It had been almost two weeks since I arrived at Eric’s ranch. My laptop had been burning up as I emailed back and forth with my assistant at my New York office. Working behind the scene, Luke created a tracking app for me to alert me each time Huntz made a credit purchase. Since he seemed to be active only every few months, I wasn’t expecting to get a notification any time soon.

Eric had been busy in the stables helping George to clean the horses since early morning. He’d left me a note on my bed, along with a languorous kiss on my lips. Waking up next to him after a night of mind-blowing sex was better than eating a box of Swiss chocolates catered specifically to my taste buds. Our bodies remained connected the entire night, his leg resting on top of mine and his arm never letting go of my mid section. Through the night, Eric cupped my boob, gently squeezing as he slept.

The peace I saw on his face when I woke up at night to go to the washroom was nothing I could ever find during the day. It seemed there was always a worry or concern in the lines underneath his eyes and in the creases of his forehead. The only time he let go was when he lost himself inside me. And I gave him as much of my body as he needed, never denying what he wanted or the way he wanted it.

Eric was broken, hurt by his past, and blamed himself for events in life he couldn’t have controlled. I wanted nothing more than to fix him. I needed to glue together the pieces of Eric’s life that had been falling apart, making him doubt himself, making him feel like he’d failed Annabelle and his mother, and all those who died at the camp, when he himself was a victim. Putting his past behind him wouldn’t be easy, but I hoped I could help. I could only pray he could one day look toward a happy future. Men like him, who admitted failure and fought to overcome life’s adversities, were scarce and I wanted him to realize that he was one of the most selfless people I had ever met. He was a man who wanted to please everyone around him, yet failed to see that he already had.

And what would happen once my job was done? Would Eric give everything up for me? Was that what I wanted? Eric leaving his ranch to follow me to New York? One man had already done that, and I lost him. Could I help Eric without somehow hurting him and his family, the way I’d hurt David’s?

When I finally called Grace late morning she nearly squealed when she heard my voice. “I want all the details,” she said.

“Well, the case is slow, and I’m going to town today to talk to the Sheriff some more.”

“I mean the Cowboy, Emma. Tell me about the Cowboy!”

“He’s… he’s everything, Grace. I don’t think I’ve met anyone after David who was so good to me.”

“How good?”

“Really, really good.” I bit my lip, my thoughts running away into the memories of our tangled limbs, smell of delicious sweat and long nights of endless pleasure.

“You slept with him!”

“‘Slept with’ is the understatement of the century, Grace.”

“This sounds serious, Emma.”

“It can’t be. I mean, I’m from New York, and he lives so far away.”

“Coming from a girl who dated a man living in Europe, Emma? I wish I was there so I could slap your face to wake you up. Do you want it to get serious?”

“I think it did the moment I saw him. I don’t know how to broach the subject, Grace, because I can’t exactly ask him to leave everything behind. One man already did, and look what happened. Besides, it’s only been a little over two weeks.”

“When you find the one, time does not matter, Em. You should know that. Look at your brother Tristan. And David’s death wasn’t your fault, Emma. Just see where it goes first, and then you two can figure the details later. So, you’re keeping safe and everything?”

“We used condoms.”

“Eewww, Emma. Safe as in with the case. Hunter is all over me asking about you. It’s weird.”

I felt my brows scrunch together. Why would Hunter care? I mean, he did work for Cross Enterprises. Had my brothers asked him to get information through Grace?

“Yes, I’m safe. The threat is nowhere near me.”

“Then take it easy, Em. It’s about time you found some happiness.”

“Thank you, Grace. I miss you.”

“I miss you, too. Don’t worry. Everything will work out.”

I felt better after we hung up. I twisted a five-part loose braid at the side of my head and jumped into my Converse sneakers. Outside, Eric was filling buckets of water. His back turned to me and shirtless, his muscles bunched up as he carried the pails to the horses. I admired the lean posture, mesmerized.

“Hey, Cowboy!” I finally yelled out.

He turned around, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of his mouth, and set the pails down to the ground. With the long steps he took toward me, it seemed like he was walking in a sexy slow-motion movie shoot, slowed down just for me so that I could watch the tanned body twist deliciously. A farmer’s tan took on a brand new meaning for me when I looked at Eric, because I’d rarely seen him wear a shirt outside, and he was all smoldering in sun’s rays.

Without saying a word, he lifted me into his arms and planted a wet lingering kiss on my lips, coercing my body to hum with desire. Pressed against his warm, hard length as he attacked my mouth with his tongue made me wonder whether I should postpone my trip to town. My legs wrapped around his midsection and my arms around his neck. I felt my groin heat against his low abdomen, my dress floating to the side. If it weren’t for my panties, my tingling core would be melting against his hard muscles. This man was everything I’d ever imagined a strong and powerful fairytale hero to be.

I finally slid down along his length, enjoying every curve and valley of him, including the bulge in his pants.

“You’re in a good mood.” I breathed out a ragged breath, my knees weakening beneath me.

“Can’t you see I’m happy to see you?” His scarred brow lifted in that sexy way of his, and my body perked up with awareness and my gaze lowered to the growth in his pants. How I wished I could stay on this ranch forever, just me and him, forgetting all the worries around us, taking all the time I wanted to get lost in each other!

“I need to borrow your truck and take it to town.”

“Be my guest.” He drew the pads of his fingers along my lips and lowered his voice to a raspy whisper. “Will you be long?”

Didn’t he know that any minute away from him was too long?

“I hope not.” My heart hammered in my chest. I couldn’t focus around Eric. He mesmerized me with every touch, word, and gesture. “I have a couple of things to check at the Sheriff’s – you know, work stuff.”

“Is everything all right?”

“Yeah,” I lied. I hated lying to Eric. I still hadn’t been able to tell him that Huntz had been back to Ogden, and that the last ping a week ago placed his location closer to town than before.

“It’s an old piece of junk. Take your phone with you just in case.”

“Will do. Do you need anything from town?”

“Just you and those sweet lips of yours.”

I lifted up onto my toes, savoring one last kiss.

“I’ll be back in a couple of hours,” I said against his mouth.

“Not fast enough.” His lips trailed along my cheek down to my neck, vibrating against my skin. My head lolled back and it took every ounce of my strength to pull away from him.

I rolled down the window, waving back as I maneuvered the truck around the larger holes in the road Eric had warned me about. Half an hour later, I was parked at the sheriff’s office, watching him wipe sweat from his forehead and squint as he appeared to struggle with reading something on his computer.

“Good morning,” I said, walking in.

“Good morning, Emma.” He scanned me from bottom up and smiled knowingly.

“I heard you were ill last week. Hope you’re feeling better.” I reached my hand forward, taking his in a firm greeting before setting down a bag of goods on his desk, which was overflowing with paperwork. “I brought you some honey and lemons. It soothes the throat when you add it to tea.”

“Why, thank you, Emma. I haven’t had tea with honey in ages.” He laughed, his belly shaking like it had a battery inside and was the source of all his energy. “Looks like I’m a lucky man this morning. It’s the first time in a long time a beautiful lady walked in here, and shook my hand so professionally, and brought me gifts.”

“I’m the lucky one to have been welcomed to Ogden by everyone. It looks like your computer is frozen.” I nodded toward the machine, which reminded me of a box of shoes and something that belonged in a museum. “Mind if I have a look?”

“Be my guest. We’ve been meaning to replace it, but you know, funds are pretty low, and there’s not much crime in Ogden, so the town always finds something more important to spend its money on.”

I clicked a few keys, unlocking the operating system and shutting down the unresponsive programs.

“Well, what do you know?” He lifted his hands to his hips, his mouth open in awe as if I had just performed a miracle.

“You really should get a new computer. It would connect to the central network and keep you updated on most wanted and fugitives.”

“Have you ever thought about being a police officer?” he asked, as if he knew my calling was in the field. Given most women in Ogden bore children and performed tasks expected of females from the Stone Age, I found Sheriff Lowes more open-minded than I’d given him credit for and took his comment as a true compliment.

“My sister-in-law is one. I guess she rubbed off on me a bit.” I shrugged.

“Dealing with neighborly disputes and complaints takes up most of my time here. Some don’t like barking dogs, while others argue that our twenty-five mile-per-hour speed limit downtown is still too high and keep applying to the city to reduce it. Keeping track of it all is too much paperwork.” He pointed to a desk with a spilling stack of papers.

“You need help,” I said, taking a note of the tiredness in his eyes and sagging cheeks.

“I could have this town running smoothly, but when I asked for help, no one was willing to do it. They all have farms around here to take care of and say there’s no crime. But once in a while, one does show up, and unfortunately there are no resources here to do the job I’m supposed to.”

“You mean like these men?” I pointed to the cork board where half dozen photographs had been pinned, noting the familiar face of John Huntz.

“We don’t get many fugitives here, Emma. But this guy” – Sheriff Lowes shook his head, pressing his chubby finger against Huntz’s forehead with vengeance like he wanted to put a bullet right through it – “he was a piece of work. He kidnapped Eric and Annabelle Waters when they were young, and had harassed the family for many years before that. That man was capable of murder; you can tell by just looking at his face. Hasn’t been seen since the day Eric was found wandering down the road, with Annabelle a few miles behind him. Eric must have told you the story.”

“He has. What about this one?” I pointed to another guy.

“Disappeared with his wife and was never heard from again. Her body was found floating in a creek one hundred miles south. His never was. He was Huntz’s neighbor.”

“You think they’re linked,” I stated.

He laughed again. “I never scratch anything off the table until I’m sure. If you ever need a job Emma, you just let me know. You’re a smart woman. I could use some help around here. With your wits, we could resolve half the city’s disputes in no time. And maybe solve a case or two.”

I got butterflies of excitement in my belly at the offer.

“John Huntz owned properties, right? One burned down, and Missy lives in the other one. Do you know why?” I asked.

Sheriff Lowes regarded me knowingly, and I knew he was beginning to wonder why I had so many questions about Huntz. But I also knew I hadn’t asked enough to make him suspicious just yet – he’d take it as curiosity because I was staying with Eric. “Well, it looks like you know more than many here, Emma. Missy was an orphan. Since only the town’s register and priest knew about the second property, which had been left unoccupied for years, the church asked whether Missy could live there in exchange for all the work she had done for the community. They gave the town a remarkable donation for a new fire truck in return. Since no one could object to the matter, Missy moved in.”

“Interesting…”

“Emma, not that anyone will ask you about it, but you should keep this between us. I have a feeling many would tear the place down if they knew, and Missy needs a home to live in. Do you know what I’m trying to say, Emma? Can I trust you with this?”

I pulled my fingers across my lips, saying, “Sealed. I promise. If you ever do get that new computer, I can show you how to enter the data and clear up the work.” I caught the binder that was about to slide off the pile of papers on his desk.

“I will definitely let you know, Emma.”

“Have a great day!”

“You too.” He removed his hat, bowing his head.

After two hours of chatting and getting an extensive update of the town’s neglected work, I stepped outside into the smoldering heat. Dust swirled in the air as a dark-haired girl on a bicycle pulled up to the store Missy worked at. She flipped the kickstand to support the bike and headed my way. My gut twisted. Her snobby demeanor and undeniable look of satisfaction on her face confirmed we wouldn’t be friends. Her boobs nearly spilled out of her shirt with pride.

“Hi, Emma. I’m Claire. Eric’s girl.”

Why did I feel like my fingers suddenly grew claws instead of nails?

“Hi, it’s good to know there’s more than one Eric in town.”

“Oh, no, there’s only Eric Waters. The one who made me a woman.” She sighed.

What the fuck?!

For a moment I doubted that she belonged in this polite town. Claire could have easily passed for a bitch from the biggest city in the world. How she had gotten her skanky hands on someone like Eric in the first place was beyond me.

“You know, a connection like the one we have never dies. Once they take you to their barn, it’s a sealed deal for the rest of your life.”

Eric told me he’d never taken a woman in his barn. Had he lied? Or was she bluffing? I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Well, I personally find his bed much more comfortable. Come to think of it, the floor in his family room and the shower weren’t too bad either,” I countered.

She waved her hand as if dismissing me.

“He’s just letting off his anger for now. And once he does, he’ll come back to me. After all, he told me you’ll be leaving soon, and he’ll need to return to his regular life.”

Another moment of this conversation and I swear I would make use of the new weapon that had grown at the end of my fingertips. I’d never met anyone who aggravated me so much. When had she gotten a chance to talk to him?

“Have a great time while you’re visiting, Emma. And don’t let a bull kick you on the way out of town.”

I stood there with my mouth open, for the first time in my life unable to think of something witty to say. Claire was definitely someone I had to watch out for, and without a doubt, this wasn’t the last time I’d see her.

My heart leapt at the smell of freshly baked bread that drew my attention to Mrs. Gladden’s bakery. I took a brave step toward the store. I had avoided it since the first day I arrived in Ogden. It had been two years since I’d eaten a pastry resembling something David would have made. Catching my gaze, Mrs. Gladden waved me to come inside.

“Good morning,” I said nervously, feeling the smell of fresh bread penetrate my lungs.

Standing at the bakery’s threshold, I felt like I’d just traveled back in time, when I’d ran to David’s dad’s bakery to meet him in the morning.

“Hello, Emma. It’s so good to see you again. How are you adjusting, my dear? I hope Claire out there didn’t give you too much trouble.” She leaned over the counter, waving me inside once again. But I couldn’t convince my feet to move. “That girl likes to stir the pot too much. I’m so happy Eric finally found someone kinder, like you. Don’t let her tell you otherwise.”

I guessed having seen me speak with Claire, she mistook the cause of my nerves. The last time I’d chatted with Mrs. Gladden, we stood outside the bakery, and given Eric was with me, I’d had a good excuse not to enter. Could I do so now? Could I really put my past behind me and step into the future?

“It’s all right. Are those red velvet cupcakes?” I pointed to the massive red mounds with cream cheese frosting on top, sprinkled with crimson flakes.

“Oh, Emma. Come in, please. You must try them. I baked them this morning, and I promise you won’t find a better taste in the world.”

With David gone, I was sure she was correct. I took a step forward. The warmth of baked goods wrapped around me, and before I knew it, there was a cupcake sitting on a plate in front of me and Mrs. Gladden holding a forkful ready for a taste.

“Thank you.” I hoped my voice was louder than a whisper. Glad to be sitting down at one of the tables, I stared at the dessert in front of me.

“Don’t you like cupcakes, dear?” she asked, concern drawing onto her face.

“I do, it’s just that… they bring memories. Sad memories.”

She pulled up a chair beside me and took my hand into hers, “Tell me. It will help.”

I wasn’t sure how, but spilling my heart out to Mrs. Gladden felt liberating. For the first time in two years, I’d felt like I was finally letting David go. She wiped a tear from her eye as my story came to an end.

“You’ve lived through much more in your life than many of us old folks, Emma. I’m sorry for being so pushy.” She pulled the plate away from me.

“No, please. I think it’s time I try something new.” I took the fork from her hand to taste the cupcake. The smooth cream frosting melted on my tongue. It wasn’t too sweet, blending perfectly with the red sponge. Mrs. Gladden waited without moving for my approval.

“It’s delicious. One of the best I’ve tasted in my life.” And I wasn’t saying that just to be polite. I meant it.

“Oh, Emma, thank you. I hope you find the happiness you’re looking for, my dear. I hope you find someone to fill that gaping hole in your heart, and I have a feeling you already have.”

Had I? Could I even consider Eric to fill in what I’d had with David? I didn’t think I wanted anyone to fill in David’s spot, but maybe Eric could be the one to seal that hole and heal me the way I hoped I could heal him.

I bought fresh bread and a few pastries, including two of the largest cupcakes I’d ever seen. On my way to Town Hall, I saw Claire on her bike again, leaning into another girl’s ear while keeping her devil eyes focused on me. I knew I’d be running into her again. I just didn’t know when, or where.