyone. Particularly a law official. But the suspicious look in his eyes was setting her on edge.
“No. No crime at all. If it is your property. Do you have your identification with you?”
If a flying saucer suddenly landed next to them, the situation wouldn’t be any more bizarre, Tessa thought.
“I have more than my identification,” she crisply informed him. “I have all sorts of legal papers with me—if you’d care to see them.”
“That isn’t necessary,” he said. “Your driver’s license will be sufficient.”
Turning back to the truck, Tessa fished the plastic-coated card from her purse and handed it to him. As she watched him scan the information, she noticed his hands were big and brown, the backs lightly sprinkled with dark hair. There was no sign of a wedding band on his left hand. But that didn’t surprise Tessa at all. He didn’t have the softer attitude that most married men possessed.
He suddenly glanced up at her and Tessa’s breath caught as his brown eyes looked directly into hers.
“I happened to be well acquainted with Ray Maddox, the man who used to live here,” he informed her. “And since he passed away, there’s been no talk of this place being put on the real-estate market.”
“You’ve made the wrong assumption, Deputy Hollister. I didn’t buy this place. It was willed to me by Ray Maddox.”
This news caused his eyes to widen with surprise then narrow to two skeptical slits. “Willed? Are you a relative?”
“No. Not that I’m aware of,” she said bluntly. “In fact, I don’t think I ever met Mr. Maddox.”
He folded a pair of strong-looking arms across his broad chest and suddenly Tessa was wondering if Orin had been right. Maybe it had been foolish of her to make the trip down here alone. This man looked like it wouldn’t bother him one iota to arrest her.
“I’ve heard plenty of cock-’n’-bull stories in my line of work, but this beats them all. Ray Maddox was hardly a fool. He was the sheriff of Yavapai County for more than twenty years. He wouldn’t just will his property to a total stranger.”
Tessa opened the truck for a second time and collected a large manila envelope from the console. Lifting her chin to a challenging angle, she handed the legal documents to him. “Since you have the idea I’m some sort of criminal, I think you should look at this.”
His stern expression was all-professional as he made a quick scan of the papers and then carefully inserted them back into the envelope. “I’m sorry, Ms. Parker. It’s my job to be cautious. And I think you’ll agree this is a rather odd occurrence.”
An ache had developed in the middle of her forehead and as he continued to watch her closely, she tried to rub it away with the tips of her fingers.
“I can’t deny that.” She turned her gaze to the front of the house and suddenly felt herself close to tears. “The attorney handling Mr. Maddox’s estate informed me that his client had been a sheriff and a well-known figure in the area.”
“That’s right. A beloved figure. He retired about five years ago.”
“It’s all so incredible,” she said in a thoughtful daze.
After a long stretch of silence he asked, “Were you—planning on staying here tonight?”
She wiped a hand through her straight brown hair before she nodded. “Yes, I am,” she answered then took a shaky step toward the house. “I’m sorry. I need to sit down.”
Recognizing she was teetering on her feet, he leaped forward and wrapped a supporting hand around her elbow.
“Here. Let me help you to the steps.”
He guided her over to a set of wide stone steps built into a mortar-and-stone retaining wall.
Once she was sitting, the deputy took a seat on the same step, careful to keep a respectable distance between them.
He said, “I’m not sure it’s a good idea for you to stay here alone tonight, Ms. Parker.”
“Why? Is this a high crime area?”
“Crimes are rarely committed around here. I’m speaking now of your emotional condition.”
Tessa straightened her spine. She might appear fragile to this man, but she prided herself in being tough and capable.
“I’ll be fine, Deputy Hollister. I’ve been driving since early this morning. Nearly seven hundred miles, to be exact. I’m tired and haven’t had much to eat today. And then seeing this place—I’m sure you can understand it’s all a bit overwhelming.”
“That’s why staying in a hotel in Wickenburg and having a nice meal would be a better option for you tonight. I’m not even sure if the utilities are still turned on in the house.”
He must be thinking she was too stupid to plan ahead. Or perhaps he thought she was the impulsive sort who didn’t think five minutes ahead of her. Either way, she wished he’d simply go. Just looking at his broad shoulders and rugged face was playing havoc with her senses.
“Everything is on and ready to go,” she said. “All I need to do is carry in my bags. And I can certainly manage that task.”
“If you insist on staying, I’ll carry your bags for you,” he told
