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“Womanness? Is that even a word?”
“Not that I know about. My dad used it every time he told the story of her trying to get work at our ranch. To his credit, he hired her. It took three days to confirm she couldn’t handle ranch work.”
He looked over the top of his soda. “Then why’d she take the job?”
“She was looking for a cowboy to marry.” Shaking her head, she took another bite of her cheeseburger.
“No kidding?”
“Happens more than you think. At least, I’ve seen it a lot between ranching and working for the rodeo production company. Most cowboys can spot one of these women a mile away.”
Pushing away his empty plate, he leaned back in his chair. “Guess I never knew you worked for a rodeo company.”
“Seven years. I attended community college for two years before being hired by Harmon & Sons.”
Logan did a quick calculation. “So, you’re about twenty-seven.”
“Exactly twenty-seven. You’re a youngster compared to me.”
A smile broke across his face. “Hey, I’m no youngster. Besides, I’m a fast learner.”
“I’ll give you that. Jake says he’s real glad to have you.”
The band walked through the crowd to the stage, catching Sam and Logan’s attention. Taking their places, they began the set with a song that had the crowd cheering. They clapped along.
The band slowed the tempo with the next song, an older country song. Sam sat forward in her chair, tapping her boots on the floor. Leaning toward her, Logan held out his hand.
“Let’s dance.”
She glanced at him as if he were nuts. Seeing the sincerity on his face, she grabbed his hand.
Chapter Two
Aiden Winters adjusted the hat given to him by Sheriff Garth Duggan. The deputy uniform fit as it should. The belt and boots were his, and he’d polished the latter until they shined.
The last step involved pinning the badge to his shirt. Not a simple task, getting it at the right location, not too high or low, and straight. It took a little longer than buttoning the shirt.
Staring at the bed, he surveyed what he’d laid out an hour earlier. The duty weapon, a Sig Sauer, belonged to him. Alongside it, he’d placed a flashlight, radio, extra magazines loaded with 9mm shells, and body armor. He’d be given anything else carried by a Riverdale County deputy when he arrived at headquarters.
Aiden stepped outside his rented house into full sun and a clear sky. Climbing into his newly purchased used Chevy truck, he took a longer route to the café where he’d meet the sheriff for an early breakfast. His first day as a law enforcement officer instead of the bounty hunter he’d been for several years.
The restaurant the sheriff selected was a diner at the south end of town. Aiden had been told it was owned by Duggan’s aunt. The food filled their plates.
“I wanted to tell you a little about our department, Winters.” Duggan scooped another bite of eggs into his mouth, chewing absently as he washed the food down with coffee. “We’ve been contracted by the town of Brilliance to provide law enforcement services. There are twenty deputies who cover Riverdale County. Brilliance is the county seat, and where our main office is located. The area around this town is your main assignment, though you can be called to help out anywhere in the county. Which means, you’re expected to travel when asked.”
“Travel’s no problem. I’ll go wherever you need me.”
“Good. I have a couple deputies who balk at traveling away from their main location, especially in winter. Thankfully, both are retiring this year.” Garth smiled before taking several more sips of coffee. “My aunt does make the best coffee.”
“Better than Lydia’s?”
“Definitely. Lydia’s strength is her baking. Brilliance Coffee & Bakery is a great place, but the coffee isn’t the best.”
Aiden thought he was right but didn’t voice his vote. Swallowing the last of his coffee, he leaned back, waiting.
“Since you’re using your own vehicle, you get reimbursed for each mile. Cindy, in our office, will go over all this along with your health benefits. Any questions for me?”
Aiden asked a few, satisfied with the answers. “Will Cindy provide the additional equipment needed?”
