Almost Heaven. Jillian Hart

uh, in the back room.”

      There was no back room. Cameron appreciated Frank’s efforts, though, as the deputy disappeared into the storage closet, where they kept their coats and their spare office supplies.

      That Frank was quick on the uptake. He saw right off that Kendra was the kind of woman a man wanted to be alone with instead of making small talk while other people watched.

      “I hear your sister had her baby. A girl.” Cameron held the plate out, offering her a cookie.

      Kendra shook her head, declining the offer. “I have another beautiful niece. I’m pretty lucky, being an aunt. It’s much better than being a parent, because I get all the snuggles and fun and I get to buy presents, but I don’t have the sleepless nights and all the work that goes with it.”

      “Sounds like a good deal.” Cameron wondered at the false brightness he saw on Kendra’s face. A face that had small crinkles in the corners of her eyes, marks of character that he found attractive. Hers was not a face of sleek, artificial beauty, and a light within him flickered to life. “I’m glad to know Karen and her new baby are fine. Your other sister is expecting soon, isn’t she?”

      “Yes, in a few months. We have a lot of blessings to be thankful for in my family. And speaking of blessings, thank you again for help with the tire.” Her sincerity shone soul-deep. “If these cookies aren’t enough, I can bring by another batch sometime.”

      “This is more than enough.” He’d never tasted a more delicious cookie. He’d never seen a more beautiful woman. There was so much to respect about Kendra, he didn’t know where to begin, but if he made a list of all her attributes, it would be a long one.

      She was certainly showing good manners in thanking him for helping her. After all, he’d told her he wouldn’t be averse to receiving baked goods if she wanted to repay him, but she’d actually come. That said a lot about her.

      He’d definitely go with her stables, if he decided he could afford a horse. That was a big question he needed an answer to if he was going to go any further with this notion of his.

      “You have a good day, now.” She was backing toward the door.

      There was no time like the present while he had her here, even if she was halfway out the door. “Say, Kendra.”

      She hesitated, one hand on her black-rimmed sunglasses perched on the top of her head. She crooked one eyebrow in question.

      He didn’t wait for her to speak—or to escape. “I want to board my horse out at your place. Except there’s one small catch.”

      “What’s that?”

      “I don’t have a horse.”

      “Right. I remember you told me.” A hint of a smile played along her soft mouth. “How are you going to board a horse you don’t have at my place?”

      “That’s where you come in. I thought with your extensive horse knowledge combined with the fact that you don’t want to lose my business to your competition—”

      “Isn’t that like extortion or something?”

      “Sure, but I’m the law and I don’t mind a little extortion if it gets me what I need.”

      Kendra couldn’t help it. He made her laugh. Who knew the serious and capable town sheriff had a sense of humor? “I guess when the criminals are in charge, what’s a poor business owner to do? How can I help?”

      “I’ve looked in the classifieds and there seem to be plenty of horses for sale, but I don’t know where to start. I don’t know a thing about them. What’s the difference between a quarter horse and a paint? Which is better? The prices seem to range from a hundred bucks to tens of thousands of dollars. I’m lost. I need help.”

      “I guess I’d better lend a hand, if I want to get your business.”

      “I knew you’d see things my way. I’d hate to have to tail you through town and ticket you under false pretenses until you cooperate.”

      “That would be a real bother.”

      So that’s why he’d been acting friendlier than usual. He’d been too embarrassed to ask outright for help. Men were so funny. All ego and pride.

      She wouldn’t mind helping him at all, even if he didn’t want to board at her stable. In this world, horse people had to help each other out.

      “Why don’t you come out to the stables this weekend sometime? Give me a call first, and I’ll show you around the place and introduce you to different types of horses. We’ll see what you like, and then you’ll be able to figure out what you need. Then you can get an idea of cost.”

      “Sounds great. I’ll do that.”

      “Good. You do know how to ride, don’t you?”

      “Uh, well, no. I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I’ve always wanted to ride.”

      “You’re going to love it, don’t worry. You’re about to take the first step on a great adventure.” She lit up, the way she’d been in the hospital’s gift shop, all gentle radiance and happiness. “There is nothing like owning a horse. You’ll see.”

      The first step on a great adventure, huh?

      He closed the door and watched while she strolled toward her pickup parked neatly and legally along the curb. She was like sunshine and he felt that way whenever he looked at her. As if she brought light to the dark corners of his life. Warmth to the cold and lonely places.

      Stunned, he didn’t move a muscle. Just stood watching Kendra’s green pickup pull out into the street, blinker flashing. What was that he just experienced? He didn’t know, but he thought he liked it.

      The hinges squealed as the closet door opened. “Is the coast clear?”

      Cameron winced. He’d forgotten about Frank hiding out in the closet. “Sure, man. Come on out. She’s gone.”

      “With your heart, by the looks of it.” Frank stole another cookie. “She sure can bake. That’s a decent trait in a woman. If you can trust one of them enough to marry.”

      “Marry her? Whoa. I helped her with a trailer tire.”

      “Whatever. I’m not gonna argue with you. But a woman like that, she’s what? She’s got to be over thirty. She’s got that riding stable east of town, doesn’t she?”

      “I heard something like that.”

      “Careful, man. She’s the kind that’ll break your heart. Believe me. She’s not looking for a husband. She’s not the soft, gentle kind of female that needs a man.”

      “Oh, yes she is.” Cameron knew something about Kendra that Frank didn’t. What no one else in this town knew.

      He well remembered the night when lightning had split the old willow tree in the town park. The fire department had been fighting to contain the blaze that was threatening the entire downtown. Power had been out all the way to Bozeman.

      It was also the night he’d responded to a 911 call to a house near the railroad tracks in town.

      He’d never forgotten that night. He suspected Kendra hadn’t, either.

      “It’s about time you started dating again.”

      “Hi to you, too, Gramma.” Kendra carefully laid her fragile, newborn niece down in her pretty well-appointed crib. “I’m not dating again.”

      “Then you’re thinking about dating.” Gramma eased to a stop at the railing.

      “Not even thinking about it.”

      “Well, you should be. It’s time, my dear. It’s taken you a long while getting over Jerrod. You really must have loved him.”

      Kendra’s throat ached at the