Page 13 of The Cowboy Comes Home

“They wanted me to know about the big favor you did for them last night.”

She smiled. “It wasn’t that big. Just helped change a tire.”

“And saved Mr. Keppler from panicking.”

“He was a little edgy,” she admitted.

“Mrs. Keppler also told me you were scrupulous about cleaning the glass she’d run over out of the street.”

She hadn’t realized the woman had even been aware of that. She gave a half-shrug. “Didn’t seem smart to leave it so we’d have more flat-tire incidents. And if somebody was moving a little too fast, it could get nastier than just a flat where they were able to pull off the road safely.”

Chief Highwater leaned back in his chair, smiling at her. “And that,” he said, “is why I’m glad you’re here, Emily. Helping after the fact when necessary, and prevention when you can. Even when you’re off duty,” he added with an even wider smile and a steady gaze from dark blue eyes.

Darker even than Tucker Culhane’s.

She blinked, and gave herself an inward shake. What on earth had made her think that? She didn’t generally go around comparing men’s eyes. “That was more of a…a neighborly thing.”

“Yet handled like the aware officer you are.” As if he’d somehow known where her mind had gone a moment ago, her boss went on. “I got another thank you this morning. From one of our newer, more famous residents. Jackson Thorpe.”

Her brain made that leap immediately. His son, outside the school yesterday. When Lobo had scared the bullies off.

The day she’d met that same Tucker Culhane.

“He asked me to thank you for looking out for his son.”

She drew back slightly. “He called you to thank me?”

The chief smiled. “I think he wanted me to know one of my officers had his gratitude. I’m guessing he learned a bit about politics out there in Hollywood.”

“And he thinks it works the same way here?”

“All things considered, I think we can forgive him for that.”

She thought of the stories she’d seen about the horrible crash that had taken the wife he, by all appearances and accounts, had adored. Thorpe had not been linked to any woman in the years since, a small miracle in that world.

And now he was well and thoroughly linked to Nic Baylor, and on his way to becoming a true Last Stander.

“Yes,” she agreed quietly, “all things considered.”

“He said you should feel free to stop by any time. That Jeremy liked you and was curious about Lobo here.”

“Maybe I will,” she said. “I’ve never really checked out what they’re doing there, with the therapy horses.”

The chief nodded. “In both cases, well done, Emily.”

The praise coming from the man she admired above all others made her smile, and her “Thank you,” was heartfelt. Then, taking the chance to run a plan by the chief, she said, “I’d like to make a point of being there when the summer class lets out, whenever I can. Those two kids are trying to be a problem, and I’d like to convince them it’s not worth it.”

“Did you recognize them?”

“No. I’m thinking they’re transplants as well. They had a big-city sort of look to them.”

The chief nodded. “Good idea, then. Show them what worked in the city won’t work in Last Stand.”

“Exactly my thought.”

Her boss nodded. Then smiled, widely. “As you were, Officer Stratton. Thanks for stopping by.”

She smiled back at him, and risked a tease. “Good luck with the mayor.”

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