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Cash held up his hand before Nick could reply. “Enough.” His stern voice did funny things to Nick’s insides. Maybe Cash could raise his libido from the dead faster than he’d hoped. The cock whisperer. “How about I voluntarily share all the data I have? I can transfer everything to a flash drive.”
Burke pushed back his chair and said, “Let’s go.”
“Go?” Cash asked.
“I want to see the files and setup with my own eyes,” Burke said. “That way no one can suggest I gave Tyler a free pass because of our friendship.”
Nick knew the sheriff was correct, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. Inspiration struck as Nick and Cash stood up too. “Do you mind giving Cash a ride to the ranch, Sheriff?”
“Of course not.”
Nick turned and met Cash’s curious gaze. He wanted to accomplish two things with his suggestion. First, Nick wanted to check the stores closest to the truck for security cameras, and then he wanted Burke to know he didn’t intimidate Nick in the least. “I’ll help Owen finish his errands, and we’ll meet you back at the ranch once you get Tyler out.”
Cash knew he was up to something but didn’t push. “Okay.”
And because he was a petty bitch, Nick kissed Cash softly before leaving the sheriff’s office.
Tyler looked like a whipped dog when a deputy escorted him to Burke’s office nearly two hours after Cash received Owen’s call. It had been one hundred and fifteen minutes of tension that Cash was eager to put behind him. The silent trip to the ranch with Burke had been pure hell. Cash kept waiting for him to ask about Nick or comment on his possessive display, but he’d said nothing. Somehow, that made the situation worse. Once at the ranch, Burke had been all business, which was the appropriate tone considering the situation. Cash just missed the friendly twinkle in his friend’s eyes and the easy camaraderie they felt in each other’s presence. But if he were honest, the easiness had dissipated each time Burke asked him out.
Cash should’ve been up front with Burke the first time it happened and admitted he was hung up on someone else. But Cash hadn’t been willing to admit it to himself, let alone to Burke. He thought he could bury his unrequited love in the basement of his soul through sheer willpower. Then said love showed up, threw open the door with a few words, and let all his feelings out. Cash had been foolish in so many ways. He just hoped it wasn’t too late to salvage his friendship with Burke. But he’d have to worry about that later. Tyler’s well-being came first. Though Ty didn’t wear cuffs or shackles, he moved as if he did. Dread and shame hung over him like a rain cloud, but Cash carried a big umbrella.
“Ty.” Cash gentled his gruff voice as best he could.
The younger guy snapped his head up and his eyes went wide with surprise. Had he not expected Cash to come to his aid? “I didn’t steal anything, boss.”
Cash crossed the room and placed both hands on Ty’s shoulders. “I know you didn’t. I’ve come to take you home.”
Tyler looked from Cash to Burke, then back. “You mean it? They’re not keeping me until my arraignment? You can deduct whatever bail money you paid from my paycheck,” Tyler added in a rush. “If that’s not good enough, I can call my folks and see if they’ll help.”
Cash pulled Tyler into his arms and hugged him tightly. The younger man stiffened for a few heartbeats before melting into his embrace. Ty released a muffled sob against Cash’s shoulder before pulling himself together and stepping back.
“There’s no bail to pay back and there won’t be an arraignment,” Cash said.
Thanks to Nick, Owen, and a certain feisty redhead who’d rallied the business owners on Main Street.
Cash’s compiled data impressed Burke, but he said it only proved the Redemption Ridge trucks weren’t nearby when the thefts occurred. He’d suggested that Tyler could’ve ridden there with someone else. Cash explained that Tyler went nowhere without Owen and vice versa. They weren’t close to anyone outside the ranch’s tight inner circle, and they didn’t own their own vehicles. Burke dismissed the logic and said he could charge Tyler with receiving stolen property. Cash had countered that Tyler didn’t need to purchase or receive stolen property because every tool he needed was available on the ranch. Both men had dug in their heels as tension rose between them until a young deputy alerted the sheriff to a problem in the lobby.
The problem turned out to be seven business owners from Main Street led by Hope. They were armed with security camera footage that painted a vivid picture and cleared Tyler of all charges. Judging by Ty’s reactions, he hadn’t known about his vindication when the deputy brought him to Burke’s office.
“Tyler.” Burke’s voice was authoritative as ever, but he’d softened the edges just the slightest bit.
The younger man turned to face the sheriff. Tyler’s spine stiffened and rapt attention replaced the hangdog expression from earlier. “Sir.” Cash wouldn’t have been surprised if Tyler had saluted Burke.
The sheriff gestured to the two chairs in front of his desk. Tyler took one, and Cash sat in the other. “You’ve been set up,” Burke explained.
Tyler’s eyes went wide again, and he bounced his gaze between Cash and the sheriff. “Me? I don’t know anyone who’d want to do that.”
But Cash did, though he didn’t know how he’d prove his suspicion.
“How do you know I was the target?” Tyler asked.
“Well, I can’t prove they were setting you up specifically,” Burke replied.
Cash realized the sheriff’s thoughts were following the same path as his, but he kept his mouth shut and let the man speak.
“I want to show you the footage from Main Street to see if you recognize the person who placed the stolen goods in the truck bed,” Burke said. “Mr. Sweeney already watched the clips and didn’t recognize the guy.”
Mr. Sweeney, huh? So that’s where they stood.
