Page 26 of Wrangled and Tangled (Raven Peak Ranch #1)

T he sheriff called this morning, asking questions about Heath and verifying the times we were together.

“Do you have any other leads?” I asked, hopeful he did.

“We’re working on other possibilities,” he mentioned, “whoever did this, they didn’t leave much in the way of evidence, and we combed through everything in that dumpster.

It’s possible something slipped through the cracks, but we’re doing everything we can.

The lab is still working on Heath’s trailer. ”

“Why are you so sure it was him?” I asked, knowing that he most likely wouldn’t divulge much. This town’s never seen a murder, especially not one so public. The media has been having a field day with the story, coming up with wild theories, and asking for any tips.

He sighs, and I can tell the case is weighing on him. Sheriff Follie and I went to school together and grew up here in Goldspur Ridge, where the most exciting things to happen are shoplifters and tourists being stupid. He’s never had to investigate a murder, and I don’t envy him one bit.

“I’m not,” he admits, “Spence, I’m in over my head.”

“Follie, you’re doing everything you can, right?” I know he is, he was never one to do anything half-assed.

“I’m calling in the detectives from the county. We need help.”

“Okay,” I’m not sure what they’re going to find that he can’t, but I’m not about to ask. I know there are things he can’t tell me. “Well, you know where to find me if you need me.”

“Thanks, man.”

Walking into my room with Heath looking all comfy and adorable in my bed, my body goes haywire. God, I wish it wasn’t such a welcome sight, and I sure as hell wish I didn’t want to join him there.

Choosing instead to continue quietly gathering some clothes, I hear him chuckle, and I spin around, “How long have you been awake?”

“Not long,” he stretches like a lazy cat, sheets dropping around his naked hips, and my eyes follow the lines of his body. “Drink your fill, Daddy. I don’t mind.”

Sometimes, I regret speaking to him, especially when he calls me Daddy in that tone. Telling him to get dressed, I return to what I was originally doing and make sure he knows we’re leaving for the garage soon.

Pulling up to Goldspur Gears, my phone rings, pulling me out of my thoughts. The screen on the dash says Flower, and I accept the call.

“Hello, daughter of mine,” I say, catching Heath’s cheek dimple.

“I’m startin’ my chores now,” she says without greeting. “Could I go to Clara’s and hang out by the pool later, please?”

Sometimes, I think Briar underestimates the amount of things I know about her and her friends. Clara’s a good girl, but she’s not always been the best of friends to Briar.

“Loo said she’d drop me off before she heads to the diner,” she adds with more enthusiasm.

“Who all is gonna be there?” I ask, wary of the answer.

“Dad,” she whines.

“You know the deal, Flower. If boys’ll be there, Clara’s parents need to be there too,” I know that’s what she’s not telling me. I was a teenager once, it’s how I ended up a father at nineteen. I wouldn’t change a thing, but that doesn’t mean I’m not careful with Briar.

“But,” she starts, “Colt will be there!”

“Colt isn’t your babysitter, and he sure as hell ain’t an adult,” I laugh. Of course she would try using him as a reason to go. Sure, he’d look out for her, but he’s also trying to enjoy his summer before senior year. I’m not asking him to keep an eye on her while he’s hanging out with his friends.

“I’ll be the only one not there,” she whines, “it’s not fair.”

“Life ain’t fair, Flower.”

It’s something Mawmaw’s always said, and it’s gotten me through a lot of hard times.

Heath scoffs in the seat beside me, and I dip my brows.

“Ugh, you’re no fun. I’m already stuck here instead of at home, this is like… compensation, or whatever.” I know she’s pouting. I can hear it in her voice.

“Let me think about it,” I want to know what Heath’s scoff was all about, and I’ll be calling Clara’s mother to find out if she’s going to be there.

Her squeak over the speaker makes me smile. I hate telling her no, but at the same time, it’s my job to protect her.

“Thanks, old man!” She hollers into the phone before hanging up.

Shaking my head, I pull the keys from the ignition and step out. Heath does the same, slamming the door behind him and following me in without a word.

He’s moody all of a sudden.

Colt never works Mondays, so he gets a full weekend. Even through the summer, I don’t ask him to work more than he does during the school year.

Opening the garage office and waking up the computer, I check the messages and look over my lists of things to do in silence.

Heath flops down into the seat at the desk usually reserved for Briar. She’s my unofficial secretary and occasional helping hand.

“She’s a teenager, Spence. Let her make some dumb mistakes,” Heath cracks as I head into the bays.

Stopping just short of walking into the first bay, I turn, looking at him with lowered brows. “Excuse me?”

He chuckles nervously, then licks his lips and says, “You heard me. She’s a teenager wantin’ to hang out with her friends for the summer.”

“She’s fifteen, Clara has been cold and hot with her since they were in kindergarten. Forgive me for wantin’ to protect my daughter,” turning away from him, anger brewing in my gut, I open the big door to the first two bays and secure it.

The heat’s going to be on another level today, so the sooner I can get a breeze going, the less stuffy it’ll be in here.

“Briar seems pretty capable of protectin’ her own peace,” Heath’s voice echoes out of the garage, and I growl.

“You’ve known her all of what? A minute, and all of the sudden, you’re an expert on my daughter?”

He shakes his head, “I’m not sayin’ I’m an expert. What I’m sayin’ is, let her live.”

Stepping around the car I’ve got to finish up today, I advance on him and force him to walk backward to the wall where tools hang. “You’re a stranger in my house, you don’t get a say on how I parent my daughter.”

His gold-flecked eyes dip for a second, nearly tripping as I crowd him against the wall before he looks up at me. Our breaths mingle, and my chest rises and falls in conflicting emotions. He doesn’t know us well enough to get an opinion on how I parent.

“I wasn’t–” He stutters.

“You don’t know us, so shut your mouth before I throw you out on your fine ass,” I growl, completely in his space now.

My stomach’s pressed to his hard torso, and the proximity threatens to scramble my brain. Knowing exactly how he looks under that t-shirt and the way his muscles contract when he comes.

“Then go on a date with me, and we’ll get to know each other,” he whispers, mouth closing in on mine. “You can get to know my fine ass while we’re there.”

Stepping back, I grunt and turn away to head for the car I’ve been working on finishing for Mrs. Sink. I called her on Saturday and told her it would be ready today. I don’t like to break my promises.

“One date,” he says, following me to the car.

Ignoring him, I lift the hood and check to make sure everything's in working order. I replaced the fuel pump and drained and replaced her fluids. All that's left is a test drive to double check everything works properly.

“I’m livin’ in your house, don’t you think we oughta’ get to know each other?”

“Livin’ is a strong word,” I scoff, “you’re only stayin’ until your trailer’s released.”

“And did the sheriff tell you when that would be?” He smirks, and I wonder if he knows I spoke to him this morning.

“I’ve got to test drive this one, try not to get into any trouble while I’m gone,” shutting the hood and grabbing the handle to the driver’s side, I slide into the car and carefully back it out of the bay.

“You’re going to leave me here?” He asks, looking around as if he’s worried something's gonna pop around a corner and scare him.

“I’m not lettin’ you into a client's car.”

He nods, leaning down arms on the window seal, “I’m gonna wear you down, Daddy. You’ll see.”