Page 27 of Seducing the Sheriff (Charming Butte #2)

A moment passed with us in each other’s arms, silent, as if committing our embrace to memory. I inhaled the clean, soapy smell of his skin, brushing my nose against the crook of his neck before raising my head.

“Then we can take our time with each other in bed.”

Cash smiled. “Sounds perfect.” He trailed his fingers along my forehead, sweeping away damp strands of my hair off my face. “In which case, I’m a bit anxious to check out your find.”

I’d been so lost in being with Cash that I’d completely forgotten my excuse to get him to come over.

“Oh yeah, come on.” I clasped my hand with his, tugging him toward the entryway when the towel around my waist dropped to the floor.

Cash snort-laughed. “You’re not inspiring me to investigate potential murder evidence.” I looked over my shoulder, his head tilted with his gaze fastened on my ass. “I’d much rather thoroughly investigate you.”

I smirked. “You’re not exactly wearing your uniform.”

Cash barked out a laugh. “Wouldn’t that give the residents of Charming something to talk about?”

“I’d be too jealous knowing everyone was ogling you.” I retrieved the jeans I’d discarded earlier from the floor. “Is that too possessive of me?”

“I don’t have a problem with it.” Cash waggled his eyebrows. “As long as you don’t mind me wanting you all to myself as well.”

We might be kidding around, but I knew he was as serious as I was.

I grinned. “Deal.” I stuck one leg in my jeans. Who needed underwear? They’d be coming off soon enough anyway. “Come on,” I said as I zipped up. “I left the box where I found it.”

“Good instincts,” he said, following my lead and putting his pants on. “I’ll take pics then we can have a peek.”

I held up a finger. “I have some latex gloves in the kitchen. I’ll grab those and a paper bag for you to put it in.”

“Good.” He nodded. “I was about to ask if you had anything we could use.”

I retrieved the gloves and bag, then we made our way to the closet. He wasn’t kidding about the pics. I held a flashlight while Cash took photos from every angle. He did full shots encompassing the whole space, then close-ups. I was impressed. The guy was definitely a natural detective.

Cash set down his phone on the floor, then rubbed his hands together. “Okay. This is it.”

I handed him the gloves. After he’d tugged them on, I watched as he carefully removed the box. The suspense was more intense than any movie or TV show. This was for real.

Cash paused, and I clenched my fists. What was he waiting for?

“Do me a favor,” he said. “Grab my phone and take a few pics of the spot where the box was. I hate to do this to you, but the forensics people will probably want to come out again. They’ll ask.”

“Yeah, of course.” I retrieved his phone. “And I figured they might.” I took the photos as quickly as I could. “Is that enough?”

“That’s great,” said Cash. He grinned. “Now let’s take it somewhere we can set it down.” He rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to destroy my reputation as a law officer by dropping it.”

I chuckled. “And I’ll be the troublemaker who was a bad influence.”

We traveled the short distance to my folding table, the only real surface other than the sawhorses and kitchen counter.

I laid down a paper bag for him to place the dusty, cobweb-laden antique on.

Now that it was in better light, it was even more obvious how long it must’ve remained concealed, unknown to previous owners, its secrets remaining hidden for almost a century.

I licked my lips, anticipation building to the point where I thought I would burst. Without disturbing the dirt layer, Cash leaned over, gingerly lifting the lid. A small treasure trove of old jewelry was revealed, plus a few coins and dollar bills.

I wiggled my fingers. “Hey, the dates on the money…”

Cash peered up, nodding. He didn’t need me to clarify. “There’s also a locket and cameo.” He pointed to the two main pieces lying on top of the bills. “The cameo is obviously antique but could also be an heirloom.”

I squinted my eyes, joining him in leaning over to get a closer look. “Right. So it doesn’t necessarily date the body if it was given to her by an ancestor.”

I pointed to the oval, gold locket next to it that hung from a dainty gold chain, the thin metal tangled with a string of pearls and matching earrings. The beautiful piece featured a tiny diamond at its center, surrounded by etched lines that resembled a shining star.

“I know we can’t take it out, but this has to give us a major clue. What if it’s her sweetheart’s photo, or even her wedding portrait?”

Cash straightened, sighing. “Or it could be empty.”

I crossed my arms, frustrated. Not at him, but the situation. He patted my shoulder.

“Yeah, I know. I wish I could call it in right now.”

I glanced at him. “I’m guessing they won’t feel the need to rush over since they already know the murderer is long dead and gone.”

Cash pressed his lips in a grim line. “Exactly. And at this point, I have no idea what our resources are for cold cases. Especially one this old.”

The excitement of our find had faded, replaced by a dark cloud of disappointment.

I nudged him with my elbow. “But we won’t give up on her, right?”

Cash smiled. “Not a chance.”

“Hey.” I grabbed his arm as a thought struck me. “If we find out who she is—”

“When we find out,” Cash interjected.

“Right.” I smiled back at him. “When we find out, we can try to locate her family and return these things to them.”

“That’s the spirit.” Cash leaned in for a quick kiss. “I’m sure Jim can help us with this one. I’m betting that once forensics logs everything in, the historical society can at least borrow it. Even if there isn’t anyone available to work on solving the case, we’ll keep going.”

“Agreed.”

Cash closed the lid, and I held the bag open as he placed it inside for safekeeping. I regarded his handsome features, the care he used handling the delicate box, his resolve to do right by this woman who had long been forgotten.

A picture flashed through my mind, almost like a premonition. Standing there with Cash in my run-down kitchen, I saw what it would be like once it was fixed up. But in my vision, it wasn’t the newly painted walls, or updated cabinetry or even fancy, modern appliances.

What I saw was the man beside me, at ease in my home and a true part of my life. The picture settled something inside that had left me restless for too long.

Cash straightened, removing the latex gloves. He looked at me and smiled. “You’re a good man, Greg.”

I gathered up his hand in mine. “I was thinking the same about you.”

He squeezed my fingers then pulled me close. “Enough mystery-solving for one night,” he whispered against my lips. “I need to to lie down, hold you in my arms.”

I brushed his nose with mine. “Is that all you want to do with me?”

Cash grinned with a low chuckle. “Hmm… I don’t know. Why don’t you come with me and find out?”

Who was I to turn down such a charming offer?