A Baby For The Deputy

“What’s going on here?”

They sprang apart, separated by Ray’s voice and the surprise lacing it. Turning, they found not only Ray but Mel’s sisters staring at them.

“Dammit,” Aaron said under his breath. This was his fault. He should have been more careful. He and Mel had been getting laxer and laxer lately.

“Dad,” she started, then faltered.

They were spared from having to explain whatever it was her family thought they saw when Samantha’s truck suddenly quit running. Her attempts to start it again resulted in a horrible grinding sound.

“Shut it off,” Aaron hollered, afraid continued effort might result in severe damage.

Samantha scrambled out of the truck. Her mouth was set in an identical stern line Aaron had seen all three Hartman sisters wearing earlier. He was beginning to think looks weren’t the only quality they had in common.

By now, evening had given way to night. Above their heads, the parking lot lights flickered and crackled with an electrical hum. A few daring nighttime insects ventured down from the lights. One had the nerve to tangle in Samantha’s hair.

She swatted at it furiously. “What now?”

“I’ll call Conroy’s in the morning,” Ray said. “He’ll send the tow truck. You can leave your truck here. No one will bother it.”

“And in the meantime?”

“Where are you staying?”

Samantha hesitated, wilting a little under the pressure of being scrutinized. “The inn.”

Morning Side Inn, like a lot of establishments in the community, was horse friendly. Behind the main building, the owners had constructed a corral and dirt RV lot for guests to use during their stay, which explained what Samantha had done with her horse and trailer.

The inn was also expensive. If she couldn’t afford to pay for her truck repairs, she certainly couldn’t afford to stay at the inn for long.

“I can drop you off there later tonight,” Ray said. “Once we’ve finished talking.” He fished his keys from his pocket. “Let’s meet at the house. Samantha, you can ride with me and Dolores.” He turned in a circle and frowned, suddenly realizing his wife had been missing all along.

“No way am I riding with you,” Samantha stated frimly. “I’ll walk to the inn. It’s not far from here.”

“I think we should talk tonight,” Ray insisted. “The sooner the better.”

She scrunched her mouth to the side, debating what to do. Suddenly, she pointed at Aaron. “I’ll ride with him.”

Reactions ranged from surprise to displeasure to resistance. Aaron didn’t blame them. He’d already intruded enough on what was a private matter. Besides, someone else needed him more. “I can’t take you. My daughter’s expecting me home any minute.”

“What if I drive you?” Frankie asked Samantha.

The young woman raised her chin like before. “If he doesn’t take me, I’m not going.”

Aaron had witnessed this same stubbornness in Mel, usually when she refused to give up on a sick or injured animal. Also, the one time he’d broached the subject of them dating like a regular couple.

She’d insisted what they had suited them both. Why complicate matters? Lately, he’d been thinking he should have argued more. She deserved better than what they had, even if she didn’t believe so. And he had started wanting more, even if he refused to admit it.

Their gazes briefly connected, and he wondered if she also ever reconsidered their arrangement.

“This is probably best handled by your family,” Aaron said to Samantha.

“They’re not my family,” she contradicted him. “I already have one. My mom and dad and two brothers.”

Again, everyone except Ray seemed taken aback by the news, eyes widening and jaws going slack. What other secrets was he keeping?

Mel was the first to speak. “Maybe you should drive her to Dad’s house. We certainly can’t keep standing here all night.” Before Aaron could refuse, she added, “I’ll go with you.”

No one brought up the obvious. As deputy sheriff, Aaron was familiar with the town and didn’t need directions. Could Mel be trying to find time alone with him? As alone as they could be with another person sitting three feet away.

That wasn’t why Aaron ultimately agreed to drive Samantha. It was the scared look on her face. She was a kid in trouble, though no one else apparently saw it. If his daughter ever needed help, he hoped a responsible and trustworthy person like himself stepped in.

An unofficial vote was taken, and Aaron found himself in his SUV with Mel in the front, Samantha in the back and a heavy silence surrounding them. Guess he’d been wrong about Mel’s motives.

“Take a left,” she instructed when they reached the parking lot exit. “Turn east onto Harvest Street.”

Traffic was never heavy in Mustang Valley, with the exception of holidays when the whole town came out to celebrate. With each occasional vehicle passing them in the opposite direction, the interior of the SUV was illuminated by oncoming headlights.

Aaron caught quick glimpses of Mel’s profile. She was just as scared as Samantha. He also understood why—her entire life was changing—and was glad he’d come along for her, too.

Chapter Four (#ud151f536-92ed-5d70-befb-155275bc3c1c)

The Hartman home was about four miles past where the paved road leading out of town ended and the dirt road began. Mel’s parents had built it soon after her father accepted a head wrangler position at The Small Change Ranch, using the entirety of their meager savings for construction. The house was a short distance from the ranch and until recently, her father had ridden to work every day.

He told people the reason he quit was because his favorite horse had been retired and put to pasture, not that his arthritis had worsened. Mel didn’t have the heart to dispute him. Her father was a proud man.

“What about your friends?” Aaron asked Samantha, glancing again in the rearview mirror. Mel noticed he’d been doing that a lot during the drive.

“What about them?” Samantha said tersely.

“Are they expecting you tonight?”

“No.”

“Have you called them?”

Samantha gave another terse reply and slouched into her seat.

Mel frowned. Really? Aaron was attempting chitchat? And who were these supposed friends of Samantha’s anyway?

“What if they’re worried?” Aaron asked.

“You always this nosy?”

“Comes with the job.”

Gauging by her tone, Samantha didn’t like Aaron better than Mel or the rest of them. So why insist on him driving her?

The two had another brief exchange, and Mel’s irritation escalated. Perhaps because Aaron had obviously learned details about Samantha and Mel knew nothing. None of them did. Except her father. He’d known her name, at least. And that she existed. He was certainly on good terms with Samantha’s mother. Or, had been at one time.