Colton 911: Caught In The Crossfire

But why hadn’t she just asked him?

Or should he have been the one to bring it up first?

Maybe so. And maybe he would bring it up sometime. For now, though…

Their horses were walking fairly fast, but the ground below them had started to become rougher, and he felt it in the way the saddle bumped his butt harder now as his horse’s hooves hit the uneven surface. He pulled slightly on Witchy’s reins. “Slow down, girl,” he said, then looked ahead as Melody, on Cal, passed them. “Yeah, you, too,” he called to his favorite—and somewhat difficult, at least right now—ranch hand. “Slow down.” And you, too. Call “whoa” on your attraction to Melody.

Chapter 6 (#uc095846f-bd5d-58de-813d-7e87c1237918)

The warming Arizona day seemed to progress quickly as they continued to track the cattle.

They remained on horseback and though they were still in grassy pastures, they headed in the direction of some canyon areas filled with bushes and trees, which Melody considered a good thing. If they found the right spot, there might be some cover for where they’d ultimately sleep that night. And if she remembered correctly, there was also a small stream in that area, where they and the horses could get more to drink than they’d found earlier today, once it was filtered. Plus, she and Casey could also wash themselves.

They’d already come across other spots today where the terrain was irregular or the plant life was more vibrant—a good thing for when they needed breaks way out here in the middle of nowhere.

Melody had enjoyed the conversations they’d been holding; at her urging, they discussed things in their lives—some of the time, at least—that had brought them to where they were today.

“Do you like to see wildlife in the outdoors?” was one of the questions Melody asked Casey.

“I’m always after people who live a wild life,” he said, making her laugh. “But if you mean do I like to see birds and animals and all out here, the answer is yes.”

“Me, too,” Melody told him, and they talked a while about visiting areas like this and various sanctuaries and zoos in their childhoods.

And Casey’s enjoyment of animals upped him even farther in Melody’s already climbing opinion of him.

Melody didn’t bring up her divorce. She didn’t even want to think about it.

Mostly, she peppered Casey with additional questions. Somewhat to her surprise, he didn’t want to talk much about anything personal, either. His attitude might be forthcoming and professional, but he seemed almost shy as he responded in few words at first to her repeated questions about why he’d become a peace officer. Because he wanted to. Because it was a childhood dream. She considered that sweet. In fact, she was finding him much too sweet and appealing.

But that didn’t keep her from pushing for more detailed answers when he attempted to change the subject. Besides, she was curious.

“Okay,” he finally said. “It’s no big deal, but if you really want to know…”

“I do.”

“I grew up here in Cactus Creek,” he told her, somewhat softly. He didn’t meet her eyes as he spoke, and instead looked into the distance, as if viewing the area he spoke of. Maybe he was, in his head. “It’s a great town, but like everywhere else there are good people and bad people. And I wanted to be out there helping to bring justice to my town. I got a degree in criminal justice from Arizona State and visited home as often as I could during the school years. I returned here full-time as quickly as I could and was hired as a deputy sheriff right away.”