LITMIR.BIZ

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Sheriff Hunter now.”

      The tall, handsome man in his khaki uniform stood as he took her hand. “Not for much longer. I’m retiring in another a few months. Nice to see you again, Mariah. It’s been a few years.”

      She was surprised that the former football star remembered her. “Yes it has. I’ve been living in the Phoenix area.”

      “Shane tells me you’re doing a good job of cleaning up his act.”

      “Well, what can I say? He needs it.” She sat down on the empty stool next to him.

      Nate laughed, reminding her so much of his younger brother. “Good luck. The family gave up on him years ago.”

      “Hey, I’m right here,” Shane called out. “Nate, don’t you have a job to do or a wife to go home to?”

      “Not at the moment.” Smiling, he turned back to Mariah. “I think things are a lot more interesting right here.”

      Shane hated how Nate was acting. Smiling at her and being so sickeningly sweet. The man was married. Just then a customer vacated the stool on the other side of Mariah, and Shane sat down.

      “Well, we have business to discuss, so get lost,” he said, hating his sudden possessiveness over Mariah.

      Mariah looked at him. “We don’t start work until seven. Since I’m here, how about some food?”

      “You want breakfast, I’ll get you breakfast,” Shane said as he waved and got the attention of the waitress.

      She hurried to the counter. “What can I get for you, Shane? More coffee?”

      He smiled back at the teenager. “That would be nice, Lisa, and Mariah, here, would like the breakfast special.”

      He glanced at Mariah and found she wasn’t happy that he’d ordered for her. She turned to the waitress. “I would like eggs scrambled hard and wheat toast.”

      After Lisa left, Nate and Mariah went back to their conversation, completely ignoring him. Seeing his brother’s sappy grin, he realized this was payback for all the times he’d flirted with Tori. Nate was wasting his time, he wasn’t interested in rekindling a relationship with his high school sweetheart. All he was interested in was them working amicably together.

      Shane caught Mariah’s reflection in the mirror against the wall. His gaze locked on her expressive emerald-green eyes, then lowered to her full mouth. His heart skipped as he glanced away. So what if the woman was a turn-on. That didn’t mean he had to do anything about it, did it?

      Just then Nate’s radio went off. He stood up to check the message. “Well, looks like I’m needed to help keep the peace. It was nice seeing you again, Mariah. I hope I get the chance to introduce you to my wife, Tori.”

      The waitress brought Mariah her breakfast. “I’d like that.”

      “Well, I’m out of here. ’Bye, bro,” Nate said as he smacked Shane on the back, then walked to the door in time to hold it for the customer coming in.

      Shane groaned as Betty Hunter stood at the doorway. His fifty-five-year-old mom showed off her trim figure in her gray running suit.

      Smiling, she made her way toward them. “Hello, Shane.” She kissed her son, then turned to Mariah.

      “Well, if it isn’t Mariah Easton.” Betty gripped both of the younger woman’s hands. “It’s been a long time.”

      “Hello, Mrs. Hunter. It’s nice to see you again.” Mariah’s gaze went over the older woman. “You look wonderful.”

      “Thank you, I try to stay in shape.” She glanced at Shane then back to Mariah. “I hear that you’re working with Shane.”

      “That’s right. I’m the project manager.”

      Betty smiled. “Isn’t that nice.”

      He could see the wheels turning in his mother’s head. “Mom, what are you doing downtown this early?”

      “I got bored and decided to change my running route.”

      “And you stopped by here because…” Shane nudged her.

      “Well, I saw Nate’s patrol car outside and I wanted to tell him that Emily is coming home this weekend.”

      Shane was surprised. “She’s flying in from L.A.? Just for the weekend?”

      None of the family had been happy that Emily had chosen to work in the movie industry. Not when that meant she’d relocated to Los Angeles after college. “Maybe she’s come to her senses and is moving home.”

      Betty frowned. “No. She’s not giving up on her career. But she said she’s got some good news for us. So Tori and I are planning a barbecue at the Double H Saturday.”

      Shane knew his sister leaned toward the dramatic. Everything had to be a big production. “Why can’t she just tell us at the house?” Shane tried to squelch his irritation. He’d planned on putting in some extra time at the site during the weekend. “Besides, Nate always ropes me into some work at the ranch.”

      “Not this time. It’s strictly a party.” His mother glanced toward the kitchen and waved to Sam Price, the owner of the café. “I’m going to invite Sam and ask him to bring his coleslaw.” His mother looked at Mariah. “Oh, and Mariah, we’d love to have you to come, too.”

      Caught by surprise, Mariah stopped with a forkful of eggs midway to her mouth. “Oh, Mrs. Hunter, thank you, but I can’t intrude on family.”

      “Nonsense, you could never intrude. And I’m sure Shane would love to show off the work he’s done on the ranch house. Please, I know for a fact that Emily is bringing someone with her.”

      Great, now she was getting coupled with Shane. She couldn’t look at him, but she wondered how he was handling this. “Thank you, I’ll think about it.”

      “Mom will get her way,” Shane began. “So you might as well agree to come now.”

      Mariah laid down her fork. She couldn’t swallow anything past the lump in her throat. She smiled at Mrs. Hunter. “Okay, I’ll drive out.”

      “There’s no need,” Shane spoke up again. “I’ll take you.”

      Before Mariah could argue, Sam came out of the kitchen and greeted Betty.

      “Hey, stranger,” he said to Shane. “I haven’t seen you in a while.”

      “I’ve been sitting right here for the past thirty minutes.”

      “I guess I wasn’t looking.” Sam turned to Mariah. “I’d rather look at my pretty customer. Hi, Mariah. I heard you were back in town.”

      “Hi, Sam.” She smiled at the older man with the thinning gray hair and stocky build. He hadn’t changed in years. “You look just the same.”

      “Holding my own. It’s harder to keep up with the kids. They don’t all like my taste in music.”

      Mariah knew the old jukebox only had fifties and sixties classic rock ‘n’ roll records. Sam had probably taught most boys in Haven how to dance. “Well, I’m still a fan.”

      “Good. I also hear you’ve got the tough job of keeping this guy in line.”

      Shane glanced over his shoulder. “Is there a sign on my back that says Pick on Me?”

      The group laughed. “We’ve never needed a sign,” Sam said, and folded his arms. “So what brings you in this morning?”

      “Breakfast,” Shane offered.

      “Well, I’ve got to go,” Betty announced as she touched Sam’s arm and walked away.

      Shane had thought for a long time that there might be feelings between his mom and Sam. Not that they ever acted

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