Read the book: «Finding The Road Home»

Chapter Two

The voices of reason were carrying on a fine discussion in Mitch’s head Monday morning regarding the fact that he’d brought Daisy Anderson mousers. What was he thinking? The simple act bordered on personal, and he didn’t do personal.

As he dumped water into the office coffeemaker, he rationalized the gesture as simply being neighborly. Mitch was the police chief. He’d have done the same for anyone new to town. Especially someone who was going to be working for him.

The internal conversation was still going on when at 6:30 a.m. the coffeemaker spit and hissed the last drops of a fresh brew into the carafe and the buzzer to the employee entrance of the station sounded. Mitch checked the peephole and let Daisy in.

Points for his new hire. She was early for her day shift.

He gave a mental nod of approval. Everything about the woman said professional. Although she was dressed in black slacks and a tidy white blouse, with her wild hair pulled back into a twist on the back of her head, he was still unable to avoid noticing how nice she looked. And awake. As if she’d been up for hours. With five kids, one being a baby, he supposed she probably had been.

“Morning, Officer Anderson.”

“Good morning,” she said, glancing around the small police department office. “Sorry. I don’t have my security badge yet.” She inhaled deeply. “Smells wonderful.”

He poured coffee into his favorite mug and nodded toward the pot and a stack of paper cups. “Help yourself to Rebel Roast. We have our own roasters in town. A pop-up shop that’s here from May through September. Oh, and Henna will be here any minute with donuts.”

“The desk officer?” Daisy’s eye narrowed a fraction as if to ask, Seriously?

“Yeah. Her parents own the only donut shop in Rebel. Popular enough to be in business year-round. It would be an insult if I refused Eagle Donuts.” Mitch shrugged. “Besides, she only brings them in on Mondays, and they’re the best donuts in the county.”

“Get ’em while they’re hot.” Henna pushed open the door and caught it with her hip while balancing a small bakery box on top of a large one. Dressed in a departmental gray uniform, her straight, black hair was trimmed to skim her chin. A wide, generous smile graced her face.

When both Mitch and Daisy stepped forward quickly to catch the door for her, Mitch’s hand covered Daisy’s.

“Sorry,” he murmured.

“Thank you. Daisy, right?” Henna said with a welcoming smile. “Henrietta Eagle. But I go by Henna for obvious reasons.”

“Nice to meet you,” Daisy said. “Thanks for all the help you’ve provided getting my paperwork squared away.”

“My pleasure. Great to meet you in person. I’ve got your uniforms in the back room, and your security badge and a few other things at my desk.” The boxes wobbled. “Can you grab that top one?”

“Got it,” Daisy said.

“That’s for you to take home to your kids,” Henna said.

Daisy’s eyes rounded. “How did you know? I mean, about the kids.”

“My sister works at the elementary school. Unlike me, she can’t keep her mouth closed. I heard you registered three of them for school and one for preschool in the fall.”

“Yes, but it’s not a secret or anything,” Daisy said with a smile. She opened the box and looked inside. “Donut holes. Thank you.”

“Welcome to Rebel,” Henna said.

Mitch silently observed the interaction. He’d known from the first interview that Daisy would fit right in. Then again, Henna got along with everyone. The last hurdle would be introducing her to his curmudgeon deputy. He glanced at the clock. Who was running late, per usual.

A half hour later, the door buzzed and then opened yet again. Roscoe McFarland stepped into the room. A Rebel Police Department ball cap that rested on the back of his bald head completed his uniform. The senior officer who bore a passing resemblance to the cartoon character Popeye nodded in acknowledgement when he spotted Daisy standing just inside the door.

“Roscoe, meet Officer Daisy Anderson,” Mitch said. “Daisy, this is your partner, Roscoe McFarland.”

Mitch wasn’t sure whose eyebrows shot up faster—Daisy’s or Roscoe’s. He hadn’t told either that they’d be riding together since the decision had only been made late last night as he mulled the fact that Daisy was the sole guardian to five children. No doubt both would not like the plan, but occasionally there were perks to being the boss.

“Not today.” Roscoe adjusted his hat and grabbed a donut. He took a bite, chewed and swallowed before he met Mitch’s gaze.

“Excuse me?” Mitch crossed his arms, looked pointedly at Daisy and then stared Roscoe down.

The senior officer had the good sense to appear embarrassed. “Beggin’ your pardon, ma’am. Pleased to meet you.” He turned back to Mitch and held up a bandaged thumb. “I’ve got an appointment to get my stitches removed. Then I’m headed to the county office to discuss my retirement portfolio.”

Mitch took a deep breath, determined not to let the crusty deputy push all his buttons before noon. “We discussed this last week. If your appointments aren’t on the calendar, they don’t exist.”

“I’m sorry, Chief Rainbolt, but my thumb and my pension are mighty important. I’ve got questions regarding my IRA and my insurance benefits that can only be addressed by a professional.”

“Gallegos has already headed out to patrol the lake.” Mitch shot a glance at the calendar and then to Henna. “What about—”

“No, sir,” his desk officer said, reading his mind as usual. “He’s on vacation until next Monday.”

Nothing like being undermined by his senior officer in front of the new hire on a Monday morning. Mitch turned his gaze to Roscoe, clearly communicating his displeasure. Yeah, it was all downhill from here.

“Officer Anderson, you and I will monitor traffic in Rebel today,” Mitch said. “We leave in fifteen.”

“When he says fifteen minutes, he really means ten,” Henna said. She nodded toward the back room, and Daisy followed.

“Been thirty years without a partner,” Roscoe grumbled once the female officers left the room.

“I plan to use the wisdom of those years to get Officer Anderson fully acclimated to Rebel. For now, you’re her field training officer.”

Roscoe gave a slow shake of his head. “FTO? Bad enough you got me handling traffic citations and parking meters ever since that incident last year. Now you’re sticking me with a new recruit,” Roscoe said. He snagged a second donut before he turned and headed to the door. “I don’t like it.”

“You don’t have to like it,” Mitch said to his retreating form. “And she isn’t new. Just new to us.”

“Same difference,” Roscoe muttered.

Mitch downed his coffee and poured another cup, rethinking the decision. He was supposed to be up an officer when he hired Daisy. But with the information about her five children, he had amended his plans and the schedule for now.

His new officer had inherited a family. What would those kids do if they lost her? Images of his own childhood flashed through his mind.

Nope. Mitch didn’t want to find out. He had two other day shift officers who could handle the heavy tourist areas around the lake. For the interim, he’d keep Roscoe and Daisy working together and stationed where they were least likely to run into serious offenders.

Of course, once again that made him the relief officer. It was the only plan that would ease his conscience and let him sleep at night. All he had to do was keep them from figuring out what he was doing.

When Daisy entered the department lobby in uniform eight minutes later, Mitch offered a pleased nod at her spit-shined appearance. If only all his officers took such care in the details of the uniform.

“Why do you look like you have a question for me?” she asked as she climbed into the Tahoe’s passenger seat and pulled the seat belt into place.

“Not at all. I was just noting that a twenty-pound duty belt doesn’t seem to slow you down.” He fastened his own seat belt and looked at her. “Did Henna provide you with the information and password for the online training webinars?”

“Last week. It’s been reviewed twice and completed.”

He blinked. “Wait a minute. This is your first day and you’ve already completed the training?”

“Yes, sir.”

“It took half my department two days to figure out how to access the internet and register.”

“Maybe they need computer classes.”

“Yeah. I guess so.” He shook his head. “You took the exam too?”

Daisy nodded.

Mitch looked over his shoulder, signaled and changed lanes. “The county requires an eighty percent pass rate, or a retake is required. After two retakes they’ll recommend a class. It’s free. No cost to the officer.” He adjusted the rearview mirror. “It can be a challenge with the different county and city laws to keep straight, so don’t feel bad if you have to retake.”

“I got a one hundred percent.”

“What?” His brows shot up. “I...um. Wow. Nice work.”

“Is there something else?” she asked when he was silent for several moments.

“The firing range. You’ll need to qualify yearly.”

“Completed.”

He looked at her.

“I passed. No worries.”

“I wasn’t exactly worried, though you did take me by surprise. I spend a good amount of my time around here herding cats. I hadn’t realized that I’ve unconsciously lowered my expectations.”

“After nine years in uniform, I’m accustomed to being underestimated.”

Mitch jerked back. He’d insulted her when the truth was she was the most competent hire to come along in years. “Is that how it sounded?” he asked. “No offense was intended. It has nothing to do with you being a woman.”

“None taken.” She met his gaze, her eyes revealing nothing. “Tell me about Officer McFarland.”

Mitch took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Thirty years on the job next summer. He tried retiring at twenty, but got so bored he asked for his job back. Now he’s going to try again in a year.”

“He has an issue with being my partner?”

“Roscoe has an issue with being anyone’s partner. He’s always flown solo,” Mitch said.

“A partner after nearly thirty years. No wonder he’s got his feathers ruffled.”

“Roscoe always has his feathers ruffled. But think positive,” Mitch said. “You’ve got the day shift. Come fall, you’ll be home in time to pick up the kids from school and have dinner with them. Most new hires work graveyard for the first year.”

“You’re giving me preferential treatment?”

“No, ma’am. Think of it as a trade-off. You don’t have the night shift, but you do have Roscoe.”

“Which is more challenging, Officer McFarland or the night shift?”

Mitch’s lips twitched at the question. “I can’t make that call.”

“And what about Henna?”

“Definitely not challenging.”

Daisy stifled a laugh. “No. I meant, what is her role at the department?”

“Henna pretty much runs the place. She does a bit of dispatching, handles the administrative duties, including handling the chief of police. If you need something, she knows where to point you. During the school year, she also manages our school liaison program at the elementary and high school.”

“That’s a lot multitasking.”

“Oh, she’s good.”

Daisy’s gaze remained out the window, taking in the town as they drove up and down Rebel’s patchwork of streets. “How long have you been in Rebel?” she asked.

“Me? I was born here.”

“You’ve been in the department how long?”

“Too long.” Mitch shook his head at the understatement. “Elected chief four years ago.”

“You’ve never wanted to leave Rebel?”

“Sure. Lots of times. However, I’m known for my terrible timing.” He released a short laugh. “I always figured it was the Lord’s way of telling me that I belong in Rebel.” Though being police chief hadn’t been in his long-term plans when he’d started down this path.

Mitch’s dash began to buzz. He pressed a button on his steering wheel to receive the call. “Rainbolt.”

“Chief.” Henna’s voice filled the vehicle. “Reece called. Asked if you could stop by the ranch when you have time. He said to tell you that it’s definitely not an emergency.”

“Thanks. Officer Anderson and I will head over there.”

“Roger that, Chief.”

Mitch turned to Daisy. “Since I’m showing you around town, this is as good a time as any for you to see Rebel Ranch.”

“Rebel Ranch?”

He nodded. “Owned and operated by the Rainbolt family. I’m pleased to say it’s an integral part of the Rebel community.”

“Your family owns a ranch?”

“The largest guest ranch in the county. My brother Reece runs the place.” He was unable to keep the pride out of his voice. After a rocky start, Rebel Ranch was now a thriving business.

“You mentioned a couple of brothers and a sister.”

“Tucker and Reece live here in Rebel. My sister, Kate, spends a lot of time on the road with the rodeo circuit.”

“The rodeo. That’s fascinating. I’ve been to the rodeo in Denver quite a few times during the stock show, but I don’t recall seeing her name on the programs.”

“You probably have and didn’t know it. She’s a rodeo clown.”

Daisy’s mouth rounded with surprise. “There are female rodeo clowns?”

“The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctions over six hundred rodeos a year. But there are only a handful of female rodeo clowns. That explains why you’ve never heard of her.” He smiled as once again his pride took over. “My sister is one of the best.”

“Good for her.”

He nodded. Not adding that while he was proud of Kate, he worried about her safety too.

When Mitch turned onto the ranch drive, he caught Daisy staring at the elaborate metalwork that comprised the archway and gate to Rebel Ranch.

The sight of the ranch entrance against the clear blue, cloudless summer sky really was awesome. Seeing Daisy’s reaction reminded Mitch that Rebel Ranch had come a long way from their humble but heartfelt beginnings. His brother Tucker often said that Mitch needed to stop focusing on the pain of the past and remember the good things from their childhood.

Trouble was, Mitch was the oldest, and he remembered things differently from Tucker. It was as though they had different childhoods. In a very real way, that was the truth. Mitch had been raised by their mother. The rest of the siblings were raised by Mitch.

“That’s some view.”

His gaze followed hers up ahead and farther down the tree-lined drive to a pond surrounded by a canopy of weeping willows. Ducks glided across the sun-dappled surface of the water. Beyond the pond, two barns rose up on the left.

“They have ranches in Colorado, of course. Lots of them,” Daisy said. “But I have to admit, I’ve been a city girl all my life. This is my first visit to any ranch.”

Mitch sneaked a look at the woman next to him. Her eyes sparkled and a smile lit up her face as she took in her surroundings.

“I guess I’ve sort of taken all of this for granted,” he mused. “Though Rebel Ranch has grown since I was a kid. Evolved, you could say. All thanks to Reece. He’s the businessman in the family.”

“What was it like when you were a kid?”

“This was my grandfather’s land. He ran a successful horse ranch.”

“You were raised here?”

Mitch nearly laughed out loud. He grew up in a trailer on the other side of Rebel. “No. We visited my grandfather on the weekends. This wasn’t even called Rebel Ranch growing up. This was my mother’s daddy’s ranch.”

“Your mother inherited the ranch?”

“Not exactly. It’s a long boring story. The local gossips would be happy to fill you in at the barbershop or the beauty parlor.”

Yeah, pretty much anyone in town would be happy to talk about how his grandfather refused to let Mitch’s father on his land, and the Rainbolt kids didn’t inherit the ranch until both their parents passed.

Daisy swiveled in her seat, her attention now focused out his side window. “What’s that?” she asked.

Mitch turned to see what had caught her attention. In the middle of the pasture yard, ranch hands were setting up tents. “They’re getting ready for the first big ranch event of the summer.” Mitch parked the vehicle and unstrapped his seat belt. “And now I know why my brother asked me to come out here.”

Daisy opened her door and took a deep breath. “That smell. Horses and hay.” The words were spoken with the wonder and awe of a child at Christmas.

Mitch smiled, trying to see the world from her eyes. Didn’t work. He’d lived in Rebel for far too long. The next thing he heard was a plaintive cry of surprise as she stepped down from the other side of the vehicle.

“You okay?” he asked.

“I am, but my shoes will never be the same.” She groaned. “These are new duty shoes too.”

Mitch held back a chuckle as he realized exactly what just happened. “You stepped in something, I take it.”

“Yes.” Disgust laced her voice.

“My fault. I should have given you a heads-up. When you’re on the ranch, always look before you step.”

Daisy laughed and gave him a sidelong glance from across the hood of the vehicle. “That information would have been handy five minutes ago.” She shook her head and wiped her feet back and forth on the gravel.

“Come on. There’s a hose on the side of the house.” Mitch waved a greeting to a few of the ranch hands while he and Daisy crossed the yard.

“What a lovely house. Is this yours?” she asked as they approached a sprawling stone ranch home.

“No. It’s the main building for the guest ranch. Reece built the place. They’ve got a billiards table and a giant flat-screen television and such. The smaller ranch events are held there.”

“Where do you and the rest of the Rainbolts live?” Daisy asked.

“I live in town. My brothers have built homes on the property.”

“The guests? Where do they stay?”

“There’s a half dozen guest cabins with first-class amenities down that path.” He pointed to the right. “Occasionally Reece uses the second floor of the main house for VIP visitors.”

Daisy followed his gaze down the path through the woods.

“Do you mind sitting on those steps and tossing me your shoes?” Mitch unwound a hose from the side of the house.

A moment later he swung around at the jingle of horse tack. His brother Reece, in jeans and a denim shirt with a black Stetson on his head, sat on an ebony stallion. Why was it that his brother always looked like a dime-store novel cowboy hero? Yeah, the number two son had definitely been first in line when the movie-star good looks were handed out.

“Don’t you have somebody to clean up the horse patties around here?” Mitch asked him. “My officer ruined her shoes.”

“Did she now?” Reece slipped from his horse and greeted Daisy with a megawatt smile. “My apologies, Officer...”

“Anderson,” Daisy said.

Mitch did a double take. Daisy’s expression hadn’t changed. There was none of the usual female flutters and swooning in response to his brother’s aura of charm.

“Officer Anderson, this is my brother Reece,” Mitch interjected. “Reece, this is Officer Daisy Anderson.”

“Pleased to meet you, ma’am.” Reece removed a glove and offered Daisy a hand in greeting.

Daisy glanced at the soiled shoes in her hands and wrinkled her nose. “Um, probably not a good idea.”

“Good point,” Reece returned with a smile.

“You’re the brother who runs the ranch?” she asked.

“That’s right. I’m the handsome Rainbolt brother.” He winked. “Just in case you were wondering.”

Daisy chuckled at the bold assertion. “Your ranch is beautiful,” she returned.

“Thank you. We’re hustling to prepare for our summer kickoff this weekend. We’ve got a real old-fashioned hoedown planned for Friday night.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

“It is, and consider this your invitation to join us.”

Daisy hesitated to answer, and Mitch knew she was thinking about her children.

“Friday night’s event is for adults. The rest of the summer is dedicated to families and children,” Mitch added. “Good opportunity for you to meet the townsfolk.”

She nodded thoughtfully.

When Reece took off his hat and put his hand on his heart Mitch wanted to groan.

“Ma’am,” his brother continued. “I’d be insulted if our newest law-enforcement officer didn’t join us.”

Her brows raised slightly, and she smiled. “Then I accept your invitation, Mr. Rainbolt.”

“It’s Reece, and you just made my day.” Once again he offered the full Reece wattage.

Mitch took a deep breath. His brother was on a roll now.

“There’s a ladies’ room inside if you’d like to wash your hands. In the meantime, I’ll take those shoes and get them cleaned up.”

“Oh, that’s unnecessary. I’m sure hosing them off would be sufficient.”

“Miss Daisy, you’ve got to let a cowboy be chivalrous.”

Miss Daisy? Mitch blinked at the words, finding himself unreasonably annoyed.

“It’s the way we do things out here,” his brother continued. “I’ve got some good leather cleaners in the barn. Just take a jiffy. They’ll be good as new.” He nodded toward the guesthouse. “There’s coffee on the counter in there. Help yourself.”

“I, um...” She looked to Mitch.

“You may as well give in now,” Mitch said. “Reece will pester you to death until you say yes.”

She smiled and handed Reece the shoes. “All right, then. Thank you.”

Mitch waited until Daisy was out of earshot, then uncrossed his arms and turned to his brother. “Kind of early in the morning for you to be spreading the malarkey so thick with my new employee.”

Reece merely laughed and headed toward the barn with the shoes dangling from his gloved hands. “Wake up on the wrong side of the saddle?”

“Nope. What you see is what you get. Every single day.”

“Yeah, and I’m still trying to figure out how it is you’re such a curmudgeon when the rest of the family has magnetic personalities.”

“Magnetic, huh? You’re like a used-car salesman on a horse.”

Reece only laughed at the words.

Mitch followed him into the barn where they both grabbed a couple of rags and saddle soap. They worked silently for several moments removing debris.

“I like your Daisy Anderson,” Reece said.

“Glad to have your approval, but she isn’t my anything,” he fairly growled. As if a beauty like Daisy would be interested in a beast like him. Not likely.

“Interesting,” Reece said.

“What?” Mitch asked, his annoyance doubling.

His brother shoved his Stetson to the back of his head and studied Mitch for a moment. “You like her too.”

“Don’t start.” He held up a palm. “The woman is thirty-two years old.”

“Age is only a number.”

“My number is nine years older than hers, and my number is old.” Never in his wildest dreams would someone young and full of so much potential, like Daisy, be interested in someone like him.

“Mitch, according to you, you were born old.” Reece laughed. “I don’t believe that for a minute.”

“She has five children.”

“Whoa.” His brother’s head snapped back. “What? Started early, huh?”

“Adopted her nieces and nephews.”

“Ah.” Reece cocked his head. “What’s the problem? You like kids.”

“I like Tucker’s kids because they sleep at Tucker’s house.” Mitch shook his head. “We’ve discussed this before. I’ve already raised a family.” And he’d lost one of his siblings along the way. Some parent he’d turned out to be.

“That doesn’t count. You raised your brothers and sister.”

“Yep. That’s right and I’m not doing it again.” He eyed the shoe in his hand and began to polish the leather. “Why was it you called me out here?”

“I’m short-handed for Friday night.”

“How come you only call me when you need a favor?”

“Easy there, pal.” Reece took the shoe from him. “You’re going to rub the leather clean off.”

“I told you last year,” Mitch continued. “I’ll help with the cattle and the horses, but I draw the line at people.”

“You’re the police chief. You deal with people all the time.”

“Exactly.” Mitch shook his head once again. “I thought Kate was coming home for the summer.”

“She called me last night. Another opportunity opened up. She’s headed to Oregon. Can’t help it if our little sister is good at what she does.”

“Good at what she does is fine, but it would be nice if she’d find a less dangerous calling.”

“Don’t start that again. You’re proud enough of her when you see her on the television.”

“This isn’t about being proud of her,” Mitch said.

Reece met Mitch’s gaze. His brother’s blue eyes bore into his soul. “It’s been five years, Mitch. You can’t bring Levi back by blaming yourself. You’re not in charge of everyone’s well-being. It’s time to turn it over to God.”

Yeah, right. They were the same words he’d been telling himself since his little brother died. It wasn’t his fault. Except it was.

“Are you even listening to me?” Reece asked.

“Yeah. I heard you.” Mitch rubbed a hand over his face. “So hire someone to cover for Kate. I can’t work two jobs.”

“I’ve got a guy coming down from Montana. Won’t be here until Monday. I need help with the hoedown.”

“Okay, fine. But this is the last time. I can’t be a part-time cowboy when I’m a full-time police chief.”

“This is the last time.”

Mitch grumbled under his breath. “How many guests are we talking?”

“I’m booked solid.” Reece dusted off his hands. “Thinking about expanding. Guess we can talk about it at the next family meeting.”

“Sometimes it’s better to stay small and in high demand than expand and dilute the quality,” Mitch said.

“That so?”

“I’m just saying.”

“I’ll take that under consideration.” Reece headed out of the barn. “By the way, Mr. Temporary Cowboy, the door is always open for you to work full time at the ranch. I’d like nothing more than a little help with the decision making around here on a daily basis.”

“Not going to happen. I like my job.”

“Do you? ’Cause the way I see it, being police chief isn’t much different from raising children.”

“The way you see it?” Mitch scoffed, annoyed that his brother was spot-on in his observation. “You don’t have any kids.”

The sunlight greeted them as they walked out of the barn. “All the same,” Reece continued, “if you worked at the ranch, you could toss those saddles of responsibility off your shoulders. Start enjoying life.”

“You’d hate having me around all the time.”

“Not true.”

For a moment, Mitch considered his brother’s words. He’d never imagined Reece would turn the ranch around as he had. The place was a success. There was plenty of work at Rebel Ranch, but could he be happy as a full-time cowboy? He’d always been in charge. Didn’t know anything else.

“Can you at least pray about it?” Reece asked as though reading his mind.

“I can do that,” Mitch said. He nodded as he spoke, and when he raised his head, his gaze landed on Daisy, who stood on the front steps of the guesthouse waiting. When her eyes met his, they widened a fraction, and a smile touched her lips.

Mitch could only stare, fascinated, as the breeze pulled a ribbon of curly gold-red hair loose from her tight knot and caressed her face with the strand.

At the same time, an elbow jabbed his side, pulling him out of his daze. Reece chuckled. “You’re in trouble, and you don’t even know it, big brother.”

Mitch swallowed. It occurred to him that Reece had just said the exact words the voice in his head had been spouting all morning. He took a deep breath as he realized that there wasn’t a single thing he could do about the situation except stay focused and keep his distance.

A drop of sweat trickled down Daisy’s face. She swiped at her forehead with the back of her hand before rolling down the window of the patrol vehicle and waiting for the spring breeze to pass through the car.

The air was still.

“Mind if I turn on the air conditioner?” she asked Roscoe. “Seems a bit humid today.”

The senior officer chuckled from the driver’s seat of the Crown Victoria. “Help yourself.”

Daisy rolled up the window again. She fiddled with the buttons, then leaned back in the cloth seats and sighed as the cool air touched her damp skin.

“Oklahoma in June,” Roscoe said. “This ain’t nothing. Wait until July.”

She grimaced. “Really?”

“Oh, yeah. Sometimes the air’s so thick it’s like walking into a sauna with a sweater on.”

Daisy pushed back a curly tendril of hair. Humidity. Her hair would love that. “I guess I’m used to Colorado’s dry heat.”

“Yep. Gonna be a long summer for you.”

“Officers in the vicinity of Main and Drummond, please respond.”

Daisy eagerly straightened and listened as the dispatch call from Henna echoed into the vehicle.

“Eighteen-zero-two, 10-4,” Roscoe said to dispatch as he pulled on his seat belt. “We got this, Henna.”

“Negative, 1802. Eighteen-zero-five is en route,” Henna returned immediately.

Roscoe slapped a hand on the steering wheel. “That’s the fourth time she’s done that this week.”

“I’m sure it’s a coincidence,” Daisy said.

“No coincidence about it. We’re six blocks closer to that location than 1805. I know when I’m being stonewalled.”

“On purpose?” Daisy asked. “But why? And by whom?”

“You tell me. The only thing I’m sure of is that I keep putting two and two together, and every time I get four.”

Daisy tried not to smile at his words. Roscoe, she was learning, had a flair for the dramatic, and most of the time his references made no sense.

“Does this have something to do with your retirement?” she asked.

Her partner released a loud snort. “My retirement? Now, why would you say that?”

“Maybe the chief thinks you’ve already retired.”

Roscoe’s head jerked around and stunned eyes pinned her. “’Scuse me?”

“This is Friday,” she said. “You were MIA most of Monday and left early for appointments on Wednesday and Thursday.” Daisy blinked as he continued to stare. Subtlety had never been her strong suit, and she’d already determined that Roscoe was a what-you-see-is-what-you-get guy. In the long run, he’d appreciate honesty. She hoped.

“Don’t hold back now,” he muttered.

“I’m only stating the obvious. It might appear to the chief that you’ve already checked out.”

“Naw, that’s only one side of the story. It’s the chief who put me out to pasture. Ever since I saved that kid from drowning last summer.”

“You saved a kid from drowning? Well done, Officer McFarland.” She reassessed the man, realizing that there was more depth than she’d assumed to the officer sitting in the driver’s seat.

“Oh, yeah. I’m a real hero,” he laughed. “Read real nice in The Weekly Rebel. Trouble was, I nearly drowned myself. Spent a month in the hospital with aspiration pneumonia. Mitch was beside himself.” He hung his head. “Went on and on about protocol. Truth be told, situation would have never happened if I had the common sense to close my mouth while I was doing the saving.”

“So the chief is protecting you until you leave the department.”

“That’s my assessment.” Roscoe nodded. “It’s true, I’ve had a few minor mishaps lately.” He held up his bandaged thumb. “But I can tell you the situation around here has gotten worse since you showed up on Monday.”

“I’m sure your attitude has nothing to do with things.”

“Ouch!” Roscoe shot her another surprised look before the stubbornness faded from his face. “I admit I’ve been a bit annoyed that he assigned me a partner.”

“A bit annoyed. Until today, you’ve only spoken a grand total of three words to me.”

“You were counting?”

“There hasn’t been much else to do. Yesterday, when we were on break and accidentally collared that shoplifter in the Piggly Wiggly, I believe you said, Cuff him, Danno.” She couldn’t help but smile. “Three words.”

Roscoe chuckled.

Daisy kept talking since she had his attention. “The point is, this is my first time with a partner since I was a rookie with a training officer, so you’re not alone. But I’d like to make this work.”

“How many years you got under your belt?”

“Nine. And you?”

“Twenty-nine.”

She raised a palm in gesture. “I could learn a lot from you, Officer McFarland. If you’d allow me to.”

“Point take, Officer Anderson.”

Silence stretched for several moments as Roscoe gnawed on a toothpick. “You know, there is another way to look at this,” he finally said.

“What’s that?” Daisy asked.

“Ever think maybe the chief has me babysitting you?” he asked.

“What?” Her eyes popped wide at Roscoe’s words.

“I heard you’ve got five kids. Knowing Mitch’s history, I can see him trying to protect you. That’s his MO.”

“His MO?”

“Let’s just say the man has had more than his share of loss, and leave it at that.”

“I see.” Daisy said the words slowly, trying to gain insight into her enigmatic boss. “I think we should talk to him about our situation. I don’t like the idea of being coddled.”

“I ain’t saying a word.” Roscoe blew a raspberry. “Nobody likes a grumbler.”

Daisy resisted the urge to inform him that he’d been grumbling for the last fifteen minutes.

“If they want to pay me to do nothing, it’s no skin off my nose.” Roscoe glanced at the dash clock. “Besides, why look for trouble on a Friday afternoon? The shift is almost over, and we’ve got a free meal prepared by the best chef in the county waiting on us at Rebel Ranch this evening.”

“That event at the guest ranch? I nearly forgot.”

“Well, don’t. Everyone in town attends. Would be downright insulting to the Rainbolts if you were a no-show.”

“Fine. I’ll be there.” She turned to her new partner. “I still think we should talk to the chief. Get things out in the open. Mitch seems like a man who favors transparency.”

“Transparency?” He snorted. “It’s transparent to me right now that talking to Mitch is a lousy idea.” Roscoe signaled and checked his mirrors. “You do what you want, missy. Just remember you might not like the answers.”

“Where are we headed?” Daisy asked.

“We’ve got two hours left. Enough time to check the meters on Main Street one more time. Who knows, maybe we’ll run into some bad guys jaywalking and make a big collar.” He laughed and pulled out into traffic.

Daisy adjusted her sunglasses and pondered Roscoe’s words. Surely he was exaggerating. Still, a niggling doubt inched its way in and she was determined to prove Roscoe wrong.

Chapter Three

“What do you mean the funds are being withdrawn?” Mitch leaned back in his chair and shoved down the frustration threatening to erupt. He pinned his most intimidating gaze on the representative from the Osage County offices in Pawhuska. Will Needleman didn’t even flinch. Trouble was, he’d known Will since they were kids. Hard to intimidate someone he’d gone fishing with every summer since they were old enough to bait a hook.

Will raised his hands, palms out. “Hey, pal, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t shoot the messenger.”

Mitch glowered at his old friend.

“Look,” Will continued, “every small town in the county is begging for a slice of the discretionary funding pie. I’ve heard the same story everywhere I go.” He adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses and clicked open his briefcase. “I can show you the numbers.”

“I don’t want to see the numbers. What I want to know is why you emailed me that the funds were approved for Rebel.” Mitch pointed to his computer. “I have it in writing and now you’re reneging. I am not happy.”

“I’m not real thrilled myself,” Will muttered. “Mushroom management puts me in the hot seat once again.”

“Let me make the situation a little clearer for you.” Mitch took a calming breath. “I’ve hired an officer based on your email.”

Will stared at Mitch, eyes round behind his glasses. “That’s not good.”

“Not good? That’s all you have to say?”

Mitch gripped his chair arms. Daisy Anderson quit her job and moved here with five kids. How was he going to tell the woman that there was a good chance he was going to have to unhire her?

“I, uh...” Will looked from the paperwork to Mitch. “You know this isn’t my fault. Right?”

“What happened?” Mitch persisted.

“A few days ago, a memo went around that fund approval would now be based upon civic engagement.”

“Who decided this?”

“I’m not privy to that information.”

“Aw, come on, Will. You’ve worked for the county for a long time.”

“I told you. Mushroom management. They keep me in the dark.”

“You know everything that goes on, and this smacks of a politician up for reelection.”

Will leaned closer. “You’re correct. It’s politics,” he said quietly. “Everything is politics.”

“They’re playing with the funding for bragging rights?”

“Tangible results are what they’re asking for.”

“That’s what I said,” Mitch continued. “Bragging rights.”

Will adjusted his collar and loosened his tie while at the same time Mitch clenched and unclenched his hands.

“What’s next?” Mitch asked.

“I submit my recommendations August first and you’ll know something shortly after.”

“So I have, what, less than ten weeks to prove that Rebel deserves the funds and that our plan will make management look good?”

“Basically, yes.”

“Between you and me, Will, our budget has about that long to keep our new officer on staff. And only with some very clever math.”

“I’m really sorry, Mitch, but I’m going to give you a little inside advice. Show the committee something they haven’t seen before. That’s the best way to earn that check.”

“Isn’t maintaining the law enough civic engagement?”

“Once again, this wasn’t my idea.”

“Civic engagement,” Mitch muttered. The buzzword left a sour taste in his mouth.

“Here’s the paperwork.” He handed Mitch a sheaf of papers. “I’ve listed all the pain points for you.”

“I’d like to show someone a few pain points,” Mitch muttered as he assessed the stack of forms.

“Henna here?” Will carefully closed his briefcase and stood. He stepped to the doorway and looked around the main lobby.

“She probably left early. Tonight’s the summer kickoff at Rebel Ranch.”

“Yeah, I’ll be there,” Will said. He turned and faced Mitch. “Just between us. Do you think I have a chance with Henna?”

“A chance at what?” Mitch noted the earnest expression on the other man’s face, and frowned when understanding dawned. “No. Absolutely not.” He too stood, stepping around his desk and into the lobby, hoping to encourage Will’s speedy departure.

“Really? I thought she and I were making progress.”

“I mean, no, I don’t want to discuss, contemplate or have further conversations about the personal business between you and any member of my department.” Mitch narrowed his gaze. “Got it?”

“I, uh—”

The back door buzzed, and Daisy walked in. His newest officer had a bright smile on her face. She was having a very good day. Mitch grimaced at the irony.

“Happy Friday,” she said.

“Yeah. Right. Officer Anderson, this is Will Needleman from the county offices in Pawhuska.” Mitch nodded toward Will. “This is the new officer I was telling you about, Will.”

“Oh?” Will turned to Daisy. “Oh! You.”

“Excuse me?” Daisy asked as she shook his hand. Her confused gaze moved between Will and Mitch.

“A pleasure, ma’am.” Will quickly started for the door. “I better be going.”

“Good idea,” Mitch said.

“Tell Henna I asked about her.”

“Yeah, I’ll do that.” When pigs fly.

Daisy frowned. “Is he all right?” she asked as the door thudded closed behind Will.

“Probably not.”

“Okay,” she returned, looking more confused.

“Did you need something, Officer Anderson?”

“Do you have a minute, Chief?”

“As a matter of fact, I do not.” He glanced at his watch. Right now he needed time and distance so he could figure out what he was going to do about the mess he had been sucked into.

“How about half a minute?” she returned.

A hopeful smile lit her face, and Mitch considered changing his mind. Then he remembered the corner he’d been backed into by Will and the county. It would take more than half a minute to explain what was going on. Yeah, if he was going to talk to Daisy about anything, he’d have to address the current situation, as well.

Not going to happen at six o’clock on a Friday afternoon.

“I’m thirty minutes late,” he returned a little more gruffly than he intended. “I’m supposed to be at the ranch. Can it wait until Monday?”

“Yes, of course.” She offered a wave of her hand in dismissal. “It’s not life or death or anything.”

When she stepped back and studied her shoes, Mitch felt like a complete jerk.

“I guess I’ll see you tonight,” he said.

“Yes,” she replied with a short nod.

“Are you nervous about this evening?” he asked.

She shrugged. “Maybe a little.”

“I’ve been through this every year since my brother took over the ranch. I can tell you that the ranch chef will make the event worth your time. So you greet and eat and leave. In and out and no one gets hurt.”

“I can do that,” she said, a smile returning to her face. “So you aren’t much of a party person either, I take it?”

“Four years as chief and I still dread the whole being social part of the job.”

When she met his gaze, her blue eyes warm with understanding, Mitch found himself unable to look away.

“That makes two of us,” she said.

“I guess so,” he said.

“Do you happen to know the dress code?”

“Dress code?” Mitch raised a hand and dropped it. “I, um...”

The door opened and Henna walked in.

“Henna can help you with that.”

“With what?” Henna asked.

“Dress code for tonight?” Daisy asked the department admin.

“Jeans, denim skirt. Anything you can dance in and don’t mind if it gets decorated with a little hay, red dirt and campfire smoke.” She grinned and linked an arm through Daisy’s. “Text me your choices, and I’ll help you decide.”

“Thank you, Henna,” Daisy said.

“No problem. We gals have to stick together.”

Daisy returned the smile and nodded. “I’ll see you both later, then.”

Mitch’s gaze followed Daisy as she left. He ran a hand through his hair.

“You all right, Chief?”

He looked up at Henna. “I thought you were gone for the day.”

“I ran weekly receipts to the bank before they closed.”

Mitch offered a distracted nod.

“I saw Will outside.” Henna crossed her arms. “Did you tell Daisy yet?”

Mitch’s head jerked up. “Will told you.”

“To be fair, I pulled it out of him.” She sighed. “He was pretty upset.”

“I’m not too thrilled myself. Things don’t look good,” he said. An ache settled in the pit of his stomach at the admission.

“How not good?”

“If we don’t find a way to be first in line for those funds, I may have to let Daisy go.”

“I was afraid you were going to say that.” Henna closed her eyes for a moment as if to allow his words to sink in. “You need to let her know what’s going on as soon as possible.”

“I will. Just not until Monday. I’m not going to spoil tonight. It’s her welcome to Rebel.”

She lifted her brows and gave a slow shake of her head. “It won’t be much of a welcome if Daisy finds out that she may lose her job.”

“Yeah, that’s why she isn’t going to find out. Yet. You keep Will away from Daisy, and everything will be okay.”

His admin frowned, a pained expression on her face. “As far as plans go, this doesn’t seem to be your finest.”

Mitch released a deep breath. Henna was right, and he didn’t need the voice in his head to tell him he was a coward.

“What do you think?” Daisy asked. She stepped into the living room and did a pirouette to show off her new burgundy Western shirt tucked into the waist of the boot-cut jeans.

Her grandmother looked up from her spot on the couch between the children who were watching their favorite movie. On the floor, the kittens had curled into balls of fur and snoozed on a blanket. She grinned. “Look at you with those pearl buttons and corded trim. Ooh! Cowboy boots too.”

Daisy struck a pose and lifted the hem of her jeans. “Nothing says city slicker like brand-new boots, but when in Rome. Besides, I already had one unexpected experience with ranch life. This time, I’m prepared.”

The twins glanced up at her, and their eyes widened.

“Aunt D, you look like a real cowgirl,” Seth said.

“Uh-huh, you do, Aunty Daisy. I like your braid too,” Grace added.

“Thank you, guys. That means a lot.”

“You need one of those hats like Chief Rainbolt wears,” her grandmother added.

“A Stetson?” Daisy chuckled. “That might be pushing this cowgirl thing over the edge, Gran.”

“Nonsense. Your birthday is coming up. We’ll have to check into that.”

Daisy shook her head. There was no stopping her grandmother once she’d made up her mind. The best path was to change the subject. She turned to the twins. “You’ll be good for Gran while I’m gone, right?”

They both nodded.

She routinely asked them to behave, but she was very careful never to ask them to take care of the younger children. Daisy understood only too well what it was like to be forced to grow up too soon when a parent died. The twins deserved a childhood of their own, and she intended to give them one. She was determined to put the joy back into their lives.

“I hate that I’m leaving you with the kids again,” Daisy said to her grandmother.

“Honey, that’s why I’m here,” Alice said. “It’s important that you get out and meet the folks of Rebel. This is your home now.” She stood and picked up sleeping PJ and placed her on a blanket on the colorful area rug Daisy had purchased for the room.

Daisy nodded, knowing she was right but still hesitant about tonight’s outing.

Her grandmother continued. “It’s also important to build a support system. A church home and community friends you can call upon when you need help.”

“I hear you, Gran.” She heard her, but she wasn’t biting. Asking for help meant depending on people and her experience said that people always let you down.

“You’re a mother now, so you’ve got to think like one. No more hiding in the back pew of church. You’ve got to get to know folks for the kiddos’ sakes.”

Daisy’s chin came up at her grandmother’s well-targeted words. “How do you know I was a back-pew lurker?”

Alice laughed and blew a short raspberry. “Please,” she said with an exaggerated drawl. “I know my granddaughter.”

“I’m an introvert. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Her grandmother stepped closer and lowered her voice. “There’s a big difference between being an introvert and hiding from life. Since your daddy died, you’ve avoided engaging in anything that could leave you open to the pain of loss again.” She shook her head. “I daresay, fifteen years later and losing your sister has only made things worse.”

Daisy scrambled for a response, but her grandmother kept talking.

“And not to speak ill of the ex, but sweetheart, you can do better than a man who takes off the first time you need him.”

“Gran!” Though she protested, Daisy knew the words were true.

“Go,” her grandmother continued with a wave of a hand. “Allow yourself to have fun, and stop worrying about tomorrow. You’re here because the good Lord led you here. Relax in that knowledge.” She grinned and offered a mischievous wink. “Who knows, maybe you’ll meet a nice cowboy.”

Right. A nice cowboy who isn’t terrified of my ready-made family.

Daisy mulled over the conversation with her grandmother as she guided the minivan to the outskirts of town and the turnoff to Rebel Ranch. Dating wasn’t an option anymore. The kids required all her attention, and she wasn’t going to allow them to get close to someone who had one foot out the door.

When she turned into the ranch drive and passed the iron arch, a young cowboy directing traffic pointed her to a parking area on the gravel. She parked and pulled down the visor to check her appearance one last time before she got out of the van.

Hundreds of tiny twinkle lights had been strung along the path to the ranch, and were laced through the overhead trees to create a starlit canopy. Though it wouldn’t be completely dark for another hour and a half, the lights were still visible, shimmering among the foliage and providing a festive atmosphere. Tonight there was a slight breeze, bringing with it the now familiar scents of hay and horses and, yes, even manure. The closer Daisy got to the ranch, the stronger the pungent and tantalizing smells of roasting meat became, and her stomach rumbled in anticipation.

At the entrance to the event, an amply built middle-aged woman, whose pink cowboy hat sat perched on silver sky-high hair, greeted Daisy, handing her a stick-on name tag along with a black marker.

“Are you visiting Rebel, dear?” she asked.

“No. I live here now.” Daisy wrote her name on the badge and handed back the marker before she peeled off the paper and placed the name tag on her new shirt. “I’m Daisy Anderson from the Rebel Police Department.”

The woman grinned. “Welcome to town, Daisy Anderson. I’m Saylor Tuttle, the pastor’s wife.”

Daisy took the offered hand, warming at the enthusiastic greeting.

“I hope we’ll see you in church on Sunday, dear.”

“Yes. Of course. I’ll be there.”

“Wonderful. Now head on over to that first tent. We have beverages, and tables lined with side dishes and desserts. I hope you brought your appetite.”

“I definitely did.” She paused. “What’s in the second tent?”

“There’s a local country band warming up in there, and a portable dance floor has been put down. With the lake so close by, and this being the month of June, we try to keep the nightly moth, June bug and mosquito attacks to a minimum. The tents help, plus Reece had the grounds sprayed.”

“I had no idea.”

“Oh, yes. Keep your windows closed at night unless you have screens.”

“Thank you for that information.”

Daisy moved hesitantly toward the tents where groups of people stood around talking, laughing and eating. Amber flames danced in the firepit as a few folks sat on log benches chatting. Across the yard, to her right, she spotted Roscoe in jeans, a Western shirt and an oversize brass trophy buckle, chatting with a group of old-timers. When he raised his head and his gaze met hers, her partner offered a tip of his white hat and a thumbs-up with his bandaged appendage.

She couldn’t help but smile in return.

To Daisy’s left, Henna stood conversing with the tall, slim man she’d met earlier in the office.

Relieved to see familiar faces, the tension holding her shoulders rigid relaxed. A moment later her senses went on alert as Mitch stepped up to the firepit. He added several pieces of wood to the fire, causing the flames to shoot up and toss small bits of ruby embers and black ash into the air. When he stood and dusted off his hands, his gaze connected with hers. Surprise skittered across his face, and he offered a nod of greeting and the shadow of a smile.

Her heart fluttered and she rebuked the response. She was a practical woman, and practical women’s hearts did not flutter.

As Mitch crossed the short distance between them, Daisy couldn’t help but notice the subtle change that civilian clothes made. His take-no-prisoners stance seemed to have relaxed now that he was out of uniform. In a plaid Western shirt and faded jeans with boots and a black hat, he seemed like any other cowboy at the event. Except he wasn’t. He was Mitch.

And even in civilian attire, the man was formidable. Suddenly it occurred to Daisy that Roscoe was right. Accusing her brand-new boss of coddling her probably wasn’t the best of moves her first week on the job. She’d let it go. For now.

“Hey, you made it,” he said.

“I said I’d be here.”

“Yeah, you did.” Mitch pushed his hat back and assessed her outfit. “Nice boots.”

Had she imagined the twitching of his lips at the comment? “Um, thanks,” Daisy said.

“Reece is busy. Let me get you acquainted with our community.”

Mitch proceeded to introduce her to friendly locals who were eager to meet the town’s newest law-enforcement officer. Daisy smiled and nodded, as Mitch chatted up the townsfolk and ranch guests like they were old friends. The police chief was much more of a people person than she would have guessed.

By the time they finished making the rounds nearly an hour later, Daisy’s jaw ached from smiling. “That was my official trial by fire, right?” she asked.

He nodded. “Now you can say that you have been officially introduced to the town of Rebel,” Mitch said.

“Oh, I believe that. I’ll never remember everyone’s name.”

“A little overwhelming, huh?”