Page 11 of The Earl’s Wrangler (Cowboy Nobility #3)

“I know. I already got a complaint about him and you. Seems there was a bit of a dustup at Roy’s. Apparently everyone agrees that he was causing trouble, but I don’t like any ill behavior in my town.” He glared at both of them.

“Knock it off, Johnny,” Mrs. J cut in. “We called you because Sawyer’s father has a gambling problem and it’s likely some folks are after him for some money. He’s trying to get Sawyer to help him.” She pursed her lips. “You know what those kinds of men can be like.”

“Shit,” he said, drawing out the word. “What do you want me to do?”

“Nothing. We just wanted to make sure you knew what was going on. We’re all being good citizens here, and I expect you to treat everyone the way you should.” The sheriff was known to have issues with guys like Sawyer and Alan.

“I’ll do my job.”

She stepped forward. “I know you think you will. But it’s become known that you take your sweet time answering certain kinds of calls, and that needs to end.

Am I making myself clear? Next year is an election year, and there are others who could always step up and decide to run against you.

” Damn, she had balls of steel, and fuck all if the sheriff didn’t take a step back.

“You’ve done good for this town, but you need to help all of it, and not just the ones you think might deserve it. ”

“Now, Maureen. I didn’t take the complaint against Sawyer here seriously. And his friend….” He glanced at Randall. “Well, Sally stood up for him.”

“Did you speak with my father?” Sawyer asked.

“I tried to, but I haven’t been able to find him yet, and Sally and Roy have decided not to press charges. So there isn’t much I can do.”

“And he assaulted Sawyer here on the ranch. But we handled it and made him sober up before driving,” Alan said. “We stood guard on him.”

The sheriff nodded. “I thank you for that.” He turned his attention to Sawyer, who expected the third degree. “What did he do?”

“He hit him,” Randall answered.

Sawyer nodded. “Randall took him down.”

The sheriff humphed. “You ain’t that big.”

“I know how to handle myself, and I can take care of the people who are important.” Damn, Randall’s accent was heavy, and he stood tall, speaking to the sheriff in a haughty tone that must be his earl voice.

“I should probably introduce myself. Randall Whealton, Earl of Plymouth.” Sawyer wanted to snort at the way Randall acted, especially since he had seen him shoveling out horse stalls.

“What the hell is going on? Is half of England over here?”

“He’s a friend of mine,” George said. “So is Viscount Haferton. You have probably heard about us. We’re all part of the family.”

The sheriff shook his head like he was trying to figure out if the damned world had turned on its ear.

“Okay. Not that any of the fancy titles matter all that much here, but I will look into this as best I can. You call if anything happens. If he shows up here again, call. I can take him in if he causes trouble or if he makes any more threats.” He paused.

“But do yourselves and me a favor if you can. Try to find out who he owes money to. That will help.”

“Thank you, Johnny,” Mrs. J said with a smirk. “Alan and Sawyer will see you out.” She waited while he and Alan went out with the sheriff.

“Your mother…,” the sheriff began.

“Yeah, I know. But she looks after everyone the same way she looked after us. This is her home—our home—and you know us cowboys and cowgirls.” They protected what was theirs, period.

“Yeah, I do.” The sheriff shook Alan’s hand and then did the same to Sawyer.

“I will keep my eyes open, and you all be safe. Don’t go off on your own.

Stay in touch with each other. None of this deciding to go out sleeping under the damned stars for a few days.

” He opened the door to his cruiser and climbed inside.

“And for God’s sake, don’t do anything stupid.

” He closed the door and pulled out of the drive.

“Okay,” Sawyer said. “I guess he had to have the last word.” He half expected Alan to get angry with him.

It was his fault that his father had come to find him and brought all this potential danger to the ranch.

Maybe he really should leave. At least the people here on the ranch, the ones he cared about, would be safe.

“Just stop,” Alan told him sharply. “I know what you’re thinking, because it’s the same crap I’d be thinking.

You didn’t do this, and it isn’t your fault.

Your father is the one who gambled and racked up the debts.

” Alan lifted his hat and scratched his head.

“Maybe we need to talk to Claude’s friend.

We need someone in that world who can tell us what’s going on. ”

“I can’t afford to bring in security experts.”

Alan growled. “Don’t even go there.” He turned and headed to the house. Sawyer stayed where he was, wondering how fast he could pack his shit. “Come on. Don’t just stand there.” He held the door, and Sawyer sighed and went inside.

MRS. J had gone to bed, but the others were still hanging around the living room.

Claude joined them with a glass of whiskey, offering the others some as well.

Randall accepted a glass, and Sawyer did as well because he needed it to calm his jangled nerves.

“I called my friend in Dallas, and he’s sending someone. They’ll be here in the morning.”

“Do we really need to do that?” Sawyer asked.

Claude clapped him on the shoulder. “Yeah, we do. I don’t know anything about gambling debt collection, and Jase, one of the guys in my friend’s firm, knows all about it. He worked in casinos in Louisiana and Mississippi.”

Sawyer sipped the whiskey, the warmth sliding down his throat. “If you think this is for the best. I just don’t want you all to go through all this effort because of me.”

“It’s because of your father, not you,” Randall said quietly from next to him.

“This isn’t your fault.” He lightly bumped his shoulder, and Sawyer wondered what he’d have done if Randall hadn’t been here.

His first impressions about him had been wrong, and Sawyer was pleased that he was here.

No one had backed him up the way Randall had, and the man barely knew him.

One thing was clear: Randall had a good heart, and that was what mattered.

He closed his eyes as Randall’s scent threatened to overwhelm him.

Yeah, the guy was hot, and those eyes of his sometimes made him forget his name.

But… none of that really mattered. He couldn’t get involved with him. The idea that sophisticated Randall could be interested in a rough cowboy like him was ridiculous. George and Alan worked, but lightning like that was not going to strike twice—and definitely not for him.