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“Thank you,” he said eventually, so quiet I almost missed it.

“For what?”

“For not makin’ me choose anything tonight. For just... lettin’ me feel what I feel without tryin’ to talk me out of it.”

I smiled against his skin. “That’s what I’m here for, Buttercup. Headaches and all.”

He huffed out a tired laugh, and I felt him finally go loose and heavy against the mattress, sleep creeping up on him fast now that whatever had been gnawing at him had been let out into the open where it couldn’t fester quite so bad in the dark. I stayed awake a little longer, listening to him breathe, thinking about Marcus and that thief nobody could catch, about small boot prints and stolen property, and all the things that Rhett was struggling with. All of that was easier to think about than my own struggle, than the fact that my daddy had seemingly up and dumped me without a second thought. I hadn’t taken a moment yet to really work through that pain.

But that was a worry for another day. Tonight I just held onto Rhett and let myself believe, same as I’d told him, that two things could be true at once. That a man could be scared and safe in the very same breath, so long as he had somebody willing to stay up holding onto him while he figured out which one he needed more.

Chapter 23

Rhett

Things went by a little easier after that cookout. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, hanging out with other people like me made me feel almost… hopeful. That wasn’t usually my style. Not in Sagebrush, anyway. But the way they welcomed me with open arms and the way West didn’t try to force me to figure it out made me feel like I could actually breathe for once in that little town.

It was a feeling I was not accustomed to.

Between working for the sheriff and West in my bed every night, I didn’t have much time to worry about things. I was busy, which was just how I liked it. I woke up every morning with West and we fucked before breakfast. Dolly would feed us in the diner before we both headed off to our respective jobs, missing each other the moment we parted ways. Once work was over we had a quick meal at the diner again and went right back to the apartment where we inevitably ended up in bed once more.

I’d never cum so much in my life. And honestly? I loved it. Westley was such a sweet and giving lover. But he knew how to be rough when I asked him to. I loved how well he could take direction. One minute he was kissing me all sweet and innocent, the next he was plowing me into the mattress as I cried his name into the pillow.

And that’s exactly what I was looking forward to as I sat in the sheriff’s office, finishing up my paperwork for the day before I went home.

Marcus came around the corner from his office, a stack of flyers in one hand, looking about as tired as I’d ever seen him. The fair was barely four weeks off now and the whole town seemed to be buzzing about it. More and more folks were coming through needing permits or asking about parking or complaining about something or other that hadn’t even happened yet.

“You about done there?” he asked, dropping into the chair across from my desk, which was really just a folding table Mrs. Baxter had let me set up near the window.

“Just finishin’ up the last of the vendor applications,” I said, stapling a packet together. “Got some soap maker wantin’ a booth right next to a ceramics artist. Apparently they’ve got some sort of partnership goin’ on. Had to rearrange the entire setup just for them. And I took care of all the questions from the baking contest people.”

“Lord, don’t get me started on that.” Marcus rubbed at his jaw. “Pie contest drama is worse than anythin’ you can watch on television.”

I laughed, sliding the packet into the folder with the rest of them. Working for Marcus these past two weeks had turned out easier than I expected once I got past that first day of nerves. He wasn’t the hard-nosed lawman I’d always figured him for growing up around here. He was just a man trying to keep this town running smoothly, same as anybody.

“You did good work today,” he said, leaning back in the chair, studying me with that steady green gaze of his. “Better than good, actually. You got a knack for organizin’ all this mess that I sure as hell don’t have.”

“Just doin’ what needs doin’,” I said, though the pride that spread through my chest at hearing it surprised me some.

“I mean it, Rhett.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Once this fair’s done and over with, I’d like to keep you on if you’re interested. Steady work, full time. I could use somebody like you around here on a permanent basis.”

My stomach did something complicated at that, equal parts flattered and uneasy, like two different versions of myself were arguing it out behind my ribs. The version of me that had spent a year with a bag half packed under my bunk wanted to shake my head right then and there. But another part, the part that had been eatin’ brisket and laughing with Xavier and Cash just last weekend, wanted to say yes before he even finished asking.

“Maybe,” I said finally, which was about as honest an answer as I could give him. “Got some things I’m still workin’ through. But I appreciate you askin’, Marcus. It means a lot.”

He nodded, not pushing it any further, which I was grateful for. “Well, the offer’s open whenever you’re ready to take it. Ain’t goin’ anywhere.” He stood, stretching until his back popped, same as Westley always did. “Besides, you’re my good luck charm. Ever since you started here, I haven’t had any more things go missin’ in town.”

I let out a shaky laugh. “I don’t know about that…”

“It’s a good thing,” he smiled, giving me a nod. “Maybe the thief finally left town. Or maybe he just found something better to do.” He paused for a moment, glancing out the window. “You should go on home. You’ve earned it after all that paperwork. Tell Dolly you deserve an extra slice of pie.”

“I’ll tell her,” I said, standing and gathering up my folders, trying to keep my voice light even though my pulse had kicked up a notch at that last comment of his.

I grabbed my hat off the corner of the desk and headed for the door, Marcus trailing a few steps behind me to lock up for the night. The evening air had that thick golden warmth to it, the kind that settled heavy over Sagebrush right before the sun dropped behind the feed store roofline.

“Hey, Rhett,” Marcus said, just as I hit the bottom step outside.

I turned back, my stomach tightening up without my permission. “Yeah?”