Slim To None (Cedar Tree #1) (3 page)

He watched as a small older Ford SUV, with a disabled tag pull into the parking lot, and someone with a wild riot of auburn curls peeking over the steering wheel. With the driver's door on the opposite side of him, he didn't have a good view of the driver, but when he saw a deliciously ripe-looking woman, topped with a vivacious head of hair, come from around the car pushing a contraption loaded with cake boxes, it took him a minute to realize she was actually pushing a walker. Obviously disabled, she was balancing the cake boxes on the seat of the walker while trying to get to the door. With a quick look in the direction of the counter to find no one aware of her approach, he quickly slid out of the booth, and with a few large strides of his long legs, made it to the door before her. Just as he pulled it open, he spotted the stack of boxes starting a sideways slide, and heard a loud yell, “Oh, shit, no!"

"I've got ‘em," he said, startling the woman whose bright blue eyes shot up to meet his over the pile of what he assumed were the pies. Momentarily stunned by the fiery look she threw him, a slow grin spread over his face when he recognized it as defiance.

"Thanks, but I can handle it." She all but snapped at him. "I may look decrepit, but I think I can still handle a door. I'm not that old." Followed by a mumbled, "Not yet, anyway." as she tried to wiggle past him through the entryway.

Now full out grinning at her bluster, Gus couldn't help himself.

"Wasn't you I was worried about. I've been waiting for my pie, and figured that's what you got in those boxes. Just hungry, I guess..."

Throwing him another killer look before making her way to the end of the counter, she yelled, "Arlene, Pies!"

"Hand them over darlin', have someone waiting for a slice already." The tall blonde coming out of the kitchen motioned to where he sat back down, with a good view of the “pie-lady.” Well, her nicely fleshed-out backside, anyway.

He never had any particular preferences one way or another when it came to women, or what appealed to him. Some women just did, as did whatever attributes they came with. Her ass was luscious, getting a welcome rise out of him. He better stop looking at her
attributes
right this minute, before his well-worn jeans showed the evidence of his
appreciation
. Somehow, he figured the pie-lady wouldn't take too kindly to his dick pointing in her direction... at least not yet.

*****

"H
oly crap, Arlene. Who the hell is that big hunk of man flesh?"

"Dunno. He came in, sat down for coffee and been staring out the window." She shrugged. "You know I'm not much for small talk. I leave that to Beth, but she called in sick earlier so the customers have to put up with me today. Good thing it hasn't been that busy yet."

Darlene started opening up the boxes Emma brought in with her.

"Do you have any more in the car?"

"No, I brought everything in, that’s why I almost didn't get through the door, and our hero over there had to come run and rescue the cripple." Emma chuckled. She knew damn well that she had made a bit of an ass of herself, but she hated getting caught unprepared. Not only was the guy hot, he was massive; at least six three or so, with the shoulders of a linebacker. His dark, mussed up hair was a little on the long side and greying at the temples, and his squared jaw was deliciously scruffy. The entire package was so very far out of the range of possibilities for her, she couldn't help but get self-conscious. That, of course, pissed her off, at herself mainly, and at him for making her feel like that. Poor guy didn't have a clue, but it all seemed very amusing to him, since he was still sporting that snarky grin on his face. She would love to know what that was all about.

"With Beth out for the day, you need any help around here with the dinner crowd coming in? I can man the register and keep the coffee fresh for ya." 

"Seb's in the kitchen, and he can manage the grills on his own.  I can probably handle the front end, but stay for a bit anyway... I'd welcome the company. As an added bonus, we can both enjoy the improved view we have here today." Emma rolled her eyes at Arlene when she tilted her head towards the hunk sipping his coffee; blatantly staring at them from his booth.

"Okay, let me get these boxes folded and give this the man a slice of my humble pie... I'm starting to feel bad."

"That's one of the things I love about you," Arlene snorted, as she slid a slice on a plate, "your flammable temper... such a short fuse for such a wise old lady."

"Bite me," Emma spat back at Arlene as she carefully managed to walk the pie over to the booth.

"Was that an invitation?" He smiled at her.

Gah! Immediately flustered again, she'd forgotten what she was going to say and felt her white pasty face turn a blotchy shade of red... Great, just great.

"Umm, no, that is, I was just talking to Arlene and she accused me of a short temper, and she’s right." Emma said, offering him the pie. "I'm sorry for snapping at you. It was a knee-jerk reaction, I'm afraid, coupled with a long day, and erm... yeah, well... I'm sorry."

Head down, unable to look at his amused eyes for fear she would get all pissy again, Emma turned around, heading back to the counter.

"Hey!"

She heard from behind her and turned to face him.

"No problem, but... what kind of pie did you give me?"

"Oh, sorry, it's a peach pie with almonds." Emma watched as he forked a big bite into his mouth.

She stared at him a little too long, watching the movement of his full lips and generous jaw until finally his tongue gave his lips a swipe; getting rid of any lingering crumbs. She felt a slight tingle in her rusty 'nether-regions', seeing his mouth curve back up in that amused grin. She caught herself and turned back around when she heard him say, "Great damn pie."

Yup. That put a smile on her face.

*****

"E
ms... Frank’s on the phone!"

Emma had spent the dinner hours greeting and seating whenever needed, but mostly she stayed behind the counter, manning the coffeepot and the register. Mr. Hot Guy had left with a smirk and a nod after finishing up his pie. Although Emma felt a bit disappointed her eye candy had left, she was a lot less self-conscious moving around the diner without wondering if he was looking. Shaking her head at herself, she had to smile,
what an idiot
. What was she thinking, as if he would give her a second, or even a first look. He wasn't necessarily a “baby”, but she was pretty sure she had at least a few years on him, and besides, he was pretty gorgeous, and she was... well... not.

Her legs and back killing her from spending way too much time on her feet for one day, Emma was about ready to go home when Arlene called her to the phone.

"Yeah, hey Frank... what's up?"

"Problem at your house, Emma. Need you to come here." Sheriff Frank Cooper said gruffly over the phone.

"What do you mean, problem at my house? What kind of problem? What's going on?" Her eyebrows shot up as she turned to Arlene, who had walked up beside her... Emma had a feeling her quiet life in Cedar Tree may have just come to an end.

H
e had thought about starting a conversation with her, but figured it was probably not the smartest idea to make himself stand out any more than he already had, especially given that he hadn't even had a chance to get a proper lay of the land, so to speak... Job first. That prick, Corbin, had been on the loose for too long already, and given that he hadn't been able to run him down in Albuquerque, he would need to pick up his game to try and get ahead of him. First course of action was to find the person behind the online bookkeeping service. He had wondered over the past few weeks what the woman he had accidentally called would look like. He'd assumed the business was hers, but who was to know. He'd find out soon enough since he was on his way to the address now.

Driving down the dirt road towards the small bungalow at the end, he was surprised when a big new model, black Ford F150 went peeling around the far side of the house and almost side swiped him on the narrow road. Trying to get a tag number proved to be difficult since the license plate was covered in mud. Pretty odd, since the region hadn't seen rain in a few days. Pulling up in front, Gus got out and walked up to knock on the door, noting that there seemed to be no other vehicles around; pretty secluded here. After waiting a minute or two, he tried knocking again, but when no one answered, he got down off the porch and decided to walk around to the back, and that's when he spotted the open window with the torn blinds dangling out. Sliding his hand to the small of his back where he kept his gun safely tucked, he edged up to the window, trying to get a look inside. All he could see was what looked like an office area that had been completely turned inside out; drawers pulled out, furniture upended, files and papers everywhere. Someone obviously had been looking for something, and he had a nasty feeling about it. Afraid he might have been too late once again, he was worried about what else he might find inside. Pulling his cell, he quickly dialed Joe.

"Do me a favor? I'm outside the bookkeeper's house in Cedar Tree, and it looks like someone may have broken in. I may have just passed the guy on the road coming in, so alert the locals and tell them I'm on scene so they don't shoot me by accident."

"Stay outside, Gus. Don't go messing around with a potential crime scene!" Joe snapped.

"Easy for you to say. What if someone is in there bleeding? I’m just gonna have a peek, so make sure you tell the locals." He hung up and carefully lifted himself through the open window, moving carefully, trying to not to disturb any evidence. After checking the entire house, there didn't seem to be anyone there, but the thief had done a thorough job; the place was a mess. With most of the damage done in the office, the intruder had done a bang up job of the single bedroom, as well. They went as far as to dump out stuff from under the sink, and the medicine cabinet. Yup. Obviously not a random burglary, they were looking for something specific, and by the looks of things, the woman he talked to lived here alone. There was no evidence of anyone else here.

Hearing a car coming down the drive, Gus figured it was the sheriff's office and decided he'd rather meet them out front than in the close quarters of the small house, so he made his way out front, and to be on the safe side, he walked out with his hands out and up.

It didn't take long after checking him for the officers to clear him and validate his credentials with the Montezuma County Sheriff's Office.

"Sheriff Frank Cooper." The burly, gray haired man introduced himself. "Good thing Joe Morris called and gave me the heads up, or things could've been mighty uncomfortable, although I'm none too happy that you went inside," he grumbled.

"Couldn't wait, not on the off chance that someone inside might be hurt. I didn't want to take that chance, but I took care not to stomp all over your crime scene... and I may have seen your perp, too."

"Oh yeah? How's that?"

"Black new model F150 came tearing up the road from behind the house just as I was turning in. Tag was all dirtied up, so I couldn't get that, but the rest of the car was clean as a whistle. Looked brand new to me, or it could be a rental."

"Did you get a look at the driver?"

"Nah. Tinted windows, and I was pretty busy trying not to get sideswiped. All I can tell you is it was a good sized man, head close to the roof of the car. No hat, no glasses, and that's about it."

The sheriff shot him a glance from under the brim of his hat. "You think it has something to do with the case ya'll are working on?"

His eyebrows rose as he answered. "Possibly. Did Joe fill you in?"

"Some. You and I will talk some after we're done here. Anything goes on in my county, I'd like to know about it." He leveled a stern look at Gus, who met his eyes straight on.

"Fair enough. We'll talk, but let me check in with Joe first."

Frank nodded once and finally looked back toward the house.

"Well, I called the tenant; she's on her way in. Once my deputy's done clearing the house, I guess we'll go in with her and have a look around."

*****

O
kay, so she was freaking out a little. Who'd want to break into her house? Here in Cedar Tree, for Christ’s sake! Arlene offered to drive her, and Seb was going to close up the diner.

"I think you should tell Frank about the truck you keep seeing." Arlene urged.

Emma's head whipped around to look at her friend with wide eyes.

"Shit. You think this has something to do with that? Great, now I'm officially freaking the fuck out. It's not like I can run away or anything, Arlene. Jesus."

Trying to calm herself down by breathing deep, she knew better than to start panicking before she got all the facts; She’d had enough bad experiences to know that much. Calm, cool, and collected – come on, Ems... get it together.

Moderately calmer when they pulled into the drive leading up to her bungalow, she could see all the lights on in her house and three cars out front; two sheriff's vehicles and one big-ass, black SUV she had seen parked outside the diner just a few hours ago!

"Frank!" Emma almost tumbled out of the car as Arlene grumbled at her.

"Hold your friggin' horses, woman! Let me get you your walker before you land flat on your face, will ya?"

Pulling the walker from the back and rolling it over, Emma barely had her hands on it before she started moving toward the two men who had turned around to face them. It almost stopped Emma in her tracks to see the pie-eating hot guy from the diner standing right there next to the sheriff. What the hell?

"You that taken with her pies?" Arlene, with her smart mouth, had obviously spotted him too. His mouth pulled into a smirk.

"Is that a trick question?" he said. "Loved the pie, no denying that, but I was simply passing by here."

"What's going on, Frank?" Emma interrupted while looking between the sheriff and the stranger.

"Seems someone broke into your house, Emma. Need you to come in with us and have a look around to see what's missing."