“Is your arm healed up? Is everything okay in Denver?”

He smiled at the anxious note in her voice. “Everything is fine. Quit worrying. I met someone. Someone I want to have a life with here.”

Lacey’s eyes sharpened. “Anyone I know?”

Seth shook his head. “No, and you aren’t going to run a background check on her, either. She’s says she’s not in any trouble, and I believe her. But there is definitely a lot of hurt in her past, and I don’t want to push her too hard. I have to tread a very delicate line with her—we all do.”

Lacey didn’t look happy with his decree. “So who is she?”

“Her name is Lily,” Seth said quietly. “And you should also know, because you’ll hear sooner or later, and I know I can count on your support, that Michael and Dillon are also involved with Lily.”

Lacey sat back again, her eyes round with shock. “Oh shit. Is this a joke?”

He shook his head.

“Well I’ll be damned,” she murmured. “I never would have imagined. It’s certainly worked well enough for your mother and your dads, so I guess you know it’s possible. But still… Damn.”

“Lacey, I’m sorry about Dan. Dad told me. How is he doing?”

Her expression crumbled for a moment before she smiled brightly. “He’s doing good. We’ve been driving back and forth to Denver so he can get treatment. I’d like to move there, though, because it’s wearing on him. Plus we have that place on the mountain and it’s become more than we can keep up. All the kids are gone, so it just makes sense to move ourselves.”

“If there’s ever anything I can do, you know all you have to do is ask.”

She reached across the desk to put her hand on his. “I know, Seth. And thank you.” Then she leaned back, all business again. “I’ve already spoken to the city council about the possibility of you taking over the job.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Well I had to prepare,” she said defensively. “No one wants to bring in an outsider. My deputies are young and too inexperienced to take over as sheriff, and Jimmy is too old. He just wants to get in another few years so he can take his retirement. If you want the job, it’s yours. The vote will just be a formality, but you already have them in your pocket.”

“How soon?” Seth asked quietly.

“As soon as you can fill out an application so it’s official. There’s paperwork to do and the council will hold a meeting where they vote. I figure we can have it done in a few days, and you can take over in two weeks’ time. That’ll give me enough time to hand in my resignation and get my ducks in a row.”

“I’ll be sad to see you go, Lacey.”

She smiled. “I’ll be back to visit. I’ll always consider this my town.”

Seth paused for a moment and then glanced back at her. “Do you think my…relationship…with Lily is going to cause problems with me in this job?”

Lacey leaned back and studied him for a moment. “I’ll be honest, Seth. I just don’t know. Most folks around here are familiar with your upbringing and your mom’s relationship with your fathers. There was a lot of talk when it became obvious all those years ago, but it quickly died down and people here tend to mind their own business. Your mom is dearly loved and your fathers are very well respected in the community.

“You’ll have a few folks who raise their eyebrows but most will take it in stride, but you just never know. My thought is, you keep quiet for now, finish my term and by the time you come up for re-election, let the chips fall where they may. If you do the job, I think that’s all that’s going to matter, and as I said, the people here really don’t want some hotshot from the outside to come in and take over the town. You’ll have two years to prove your mettle. Then you’re just going to have to let the voters decide.”

Seth nodded. “I guess you’re right. I’m not going to keep Lily as some dirty little secret, and I know my brothers will feel the same. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just have to find something else to do, even if it’s helping the dads out with their guide business.”

“Just do the job, Seth. Really that’s all you can do. And I have every confidence that you’ll win the support of the community in short order. You’ll have a few busybodies who’ll consider it their personal duty to stick their noses where they don’t belong, but fuck ’em. You don’t get to be sheriff here without alienating a few along the way. Nature of the job.”

Seth grinned. “Damn but I’m going to miss you, Lacey.”

Her office door opened and Linda stuck her head in. “Lacey, you’re needed over at old man Witherspoon’s place. Grundy’s dogs got out again and Witherspoon is raising hell and waving his shotgun around.”

Lacey sighed. “I’ll be right there.” She rose and walked around her desk but stopped to hug Seth. “I’m glad you’re coming home. I’ll feel a lot better about leaving if I know the town is in your hands.”

He hugged her back and felt the first tingle of excitement snake up his spine. His town. It had a nice ring to it. He knew everyone here. Had grown up a part of a tight-knit community. The idea that he’d come back home and have not only this job, but Lily… How quickly things changed. He found he didn’t mind one bit.

Chapter Seventeen

Michael pulled into Dillon’s drive and parked beside Seth’s truck. He was running late and it was nearly dark. It figured that on an evening when he was hoping like hell to get out early, he’d been flooded with last-minute “emergencies”.

He mounted the front steps, and not bothering to knock, he pushed open the front door. He was instantly flooded with the smell of good food. Whatever Dillon was cooking, Michael couldn’t wait to eat. His stomach rumbled as he glanced over to see Seth and Lily on the couch.

Seth was reclined on his side and Lily was nestled in his arms, her eyes closed as Seth stroked his hand up and down her hip. Michael didn’t want to wake or disturb her, but he wanted to be the one wrapped up with her.

As if sensing his presence, Lily stirred and opened her eyes. Her bleary gaze settled on him and her eyes widened in pleasure as recognition dawned.

“Michael,” she whispered.

She pushed herself upward and Seth caught her hand to help her. She was off the couch and hurrying for Michael in the next moment. Surprise and pleasure swept over him when she flew into his arms and hugged him fiercely.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said close to his ear. “I thought you weren’t coming.”

He brushed a short curl over her ear and kissed her temple, letting his lips linger there for a long second. It crushed him that she was here and so happy to see him. That she’d waited for him. Had worried he wasn’t coming.

“I wouldn’t miss it or you,” he murmured. “Sorry I’m late.”

“I see the doctor made it,” Dillon drawled from the kitchen door. “Why don’t you let Lily lie back down and you come help me a sec.”

Michael cast a wary glance in Dillon’s direction. When Dillon was in the kitchen, it was his domain. No one entered.

Dillon tossed his head toward the kitchen, and Michael leaned down to kiss Lily again.

“Go get comfortable. I’ll just be a minute.”

She clung to him a moment and returned his kiss before backing toward the couch. Michael stood long enough to see her settle next to Seth before he headed into the kitchen to see what was up with Dillon.

“Damn that smells good, whatever it is,” Michael said.

“Crawfish étouffée courtesy of the Cajun cooking show I watched last week,” Dillon said as he stirred the contents of the skillet. “It’ll be ready just as soon as the rice is done.”

Michael took a seat on one of the barstools and leaned on the granite countertop. He had to hand it to Dillon. It had taken him two years to build the place, but it was exquisitely crafted and looked high end and custom from top to bottom.

“So what’s up? You don’t ever let anyone into your kitchen when you’re cooking.”

Dillon cast a glance toward the doorway and stopped stirring. “You’re friends with Dr. Burton over at the clinic. Think you can pull some strings and get Lily an appointment ASAP?”

Michael frowned. “What’s going on? Is her arm worse? Damn it, I knew no one was taking it seriously enough.”

Dillon held up his hands. “Whoa. Slow down. Nothing’s wrong. She needs birth control.”

Michael’s mouth formed an O.

“She insisted I, or I guess we use condoms. She seemed stressed about the possibility of getting pregnant. I can’t say I blame her. She was worried because she doesn’t have insurance, or money for that matter.”

Michael swore under his breath. Dillon held up a hand again. “I took care of that. Told her we’d damn sure take care of her and we’d make sure she had everything she needs. I don’t want her stressed so I was hoping you could get her into the clinic quickly so we have that out of the way.”

“Yeah, I’ll make a call in the morning. Are you working tonight?”

“I was supposed to be behind the bar, but Callie’s covering and I have Kenneth pulling bouncer duty. I don’t want Callie mixing it up with any more customers. We’re lucky it was just a bunch of stupid college students and she didn’t get hurt.”

“I was hoping Seth could talk to her, but obviously we’ve been focused on Lily.”

“I’m not sure she’d talk to him anyway. She’s been tightlipped ever since she got home. I know she and Seth are tight, but Callie and I are buds and she shuts me down every time I start asking questions.”

“I wish to hell I knew what happened to her.”

“You and me both, bro.”

Dillon picked up the lid on the rice steamer and then let it fall shut again. He clapped his hands together and then hollered toward the living room, “Soups on!”

“Anyone ever tell you how subtle you are?” Michael asked.

Dillon grinned. “Subtlety is for pussies.”

The brothers looked up when Lily entered the kitchen with Seth right behind her. She offered both Dillon and Michael a tentative smile, and Michael reached his hand out to her.

When she took it, he pulled her onto the barstool next to him and wrapped his arm around her waist. He nuzzled against her temple, inhaling her sweet scent.

“I missed you today,” he whispered.

She turned and gifted him with a broad smile and then leaned her forehead to his. “I missed you too. I met your family. They’re all so great. You’re lucky to have them.”

“They’ll be your family too,” he pointed out.

Her eyes widened as if she hadn’t considered that aspect. There were equal parts fear and longing in her eyes. And then she smiled again. “I guess that makes me lucky too, then.”

“Break it up, you two,” Dillon grumbled as he plunked plates down in front of them. “Time to eat up.”

Seth pulled out the barstool on the other side of Lily and took his seat while Dillon finished fixing the plates. He took a seat on the end next to Seth.

“Dig in, guys. Hope it’s good.”

Lily took a bite and then let out a sound of pleasure. “It’s wonderful, Dillon. I think I could make myself sick on it.”

“It’s damn good,” Seth agreed. “It’s obvious you didn’t inherit Mom’s cooking ability.”

Michael snorted with laughter while Dillon grinned.

“I used to cook,” Lily said in a wistful tone. “I loved it.”

“My kitchen is your kitchen,” Dillon said. “And whatever’s in my pantry is yours anytime you want to fool around in here.”

Seth cleared his throat and everyone looked in his direction. “Speaking of kitchens and places. We need to talk about our arrangements. I spoke to Lacey today. I’ll be taking over her job in a couple of weeks as soon as all the paperwork is finalized.”

“Hey, that’s great,” Michael exclaimed.

Lily shot Seth a puzzled look. “You’re not going back to Denver?”

Seth smiled in her direction. “No. I’m taking the sheriff’s position here in Clyde. If we’re going to make this work, I can’t be in Denver. Michael and Dillon are both established here. It only makes sense that I make the move.”

“Which begs the question of where you’re going to stay,” Michael said. “For that matter, where we’re going to stay. Together.”

“Here,” Dillon said.

Lily looked like she had no idea what they were talking about. Michael put his hand over hers and squeezed reassuringly.

“It makes the most sense,” Dillon continued when no one responded. “It’s bigger than your place, Michael, and Seth doesn’t have a place here. There’s room for expansion, and most importantly, it’s private.”