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“Your dad is an amazing human being,” Cody mentioned.
Lassiter smiled. “Yes, he is, and so is my mother. And my baby sister,” he added, sighing. “She’s a skip tracer.”
“That’s a job I could never do,” Cody confessed.
Lassiter chuckled. “Me, neither,” he agreed. “I prefer something a little more up close and personal.”
“I’d like a little up close and personal with Mr. Grant,” Cody muttered.
“So would the authorities in Denver. Don’t sweat it. We can deliver the goods on him, and we will. The boom is about to fall.” He cocked his head. “Make sure you don’t mention anything about it just yet. We don’t want him to run.”
Cody remembered the jailer and what he’d told him. “I’ll make sure all the bases are covered,” he promised, “which reminds me, about my jailer.” He proceeded to ask for some information about the man whom he’d hired recently, but about whom he knew nothing. And he added some information about the unexpected seizure and the drug panel that he was supposed to have information on later that day.
“I’ll take care of it,” Lassiter assured him. And Cody knew that he would. Now that Abby had made her feelings clear, he no longer had any worries about Lassiter stealing his girl. Jeb, now, he thought with a tinge of humor, might not be so lucky.
THEMINUTELASSITERLEFT, Cody was on his way back to the detention center. He found the jailer and pulled him to one side. “Don’t forget what I told you. If Miss Whatley calls her brother, tell her he can’t come to the phone, take the message, and call me. And don’t repeat this to anybody. Not until I tell you, face to face, that it’s okay.”
The jailer nodded. “And then?” he asked hopefully.
“And then you’re going to have some really juicy gossip to pass along,” he promised with a grin. “And maybe a patrol job with it.”
The jailer’s face brightened. “Really?”
“Really. I know watching the jail is boring work. But we’ve got a patrol deputy nearing retirement, and he’s already asked for the job.”
“It isn’t even Christmas,” the jailer said with a long sigh. He grinned from ear to ear. “I didn’t hear a word you said, Sheriff,” he promised. “And I have never seen you before in my life,” he added solemnly, with his hand over his heart.
Cody burst out laughing as he went out the door. But he sobered as he climbed into the patrol car. It was important to act natural, to treat the jailer as if nothing was going on. Lassiter was digging around. Pretty soon, they might know more than they anticipated on the friendly jailer. A lot more.
ITWASTHEFOLLOWINGSunday and Hannah and Abby were making chicken and dumplings. Cody gave himself the afternoon off and lay on the rug in the living room with Lucy and Snow, watching the puppy’s antics with pure joy in his face.
“Isn’t she just the most beautiful puppy on earth?” Lucy sighed. “We could never have a pet where we lived before,” she said sadly. “Mama wanted a cat, but it was against the rules for us to have one in the apartment.” Her face was sad. “Sheriff Banks, do you think my mommy and daddy went to heaven?” she worried.
“Of course they did,” he said gently, and he smiled. “Your aunt says they were wonderful people.”
She smiled. “I remember them, but it was a long time ago.”
“I’m sure your aunt has photographs of them,” he pointed out.
“They make her sad,” she confessed, “so I haven’t asked her if I could see them.”
“We’ll work on that,” he said. “Don’t worry about it, okay?”
“Okay.” She went to him and hugged him. “I’m glad you come to see us.”
He hugged her back. “I’m glad, too,” he said. “I don’t have any family left, except for cousins.”
“We don’t have anybody at all,” Lucy said. “Just each other. And you,” she added shyly and with a smile.
His heart jumped when she said that. It lightened his mood. He chuckled. “Thanks.”
Her eyes asked a question.
“It’s nice to have family,” he explained.
“Oh.” She grinned.
“What’s this, about family?” Abby teased as she came to the doorway with a towel in her hands.
