made it. My dad might be a very busy lawyer, but these days he makes me a priority. Even if I need bailing out like a fifteen-year-old.”
“He must have some patience.”
She remembered how her father would set her on his lap when she’d been in trouble, and patiently explain why she was supposed to listen to her governess. “He does.”
“Then you shouldn’t go out of your way to worry him.”
Roxy smiled. Worrying her father had been the only way to get his attention back in those days. “I didn’t do it on purpose.” At least not this time. “And I can take care of myself. You don’t have to worry about anything. Your little ole town is safe from big bad me. I have no intention of staying more than a day or two.”
“Good. I don’t know if Red Wing can stand the excitement. But I’ll drive you over to the Cozy Daze.”
“That’s okay. Apparently my car’s at Larry’s gas station, right down the street. I’m grateful you had it towed into town. I’ll just walk over there and get it.”
“It’s hot out there.”
“I’m from Dallas. It’s hot there, too.”
“It’s still over ninety degrees.”
She looked at him in honest surprise. “Really? I thought it’d be cooler.”
“My tires sucked at the road as I drove in—asphalt’s still oozy from the heat.”
“Find anything interesting out there? Coyotes, scorpions, stranded women?”
“Nope. You’re the only one today. Do you want a ride or not?”
“I guess so.” She ran her hands over the front of her shorts. Why did she suddenly feel so vulnerable? Was it because she didn’t want to rely on anyone? Especially not him? “What day of the week is it?” She tugged on a long lock of hair hanging over her shoulder. Let him scoff about her disorientation. She’d fillet him.
Farmer John didn’t scoff. “It’s Thursday. The bank will be open first thing in the morning.”
She smiled faintly. What would he say if he knew how many times she’d lost track of the date? Whole weeks had disappeared in an alcoholic stupor. If he knew he’d walk away from her in disgust.
Without another word he turned and walked out of the room. She followed. The two people on duty ignored them as they went by. It didn’t surprise her. It was unlikely she was the only one who’d objected to spending the night. If Farmer John was any indication, they grew them hardheaded in this part of the county.
He opened the door of the cruiser for her and held it open like he was escorting her on a date. She couldn’t help but smile at him. “Thank you, Sheriff.”
He smiled. “You’re welcome, Miss Adams.”
She settled herself amongst all the technology, radios and other cop things. Then, when he sat down beside her she admonished him. “Call me Roxy.”
He shook his head.
“Do you prefer Farmer John or do you intend to be formal? Didn’t your parents give you a first name?”
“I’m always professional when I’m doing my job,” he said, ignoring the rest of her comment.
“I thought you were doing me a favor. It’s after hours. Or are you checking up on me? Did you put my name on the list or something?” Her voice rose.
“No, this is just a favor to someone from out of town. I didn’t do a records search on you, because you didn’t break the law. However, right this moment you don’t have a car or any money, so I thought you might accept a helping hand. Graciously.”
“You expect me to be gracious when you won’t even tell me your name?” She turned away tugging on her hair, unwilling to show her relief that he didn’t know about her record. Even though it wasn’t much more than a couple of drunk and disorderly charges. Drunks were usually content to hurt themselves and her daddy had enough money to smooth her way.
“My name’s Luke.”
Grateful, she turned from those ugly memories and smiled at him. “See, Luke, that wasn’t so hard.”
“Are you always like this?”
Roxy put a hand to her heart with a dramatic flourish. “Oh, my goodness, he told me his name,” she teased him. “His reputation as a hard-hearted sheriff’s ruined forever.”
He flushed again.
His ability to flush might be endearing, but she wasn’t letting him off the hook so easily. “I might have to rent some space on a billboard. I’ll tell the town what a marshmallow you really are.”
“You’d have trouble finding a spare billboard in this town.”
Luke looked downright human when he fought a grin, which was good enough for her.
She turned to study the town. The buildings around them were a hodgepodge of materials and styles, some were stucco and others brick. A few stood vacant with boards where the windows would have been. Others appeared to be closed up for the night. She spotted a convenience store and a restaurant with a line of trucks in the parking lot.
She guessed the taverns must be out of the city limits. There were no neon cocktails flashing on the side of the road. She remembered Joey with a jolt of pain. It was just as well the taverns were out of reach.
“You people really do roll up the streets at sundown.”
“We like it quiet.”
He turned west and the sky was on fire with the setting sun. She sucked in her breath at the glory of it. “It’s magnificent.”
“Yeah. It’s pretty. With no skyscrapers or trees to block the sky you can literally see for miles. This part of the country is known for its big skies. Just wait till the stars come out.”
He pulled into a small motel.
A small thrill of alarm swept through her. “I figured we’d go and get my car.” She pulled a piece of hair around to rub against her cheek.
“I’ll deliver it tomorrow. You look tired.”
“I’m not tired. I slept all day.” She put her hand up to cover the yawn that threatened to give her away. “I feel naked without my car.”
Roxy couldn’t see if he was blushing again, or if it was the light from the sunset coloring his face. She hated this mushy, vulnerable feeling. Who was he? Why did he make her feel as if he could cleanse her tarnished soul with his innocence?
The ability to blush is no indication of innocence. He’s probably had his share of binges and women. Get a hold of yourself. You’re just tired and sick.
She flinched when he reached over as if to touch her face. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I can tell you’re not feeling great.”
“How?”
