Page 68 of Valor

Her steps were slow, and her breathing strained, but she made it into the building. The rush of warm air as he opened the door made her sigh. That had to be the best sound he’d heard all day.

“How did I escape getting bitten by a rattlesnake, falling down the rock faces, and stumbling over the uneven terrain, but I managed to get shot?”

The nurse laughed. “Obviously, your sense of humor wasn’t damaged. I think I can clean this, put some liquid stitches on, and send you on your way. I would like you to go see your regular physician in the next twenty-four hours though, just to make sure everything looks fine.”

Heather agreed and remained still on an office chair while the ranger disinfected her wound, then used what looked like super glue over the gash. It dried much quicker than he’d expected, and her color started returning quickly.

“Thank you. I don’t think I could’ve waited another hour,” Heather said to the nurse.

The woman went over to a nearby sink and turned on only the hot water. “You might have been in worse shape, maybe not. I’m glad I was able to help. George sent two guys to the place you met up with the shooter. We hope to get this taken care of by nightfall.”

Somehow, he doubted it. Whoever these men were, they were one step ahead. He brushed her forehead with his thumb. “No worry lines. We’ll find your dad. I’ll get us back to Wall to meet up with Rod, then we’ll make an appointment with your doctor.” So he was planning her life now? He had to stop.

“And should I plan anything else while I’m at it?” She scowled at him.

“Rest.” The ranger frowned. “I know you want to find your dad, but even a little blood loss forces the body to work harder to replenish it.”

He gave a weak grin, knowing Heather was right about the orders he’d given. “I have a town meeting later tonight. You can rest at the cabin while I go see what the town knows and what they think of the new zoning initiative.”

Heather rolled her eyes. “My home will be classified as residential at that meeting, so I’ll have to find a new location for my office. Dad was talking about it constantly. He’s been angry they would consider restricting the zoning now, after so many years, so I need to be there.”

He didn’t want her there. Her safety was already an issue and that meeting would be full of people.

“That zoning pertains to me,” she insisted.

That environment wouldn’t be safe. “There will be tons of people there.”

Slowly, she rolled her sleeve back down over the wound and stood. “If it passes, I’ll have to move or find a new office.”

“Your zone isn’t even the biggest question. It’s the field a few miles out of town. Some farmers want it for pastureland. It went into set-aside in the eighties and the farmer passed away. His family wanted the land to stay grassland, but a few people have filed a petition to force a sale.” Even though he worked for the government, he hated the idea of people using government loopholes to get what they wanted at the expense of others.

“There are people on the zoning commission who thought it would be a good idea to add everything to the measure they could. Maybe that land should be left alone? If it’s been in that family’s name for so long, why does anyone else get to say what it should be used for?”

Allen leaned against a nearby desk. She expected him to get angry since she was questioning the people who ran the town, which included him, but he wasn’t. His voice remained calm and his expression relaxed. “Would it surprise you to know I’m on your side? Wall is and always will be a small town. It’s a place where most people own their homes. They have to drive a long way to work. The business district is small and close-knit. Farmers and ranchers have owned their land for a very long time. I understand.”

“You do?” She stood to look him in the eye. “Really, or are you saying that because I need to trust you?”

Allen snorted outwardly, but inside he pumped his fist. “I don’t lie. Not intentionally, anyway.”

“Have you lied to me unintentionally?” she kept her voice low.

He was the sheriff, and there were people around. He had to protect his reputation. “No. Not you personally. I was speaking generally.” He turned away from her to give himself space.

“So, we’d better leave if we’re going to have enough time to make it to your office, then to my house. Will you have anyone else there, just in case?”

“The feds aren’t enough?” He snorted as he helped her back into her coat.

“I didn’t mean?—”

Allen held up his hand to stop her. “I was joking. Yes, you’re absolutely right. I’ll have an unmarked car parked outside to keep an eye on your house. I’m not taking any chances.”

* * *

At Allen’s desk,Heather focused on drawing. He’d given her some copy paper to doodle on to come up with a sketch of the man who’d chased her. The paper was less than perfect, the lighting horrible, but her mind was her worst enemy of all. Every time she closed her eyes, she would get a brief glimpse of the man but it would quickly fade.

Frustration with herself made her set the pencil down and massage the tender skin of her eyelids. She had to do this. For Dad. He needed her to remember the guy’s face. Maybe she did too. He wasn’t going to quit until he had her and the thumb drive. After that, she was as expendable as the two guys who’d been killed in Rapid City.

There were too many things warring for her attention. That was hugely invasive, too. Her missing father, the man threatening her, losing the comfort of her own home, and sudden feelings for a man she was supposed to implicitly dislike for more than one reason.

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