“Hi, Dev.” Anna returned the smile. “I’m here to check your sale rack, of course.”
“Of course.” Devora flashed a grin as she moved away from the mannequin to the sale rack. “And I have just the dress for you. It’s your size and a petite.”
In moments Anna was trying on a stunning black dress that hugged her curves and rose high on her thighs. She came out of the changing room to model the dress for Devora.
“Beautiful.” Devora clapped her hands and held them to her breastbone. “It was made for you, Anna.”
Anna turned around in front of the full-length mirror and looked over her shoulder to see how the dress looked from the back. It did fit her well. She imagined wearing the dress while out on a date with Mike and had to hold back a frown. She liked the thought of dating Mike, but what about Chandra? She loved her friend to death, but Chandra was staunchly loyal to Chad.
Devora cocked her head to the side. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Anna gave a bright smile. “I’ll take the dress. Got any new shoes that would go with this dress?”
“Right this way.” Devora gestured for Anna to follow her.
Anna padded across the carpeted floor as she followed Devora to the boutique’s shoe section. “Those are adorable.” Anna went straight to a pair of black heels with a single strap in front that went up the top of the foot to an ankle strap. The straps sparkled with crystals. “Freaking awesome.”
Devora laughed. “I thought of you when they came in.”
“You know me so well it’s scary.” Anna picked up one of the heels. “I’m guessing you have them in my size?”
“One pair, just for you.” Devora gave a nod toward the back room. “I’ll get them now and you can try them on.”
If they fit, Anna knew she’d be going home with at least a stunning new dress and killer pair of heels. Of course she’d have to check out jewelry, too.
I’m a junkie
, she thought as she held up the shoe.
Gotta have my fix.
Devora returned, carrying a bright pink box, and Anna sat on the nearby padded bench and slipped on the heels. She walked around in them, trying them out, and looking at them in the full-length mirror. The shoes fit perfectly and looked just as good with the dress as Anna had thought they would.
She still had time to kill so she tried on more dresses and more shoes. She ended up with the first dress and shoes, a pair of black slacks, and a black sweater with a silky black camisole. She tended to where a lot of black. She also found jewelry to go along with each outfit she’d purchased.
Over an hour after entering the store, Anna carried her purchases to the door. With a look over her shoulder, Anna said, “See you, Devora.”
Devora gave a wave. “Oh, I’d say within a week.”
“Yes, you know me far too well.” Anna looked at her packages and gave a rueful shake of her head. “See you then.”
Devora grinned and the bells at the top of the door jangled as Anna let herself out into the night.
Chapter 3
Shopping had been fun. Anna found shopping to be a nice escape from reality, like a good book was. Almost. She rationalized her purchases as important for her career, but truth was that she was a shopping addict, no two ways about it.
After stowing her packages in the back of her Honda, she climbed into the driver’s seat, started the car, and headed to Nectars to meet Mike.
She parked a little way down the street, behind a black SUV. Her heart raced a little faster as she stepped out of her car and pulled on a light wrap. She hitched her purse up on her shoulder and locked the vehicle before dropping her keys into an inner pocket of the purse. She took a deep breath, shored up her courage and her resolve, and headed toward the entrance of the upscale bar.
Nectars was next to the Hummingbird restaurant, where Mike had said he was having dinner. The owners of the Hummingbird also owned Nectars.
Darkness had settled over the town and Anna shivered. It was fall and cool out, especially in the evenings. She couldn’t complain though, the weather was gorgeous here compared to other states where it was already snowing.
Her courage faltered. What was she doing, meeting the sheriff for drinks? She stopped on the sidewalk for a moment and closed her eyes.
Why not?
she asked herself.
He’s a great guy.
When she opened her eyes again, she raised her chin and walked into the bar.
The interior was dim and she blinked a few times to get used to it. She let her gaze drift over the crowd before she spotted Mike, who was sitting at a high top and talking with a man Anna didn’t recognize. Mike had changed out of his uniform and was wearing a western-style blazer shirt with jeans and black boots. She wondered if he kept a change of clothes in his vehicle or if he’d gone home to change. Did he live in town or out? She mentally shook her head. Why did she care?
Mike glanced her way, smiled, and got to his feet. She straightened her shoulders and started toward Mike and the other man, butterflies tickling her belly. The sheriff was so damned handsome, with a rugged, larger-than-life presence. The man next to him wasn’t half bad at all, but as far as she was concerned, Mike was the best-looking man in the bar.
When she reached the table, Mike greeted her with a smile and took her hand between his. She liked the way it felt when he touched her—it made her feel pleasantly warm all over. He was at least a foot taller than her, but he didn’t make her feel small at all. She felt comfortable with him.
He gave her hand a squeeze before releasing her. He lightly touched her back as he turned to the other man. “Jayson, this is Anna Batista.” He turned to Anna. “Anna, this is one of my cousins, Jayson McBride. You may have seen his twin at the debate.”
“I thought you looked familiar.” Anna held out her hand and smiled at Jayson. “Great to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Jayson took her hand in a firm grip then released her. He turned to Mike. “I best be going.”
“Don’t leave on my account,” Anna said.
“I need to get back to the ranch. Just got a call that one of my fences is down.” Jayson nodded to Mike. “See you Sunday when I bring over that mare.”
“You bet,” Mike said.
Jayson touched the brim of his hat as he met Anna’s gaze. “Hope to see you around.”
She smiled. “Have a good evening.”
He gave another nod then turned and headed out the door.
Anna faced Mike.
“I hope you don’t mind sitting at a high top.” Mike pulled out a chair and took her hand as he helped her into her seat.
“This is perfect.” She settled in and hooked the strap of her purse on one side of her straight-backed chair. She slid out of her wrap and let it drape over the back of the seat beside her.
When Mike was seated in the chair on the opposite side of the table, he rested one forearm on the tabletop. Before either of them could say anything, a pretty server with bouncy blonde curls and a huge bust came up to the table. She was holding a tray with empty beer bottles and glasses in one hand.
The server smiled at Mike as she set a cocktail napkin in front of Anna. “What would you like to drink, sweetie?” she asked Anna.
“The house Chardonnay,” Anna replied.
“Another Blue Moon?” the server asked Mike.
“Yes.” He gave a nod. “Thanks, Rosie.”
“Love your shoes,” Rosie said to Anna with a smile, then glanced at Mike. “One Blue Moon and the house Chardonnay coming up.”
Anna smiled as Rosie headed off to the bar with the tray of empties held high. Anna turned and met Mike’s gaze. He was studying her as if he could see into the depths of her soul. As if he could learn every secret she held tightly to her heart.
Her stomach bottomed out. She shouldn’t be meeting with the sheriff, of all people. What had she been thinking? She hadn’t been thinking, that was the problem. What if he learned her secret?
Mike held her gaze. “You are a beautiful woman, Anna.”
Heat crept into her cheeks. “Thank you.”
“I’m glad you called because I’d like to get to know you.” His eyes were chocolate brown, so very beautiful, as he studied her. “What do you do for a living?”
“I’m an event planner.” She could handle this topic. “I plan events locally as well as in Flag and Phoenix.”
He gave a slow nod. “Do you have any kids? Any exes in the wings?”
“Not really.” She shook her head, her long, dark brown hair sliding over her shoulders. “No kids, never married, and no recent breakups or heartbreaks.”
“But there have been heartbreaks,” he said.
“It’s been a couple of years.” She clenched her fingers in her lap. “I don’t believe in regrets over past relationships.” She gave a light shrug. “Things are meant to happen for a reason and everything that happens is a stepping stone to what is meant to be.”
“I like the way you look at things,” he said. “You’re a positive individual.”
Most of the time
, she thought. “Tell me about you.”
“My life’s an open book.” He gave a little grin. “Part of being an elected official.”
She tilted her head to the side. “Isn’t that hard? People knowing almost everything about you?”
“Almost is a key word.” He leaned back as Rosie arrived and set drinks in front of them.
“Anything off the menu?” Rosie asked as she looked from Mike to Anna and back.
“Did you eat dinner?” Mike asked Anna.
She shook her head. “I’m fine, though.”
“I had a light dinner,” he said. “Why don’t we get the appetizer sampler?”
“Okay,” she said. “I could go for a little something.”
Rosie left and Anna took a sip of wine before she turned her attention back to Mike. “So, do you have any kids or exes?”
“Not a one.” He shook his head. “I’d like a couple, though.” He gave a quick grin. “I’d like a couple of kids, that is.” She thought she saw a flicker of more darkness in his eyes as he added, “Exes I do have, and I don’t need any more of those.”
A shiver ran down her spine. If she and Mike did get together, she might end up being one of those exes and cause darkness where there should only be light. There would be no way they could get into a relationship and him not find out eventually.
She really needed to get out of here.
What would it hurt to have a drink with this hot, sexy sheriff?
Mike was studying her again, looking as if he could read her thoughts. She gave him a bright smile. “How is your campaign going, Sheriff?”
“Call me Mike.” A smile was in his eyes as he set down his beer bottle. “As for my campaign, I think it could use a boost.”
She tilted her head to the side. “In what way?”
“I’m not much of a politician. I’d rather be out doing my job.” He looked thoughtful. “As much as I’m not crazy about campaigning, I need to get in touch with certain parts of the community.”
“What about doing a few meet and greets?” Her mind went through all of the possibilities she could think of and she laid out a few ideas for places he could visit and get in contact with the community. “I’d bet the papers would love more interviews as well.”
“They might love to interview me, but that’s one of my least favorite things.” He shook his head as he raised his beer bottle. “Of course, you’re probably right.”
Mike seemed keenly interested in her suggestions and asked her opinion on various aspects of his campaign.
“What about Halloween?” she asked. “You could do some safety promo for the kids in the schools.”
He considered it. “I like that idea.” He took a swig of his beer and set the bottle down. “Halloween’s always been a fun time for my family. I have an aunt who throws one hell of a party every year for the family, especially for the kids.” He shook his head. “And more kids keep sprouting up, as busy as this bunch has been.”
“How about a little media coverage for the party?” Anna tapped her manicured nails on the tabletop as she thought about it. “It would show that you might not be married, but you’re still a family man.”
“I’m not sure about bringing the family into it, but I think you’re on to something.” He gave a grin that was so sexy it made her skin tingle. “I’ll be happy to put you to work in PR if you’re willing to join my campaign.”
She looked at him in surprise. “You’re offering me a job?”
“Part-time if you’re available.” He gave a nod. “For what’s left of the campaign.”
Without really thinking about it, she said, “I’d love to.” She set her wine glass down and moved her hands to her lap. “I like to keep busy. I have a bit of a lull in my business right now. I’ll be swamped come November and December, after the election. Lots of Christmas parties and employer functions on the calendar.”
“Great.” He smiled. “Welcome aboard.”
Rosie arrived with the huge appetizer sample that included nachos, loaded potato skins, deep-fried and battered mozzarella cheese sticks, mushrooms and zucchini.
“Wow. This will be my indulgence for the week,” Anna said to Mike with a laugh.
He flashed her another grin. “Nothing like bar food to clog your arteries.”
Anna was grateful to be able to eat and let Mike do the talking for a while. She knew he’d ordered the platter for her since she hadn’t eaten dinner, but was glad that he ate a good amount. It was a hell of a lot of food.
To keep from talking too much about her own life, she asked him about his family and he shared things about his parents with her as well as stories about his brothers. She enjoyed listening to him, loved the sound of his voice. It mesmerized her, drew her in.
He told her that John was his brother by blood, and Reese and Garrett were his stepbrothers. Mike shared with her that he was as close to his stepbrothers as he was with his blood brother. All four of them were in some type of law enforcement. John was a police lieutenant with the Prescott Police Department but after his wedding would be retiring to ranch. Reese was a detective at the PPD as was his wife. Garrett was a PI with his own agency and his wife owned the local bakery.
Anna put her elbow on the table and her chin on her hand. “I don’t know which family is larger. The Johnsons or the McBrides.”
Mike gave a low laugh. “Now that’s a good question.”