This Hero for Hire (5 page)

Boone took the letter and read the precise cursive handwriting. Cyrus had been an old school writer and had obviously learned the art well. Every letter was expertly formed with a steady hand. Susannah knew there would be no mistaking his words.
You seem like an honest young lady, Miss Rhodes. I think we might be able to make a deal
.

After a moment, Boone looked up at her. “This isn't a letter of intent. If anything, it's only a declaration of my grandfather's intention to
talk
to you about the land when you returned to Mount Union.”

She knew that was all the letter said, technically, but she also figured that when she arrived in town and met with Cyrus face-to-face, she could convince him fully that her offer for the property was more than fair. He'd never hinted to her that he didn't agree with the price. “I realize your grandfather hadn't agreed to sell the plot to me unconditionally...”

“No, he hadn't.” He folded the letter and handed it back to her. “As far as I'm concerned, it means nothing.”

She ran her thumb gently over the paper. “As far as I'm concerned, it means everything. Or it could. You can imagine how shocked and disappointed I was to learn of Cyrus's death. I had hoped to seal a deal...”

“So you're not here to help with your father's campaign? You're just using the reelection so you can get this land?”

“No. I am going to help with the campaign. I truly believe my father is the best man to run this state for another term.” That was all true, but it didn't hurt that the campaign provided the perfect excuse for her to be in the area. She considered whether or not to tell Boone the whole truth and opted for honesty. “I didn't tell my father about my other reason for wanting to come back to Mount Union, and that was my meeting with Cyrus. I don't want him to know, at least not until after the election.”

“Why not? Seems to me our governor would be peacock proud if his only child came back here to settle.” He smirked. “Though it won't be on Braddock land.”

She ignored the last comment. “I'm not settling here. I still have so much I want to accomplish with my career. I never planned to live on those forty acres. And I might remind you that it's only forty acres. Your grandfather has large parcels that can still be passed down.”

He frowned, obviously not mollified. “So what's your big idea for the property? You going to give us another cutesy museum or a water park? That would be a huge boon to us poor country folk.”

She reminded herself to stay calm despite his sarcasm. She was going to have to negotiate with this cop whether she wanted to or not. And now that she'd seen the land again, she definitely wanted it.

“No, Boone. I'm not building a water park. My intention is to use the land for exactly what it has always been—a farm. My crew and I are going to turn it into a good, rich, sustainable farm.”

He shook his head. “Aren't you forgetting something? This soil hasn't been farmed in years.”

“That's the beauty of it. The dirt hasn't been tilled. It's brimming with carbon nutrients.” She tried to infuse her enthusiasm into him by capturing his gaze. “I had the soil tested in the spring. It's rich and productive. Like I said before, it's perfect for what my partners and I do.”

He remained silent for a moment before his eyes narrowed and he said, “Are you planning to bring a bunch of survivalists here? Are you going to start a commune?”

She almost laughed. “No. Nothing like that.”

“Then are you a botanist? An herbalist?” His eyes seemed to bore into her. “What's your game, Susannah?”

She sighed. “I'm an agroecologist.”

“A what?”

“I believe the future of this country and its people depends on its food source. Sustainable farming and organic production of food is going to help future generations live longer, healthier lives. I'm hoping to open some eyes around here with regard to altering traditional farming methods.”

He nodded slowly, but not as if he were agreeing. She had the impression he was taking in more than she'd said. She feared the conclusions he might be drawing.

“Oh, I get it,” he said. “This explains the whole chicken thing. Chickens crammed into small spaces don't suit your idea of healthy food.”

“I'm not going to argue that. You know I think chickens should be free range. But yesterday's ‘chicken thing,' as you call it, was only incidental. I do have ideas about improving livestock care, but...”

He reached for her glass. “Time we got back to town.”

She stood. “That's fine with me. You obviously don't get what I'm trying to do here. But you're not going to back out on your agreement with my father, are you?”

“Our governor supports the economy of this state and the tried-and-true policies that ensure our farmers get a fair shake.

“But I don't see any way out of my promise to your father,” Boone said. “I've already tried, and now I've given him my word.”

He went in the open screen door but kept talking as he headed to the kitchen. “Meet you at the truck. And fair warning. As we're driving back, you might want to keep your eye out for another perfect piece of land.”

CHAPTER FIVE

“S
O
 
HOW
 
DO
you feel about this fairy tale assignment, partner?” Lila later asked Boone in the station.

He'd dropped Susannah off at the mansion to discuss campaign tactics with her father, and he'd gone into work to complete current reports. He didn't want to leave any loose ends before starting his “special” assignment.

He grimaced as the word
special
played through his mind. Usually the term was used to indicate the positive. A special gift. A special moment. But not in this case. He'd arrested Susannah Rhodes just yesterday. Now they had this land issue between them, an obstacle that made the hour she'd spent in jail seem insignificant.

“It's all part of my job,” he answered Menendez. He'd just filled her in on the details because she might be called upon to stay with Susannah, but the last thing he wanted was for her to think he needed sympathy. As far as his partner was concerned, this assignment was just another day at the office.

“Well, I hope I don't have to sit with Her Highness,” Menendez said.

Boone started to argue, but Lila raised her hands. “Don't worry. I'll be nice if I have to attend to her ladyship.” She gave him a smile. “For you, partner.”

Boone didn't appreciate the choice of words she was using to describe Susannah. So far he hadn't seen any hint that the governor's daughter was using her rank to influence him or anyone else. And realistically, Boone couldn't blame Susannah for contacting his grandfather. While Gramps was alive, all decisions about his land were his to make. And he couldn't fault Susannah for her principles. He admired anyone whose purpose was the general improvement of society. But she'd put him in an awful place. He was being paid by the father, and he was being asked to keep secrets by the daughter.

And then there was Jared, who had begun pressuring him to do something about the land. Like Jared needed the money! He was sitting pretty in Atlanta with a cushy accounting job and a supportive, caring family. Of all the people Boone should be concerned about, Jared was at the bottom of the list, or should be. But Jared was his big brother.

Usually independent and self-sufficient, Boone suddenly wished he had someone to talk to about this situation. His parents were two thousand miles away, and even if they'd been in town, the person he had gone to most often for advice had been his grandfather. Maybe he could talk to Bobby or Mike, but they had families and kids. It seemed the whole world was coupled up. He knew he could confide in Lila, but that would send the entirely wrong message.

With little recourse, and knowing he and Susannah were going to be in close contact for the next two months, Boone decided he would give her a chance—for now. If she found a decent plot of land for her experiment, he'd keep her secret. Doing nothing seemed like the best course of inaction. Two months, he reminded himself. That's all. He could do two months. And with a little luck, maybe she'd get tired of digging in the dirt sooner than expected and head back to Oregon.

“Are you daydreaming about the object of your new assignment?” Lila asked, walking up beside his desk.

“Of course not,” he lied. “Just catching up. And why are you at the station anyway? Slow day on patrol?”

“More or less,” she said. “Since you and I had our little talk about Lady Rhodes earlier, I've only issued a couple of speeding tickets. That reminds me,” she went on, “I thought you were supposed to start chaperoning the princess today.”

Once again, Lila's terminology for Susannah rankled a bit. Susannah wasn't afraid of hard work, even to the point of extending herself to two jobs while she was here. The chicken incident proved she didn't mind getting her hands dirty, either, or any other part of that slim, cute little...

Don't go there, Boone, he thought to himself. But then those freckles popped into his mind and he couldn't help smiling. No, she wasn't a princess. She was fresh and pretty because nature had blessed her in abundance. Boone didn't have to like his new assignment to appreciate her qualities.

“I'm going out there later,” he explained to Lila.

“Is that why you've got that silly grin on your face?” she asked. “You think all you'll be doing is lying around their swimming pool and watching sports in a fancy media room?”

“No, and in case you haven't figured it out yet, I'm not happy about this job. I'm stuck with it, that's all, and I might as well try to make the best of it.” He widened the smile for Lila's benefit. “Thanks for reminding me about the pool.”

She scowled. “You're hopeless. Even so, I'm going to miss you, partner...” She glanced over her shoulder toward a young officer Boone didn't recognize. “But just so you know, anyone, including you, can be replaced.”

Boone stood and Lila introduced the two men. “Boone, this is James Halloran. He's the new you for the next two months. An even fresher recruit than I am.”

The young officer looked barely older than Lila and even more green. Boone shook his hand. “Welcome aboard. Where you from?”

“I was sent over from the county sheriff's department in Libertyville to fill in while you're on special assignment,” James said. “Looks like I'll be riding with Menendez.”

Lila jabbed at Boone's rib cage. “Yeah, and for once I'll get to be the boss. I'll choose where we stop to have lunch.”

“Don't let the power go to your head,” Boone said. “I'll be back.” Turning his focus to James, he asked, “How long you been a cop?”

James grinned and looked at his watch. “Let's see. What time is it now?” He laughed. “About two weeks. I'm barely a freshman.”

Boone studied the recruit and found much to admire. The young guy stood straight and tall. His crew cut was neat and gave him an air of authority. He flexed his arms and Boone thought maybe he lifted weights. “What did you do before this?” Boone asked.

“In the Navy, three years. Been all over, most recently the Gulf of Oman. But I'm new to this area.”

Pretty darned good references. And a military background explained the guy's short, trim hair and fit condition. Physically, James could make a decent cop. “You're the second vet we've had move in this year,” Boone said. “I'll have to introduce you to Mike Langston. He helps coach the high school football team.” Boone chuckled. “When he's not fixing cars or fussing over his wife's pregnancy.”

“I don't have that problem,” James said. “Not married. Guess I haven't found someone willing to put up with me.”

Tell me about it, Boone thought.

“There, you see,” Lila said. “You and Boone already have something in common.” She frowned at Boone. “He's a confirmed bachelor, too.”

“So far,” Boone said.

Lila glanced at the station exit. “Let's roll, Halloran. This town doesn't protect itself. And we still have two more hours of duty.”

“Right behind you, Menendez,” James said.

“Have fun out there with the rich folk,” she said to Boone.

He watched them leave. Maybe Lila would switch her attention to the new cop. Boone had noticed James stealing peeks at the pretty Menendez. All Lila would have to do is crook her finger and Boone was pretty sure the recruit would show some interest. Most of the single guys in town would. Just not himself.

As he returned to his work, his cell rang. Recognizing the private number, he connected immediately. “Hello, Governor.”

“I'm fixin' to leave in an hour, son, and all my boys will be going with me just like Susie wants. Time for you to get out here.”

“I'll pick up my bag and be right there, sir. Hope you have a successful trip.”

“Thanks, but you remember I'm paying you handsomely to take care of my little girl. I told you I have enemies, and you should know they come in all shapes and sizes. Reporters and lobbyists and special interest groups—these guys could try all sorts of things to get to Susie and get a scoop on me. You stay with her now, like sap on a tree trunk.”

“I will, sir.”
Until she kicks me out for not selling her that land anyway.

“I know you will, Boone, and while you're at it, keep her from getting into any more messes like that dang chicken business.”

Boone grimaced. “I'll do my best.”

He wished he had time to call up Mike Langston and ask him to meet for a beer before he had to turn his life upside down. Mike was a good listener and a smart guy whose own life had thrown him some curveballs. But the clock was ticking, and he'd just have to handle his first night in the mansion on his own.

* * *

S
USANNAH
 
KNEW
B
OONE
 
had arrived. His truck was parked in the circular drive, and she'd heard a bedroom door close upstairs about thirty minutes ago. The housekeeper had apparently shown him to his room, and by now he'd probably unpacked and put his clothes in the dresser drawers. Or maybe he was a live-out-of-a-suitcase kind of guy.

Susannah did not believe she needed protection in Mount Union, Georgia, but that had been only one of the reasons she hadn't allowed her father to leave a couple of his security guys behind. The most important one remained that she didn't want men around her who had been on her dad's payroll for years. They were glorified spies who would report her activities to her father just as quickly as their cell phones could connect.

When Daddy learned that she was tampering with good ol' Georgia farming practices, he'd kick up a dust storm of protest. And for good reason. What she was doing could hurt his chances for reelection if anyone in the press caught wind of it. Imagine the governor's own daughter changing tried-and-true Southern farming traditions.

Though she hadn't changed her mind about the security, since she'd heard Boone's truck pull up, she'd experienced a kind of calm. Officer Braddock was just two doors down the hall from her bedroom. He would keep the newshounds away, and he was tall and strong and a force to be reckoned with—if by some odd quirk of circumstance force were needed. So okay, he could stay as long as he didn't put the governor on speed dial.

She rinsed her hands at the kitchen sink and dried them on a dish towel. After gathering her hair into a top knot, she smoothed some of the wrinkles from her shorts and blouse. Then she left the kitchen and headed for the stairs. She met Boone on his way down. He wore a T-shirt tucked into jeans, nicer ones than he'd had on at the barn, and they fit him just right. People always talked about men in uniform, and Boone did fill out his official cop clothes quite finely, but Boone the police officer didn't compare to this laid-back, relaxed Southern boy with the mussed hair and easy manner of descending a curved staircase.

“I was just coming to knock on your door,” she said.

A grin lifted the corner of his mouth. “You were coming to welcome me?”

“Sure. Welcome. But I was just going to tell you that I made a vegetarian stew. If you'd like some...”

The grin vanished. “Vegetarian? I think I'll pass.”

“What? I'm offering you a meal, a good, healthy one.”

“I'm thinking that depends on your definition of both good and healthy.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “This body is used to meat. Don't think it could function without some protein. Besides...” His mouth curved into an easy smile again. “...I thought I was on my own in the kitchen while I'm here.”

Yes, she had said that, but that was before...before she'd become determined to make an ally of this man. “Don't push your luck,” she said. “If you want the meal, fine, if not, fine. I couldn't care less.”

One hand on the banister, he seemed to be debating her offer. “Is there any pork left over from last night?”

“Yes.”

“How about if I heat up some of that and have it with your stew? Will that make you happy?”

“Make
me
happy? This isn't about making me happy. If you never ate another meal in your life, my happiness wouldn't be affected.”

He came down the last couple of steps and still stood several inches taller than her. “You're right. What was I thinking? With the revised menu, I would very much enjoy sharing your stew, and thank you. I'll save the microwave dinner I asked Maria to put in the freezer for another time.”

He followed her into the kitchen. She set the oven to heat the roast and poured them each a glass of iced tea. They sat at one small corner of the long pine harvest table. The setting sun was visible out the wide bay window, the last rays turning the clouds into wisps of pink and gold and the pool into ripples of silver. Susannah stirred a teaspoon of sugar into her tea and allowed a deep feeling of contentment to melt into her bones. She was home, sitting at the scarred kitchen table where she'd enjoyed so many meals. Maybe these two months would work out. If she could just get Boone to talk, to see her point of view.

Setting her spoon on a napkin, she said, “I remember your grandfather as being a very giving man. I suppose you miss him.”

“I do. His heart attack was a complete shock to all the family. I feel kind of guilty for not riding him more about getting regular checkups. I think we all just thought he was big and strong and would always be here.”

“How did it happen?” she asked. “If you don't mind telling me the details.”

“He was replacing shingles on the barn roof.” Boone's face became a grimace of pain. “At eighty-two he was on top of that barn doing the job a man half his age should have hired out. I would have fixed those shingles if he'd only asked.”

“It was sudden then?”

“I don't know exactly. I think he might have slipped. There were signs that he'd tried to grab onto the gutter and hold on. But I suspect that's when his heart gave out. I don't know how long he lay there until...” He swallowed. “I don't know if he died right away.”