Most Eligible Sheriff

How was it some woman hadn’t snatched him up yet? From all accounts, he was a catch.

“Look, there’s the ranch,” someone called out.

They’d reached the top of a gently sloping hill. In the distance, about a mile away by Ruby’s estimation, was the ranch, the main house and outbuildings, recognizable by their distinctive shapes. The ride was nearing its end.

To her surprise, Ruby felt a stab of disappointment and not just because she’d enjoyed being on horseback. Cliff’s company was a welcome diversion from the constant worry and stress she’d been dealing with since Crowley had first come into the casino and chosen to target her simply because she’d discouraged his inappropriate attention.

Then again, she reminded herself, Cliff wouldn’t be far away for very long. There was the square dance Friday night and his regularly checking in with her.

The prospect reassured her. Cliff was capable and committed to her safekeeping. It also sent a mild thrill coursing through her.

Great. Only a few hours into their acquaintance and she was already anticipating his company. What would she be like at the end of a week?

Chapter Four

Cliff didn’t let Ruby out of his sight. He watched her every move as she helped Luis with the guests. Most needed a hand dismounting, their legs wobbly after the hour-and-a-half ride. Many wanted to chat, their spirits raised by the fresh air, majestic scenery and small taste of cowboy life.

Because there would be a second trail ride later that morning, the entire string of horses was left saddled and bridled. Ruby and Luis tethered them to the corral fence. After warning their neighbors with a nip or squeal for getting too close, all the horses settled in for a well-deserved snooze.

The sight of them resting, their tails lazily swishing, reminded Cliff of the years he’d worked at the Triple C Ranch. Attending college and, eventually, police academy, had been a difficult decision. Cliff loved ranching that much.

But the Dempseys were the law in Sweetheart and had been since the days when the local sheriff wore a Colt .45 strapped to his side. Cliff had a tradition to carry on and didn’t regret leaving the Reno P.D. in order to return to Sweetheart. He’d taken to the job of sheriff just like his father and the multitude of grandfathers and great uncles before him.

What he did regret was his one stupid blunder—becoming involved with a witness. It hadn’t cost him his career; the reprimand had been light. But it did blow a case a year in the making and it left a mark on his otherwise untarnished record.

It had also cost him the complete trust of his commanding officer and partner and cut his chances for advancement in half.

“You said you’d teach me to rope.”

Cliff glanced down at the cowgirl in pink and smiled. “That I did.”

“My brother wants to learn, too.” She presented a reluctant young cowboy, a good foot shorter than she.

Cliff wasn’t sure about the boy wanting to rope. He appeared more inclined to watch and suck his thumb than participate.

“You don’t mind?” The children’s mother had come up behind them. She also wore newly purchased boots from the looks of them. Brown, not pink.

“My pleasure. But I don’t have much time.” He had rounds to make before returning to the station, and the pile of paperwork on his desk never seemed to shrink. He was also anxious to read the reports on Crowley that Detective James was sending over.

“If you’re too busy...”

“Quite all right, ma’am.” He winked at the girl. “I made this young lady a promise. Wait right here.”

With one eye on Ruby, he strode toward the tack shed. She was engaged in conversation with Will Dessaro, the ranch’s trail boss and Scarlett’s immediate supervisor. Judging by Will’s unconcerned features, he believed he was talking to Scarlett. Ruby appeared to be handling herself, although she’d shoved her hands into her jeans pockets. A sure sign she was on edge.

Cliff hated the idea of leaving her to fend for herself, but he had no choice. Sam had promised to watch her in Cliff’s absence. She wouldn’t be going on the next trail ride. Instead, Sam had assigned Ruby some of the endless chores around the barn and corrals.

Inside the tack shed, Cliff searched for a lariat. He found three hanging on the wall and picked the one best suited for a child. Even then, it was way too big.

The girl didn’t care and grasped the rope with glee when he showed it to her.

“Come on.” He led the mother and children away from the horses to the opposite side of the corral. An old tree stump provided the perfect practice target and a tall ponderosa pine offered ample shade. “We’ll start with the basics. Watch me first, then you can try.”

The girl was reluctant to surrender the lariat, but she did. Cliff adjusted the loop until it was the right size for him, then raised the lariat over his head and swung it in the air. At the right moment, he flicked his wrist and let the lariat fly. The loop landed around the tree stump with a satisfactory thwap, and he jerked the rope tight.

The little girl’s mouth fell open, and she turned wide eyes on her mother. “Did you see that?”

“Very impressive.”

“Do it again.” The little boy spoke for the first time.

“Yes, yes,” his sister insisted.

“Don’t you want to try?” Cliff asked.

She shook her head so hard, her pink cowboy hat tilted sideways.

Wasn’t that just like a kid? Cliff chuckled to himself. His own nieces were no different. Gung ho one second, timid as a mouse the next.

“What about you, partner?” The boy had once again ducked behind his mother’s leg. “Ma’am? Would you like to give it a shot?”

She broke into a laugh. “Why don’t I just take pictures? Do you mind?”

“Not at all.” He threw the lariat again.

After some more coaxing, he finally convinced the girl to try her hand. Mom snapped more photos, enough to fill an album. The family left happy, the children dashing ahead of their mother as they climbed the tree-lined path toward the guest cabins.

“If that’s how you are with kids, I’d say you’re a whole lot better than an adult presence in the room.”

Cliff spun at the sound of Ruby behind him. He hadn’t noticed the differences in her and her sister’s voices before. Ruby’s was slightly deeper and a little huskier. Very sexy.

He had to stop comparing the two of them. He also had to stop thinking of her other than professionally. Cliff had crossed the line before. He would not make the same mistake twice.

“I’m the fun uncle,” he said. “I let them get away with murder. If there’s a rule, we break it. Makes my cousin mad.”

“She’s lucky to have you.”

“I’m lucky to have her, too.”

He and his cousin weren’t just related, they’d grown up together and were good friends. More like siblings. Cliff had never cared much for her ex and wasn’t sorry to see them divorced. Though, he was sorry for the pain his cousin and her children had endured.

“I’m not very good with kids,” Ruby admitted.

Cliff had observed her awkwardness with the young girl during the ride. “There’s no secret. Just show an interest in them.”

“Scarlett loves kids.”

“You shouldn’t mention her name out in the open,” he warned Ruby in a low voice.