It Had to Be Love (An It Had to Be Novel) (10 page)

“Really, Mother?” Tara arched a brow. “Even though he’s in ‘public service’?”

“We just want to be sure you don’t end up with someone who’s after your trust fund. Ryan’s background check shows he’s actually quite wealthy for a sheriff. Does he have other business interests?”

It was probably the town’s profit sharing. Everyone, including herself, was paid quite well. It was what kept everyone’s mouths closed about the celebrities who visited. The income definitely rivaled anything a rag would pay for pictures. “Ryan and I are still getting to know one another. That’s never come up.”

Then a thought struck her. “You didn’t come because of my cell phone number change, did you?”

Her parents both quickly grabbed their plates and headed for the sink. Carrying dirty dishes? That was something they hadn’t done for themselves since she could remember. “When exactly did you have Ryan’s background checked, Dad?”

He spun around. Guilt shined brightly on his face. “Uh . . .”

Her mom said, “Tuesday night right after I talked to you.” She spread her hands. “We worry about you, honey. Surely you can’t blame us for that.”

She really couldn’t. But now when she wasn’t busy with her wedding duties, she’d have to stick to Ryan’s side. She’d already told Ryan she’d been in a bad marriage, but she couldn’t allow him any more details. Spencer’s prominent father had gone to great lengths to hide the details about her attack. As far as the media was concerned, she and Spencer had been in a terrible car accident right before their bitter divorce. But Detective Bailey had warned that searching for information using her married name or Spencer’s online could trigger alerts to someone as skilled at hacking as Spencer was. Then it could be as easy as tracking an IP address to find the searcher’s location. Wouldn’t be hard to find her in Anderson Butte if Spencer ever got that close.

Maybe while she was busy at the wedding, she could have her cousin Gina run interference with Ryan to be sure her secret stayed buried?

That might actually work.

Ryan fired up his laptop. No one else was around the office, and he was determined to dig out Tara-aka-Jamie’s secret. Her parents had calmly related that story about Tara’s nickname, but the panic in Tara’s eyes had been real when he’d called her Jamie. Her maiden name started with a Mc- something, and Jamie was most likely her real name.

Tara had a dental license. Maybe he could see if he could find more there.

He’d start with Google.

A loud squawk came from his belt. “Sheriff? You copy?”

Ryan snatched his radio. “Go, Mike.”

“Uh. I have something a little unusual. Can I get a hand out at the Barkers’ place?”

Sighing, he said, “Be right there.” Mike was a great guy, but wasn’t one who could think on his feet when confronted with anything outside of his tiny comfort zone.

He’d have to come back to his search later.

As he walked outside, guilt for snooping sat like a lead ball in his gut. He’d rather Tara just tell him herself. Maybe after a few “dates” she’d realize she could trust him to keep her secret. And to keep her safe from whatever she was obviously still afraid of.

Ryan walked the quarter mile to the Barkers’ place. Mike had driven his squad car to the bottom of the drive near the lake, where Nate Barker stood holding a rifle pointed at something in the distance. When Ryan spotted the gun, he picked up the pace. “What’s going on, guys?”

Mike turned and grinned. “Seems Nate has caught him a pair of fornicators down the shore there.”

Ryan glanced in the direction the gun was pointed and spotted the naked pair. Pam, the hairdresser who’d flirted with him since high school, and Toby. “Nate, put the gun down.”

“Nope. They’ll get away. I’m tired of all the trespassing going on by folks looking for that buried recipe.”

His deputy said, “I think Nate’s just enjoying the fine view.”

Mike probably was too. The guy was the same age as Ryan, but he still acted like a hormonal teenager.

Ryan rubbed the back of his neck as he searched for a solution to make everyone happy. “Clearly, these two weren’t searching for any recipes. Put the gun down. Now.”

Nate grunted but did as he was told. Ryan shot a glance to Mike, silently telling him to secure the gun. Ryan unbuttoned his shirt to give to Pam as he approached the naked couple. Pam stood, making no effort whatsoever to cover up, and smiled at him. He tossed his shirt to her. “What the hell, you two? Where are your clothes?”

Unfortunately, Toby lifted his hands that had covered his junk when he started to explain. “We took my boat out to Sunset Cove last night, then decided to lose our suits and do some skinny-dipping. Pam said she didn’t want to drown while we . . . were going at it,
so we had a race to the shore. Afterward, we needed to, uh, rest a bit, if you know what I mean, and we accidentally fell asleep. When we woke up this morning for round two—”

Ryan held up a hand. “Got it. So Nate saw you in the act?”

Toby nodded, as a smirking Pam took her time buttoning up the shirt.

Ryan had been guilty of skinny-dipping at Sunset Cove, a crescent-moon-s
haped island in the middle of the lake, a time or two himself—but in high school. Trying to maintain a serious demeanor while standing in his white T-shirt, he said, “Toby, get your ass back out there and get your clothes. Then meet me at my office for your sentence. Pam, you need to come with me.”

As Toby dove into the lake, Pam’s eyes grew wide. “You’re seriously going to arrest us, Ryan?”

“Have to.”

She laid her hands on his shoulders. “I can think of a few better ways to pay my debt to society.” She moved her mouth next to his ear and whispered all the sexual positions on her bucket list she’d yet to try. Pam had teased him like that since middle school, but he had to admit, the positions were a lot more creative than those way back then. He gave her credit for that, but it still wasn’t happening.

“Toby’s a lucky guy. But
your
sentence won’t involve handcuffs; rather, free haircuts for all the guys on the force. Now let’s make this look good for Nate.”

“Thanks, Ryan.” Pam batted her eyes. “At least I got to live out one of my favorite secret fantasies today—to wake up in just your shirt.”

“I’m flattered. Now knock it off and look concerned.”

After he loaded Pam into the back of Mike’s cruiser, and then stayed until Nate seemed placated, Ryan walked back to his office for the punishment he’d have to dole out.

He smiled thinking of what Tara had said earlier. That was about as “mean” as the streets of Anderson Butte got—having to scold fornicators. Or the occasional domestic disturbance, stolen item, or drunk and disorderly celebrity. There hadn’t been a murder or a major robbery since he’d been sheriff. Might be nice to have a little more excitement in Denver.

But who’d take his place when he left? Mike wasn’t sheriff material and Joe and Nick, his other two deputies, were older and only part time.

Wasn’t his problem. His dad could hire someone new.

Or, maybe Josh would do it. He’d had more training during his time in the FBI than all of the current force combined.

He’d bring it up later at poker. He didn’t like the thought of leaving the people in town in the wrong hands.

R
elieved her parents and their secret-spilling mouths were on their way back home, Tara sent an e-mail to her cousin about the new plan for babysitting Ryan at the wedding. After convincing her cousin that Ryan was truly handsome and not some geeky nerd she’d have to deal with, Gina finally agreed. Luckily her dad had already sent the e-mail warning people not to talk to Ryan about her past. Spencer knew she’d changed her name to hide from him. And that she’d never go back to using her maiden name.

So if Ryan Googled her parents, he’d figure out her maiden name from their doctored online presence, but he wouldn’t find out Spencer’s name or her former married last name. That was the most important piece of information to keep buried. Combined with the fib her parents had told Ryan about Jamie being her nickname, all the bases should be covered.

Still, she wished Ryan would change his mind about coming to the wedding. Or maybe something would come up in town to keep him home. She could only hope.

All her cover-up duties done, Tara jogged around the lake to pick up Sherlock.

As her tennis shoes hit the gravel in Meg’s drive, Tara slowed her pace. Work crews were on the roof, and another set worked on the siding on Meg’s lodge. Must be hard to live in all that noise and mess.

She spotted Eric conducting what looked like obedience training for Sherlock and his littermate, Captain Jack Sparrow. Their mother, Oreo, lay in the shade observing. Sherlock loved Eric and was being the perfect little gentleman.

“Hey, Eric.”

He glanced over his shoulder. “Hi, Tara.”

When Sherlock heard her, his manners disappeared and he bounded toward her. There was nothing better than her puppy’s enthusiasm every single time he saw her. She leaned down and gave him a rub.

Meg joined them. “I think Eric has a future as a dog trainer. Wait until you see their latest trick.”

Eric lined up all three dogs, told them to sit, and placed a dog treat on each of their snouts. Sherlock quivered in anticipation, but held his position until Eric gave the command, and all three flipped up the treats and caught them in their mouths.

“That’s awesome!” Tara circled an arm around Eric’s bony shoulder and gave him a hug as she slipped him some money for babysitting. “You’re the best dog sitter ever.”

“Thanks. I’ll go get Sherlock’s leash.” Eric ran off and all three dogs followed behind him. Like he was the Pied Piper of dogs.

Meg slid Tara a look. “You pay him way too much. He loves Sherlock and would watch him for free.”

She shrugged. “He’s saving up for a special birthday gift for Josh.” She’d offered to buy it at a place she’d told him had it cheaper online. She planned to help pay for some of it while maintaining his pride. She’d always had a soft spot for Eric.

Meg smiled. “That’s sweet. I didn’t realize that.”

“Which means it was probably a secret I just blew, so don’t mention it, please.”

“
’Kay. So, rumors are a flyin’ about you and Ryan. Deets, please.”

Tara shook her head, while reminding herself she’d wanted small-town life. “Ryan asked me to help him be a better ‘dater’ for when he moves to Denver. Nothing is going on between us.”

“Good luck with that.” Meg sighed. “Sadly, our mother wasn’t a saint, and Ryan has sworn he’d never be with a woman who lies and cheats like she did. Because of that, he’s held the women he’s dated to impossibly high standards. But even if he finds the right one, he’ll probably lose her because he doesn’t talk to her. He’s not one to waste unnecessary words.”

Great. Now she felt ten times guiltier for lying about her secret to Ryan. “I’ve noticed the quiet part when he’s around everyone else, but weirdly, he’s not that quiet around me.”

“Reeeaaally?” A slow, mischievous smile lit Meg’s face.

Meg had that same gleam in her eyes that Tara’s mother got when plotting her next sneaky move.

Eric returned with Sherlock on his leash. Tara took the lead. “Our first ‘practice date’ will be whitewater rafting day after tomorrow. Maybe we’ll work on his expectations.”

Eric’s eyes lit up. “I’ve always wanted to go whitewater rafting.”

Perfect! That way she wouldn’t be alone with Ryan. He was too damned attractive for his own good. “Why don’t you come along? We’re going Sunday afternoon.” She turned to Meg. “Is that okay?”

“Bringing kids along on dates can be a bit of a buzzkill, Tara.” She smiled at Eric. “No offense, buddy.”

“It’s not a real date anyway. I hear you’re an excellent guide, Meg. Why don’t you come along too?” His sister being there would guarantee nothing would happen between her and Ryan.

Meg’s brow furrowed. “Um. I’m not sure Ryan . . .”

“He won’t mind. Will I see you later for Blitzed Bingo at Brewster’s?”

“Yeah.” Meg nodded. “Josh is playing poker tonight, so I’m in.”

“Great. See you later, then. Bye, Eric.”

Tara started off at a jog with her puppy in tow. When Sherlock suddenly crossed in front of her, she nearly face-planted. She’d tried to get Sherlock to learn to run alongside her, but he still hadn’t gotten that down. He had to stop and investigate at every opportunity, hence his name. Resigned, Tara gave up and slowed to a walk, looking forward to a fun Friday night with the girls, and maybe a few hours with no worries about Spencer and if he’d make trouble for her at the wedding.

Ryan got dealt another crap hand. They were gathered around Ben’s dining room table playing poker and Ryan hadn’t won a hand all night. It tempted him to fold and call it a night. He’d had a hard time concentrating when his mind kept going back to the frustrating lack of information he’d found online about Tara. And without a search warrant, the state licensing board could only give out basic information. He’d just have to hope the wedding would prove more fruitful.

Ben said, “Pot’s light, Ryan. Ante up.”

Ryan threw a dime in the center of the table and hoped for the best. It was only ten o’clock. The guys would razz him if he went home early.

Ben, Josh, Mike, Billy, and Ryan had been competing in an ongoing nickel, dime, quarter poker rivalry. Currently his brother was in last place and pissy about it.

Ben dealt the next round, took one look at his hand, then threw the cards on the table. “What does a guy have to do? I’ve had nothing all night!”

Billy chuckled. “You’re just hacked because Mikey and I are totally taking advantage of your brother’s losing streak and you’re not.” He gave Mike a high five.

Ignoring them, Ryan threw two cards away and scooped up their replacements. He’d hoped to talk to Josh in private about taking his position after he left but Mike had been early for the first time in his life. He’d talk to Josh later.

Ben said, “Ryan is distracted by our new pretty dentist. He’s got it bad for her.”

Ryan shot Ben a shut-the-F-up look and threw a quarter in the pot to bluff.

“She’s a looker, that one.” Billy threw a quarter in too. “How’d you get so lucky there, dog?”

Ben chuckled. “Oh, they aren’t actually dating. She’s just giving Ryan ‘dating lessons’ because she lost a bet or something. Genius. I’m surprised Ry had it in him.”

“Fifty to you, Josh.” Mike threw in a quarter and then added another. “What the hell are dating lessons, Ryan?”

“We’re going rafting on Sunday and then to her sister’s wedding next Saturday.” Hopefully opportunities to change Tara’s mind about having a relationship with him.

“Wedding?” Mike drained his beer. “You’re getting lucky for sure. Am I right, gentlemen?”

The guys all nodded.

“Haven’t been to a wedding yet that I haven’t gotten some afterward.” Ben drained his glass.

“It’s a guaranteed score with the wife,” Mike said. “Something about all the romance in the air.”

“I hate weddings,” Billy said with a grunt. “Only thing that makes them bearable are all the hot babes. Like Tara. She makes going to the dentist—”

“Hey.” Ryan held up a hand. He’d had enough. “No more smack talk about Tara or I’ll kick all your asses.”

Ben laughed. “Yeah, because you’re not dating, so that’s why you’d get all bent outta shape. No feelings at all for her. Totally obvious.”

Ryan shot him the finger. “We’re not dating. Next subject.”

“The man doth protest too much, me thinks, brother of mine.”

Billy’s forehead scrunched. “What are you talking about, Ben?”

“Ask Mr. Reader over there.”

“Bad Shakespeare.” Ryan’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He hoped to God someone had committed a crime so he could leave. He swiped his screen. It was a text from Meg.
You need to get your butt over to Brewster’s now! Trey Jackson is moving in on Tara. Hard.

Nope. That wasn’t happening.
Be right there.

“Sorry guys, duty calls.”

“Nick’s on call. Let him handle it,” Mike said as he laid down the winning hand.

“No need to get Nick out of his recliner on a Friday night. Just something at Brewster’s. Later.” Ryan gathered his things and headed for the door. When he hit Main Street, he picked up the pace.

Trey Jackson, action star, returned to Anderson Butte every year. The female staff at the hotel knew to steer clear. But Tara wouldn’t know that, and she clearly liked the way he looked when they were jogging the other day. It just added to Ryan’s already dark mood.

He yanked open the door to Brewster’s and was body slammed with loud country music, the scents of greasy bar food and beer, and heat from too many bodies jammed inside the small space.

Glancing around, he spotted his sisters sitting at a table filled with paper bingo cards, Sharpies, and half-full glasses, but he didn’t see Tara.

A pit formed in his stomach. Had Tara gone back to the hotel with Trey?

Then he spotted two blond heads above the crowd on the dance floor and his gut relaxed. After shouldering his way through the milling people, he sat beside Meg. “How long has that been going on?”

Casey smirked. “That was fast. You must’ve run.”

He hadn’t run. Jogged a little maybe. “So should I go break that up?”

“No. Tara will be pissed.” Meg took a long sip of her beer. “Just be patient. When she’s done, get her back out there and keep her there until Trey gets bored waiting and moves on.”

He tried not to watch but he couldn’t help it. Tara smiled at Trey as they talked. Then Trey did some dip thing that surprised her and her hands slipped around his neck to hang on. Pretty slick move. He’d have to remember that one.

As his sisters blathered between themselves about how many drinks they’d won playing bingo, Trey’s hand slowly slipped farther and farther south to Tara’s rear end. One of Tara’s hands caught his and then lifted it to neutral territory. After a few moments, Trey’s hand went for the prize again.

That did it. Ryan jumped up, pushed his way through the other dancers, and then laid a hand on Trey’s shoulder.

He might have squeezed a little harder than necessary.

Trey winced. “What the—”

“Thanks for keeping my girlfriend company until I got here. Mind if I cut in?” Ryan shot him a big, fake, toothy grin.

Trey rubbed his shoulder while staring daggers into Ryan’s eyes. Just as Trey opened his mouth to speak, Tara’s hand wrapped around Ryan’s arm and she yanked. “Thanks for the dance, Trey. Excuse us. I need to have a little chat with my
boyfriend
.”

Meg was right. He’d pissed Tara off.

He slipped his arm around her waist and swept her up into a two-step before she could drag him outside and rip him a new one.

“What was that about?” Tara growled through gritted teeth.

He pulled her closer so he wouldn’t have to yell above the music. “He’s a jerk. I was saving you from him.”

“Saving me?” She tapped a finger on his bruised nose. “Looked in the mirror lately? I can take care of myself, Ryan.”

The music stopped so she started to pull away, but he wasn’t done yet. He held her in place. “He was pawing you.”

Tara crossed her arms as the next song started up on the jukebox. “I had it under control.”

Because they were causing a traffic jam, he swept her into a dance again. Moving his mouth near her ear, he whispered, “He’s one of those celebrities who thinks he can have whoever he wants, whenever he wants her. He’s got a rap sheet in LA. Multiple sexual assault charges that have mysteriously never been prosecuted. His lawyers make them go away. He and I have had a discussion about his behavior here, but I don’t trust him. I wanted to be sure he didn’t hurt you, Tara.”