“Close enough to keep us on our toes.” She hoped he didn’t pursue the subject of drugs or anything that would lead to questions about her last job.
“See, I’d take snow over chasing drug dealers or cartel honchos any day,” he said with a grin.
Grace relaxed. “You have an excellent point.”
“Now, I heard you were part of a joint task force with the DEA and Tucson PD. Is that right?”
Her heart sank. Being as truthful as possible was her best bet. “Briefly,” she said, wondering if she was being set up. Had Roy pretended to befriend her to dig for dirt? Or was he just curious? “When the cartels switched routes to ship the drugs north, some of the outlying counties were forced to become involved. We were one of the lucky winners.”
Roy frowned, shaking his head. “That’s rough. I mean, you don’t sign up for that horse pucky, and all of a sudden, it’s on your doorstep. Bet you were glad to leave that crap behind.”
Grace smiled. There was no cunning plot to uncover her past. The guy was simply trying to make conversation.
Her cell rang. She saw it was Clarence and hesitated, not sure she wanted to answer. Though he’d find her eventually.
The second she said, “Hello, Mayor, what can I do for you?” she realized she’d made a face, and that Roy had seen it.
* * *
THE WATERING HOLE was crowded for a Sunday evening, every wobbly table and mismatched chair taken. Grace suspected Rachel’s friends had something to do with the abundance of cowboys sidled up to the old mahogany bar or playing pool in the back room. Katy and the other two bridesmaids were there. So was another woman Grace recognized from the party. The four of them were having a fine time flirting and dancing.
Grace felt badly for occupying a table for forty minutes. But she’d stupidly expected Clarence to show up at 6:30 p.m. like he’d promised. Meeting here hadn’t even been her idea. He’d claimed he wanted her to meet a couple of his friends and, trying to be cordial, she agreed.
Now she was thinking it might’ve been a ploy to force her to get out and mingle with the townsfolk. She had no problem with that since she wanted to get to know people. But in her own good time. In fact, she’d visited The Watering Hole twice already. The drinks were cheap, the people friendly, the decor quaint, but of course, the atmosphere was nothing like the neighborhood bar she’d frequented with her cop buddies in Tucson. The reminder that her life had changed forever depressed her.
On the upside, she liked Sadie, the older woman who owned the place. Most of the area’s hired hands dropped by at some point during the week, and they all knew better than to break one of her rules. It was awesome how she’d get a rabble-rouser to tuck his tail with just a single look.
Grace returned the smile of a good-looking blond cowboy sitting two tables down, eyeing her. If it turned out he couldn’t tell the difference between a friendly smile and a flirty one, she wasn’t worried. He’d cool off the moment he found out she was the new deputy. It had worked like a charm so far.
Taking a sip of her now-warm beer, she waited impatiently for Nikki to deliver pitchers to the pool players. Grace wanted to catch her so she could pay her tab and take off.
The door opened and she glanced over, hoping it wasn’t her uncle. Ben strolled in, pausing, his gaze sweeping the bar. Grace looked down and took another gulp of the disgusting beer. She’d be foolish to think he wouldn’t see her. Even so, he’d most likely ignore her. She’d done something very stupid...stopping Trace and not giving him a ticket...Ben had to have heard...
“It’s Ben!”
Rachel’s friends had perked up. Good. They wouldn’t leave him alone for long.
Chancing a peek, Grace watched Ben head straight to the bar. He spoke with Sadie, his back to everyone. Damn, but the man knew how to wear a pair of jeans. The denim hugged his long legs and butt as though they might’ve been tailored for him. Even the plain black T-shirt stretching across his broad shoulders seemed anything but ordinary.
She wondered if he’d ever wanted to act instead of do someone else’s stunts. He certainly had the looks. But he’d also need the acting chops.
Digging into her pocket for money, she found lip balm and her room key. She tried the other pocket, deciding she needed to get more organized or start carrying a purse. Like that would happen. Finally she pulled out some bills and found a ten.
“Excuse me, ma’am.”
She looked up.
It was the blond guy who’d been watching her. He smiled and touched the brim of his hat. “If you aren’t expecting anyone, I’d sure like to join you.”
“The lady’s waiting for me.” Ben set a frosty mug in front of her, his steady gaze and faint smile daring her to contradict him.
Her mouth opened, but she couldn’t think of anything fast enough.
The cowboy nodded at Ben, then returned to his table. Ben pulled out the chair across from her and sat down with his beer.
She raised her brows at him. “What makes you think I’m not expecting someone?”
“Sadie said you’ve been sitting here for quite a while.”
Figures. Grace looked toward the back. Nikki was taking forever. “Actually, I was just leaving.”
“You can’t have one beer with me?”
At his brusque tone, Grace stiffened. “Sure,” she said and met his detached gaze. She had the feeling her earlier error in judgment was about to take a bite out of her. Not that she had to explain herself to him. Damned if she’d do that.
BEN HAD SWORN he’d keep his cool when he saw Grace again. But he hadn’t expected it to be this soon after his visit with his mother. The whole time he’d been at the Sundance with her, she’d been doing something for someone. Filling a thermos, making sandwiches, keeping the floor swept. She never forgot she was the McAllisters’ maid even as she asked him questions, while avoiding his with a laugh or a wave of her hand. It made him want to run and never turn back.
And now he was looking at another reminder of where he was in the pecking order. Grace was already friends with the McAllisters and probably hadn’t said two words to his mom.
Okay, maybe Grace was different, but he wouldn’t bet on it. Already she was giving the family preferential treatment.
Still, she looked great in a plain button-down red shirt and jeans, though he wished she’d left her hair down.
He wondered who’d stood her up. “I heard you stopped Trace.”
“I did.” She took an unhurried sip of beer. “Thanks for this, by the way.”
“My pleasure.” He kept his voice even and waited for her to offer an explanation. Obviously, it wasn’t going to happen. “I’m curious about something...”
“What’s that?”
“Why is it that Trace received a warning, but I got a ticket?”
“You would’ve preferred I wrote up your friend?”
“Nice try.”
Grace sighed. “What do you want me to say? I won’t apologize for doing my job.”
“See, that’s the thing...I would’ve expected you to be more consistent.” He saw the moment she realized he’d pushed her into a corner. She blinked and glanced away. “And frankly, more fair.”
Her gaze shot back to him. “I don’t give locals a pass and zing out-of-towners, if that’s what you’re implying.”
“You