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His gaze roved lazily over her. “Before I met you, I did. Now I’ve got something else to live for.” He held out a hand to her.
She took it and allowed him to tug her closer.
“Or someone,” he husked in her ear.
She made a face at him. “Do I smell like sweat?”
He nuzzled her cheek. “What’s wrong with a little sweat?”
His cell phone buzzed. He reached for it, read it over her shoulder, and grew still.
She didn’t like his expression. “What’s wrong?”
He let out a heavy breath. “Gil’s wife just passed away.”
“Oh, Shep!” She hugged him tightly. “I’m so sorry.”
“Me, too.” He held her for a moment, just soaking her in. Then he dropped his arms. “I’d better get down to the police department pronto.”
She gave him some space. “Want me to come with you?”
“Want you to? Yeah. But his nephew, Wheeler, is on patrol this afternoon, so I’m gonna offer to cover his shift.”
Which meant he’d be on the clock.
“Let me know what I can do to help.” She waved a hand. “Groceries, restaurant run, anything.”
“Thanks.” His voice was bleak.
“Until I hear from you, be safe, deputy.” She stood on her tiptoes, intending to press a kiss to his check.
He turned his head and sealed his mouth over hers. It was like he was drawing strength from her, fortifying himself against what was coming.
When he broke off the kiss, his uncle was leaning on the porch railing, watching them with a smirk. “Still friends, I see,” he teased.
“Yep. Friends who kiss.” Shep winked at her. Then he soberly broke the tragic news to him. “Just found out Sheriff Remington’s wife passed.”
Uncle Caleb’s smirk disappeared. He straightened and limped closer, pausing at the stairs. “How about you drop me off at his place on your way to the station?”
Shep nodded and walked Prim to her car. “Take some Motrin and ice your sore muscles,” he instructed.
“I’m a P.A.,” she reminded. “I’ve got this.”
“I’d like to believe that.” He snorted. “But I think you’re used to taking care of everyone but yourself.”
Though she stuck her tongue out at him, she inwardly acknowledged it was nice to have someone looking after her for a change.
“Ice,” he repeated, “for the first twenty-four hours. You can swap it out for a heating pad after that.”
“Thanks, Dr. Deputy.” She stepped around the car door he was holding open for her and slid behind the wheel.
“I’ll send you the bill, darling.”
CHAPTER 5: MOUNTING QUESTIONS
Three days later
It was a somber procession of cars leading from the church to the cemetery. Shep and one of his fellow deputies, Lincoln Hudson, led the long line of cars with a pair of shiny white cruisers. They kept their lights flashing, but only sounded their sirens in small bursts at intersections.
