“Safety is not in my job description,” she sighed. “And that would be a long shot.”
“Not really.” He smiled.
“And how would you know that?”
“I told you,” he said, rising. “I’m psychic.” He noticed movement near the door out of the corner of his eye. “Just a friendly warning.” He raised his voice, and his eyes slid sideways, so that she understood he was giving her cover a tweak. “As long as you don’t cause trouble, you’re welcome here. But be careful of the company you keep. I always have an empty cell at the detention center, Miss Blake.”
“I don’t plan to cause any trouble, Sheriff,” she replied coolly. “I’m only in town for a few days, to meet with a potential customer for that real estate I’m trying to sell. It’s easier to show the customer the property here in the county rather than on my computer at the realty agency in Dallas. I sell land. That’s all I do.”
“As long as that’s all you do, we won’t have any problems. But I’d like to know how you plan to show land when you don’t have a vehicle.” He was staring at her.
Raines came sauntering up to the table. “Hi, Miss Blake. Ready to go see if they’ve cut the grass leading up to the gate on that property we’re showing?” he added.
“Oh, yes, Mr. Raines. Thank you.” She stood up. “You know Sheriff Marlowe, don’t you?” she asked Raines. “He was just telling me a few things about his county.”
“Sheriff,” Raines said, nodding. “I’m in town buying land for my client that Miss Blake is the Realtor for. Also for the private cattle sale out at the Everett place next month. Long way from California. I had some business here as well, so I thought I’d stay with my pal Pete Townsend for a week or so and catch up on old times.”
“Speaking of Pete, where is he?” Marlowe asked. “I haven’t seen him around.”
“He was going to look at some Santa Gertrudis cattle over near San Antonio for our boss who runs cattle. It takes good bulls to improve herds these days. The boss has a big ranch in Mexico.”
“I see,” Marlowe replied. He smiled but it never reached his eyes. “Just make sure there’s no trouble.”
“There won’t be,” Raines assured him.
“Of course there won’t,” Josie added, smiling, too.
Sheriff Marlowe left them. It fascinated Josie to watch him walk. He had an odd step, light as air and absolutely noiseless even in boots.
Raines joined her at the table. “What did he want?” he asked when the bartender had brought his beer and sandwich.
“Warning me off,” she said. “He noticed my pistol.”
“You shouldn’t wear that thing around town,” Raines muttered. “It draws attention.”
“I have a concealed carry license,” she told him. “I said that I’d be looking at real estate and there were snakes out in the country.”
He rolled his eyes. “It’s November,” he said. “Snakes are hibernating.”
She grimaced. “Well, at least you saved me, about the land. He knew I didn’t have a car.”
“He sticks his nose in too much,” he said curtly. “One day he’ll get it lopped off.”
“You could be right,” she said. “I think I’ll get another sandwich. I’m starved.”
Seven
She rode around with Raines for two weeks, except for the day before Thanksgiving Day. Surprisingly, a Big Spur ranch truck pulled up in front of her motel room that day and John Everett got out. He looked absolutely disgusted when he knocked on her door. That was when she realized why he’d come. She had to smother a laugh. Unless she missed her guess, he’d been sent by his mother to invite her to Thanksgiving dinner!This was going to be a very interesting conversation, she told herself amusedly.
John Everett was wearing a spotless blue chambray shirt with jeans and black boots, and a black Stetson cocked over one eye. His hair, thick and blond and clean, glimmered in the sunlight.
Josie opened the door and stared at him. She was wearing jeans and boots, too, with a white turtleneck sweater, her wavy red-gold hair loose and curling around her shoulders down to her waist in back. A line of freckles ran over her nose and cheeks. She looked up at him with faint surprise.
“Mr. Everett?”
He glared at her. “My mother sent me,” he said with absolute disgust. “She wants you to come for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. JJ misses you.”
“How very nice of her,” she said with a smile. “I was planning on a ham sandwich and a cup of coffee.”
