Rodeo Sheriff

Cole had lied to Honey about Daniel.

He frowned and tried to shake off the old guilt, but couldn’t.

Maddy snuggled into the middle of Honey’s five lace-covered pillows, stuck her thumb into her mouth and closed her eyes.

“Oh!” Honey exclaimed. “We need to get her settled into wherever she’ll be sleeping tonight.”

Cole realized the same thing. He picked up Madeline, whose eyes shot open. She stared wide-eyed at him and back at the bed, chin wobbling.

“Let’s go home,” he said then grimaced when Madeline looked hopeful.

“To your new home,” he qualified.

Expression settling into resignation, she rubbed her head against Cole’s shoulder.

Darling, you’re breaking my heart.

Honey swore under her breath. Cole felt the same way. No child should have to face such harsh reality.

Honey led them out of the bedroom and down the hallway to the living room.

“We’re going to take the children to Cole’s apartment and get them settled in,” she told Rachel, who sat on the sofa nursing Beth under a blanket. Evan and Tori played quietly in the cave.

“May I make a suggestion?” Rachel adjusted her daughter beneath the blanket.

“What’s that?” Cole asked.

“Why don’t you and Honey go over and get everything set up first while I watch the children?”

“Good idea,” Cole said, so close behind Honey his breath ruffled her hair. He stepped away to lay Madeline down at the opposite end of the sofa and snagged an afghan to cover her.

“We’ll be back soon,” he said.

Honey headed downstairs, and Cole followed.

They stepped into sunshine painting Main Street bright and sharp. Families wandered the street toward the park at the far end or drove through town at a leisurely Sunday pace as though this were a normal day, as though Cole hadn’t brought home two children today.

Across the road and down a few stores, Cole unlocked the door to his apartment above the cop shop. They climbed a narrow staircase that opened into a living room.

Cole wandered the room turning on lamps, because, despite the sunny day, not a lot of sunshine leaked in through the small window.

He studied his place as though through Honey’s eyes.