Page 9

I shake my head and focus my mind back on the red-headed beauty.
So, who is this broken soul?
That’s why I told her about the diner and offered her the job at the ranch and a place to stay at the house. I know she’ll be safe both on the ranch and here in the diner. She’s surrounded by people my family trusts—and me, of course. That also allows me to keep a close eye on her. Figure her out, find out who she really is.
“So, you want to get out of here and go see my family’s ranch?” Smiling at her, I pull the toothpick from my ear and pop it in my mouth.
“I don’t know. I mean, I don’t really know you.” Zoey’s brows push together to form a forehead crease on her really cute face.
I bark out a laugh. “Darlin’, I’m the sheriff. If you’re safe with anyone, it’s me.”
“Not true. I’ve seen movies. Besides, you’re human. Just because you have a badge doesn’t mean you’re automatically safe,” she bites back.
Chuckling, I nod. “Well, stranger danger I guess, sure. But don’t you think we’re a little past that? I mean, we had lunch together yesterday, breakfast today. I think these dates are going well.” My lips curl up in a smile. Her head snaps to me, and I know I got a rise out of her. Her face turns red, and her eyes go wide and start looking around the diner.
She whispers loudly, “A date? Are you crazy? You sat next to me yesterday, apparently not taking the hint that I wanted to be left alone. And today you sneak into my booth, that I was sitting at alone, and scare the ever-loving shit out of me. This isn’t a fucking date.” Zoey shakes her head.
She’s a firecracker, this one. In two seconds, I have her riled up. I rub my hands together in excitement, then I clear my throat and turn serious. “Question for you.” I look at her, and she nods. “Why did Adele cross the road?”
“Oh my God!” Her eyes go wide and throws her hands up.
“To say hello from the other side.” I laugh, and Zoey puts her head in her hands.
“Those are so bad!” she cries, gesturing towards me. “You have to stop. Just stop with those.” She cracks a smile, and it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.
“So, how about we get out of here, and I can take us on our third date at the family ranch? I’ll even take you horseback riding.” I grin from ear to ear as I wait for her response.
“No. I don’t want to give you the impression that I like you. So no, I’ll pass.” Zoey lets out a huff, her lips forming into thin line.
“No? You’re passing up a horseback riding date?” I scoff and continue to tease her. “What do you need? Fancy restaurant? Dressed to the nines?”
Her body stiffens, and she looks down at her hands. It’s then I know I’ve said something that stung her.
I study her for a minute to see if she gives anything else away. She’s a tough nut to crack. She’s let a couple of things slip, but I can tell she didn’t mean to give that bit of information away. She’ll usually purse her lips together and widen her eyes when she lets a clue drop.
When she has her walls up, Zoey fidgets more, like she’s trying to keep herself from giving up whatever else she’s holding on to.
“Oh, come on. I’m only teasing you. I won’t count this as a date because we’ll be seeing my parents. That’s just awkward.” My hand slaps the table softly in front of her, and I smile.
“Ugh. You’re frustrating. You know that?” she snaps through clenched teeth.
“Only getting started, darlin’.”
“Don’t you have anyone else to bother? Someone to arrest? A cow to go shoo off the road?” Her eyes narrow.
I look out the window and glance around, then turn back to her. “Nope.”
“Ugh!” she growls. She looks around the restaurant and realizes everyone is looking at us. “Um, Ryker, why is everyone staring?”
“Fresh meat.” I wink at her and clack my tongue against my mouth. Then I let out a laugh.
She seems taken aback by that. “Fresh meat? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“It’s a joke, darlin’. It’s because you’re new in town. That’s all. This isn’t like the big cities where you can get lost and hide. Out here, people will know when someone new is in town. They will talk and gossip about you. Since you’re new, you’re the daily gossip for now until something else comes along.”
She grabs the sides of her head and pulls on her hair. “Again, shouldn’t you be working?” Zoey demands.
“I am.” Leaning on the table, I place my elbow on the top of it and rest my head on my hands.