Chapter 6

6

It was embarrassing to admit, but Candace hadn't really thought about what her life would be like as the new Miss Crittenden County. Now that she was almost two weeks in, she was starting to wish that she'd thought a whole lot more about what her duties would entail.

Not that she would've done anything differently. When her mother had suggested she participate, Candace thought it might be a good idea. She'd always liked doing good works and volunteering in the community. In addition, the scholarship money would help pay for some additional college courses. Of course, she'd also wanted to make her mother happy. Oh, it wasn't like her mom had raised her to think that she had to be a winner or pretty or even particularly talented—she wasn't like that. But her mom would've been disappointed if she hadn't given it a try.

Now, though, Candace decided that it didn't really matter what everyone else wanted her to do. She was the one wearing a dress, heels, a tiara, and a sash across her chest. She was the one smiling at a bunch of strangers in ninety-degree heat during the Thursday afternoon ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new auto parts store.

Her feet hurt, sweat was trickling down her back, and some kid had just smeared mustard on the skirt of her dress. Today was almost a carbon copy of the event she'd done two days ago, except that was a mattress store, and a little girl with chocolate on her face had stained her pink lace dress.

The only other difference was this time she was accompanied by Ryan Mulaney, Marion's newest police officer. She'd tried to pretend that she hadn't noticed him when he appeared at the store's entrance, but he was hard to miss. Tall and muscular, with black hair, brown eyes, and a strong jaw, he looked like he'd probably played basketball or football—or both—in school. He strode to her side. "You doing okay there, Candace?"

She couldn't get enough of his northern accent. Rumor had it he was from Connecticut and had moved down to Kentucky because he wanted a change of pace. A slower life. All she knew was that he was gorgeous. "Of course," she said at last. It wasn't exactly the truth, but he didn't need to know that.

Still looking at her with concern, he said slowly, "I'm not sure if you're aware of what my job is today."

"Obviously you're here to help with the grand opening."

Still studying her intently, Ryan shook his head. "Well, I'll help here if I'm needed, though I think we can be honest that there's not many people here to look at new hubcaps or car wash kits. Most everyone is here to see you."

She blushed. She didn't want to display false modesty, but his blunt statement seemed a bit over the top. "Maybe."

"I'm going to be spending the day with you. You're going to the hospital next, yeah?"

She nodded. "And after that, I'll be visiting a nursing home out in Tolu."

He scowled. "I have no idea why they booked you to all three places in one day, each one forty-five minutes from the other."

She fought a smile. "Well, the ‘they' who booked my schedule would be me. And the reason I did it is because I have some things to get done before August."

"Ah."

She appreciated that he didn't give her a hard time. "Thanks for saying hello, but don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

"I didn't come over here to check on you." After a brief pause, he added, "Candace, I wanted to let you know that I'd like to drive you today."

"Why?" Even she knew that the police department didn't have officers to spare for such piddly things.

"You being Miss Crittenden County isn't reason enough?"

"No."

Almost smiling, he said, "To be honest, there are two other reasons I'm coming with you."

"What are they?"

"You're the perfect reason for me to meet more people around here. You know, make connections? If I'm with you, our citizens' first impression of me isn't going to be associated with trouble."

"I guess that makes sense. What's the other?"

"Your recent visit to the police station. The chief thinks my being with you might deter this guy as well."

Relief filled her. They were taking her worries seriously at last.

"Not everyone is too keen on getting friendly with a northerner cop," he added.

Chuck Stark, the owner of the new store, waved as he approached. "Candace, we've got a number of people here to see you. Are you ready to sign some photos and pose for pictures?"

"Yes, sir."

Chuck looked at Ryan. "I didn't recognize you out of uniform. Then I noticed the badge clipped to your belt. You're our new officer, right?"

"Yes, sir." He held out a hand. "Ryan Mulaney."

"Heard you're from up north."

"Connecticut."

"And you're here for the opening?"

"Yes, but I'm here for Candace too."

When Chuck's eyebrows raised, Candace said, "Officer Mulaney very kindly offered to give me a hand. I have three events in different parts of the county today."

Chuck whistled low. "That's a lot of territory."

"By the time I finish, it'll be dark," Candace said.

And just like that, Chuck's expression eased. "Good thinking. No telling what could happen to a young woman on the road by herself."

A chill went through her.

Until Ryan lightly pressed a hand to the middle of her back. "Are you ready to meet everyone?" he asked in a low tone.

Pure relief filled her, which kind of didn't make sense. How could a man she'd just met create such a feeling of security?

Just as quickly, she tamped down her silly thoughts. Of course, she would feel that way about him. He was a cop, and she had a stalker. She was feeling vulnerable, even though she seemed to be the only person in the state who felt she had a right to be.

"Candace?"

"Sorry." She flashed her best smile at him. "I am."

For the next two hours she smiled with little girls, signed glossy photos, and talked about her dress, her shoes, and the tiara on her head. Then, to her dismay—and Ryan's amusement—Chuck asked her to pose for pictures holding spark plugs and car wax. Luckily for her, Ryan had asked her about the time of the next event, factored in time for the drive and a lunch break, and then told Chuck that she was going to need to leave.

When they got to his SUV, he helped her into the passenger seat, stowed her bag in the back, and then headed for the hospital.

It felt almost like a date except it wasn't. Candace didn't know Ryan, he didn't know her, and it seemed they were both benefiting from each other's standing in the community. Or it could be that she had simply grown suspicious thanks to her stalker's presence in her life.

As he sped down the highway, she figured they might as well make conversation. "So, how long have you been in town?"

"Three weeks."

"What do you think of southwestern Kentucky?"

"It's different than what I expected, but I like it."

"Really?" Even though she hadn't been too many other places, she loved her small town and wanted other people to love it too. Even a cop from a big city on the East Coast.

He chuckled. "Yeah, really."

"Well, in that case, I'm glad. It's nice to have another officer on the police force."

"Why do you say that?"

His attention was pointed. Like he was looking for a specific answer. She realized that he had no idea about what had happened with Peter Miller. The right thing to do would be to tell him about it. He was from the big city. Women got assaulted all the time—or at least the news sure made it sound like they were. But here in their area, it had been shocking.

It still was.

But did she want to be the person who relayed it to him? No way. It was too difficult to speak about. Every time she thought about how it had affected her cousin, she wanted to cry.

Selfishly, she realized that she was glad Ryan probably didn't know about what happened to Bethanne. It was kind of nice being around someone who wasn't asking her about the "real" story of what happened. Around Ryan, it was almost as if it had never happened.

Which would be a blessing.

Sure, keeping him in the dark was wrong, but he'd find out about Bethanne before long and connect the dots to her.

That's why she gave the reply that she did. She shrugged and said, "It just is."

Ryan didn't back off. "Sorry, but no one says something like that without a reason."

Not only had his attention sharpened, but his accent became more pronounced. It was disconcerting and reminded her that he wasn't just an attractive man who was offering her a ride. Wariness consumed her. She inhaled and stayed silent. Half waiting for him to pressure her.

When he spoke again, his voice was slow and measured. "You don't have to tell me a thing, but I'm just saying that it's obvious to me that there was a reason you said that."

"You're right," she said at last. "It's personal, though. So I'm going to take you at your word and not talk about it anymore."

"You're serious."

"Deadly," she said.

Sure, that sounded over the top and a bit dramatic, but she couldn't deny her feelings.

Right then and there she realized just how guarded she'd become. She didn't protect herself the way Bethanne did, but she had built her own walls.

Focusing on the two-lane road, Ryan didn't speak for several moments. Amid the passing trees and hilly, vacant farmland, they'd been the only ones on the road for miles. So much so that when a commercial truck sped past, the sound was jarring.

"Candace Evans, I'm beginning to think you are far more than just a pretty face."

She smiled. "Thank you." He'd never know it, but that was one of the sweetest compliments she'd ever received.