Denton laughed heartily. “Maybe one day, I will. I’m actually thinking of finding a small town to settle down in soon.”
Bryan motioned his hand toward the window. “Stumptown is small.”
“You’re right. It is.”
“And we could certainly use a man like you here.”
Denton’s curiosity rose. “What would you have me doing?”
“The town needs a good sheriff. The one we have now is... well, he’s old and decrepit.”
Denton couldn’t believe how the idea rooted in his mind and expanded in his chest with enthusiasm. “Let me think about it. But, for now, I’m trying to find someone. His name is Terrance Greenwood, and I was told he was coming here to meet with someone about buying a fishing boat. He’s tall with red hair.”
“A fishing boat, eh?” Bryan scratched behind his ear, and then must have realized he had sawdust in his hair, so he quickly brushed it off.
Denton pointed to his upper lip, hoping his friend would know what he was saying. Laughing, Bryan brushed the sawdust off his mustache.
“What can I say? It comes with my job.”
Denton nodded. “I don’t mind at all.”
“So, Mr. Greenwood came to talk to someone about a fishing boat? That would probably be Alan Cartwright. He owns a boat shop.”
“And where can I find him?”
Bryan walked to the window, and Denton followed. “Do you see that gray building?”
“Yes.”
“Pass that and keep going down the slope, and you’ll see another building. Alan’s name – Cartwright – will be written in big, bold letters on the sign. You can’t miss it.”
“By chance, have you seen a man fitting that description walking around town?”
Bryan nodded. “In fact, I have. This morning, actually. He walked by the mill. I can now only assume he was heading toward the boat shop.”
“Great.” Denton clapped his friend on the shoulder. “I appreciate your help.”
“How long will you be in town? Maybe you and I can meet later for some dinner at Boyd’s Diner.”
“That sounds good, but I’m here with the sheriff of Helena, and... my woman friend.”
Bryan’s eyes grew large, and a silly grin touched his mouth. “You have awomanfriend?” He chuckled. “I never thought that day would come.”
“We are just friends.” Denton didn’t know why he had to lie. Well, it really wasn’t a lie, but until the case was solved, they would only be friends.
Bryan punched Denton in the arm playfully. “That is how relationships start, don’t you know.”
“I’ll have to bow out on the dinner. But I promise to think about the offer of making Stumptown my home.”
“You had better, my friend. With your experience, you would make a reliable and trustworthy sheriff.”
As Denton left the sawmill, a smile stretched across his face. Images popped into his head, and he could envision himself as the town’s sheriff, with his lovely wife next to him, supporting him in his position. And the gorgeous face of his lovely wife was Courtney’s.
It was a nice dream. Now the question was, would it ever become a reality?
* * * *
DENTON RODE TOWARDAlan Cartwright’s boat shop. He’d told the sheriff and Courtney to stay back in hiding. Terrance couldn’t know that Denton had brought the lawman with him. He needed his friend to be oblivious to the reason Denton was in town. He just hoped his murderous friend was still at the boat shop and hadn’t already noticed Denton and the sheriff riding through town.
