Page 14 of Forbidden Ride
“Well, as a matter of fact, I do.”
“Oh, good,” the sheriff says sarcastically. “Can’t wait to hear it, but I’d like to look around first.” He tips his chin, giving William a threatening glare. “You have a problem with me coming inside?”
“Sheriff Jackson,” I pipe up, straightening so he can see me on the couch.
He narrows his eyes and frowns. “You okay, Jenny?”
“Yep. Just fine and dandy. All in one piece.”
“If you’re being held against your will, Jenny, speak up. There won’t be a problem here. I’ll get you out nice and easy, won’t I, William?”
Why the hell would the sheriff say that?
“Of course, if Jenny wants to leave—”
“No. I’m good, sheriff. Promise,” I say as nonchalantly as possible. I run a hand through my hair, trying to smooth it. “I was just on my way to our cabin. You know, it’s right up the road. And I, um, I got into a skid last night in all the snow. I went off the road and down the embankment, but William rescued me.”
Sheriff Gunner turns, suspiciously looking William over.
“He came out with his flashlight and dug me out of the truck. The snow was all the way up my door. He brought me right here and... and... protected me from frostbite.”
Sheriff Gunner flicks his gaze from William and back to me. “You sure you’re not being forced to say that, Jenny? Is anyone back there with you on that couch?” He reaches for his holster.
Forced? Huh?What is happening here? This whole situation is starting to give me the creeps.
“No, no, I’m fine. Just the kitty here.” I raise the cat up so he can see her. “See, we’re all good.”
“Well I’d feel a lot better if I could see you stand up on your two feet and come out from around that couch. Will you do that for me, Jenny?”
“Sure.” Why on earth is Sheriff Gunner acting like this? He has me so nervous my hands are shaking. I place kitty down at the other end of the couch. “No problem.”
“Your brothers are worried sick. They were expecting a call from you once you reached your cabin. I told them the power’s out up here and the cell tower’s down, but they didn’t care.”
I sigh and stand up, coming out from around the couch. Sheriff Gunner zeros in on my baggy sweatpants. “Um, my clothes, um, got really wet from the snow.”
“Uh-huh.” Sheriff Gunner nods, keeping his hand over his holster.
“So as you can see, Jenny is perfectly fi—”
“Did I ask you to speak?” he practically spits at William.
“There’s no problem here, sheriff. I swear to God,” I quickly offer, hoping to defuse whatever the hell is going on between those two. I hold my hands out and wave. “See? Fit as a fiddle.”
I almost see the light bulb go off in Sheriff Gunner’s head as it finally dawns on him that I might actuallyenjoybeing here with William. He shrugs, finally removing his hand from his holster.
“I see.” He checks William again. “Well, in that case...” He sighs. “I guess it’s a good thing you’re here, Jenny. You could’ve died from hypothermia. You’re not going to be able to get your car out of that ravine until the storm moves out.” He clears his throat. “I barely made it up here myself.”
“Thank you for coming out to look for me, sheriff.” I bat my eyes sweetly. “But as you can see, I’m okay. Maybe you could let Chase, Shane, or Ryder know. Just call one and he’ll get the word out to the rest.”
“Will do.” He shrugs past William. “If anything changes, Jenny, if you can get a call out I can be back here in a flash.
“That won’t be necessary. I promise.”
