That was fair, still I’d have stepped in again.
“You got a death wish?”
I did once.
His expression shifted, like I’d said that out loud. His mouth opened then closed. “I’ll watch him. You watch your back.”
That registered. The man seemed the type to hold a grudge. Probably wise to add an alarm system. “Graham and his crew will be at my place for the foreseeable future, but I’ll watch my back.”
He nodded.
He stepped from the door, held it open. I just reached it when he asked, “You ever talk about it?”
“Yeah, but some wounds don’t heal.”
I walked out, saw the man in the cage and the look he was giving me, and reached for my phone. I was across the street when I glanced back and saw Killian. He was watching me. I didn’t really know him, but he cared about this town, its people, and I was one of those people. He looked so much like the sheriff I imagined that first day, leaning against the porch rail, a throwback to the Wild West. I couldn’t stop myself from taking a picture, a few actually. He really was a sight. My attention shifted when a fancy car pulled up. It caught my attention because of the license plate…three-dollar signs. What a douche. Killian’s attention moved from me to whoever was driving. His expression never changed, but the stiff set of his shoulders suggested whoever it was, he wasn’t a big fan. I could have watched him all day, but knowing him, he’d ticket me for loitering. Now that I wasn’t riding on rage, confronting that animal had been really stupid. Killian was right. I needed to watch my back. I swallowed down the unease and went to check on Natalie and the dog.
I went fora walk, far enough from the house that I couldn’t see it. I looked around, taking it all in, because this was nature in its purest form. I caught sight of a family of deer, the buck keeping watch as the doe and fawn grazed on the tall grass. Butterflies danced around, the buzzing of bees drifting past my ears. Beehives, maybe I’d look into those, since bees were struggling, and I had enough land for hives.
I was pulled from my thoughts when I saw a figure in the distance. I wasn’t sure if he was real, or if my imagination was taking creative liberties. The sun was behind him, and all he was missing was a cowboy hat. As he grew closer, my stomach and heart tripped, because it was Killian…on horseback. I’d never given thought to a man on horseback, but realized I was missing out because the sight before me was what fantasies were made of.
He didn’t smile or wave, wasn’t his style, and it would have thrown off the appealing picture he made. He approached and then slowed his horse. He didn’t stay on his mount but climbed off with the ease of someone who rode a lot. I didn’t think it was consciously done when he ran his hand over his horse’s head, just natural, like his riding.
He had a way of looking at me, an intensity that stirred my blood. I hadn’t a clue what he was thinking and then his lips parted and I held my breath. “You lost?”
The moment was over. I couldn’t even complain, because that was so him. I chuckled before I said, “No, just taking a walk.” Then I asked, “Are you?”
It wasn’t technically a grin, that slight tip up of his lips, but humor flashed in his eyes. He didn’t answer. I hadn’t expected him to. I wasn’t sure who started walking first, but we walked, silently, his horse following behind us. I had thought it’d be uncomfortable, the silence, but it was peaceful, walking with him and knowing I wasn’t required to fill the silence because he preferred it. I didn’t know him well, but I knew that.
The sun had started to set when he walked me back to my house. He waited for me to open the door before he climbed back on his horse. “Lock your door,” he ordered.
He was going to think I was starting a stalker wall, but I had to get his picture, because the sight of him and his horse was pretty damn awesome.
He waited, and I knew he was waiting for me to do as he ordered, to close and lock my door. “Night, Sheriff.”
“Night.”
I peeked out the window and watched until I couldn’t see him anymore.
“Do you thinkthe fried onions are too much, or the horseradish?” Liam was pacing behind the counter. He was using me as a guinea pig with a new burger for the tavern.
“I love the fried onions and the horseradish.”
He stopped in front of me, dropping his hands on the bar. “And the egg?”
“It cools the horseradish. It’s delicious.”
He flashed me a smile. “I think so too.”
“You’re going to add this to the menu?” I asked, reaching for my wine and taking a sip.
“Yeah, gonna tell Killian first. Not that he cares, he leaves it all to me, but it is technically his place.”
Liam loved this bar. I’d only been here for three weeks, but it was clear that the tavern was all Liam, from the menu to the bands that played to karaoke night.
“I might be stepping over the line and if so, tell me to shut up, but have you ever thought about buying Killian out, because this place is all you from what I see?”
He leaned up against the counter while he dried the glasses he just washed. “Yeah. I’m working on it. Kill offered it to me, but I want to buy it.”