Chapter 2

Chapter

Two

Sheriff Clint Coleville had a small team—two full-time deputies, two part-time, and one office assistant. Their county spanned a large geographical area, but it was Montana and most of the space was mountain range that only the most adventurous accessed. Search and Rescue out of Kalispell helped out if he had an issue in the mountains.

He didn’t need much help as he had his well-trained family to back him up in any major emergency, and he thrived on in turn helping his family with protection details. Currently, they had a mother and daughter at the ranch house who were being pursued by a violent ex-husband, and their good friend Lieutenant Paul Braven was protecting a world-acclaimed swimmer and staying in Miles’s cabin.

When dispatch put out a call from Lily Lillywhite’s address, he raced out of his house and for his truck, barely remembering his hat. Lily was still on the line, reporting a break-in at her home.

He pushed up and over the speed limit getting out of the small town and onto the highway. The dispatcher had also said Lily requested no sirens or lights. Why? Was the perp still there and she wanted him caught, not scared off?

He had no desire to call for anyone else’s help. He wanted Lily all to himself, had for years, but that wasn’t meant to be. No, he had to think what was best for Lily, and he could use the backup while searching her cabin.

If only he could call Easton or Walker, but this was official business and he didn’t want Walker asking Lily out as he gifted her with his slow, devastating smile. He told dispatch to call out his deputy, Mark Garrett.

Immediately his thoughts swung back to Lily. He’d tried to keep his distance from her, for years truly. The incredible moments they shared on the dock two years ago would be forever imprinted in his mind. He’d barely stopped himself from kissing her that night, and only because of his loyalty to Miles and Walker.

Walker had come to him fresh out of high school and quietly told him he had dibs if Miles ever broke up with Lily. Clint had almost laughed at that moment, but his younger brother had been dead serious. Walker had confided in Clint that he thought Lily was his future, but he was worried because he noticed her sneaking glances at Clint at church or community events. Clint had reassured Walker he had no designs on Miles’s girlfriend and if they broke up, Walker wouldn’t get any interference from him.

The problem was, from that moment on he started noticing a lot of things he hadn’t seen before. Lily did sneak glances at him. She was charitable, well-loved by everybody at church and in the community. She had a way of making a person feel special, was breathtakingly beautiful, and she made his heart skip a beat when their eyes met.

The harder he tried not to notice Lily, the more she caught his attention. He’d feared what would happen to his devotion to both his brothers if he ever touched her and he’d found out that summer night on the dock two years ago. He’d been one fish not jumping away from succumbing to his yearning for her.

The autumn after those enticing but conflicting moments with Lily and tearing his own heart out by telling her they were a ‘no’, he’d met the new teacher in town, Sheryl Dracon. He’d slowly warmed up to and then dated Sheryl. He’d eventually believed the benevolent teacher with the angelic face was the love of his life. He hadn’t dated much at all, so kissing and holding and being with Sheryl had been fun and exciting. Clint never did anything halfway. He gave his heart and soul to Sheryl, promising himself he’d love her for eternity and never look crosswise at Lily again.

The truth was he never would’ve pursued Sheryl if he could believe that Lily could be his, but he knew it was a ‘no’ just as he’d told her. He’d never seen two people as committed to each other as Lily and Miles had appeared at that point. He’d assumed Walker would have to move on. Years of long-distance dating and neither Miles nor Lily seemed to falter on their commitment. Except for those few moments Lily had melted into his arms and let him kiss her forehead, her temple, her cheek, and the side of her mouth. His chest got hot just thinking about those moments. He pushed the memories away.

Sheryl had revealed herself to be a two-timer and a liar. He should’ve seen the red flags his family saw, but he’d been too busy trying to believe Sheryl moving to town had been a gift from heaven and they were meant to be. Sheryl had also made him and his close friend Cade Miller battle, confused both of them, and now she was finally out of their lives. Cade was happily married to the vivacious and infamous Jacey Oliver and sadly they were in hiding from her father. Clint hated that he’d gotten so messed up with Sheryl and in his own mind. He didn’t trust his judgment with women, and he didn’t want to fight with a close friend or brother like he had with Cade.

If he could have Lily in his arms, could it heal all that mess? It didn’t matter, because he couldn’t have Lily in his arms. It was raw how he’d almost betrayed his own brother the last time she was in his arms and that had been two years ago. Nobody could accuse him of moving fast with women.

Miles had recently broken up with Lily and claimed they hadn’t had a healthy relationship in years. Lily might be Clint’s to protect tonight, but could she never be his to love. Walker had called dibs all those years ago and Clint had made a promise to respect it. Walker would make his play for Lily soon. Clint was surprised he hadn’t rushed to find her the day Miles had ended the relationship. He selfishly didn’t want Walker to win Lily’s heart, but he wouldn’t compete with or stand in his brother’s way. No way. No how.

His family was the rock in his life, and he wanted their happiness above his own. The tattoo of ‘Loyal’ on his right shoulder blade that he’d had inscribed after Sheryl dumped him two weeks from their wedding date was a pledge to them, to God, to the people of Coleville, and to the country he loved. Loyalty meant everything to him. Which horribly meant Lily was still off limits.

What if Walker took his shot and it didn’t work out? Maybe Clint’s dreams could then come true.

He raced toward her family’s ranch in his truck. The only thing that kept his stress level under control was believing her brother-in-law Bennett, the security guard for their philanthropic ranch, would be there with Lily. He liked and respected the ‘gentle giant’ Bennett and was reassured Lily would have someone keeping her safe until he got there. Especially if the perpetrator was still on the property. He selfishly wanted to swoop in and rescue her and hold her for a very long time. The memory of their near-kiss on the dock was never far from his mind.

He drove past the large ranch house, surprised that there were only scattered lights on and no activity. The ranch was far too quiet. What was going on? A break in at Lily’s should throw her parents and everyone into a tizzy.

Driving more slowly past the main house and the bunk houses, he headed to the south where he knew Lily and her sister Daisy had fixed up an older cabin set in the trees. Bennett and Rose’s new home was a half-mile to the north.

Pulling up next to Lily’s white Nissan Maxima, he looked at the house. The front porch light was on, the interior lights were on, and the door was ajar. Where was Lily?

He leaped out of his truck, easing out his Glock 22. Cautiously moving around his truck, he catalogued how quiet everything was. It was only eight-thirty but a dark, late-August evening with only a sliver of moon. There was no visible movement inside the house. His eyes darted to the shadows beyond the porch. Nothing.

A cow mooed in the distance, crickets chirped, and a soft breeze stirred the tree leaves. No human sounds or out-of-place movement.

A car door opened and he spun, raising his pistol.

“Clint,” Lily said in a voice that made his body fill with warmth. That voice said she needed him.

She got out of her car, the interior vehicle lights revealing her beautiful face and her long honey-blonde hair. She was wearing pink scrubs as if she’d just been at the hospital.

“Lily.” He held the gun down, pointed at the ground, and hurried to her side.

She dodged around her open car door and crashed into him, wrapping her arms around his lower back and leaning her head into his chest. Clint had to stay present and aware of the danger that could be pressing in, but Lily in his arms blew everything but the threat out of his brain.

Lily was safe and in his embrace. She smelled like the flower she was named after. There was no world where he could resist cuddling her close with his left arm while keeping a firm grip on his weapon with his right.

He ushered her more fully into his side, his hand finding the smooth curve of her waist and hip. The feel of her against him threatened to pull him into a happy world that only existed for him with Lily. But he couldn’t go there right now, or ever. He forced himself to keep cataloguing the area. Where was the intruder?

“Did you see someone?” he asked her, not seeing even a blip of movement.

“No.” She peered up at him and he wanted to get lost in her brown-sugar eyes. Especially because she was gazing at him with a hero worship that made his chest expand. “I came home from a shift and when I got to the front door, I noticed it was slightly ajar. I know I locked it when I left yesterday morning for a back-to-back shift. I pushed it open and turned on the lights and saw the poster.”

“Poster?”

“Yes.” Her voice quavered and her body trembled against his. He swore to himself then and there that nobody would hurt this woman. He’d gone to battle for her in his mind last week, sparring with Miles and calling him out for hurting Lily and falling in love with the famous actress, Eva Chevron. From what Miles explained, Lily had agreed it was time for them to break up. That made his heart soar, but he couldn’t ask Lily about it. That was Walker’s place. This was the closest they’d been in two years, and she was only clinging to him now because she was terrified.

“Do you want to tell me about it?”

“No.” She buried her head deeper in his chest. “He’s so gross.”

“He?” His neck tightened. Some idiot was after Lily?

“I doubt we’ll be able to prove anything.” She sighed and glanced up at him. “Forget I said anything.”

Clint’s eyes widened. He was surprised by the defeat in her voice. “Lily. I’m not really in the business of forgetting little details.” He held her gaze, hoping she’d confide in him. “You need to tell me who you suspect. It will help as we move forward with the investigation.”

“Sheriff?” Lily’s dad, Klein, called to them. “Everything all right?”

“Please.” Lily released her hands from around his back and grasped his shirt in her hands. She lowered her voice, her eyes frantic. “Please, I’ll tell you the name later, but don’t say anything to my dad.”

Don’t say anything to her dad? Something was upside down with Lily. The Lillywhites were as strong and loving a family as the Colevilles. Why wouldn’t she want her dad to know?

She pulled from his arms and they both turned to face her dad.

“Evenin’, Klein,” Clint said evenly. “Lily’s had a little …” What was he supposed to say? “Trouble.”

“No.” Lily shook her head and hurried to her dad, giving him a hug. “No trouble. Some friends from the hospital played a prank on me.” She gave a forced smile that nobody was going to buy. “I shouldn’t have called Clint, but you know what a great guy he is.” She smiled sweetly at him and Clint wanted to agree to anything she said. He had to get to the bottom of why she was lying to her dad.

Mark raced up to them in his patrol SUV with no lights or sirens. Lily looked close to crumpling. Mark’s arrival wasn’t backing up her story. Clint was tempted to not back up her story either, but he’d known Lily since they were toddlers and she was as honest as she was beautiful. He had to get to the bottom of this. What if that required spending a lot of time with her? He wouldn’t complain about that, and if it was in the line of duty, he couldn’t feel guilty about swooping in on his brother’s girl.

“Why is Deputy Garrett here, then?” Her dad’s brow wrinkled.

The beseeching in Lily’s eyes was too much for him. Thankfully, he could tell the truth. “I called him,” he said. “When I didn’t know what we were up against.”

Her dad nodded.

Mark jumped out of his SUV, hurrying over to them.

“Sorry, false alarm,” Lily said brightly. “So sorry to pull you from your family. How is that adorable Asher doing?”

Mark smiled. “Still talking about his ‘girlfriend’ Nurse Lily. Thank you for going to his school for career day.”

“Not a problem. He’s my favorite boyfriend, since the day he was born.” She smiled more naturally.

Clint had heard from Mark that Lily basically delivered Asher as the doctor hadn’t arrived in time.

“That little man is a charmer,” Klein said, pushing out his barrel chest. “Reminds me of myself back in the day.”

Clint watched the exchange and kept checking for someone escaping the house. What if the perp had gone out a back window and was halfway to safety while they sat here chatting?

“Klein. Will you stay with Lily while we check the house? Prank or not, we have to do a sweep if someone calls for help.” He gave Lily what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

She looked unsteady and he wished he could wrap her up again.

“Certainly, Sheriff. We all sure appreciate ya. But Lily, you should’ve called me or Bennett.”

“Well. You know Lily and I go way back.” Clint’s gaze searched hers. “I’m sure she was hoping for some alone time with her favorite sheriff.”

Her eyes widened, but she only smiled sweetly. “That’s exactly what I was hoping for.”

Her dad’s eyes lit up. Clint didn’t think Klein would mind swapping out one Coleville brother for another.

He was jumping way ahead of himself with that thought. It was Walker who planned to step into Miles’s place.

“Good,” he said. “After we check things out, you and I have a date.” He tipped his hat to her, hoping she knew he meant to get some answers. The idea of a date was far too alluring. He shouldn’t have used that term.

He turned before she could offer a rebuttal. “Mark. You scout around back and then come meet me inside.”

“Yes, sir.” Mark slid his pistol out and proceeded to the side of the house.

Clint held his Glock down, but the safety was off and he was ready for anything. Including the woman he’d always thought was loyal and honest to a fault hiding something huge from her family and maybe from him.

He scanned the walk and flower beds, the porch, and then he was at the front door. His gaze was captured by the poster over the fireplace mantle.

It’s time to choose, Lily Lillywhite.

Dump your boyfriend or I slit his throat.

We’re meant to be together.

I’m going to make you so happy.

His gut churned. He could understand why Lily said the man was ‘gross’. The poster was gross with weird undertones and the timing was intriguing. The regular media and social media had exploded today with photos and videos of Miles and Eva together. Was it connected? Miles had told him to watch out for Lily but swore he didn’t know what the actual threat was, only that Lily was uneasy about something.

What was Lily hiding from all of them? And what boyfriend was this guy threatening? Miles? Nobody was slitting his brother’s throat. Miles could defend himself, but Clint would let him know to watch his back.

Clint forced his gaze away from the poster and focused on the door. No sign of forced entry. So the perp had the key, was able to pick a lock, or had come in somewhere else. He searched the living room on the right and the kitchen on the left, then walked back toward the two bedrooms and the shared bath. Mark arrived. Clint took the bedroom on the right. It was obviously the bedroom Lily stayed in with a closet full of clothes, including some of the dresses he’d seen her in. He had to force his focus away from the bed and imagining Lily stretched on it, her golden hair spread across the pillow.

Hurrying out of the bedroom, he went through the bath as Mark searched the other bedroom. The bathroom smelled like her. Lilies. There was even a bottle of some ‘Lily’ perfume on the counter. He loved that smell.

Turning back to Mark, he lifted his free hand. “Nothing.”

“And she doesn’t want her dad to know about that poster, I’m assuming?”

He nodded. “It’s no prank. Something’s off.”

“Definitely. No sign of forced entry either.”

“Can you do a search of the property while I talk to Lily alone?” If anybody could find footprints or tire tracks at a large ranch with bunkhouses overflowing with refugees and families in need, it would be Mark. He was a born hunter and tracker. His side job was as a hunting tour guide.

“Sure thing.”

“Then bring in a fingerprint kit and a large evidence bag. We’ll see if the perp left us any clues.”

“All right.” Mark turned to go.

Clint followed him into the living room. He stopped and turned, sliding his Glock into the holster and pulling out his phone. He took a couple photos of the poster for evidence. It made his gut churn. Some idiot was threatening Lily and Miles. Wait. She didn’t have another boyfriend yet … right?

He walked out onto the small front porch. Lily waited next to her dad, leaning against his shoulder.

Their gazes collided and the vulnerability and need in her glance tugged at him.

It was time to get some answers out of Lily and reassure her he was the man she could trust. He’d keep her safe.

Any other desires had to be shelved.