Protector: Doms of Mountain Bend Book 1 by BJ Wane (reading books for 7 year olds .txt) 📗

reminded him. His stay in that foster home must have been longer, and worse than the few hours of her memory. She doubted he would appreciate the past showing up on his doorstep.

“I love it. Everyone has been so nice, and welcoming, but I really need to get going. I have an appointment to look at a rental.”

Shawn nodded, stepping out of her way. “That would be the Zimmermans’ place, right? I ran into Drew yesterday.”

She stood close enough to glimpse his eyes under his hat, warming from his intense focus. “How did you know I was staying at their B&B?”

He shrugged. “I asked about you. You’ve made quite a change with your move from Arizona, Ms. Halldor.”

Her shoulders went rigid at hearing that, the thought of someone, anyone, prying into her life rubbing her wrong after all the grief she’d suffered from picking up a crazed stalker. “Yes, well, sometimes change is good, or necessary. If you’ll excuse me.”

Shawn tipped his hat, his tone a shade rougher as he said, “I hope it’s a good move for you. Get those tires replaced soon.”

Lisa slid behind the wheel, her eyes following Shawn as he walked over to his cruiser. She bristled at his parting order then stifled her irritation. He wasn’t privy to her low finances, at least she hoped his checking up on her hadn’t gone that far. Between the travel expenses, staying at the B&B, and now the deposit and first month’s rent she assumed Jen would ask for, her cash wouldn’t stretch to include tires until she got paid next week.

Growing up in a big city hadn’t prepared Lisa for the closeness of small-town living, and, in her haste to get away, she never thought about what she’d do if they came face-to-face again. She would either have to get a grip on her response every time she saw Shawn, or consider telling him where and when they’d met before.

Lisa hoped a new place with new Doms would help break through the block she’d suffered with the last few months but had planned to wait a little longer before visiting the private club, Spurs. But maybe she would go tonight and seek a distraction from thinking about Shawn. She wasn’t sure what to expect when she met her anonymous childhood rescuer again, but it wasn’t the instant heat conjuring up all kinds of hot fantasies that took her mind off the threats of a crazy person. It wouldn’t do to let her guard down, even this far from home, despite feeling safer than she had in a long time.

****

What the hell was it about the new teacher that kept bugging him? Shawn waited until she drove away before heading back to the precinct, the wariness in her gaze still bothering him. That look in eyes the same emerald green as the little girl he’d carried out of Atkins’ house was eerily similar, and he figured that was why she seemed so familiar. Unlike that much younger girl, Lisa didn’t appear happy to see him the two times they’d met. Her frigid tone when he’d admitted prying into her life couldn’t have conveyed her displeasure any better.

The flash of irritation that crossed her face just now and the kick she’d delivered to her flat tire last weekend revealed a quick temper lying beneath the soft-spoken cautiousness she portrayed. He wasn’t sure what it meant admitting he enjoyed poking at her to ruffle her feathers, but she was a nice distraction from his recent moodiness.

“Monday is the deadline,” Lyle announced the minute Shawn entered the office.

“I remember and plan to discuss it with Clayton and Dakota this weekend,” he replied, crossing to his desk with a nod toward Andi, their dispatcher.

Shawn still hadn’t decided whether or not to campaign for sheriff over the summer. He supposed he could toss his hat in and drop out if he didn’t care for the politics that came with the job.

He scooped up a handful of sunflower seeds from the drawer as he sat down behind his desk. Lyle leaned a hip against the corner and said, “You’re a better choice than Roberts or Sandusky.”

“Thanks, but I have an obligation to the ranch to consider, and, right now, a report to write up.” He gave his boss a pointed look, refusing to discuss the job further, and didn’t want to hear any more compliments calculated to influence his decision.

“You’re a stubborn son of a bitch,” Lyle muttered.

“Funny, that’s what Buck always said.” Hearing the familiar gripe stated with a note of humor brought up the grief of losing the gruff rancher who had taken them in and made them a family.

“They don’t come better than Cooper, that’s for sure.” Lyle straightened with a sigh. “I won’t push you, but please give it some thought this weekend when you discuss it with the boys. Like I’ve said, there’s no one I trust as much as you to fill my shoes.”

“You could always stay on.”

“Trust me, I’ve thought about it, if you don’t run. Anyway, I’m headed out. Have a good weekend.”

“You too, boss.”

By the time Shawn finished his paperwork it was after five and he was eager to clear the cobwebs out of his head with a rigorous ride. Leaving the precinct, he walked next door to Clayton’s office, surprised to find he’d already left for the day. Then he remembered that tonight potential new members could check out Spurs for free, and the three of them were supposed to meet there early. He strode to his cruiser to head home, his enthusiasm for socializing at what used to be his favorite extracurricular activity still at a low. Clayton loved the law and holding lawbreakers accountable as much as he did arresting them for their criminal activity, but unlike him lately, both of his friends were happy to set