Wanted: Mom And Me

By Kayla Daniels

She would do anything to protect her child .

ELISE GRANT HAD A SECRET

In dusty Tumbleweed, Arizona, a single mom and her daughter wouldn't draw much attention or so Elise hoped. But she hadn't bargained on a chance encounter with the sexy and single local sheriff. Cole Hardesty's intense blue gaze made her pulse race in a way that had nothing to do with fear.

COLE HARDESTY HAD AN OBLIGATION

Keeping tabs on the mysterious Ms. Grant was Cole's official responsibility and his guilty pleasure. But the haunted beauty aroused a fierce longing he couldn't dare satisfy. Because if Elise got too close, she might suspect the truth and run again. And this time, Cole intended to keep her within arm's reach .

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: Jul 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781460874172

Book preview

Chapter 1

Mom, look out!

Her daughter’s warning cry registered on Elise’s consciousness the same instant she spotted the long-eared, short-legged, puppy come bounding out into the road directly ahead of them.

In the space of an adrenaline-speeded heartbeat, Elise stomped on the brake, wrenched the steering wheel to the right and sent up an urgent prayer that by some miracle she could avoid hitting the poor animal.

The screech of rubber against asphalt filled the air as the rear end of the car slewed sideways. All the rules she’d ever read about controlling a skid raced frantically through Elise’s brain, but everything happened so fast, it was all over before she had a chance to put them into practice.

The car veered off the pavement, skidded across the gravel shoulder and launched itself headfirst into the ditch. At the last second, Elise flung out her arm to shield Kelsey from the impact—a purely instinctive reaction, since her daughter was safely buckled into the passenger seat.

The car came to an abrupt bone-jarring, teeth-rattling halt. The engine coughed and sputtered bravely for a few seconds, then stalled. As the dust settled, an eerie silence descended. The only sounds Elise could hear were the tick of cooling metal and the wild thumping of her own heart.

She scrambled sideways in her crazily canted seat. Peach, are you okay? she managed to croak out. Her throat felt parched with anxiety and shock.

Wow, Mom. Kelsey’s sage green eyes were as wide as the surrounding desert. You wrecked the car.

Elise skimmed her hands over Kelsey’s body, searching for bumps, bruises or broken bones. The relief that flooded her when she found no sign of injury was indescribable.

Kelsey unbuckled her seat belt and twisted around to peer back over the top of her seat. What about the puppy? Do you think we hit the puppy?

I...don’t know. I don’t think so. Elise’s voice was starting to return to normal. Now that her fear was receding, annoyance was creeping in to take its place. Annoyance at people who let their pets run loose where they could get hurt or killed.

Or cause accidents.

And as soon as she located the dog’s owner, she intended to give him a good piece of her—

Darn it.

Elise struggled futilely with the door handle, but the force of the impact had wedged the door shut somehow. She blew an exasperated stream of air through her bangs. Sliding as far away from the door as possible, she proceeded to hurl herself against it with as much momentum as she could muster.

Ow! She rubbed her sore shoulder. Looks like we’ll both have to crawl out your side, Peach.

Kelsey was still gazing back toward the road. I’m pretty sure that dog was a basset hound, don’t you think so, Mom?

I’m afraid I didn’t have much of a chance to identify—

If we hit him, can we take him to the vet?

Of course, but the first thing we need to do is get out of this—

That’s what I want to be when I grow up. A veterinarian.

Yes, I know. Could you please try opening your door?

Okay. Due to the vehicle’s cockeyed angle, Kelsey had to strain a little to push open the door. I hope we didn’t hit him. But if he’s hurt, maybe I could tie a turkey net on him.

I think you mean tourniquet. And it’s not safe to get close to an injured animal. If he’s scared or hurt, he might bite. Elise wriggled past the gearshift, crawled on hands and knees over the upward-tilting passenger seat and jumped down to the ground next to her daughter.

"He wouldn’t bite me," Kelsey said with that unshakable confidence only an eight-year-old is capable of.

Yes, well, you’re not going to have the chance to find out. Elise gnawed her lower lip in dismay as she inspected the damage to their car.

I don’t see him, Kelsey said, scrambling up the side of the ditch. Maybe we didn’t hit him after all.

Kelsey! Elise called sharply. You stay right here by the car!

Aw, Mom... But she obviously recognized the no-nonsense tone in her mother’s voice, even though Elise rarely had occasion to use it. Kelsey spread her arms like the wings of an airplane and came zooming back down the sandy slope, golden braids streaming out behind her like twin contrails. She braked to a halt at her mother’s side. Boy, the front of the car’s sure smashed in, huh?

Elise nodded bleakly, absently stroking the top of Kelsey’s head. Fixing such extensive damage was going to take a sizable chomp out of her dwindling savings. To make matters worse, she needed the car to get to work.

Despair made her shoulders sag. Just when it had seemed like things were going smoothly at last...

Yoo-hoo! Are you all right? A heavyset, gray-haired woman came bustling toward them from the house across the road.

We’re fine, thank you, Elise called.

The woman waited for a car to pass before she hurried across the pavement, her apron flapping in the breeze. "I was right in the middle of watching ‘Oprah’ when I heard this awful screech, she said. Then I peeked out my living room window and saw your car in the ditch. She paused on the gravel shoulder to push her dislodged spectacles back up the bridge of her nose. Oh, dear, she said, frowning as she got a better look at the situation. You’re most likely going to need a tow truck, aren’t you?"

Elise sighed. ’Fraid so.

Well, just as long as you and your little girl aren’t hurt, that’s the important thing.

Or the puppy, either, Kelsey piped up.

Puppy? Bewilderment etched a few new lines across the elderly woman’s forehead.

Elise’s eyes narrowed with the first stirrings of suspicion. You don’t by any chance own a dog, do you?

A basset hound, Kelsey chimed in helpfully.

Dear me, no. The woman shook her tightly permed curls emphatically. "Why, my Chester would never put up with having a dog around."

I see. Chester sounded like a real Prince Charming. "Well, do you and your husband know anyone in the neighborhood who does own a dog?"

Husband? The woman blinked in confusion.

Chester, Elise said patiently, wondering if perhaps the woman wasn’t a few pegs shy of a cribbage game.

Sudden laughter burbled from her throat. Oh, Chester’s not my husband, dear. I’m a widow.

Then...

Chester’s my cat.

Oh. Embarrassed, Elise summoned a weak smile.

Chester’s owner beamed back at her and extended a quavering hand. Dear me, I haven’t even introduced myself. I’m Doris Applegate.

Elise clasped the aged fingers gently. My name is Elise Grant, and this is my daughter, Kelsey. We were just on our way home from school, when... She gestured unhappily at her car. Now she saw that the driver’s door was wedged right next to the side of the ditch, which explained why she hadn’t been able to open it.

Mrs. Applegate’s eyes twinkled with curiosity. You live out on Saguaro Road, isn’t that right?

It no longer surprised Elise that a complete stranger would know where she lived. Since moving to Tumbleweed, Arizona, six months ago, she’d discovered there were very few secrets in a town of four thousand people. And anyone new in the community was bound to be the focus of much speculation and gossip.

Still, this reminder of how closely people took notice of Kelsey and her came as a nasty jolt. That’s right, Elise replied, injecting a false note of cheerfulness into her voice.

"Well, I’m delighted to meet both of you, although not, of course, under these particular circumstances." Mrs. Applegate pursed her lips sympathetically and tsk-tsked at the sight of Elise’s car.

Can I see your cat? Kelsey asked.

Kelsey! Elise shrugged helplessly. I’m sorry. She’s nuts about animals.

Mrs. Applegate chuckled. That’s quite all right, dear. She folded her hands over her apron and bent down to address Kelsey. Of course you can meet Chester, although I can’t promise he’ll come when he’s called. He’s quite the wanderer, that one, and he only comes home when he’s good and ready.

Mom? Can I go see him?

Elise dreaded having to say no. She knew she was overprotective where Kelsey was concerned, that this instinct never to let her daughter out of her sight was unhealthy.

Having nearly lost Kelsey once, how could she take even the tiniest risk of endangering her child again?

Elise decided to stall. Mrs. Applegate, would it be too much of an imposition if I asked to use your phone to call a tow truck?

Oh, there’s no need to do that. The sheriff can radio for one.

Alarm touched Elise with one icy fingertip. The sheriff?

Or one of his deputies, whoever shows up.

Elise fought to keep her voice steady. But how would—

Didn’t I mention it? I dialed 911 to report the accident as soon as I saw your car in the ditch.

Icy fingers tiptoed up Elise’s spine.

If we were within city limits, Mrs. Applegate explained, the police would handle it. But here on the outskirts of town, we come under the county’s jurisdiction. The sheriff’s department said they’d send someone right away. She craned her neck to peer up and down the highway. I can’t imagine what’s taking them so long.

Now icy dread spread its arms, threatening to seize Elise in its clutches. Dear Lord, this was turning into a worse disaster by the minute!

Stay calm, she warned herself. Think clearly. Get a grip.

After all, this was only a minor traffic accident. Purely routine. No reason for anyone to get suspicious.

Still, no reason to take chances, either.

Peach, why don’t you go with Mrs. Applegate to see her cat? Elise suggested, hoping her uneasiness wasn’t audible in her voice. I’ll wait here for the sheriff.

Oh, God, please let it be some young, inexperienced deputy, some dumb kid just out of high school...

The thin wail of a distant siren reached Elise’s ears.

Apparently Mrs. Applegate hadn’t heard it yet. Thank you so much for taking Kelsey to see your cat, Elise said quickly. She adores animals—in fact, she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. I know she really appreciates your taking the trouble to show her your cat, don’t you, Kelsey? The siren grew louder. Elise’s babbling grew a little more frantic. Go on, Peach. Go see the cat. And take your time.

Please, please, let this be one of those occasions when good old wandering Chester doesn’t feel like coming home just yet....

Kelsey cocked her head to one side, tugging doubtfully on a braid and staring at Elise as if she suspected her mother had taken leave of her senses.

Go on. Have fun! Elise was sending a furious stream of telepathic messages in her daughter’s direction, but obviously they weren’t reaching their intended destination.

I think I’ll just stay here with you, Mom, Kelsey said slowly.

Mrs. Applegate perked up her ears. Oh, I think I hear the sheriff coming.

Don’t you want to see the cat? Elise practically shoved her precious daughter up out of the ditch and onto the shoulder of the road.

Yeah, but—

"Oh, come on. Five seconds ago you couldn’t wait to see the cat. Mrs. Applegate’s waiting to take you. For heaven’s sake, Kelsey, go...see...the cat."

Finally, one of those unspoken messages must have gotten through. Kelsey hesitated. She was only eight years old, but she was bright enough to know that sending her off alone with a total stranger was definitely aberrant behavior on her mother’s part.

She studied Elise’s face for a moment, and whatever she saw there finally made her decide. Well...okay. If you’re sure it’s all right.

I’m sure. Now Elise could see lights flashing on the sheriff’s car as it cruised toward them down the road, cutting arrow-straight through cactus-studded landscape. It was perhaps half a mile away.

Elise grasped Kelsey’s shoulders, turned her around and gave her bottom an affectionate, urgent swat. Scoot!

Mrs. Applegate took Kelsey’s hand as they prepared to cross the road. We won’t be long, she called cheerfully back over her shoulder.

No hurry, Elise shouted after them, blessing the existence of Chester the Cat. Now, if only he could keep Kelsey occupied and out of sight until this rapidly approaching representative of local law enforcement was gone.

Elise’s worried gaze followed her daughter up Mrs. Applegate’s front walk. Kelsey had shot up like a weed during the last six months, until she was almost the tallest girl in her third-grade class. Watching her now, Elise felt as if she were seeing her daughter through someone else’s eyes. She noted wistfully how all traces of baby fat had vanished, and marveled at the strength and vitality coursing through those long, lanky, constantly moving limbs.

Kelsey’s braids danced up and down her back as she skipped alongside Mrs. Applegate—bombarding her with questions, no doubt. Elise’s heart contracted in a spasm of love so powerful it made her dizzy. There was nothing on earth she wouldn’t do to protect her child.

Nothing.

With mingled anxiety and relief, she watched Mrs. Applegate’s front door close behind them just as a white sedan sporting the green emblem of the Creosote County Sheriff’s Department pulled up.

The driver veered over to park facing traffic on the shoulder where Elise waited. Gravel scrunched beneath his tires. The siren lowered in pitch, faded, died. Elise’s heart began to pound.

Just act natural, she commanded herself. For heaven’s sake, he’s not about to fax your description to the FBI over some minor fender bender!

Not unless you act like you have something to hide, that is.

The emergency lights continued to flash as the driver climbed out of the cruiser, settling his official hat on his head. Despite her nervousness, Elise managed to absorb an amazing number of details about his appearance.

He was tall—six foot one or two, probably. Jet black hair, neatly trimmed. Square jaw, cleanly shaven. Broad shoulders that tested the seams of his tan uniform, and a flat stomach smoothly belted into trousers with perfectly ironed, knife-blade creases.

His dark, metal-rimmed sunglasses concealed his eyes, making him seem even more ominous to Elise in her current jittery state. He angled a brief glance down at her wrecked vehicle as he touched the brim of his hat by way of greeting. His first words were, You okay?

Yes. Thank you. Sir. Officer. Good going, Elise. Make him suspect you must have crashed while driving the getaway car from a liquor-store heist or something.

She took a deep breath, but it didn’t help. Only made her feel even more light-headed, in fact.

He glanced up from the spiral notebook where he’d apparently been jotting down her license plate number. I’m Sheriff Cole Hardesty, he said. And your name is...? He held his pen poised above a page in his notebook.

Terrific. Just her luck that none other than the sheriff himself would respond to the call about her accident.

Elise Grant. God, she sounded as breathless as if she’d just run a marathon!

He tipped his hat again. Pleasure to meet you, ma’am. Address? He sounded all business.

Elise watched him write down her name and address. His fingernails were blunt, close-cropped, clean. He had big, tanned hands with a light sprinkling of dark hair on the backs. Strong hands. Capable hands. Elise wondered what it might be like to feel those hands...

Snapping handcuffs around her wrists.

For God’s sake, try to keep your wits about you, she scolded herself. Remember what’s at stake here.

At the thought of potential danger to Kelsey, Elise’s protective maternal instincts took over, restoring some measure of outward calm to her frazzled demeanor. She was able to answer the sheriff’s questions about the accident without sounding like some unstable escapee from a lunatic asylum.

So, you say you swerved to miss hitting a dog, is that correct?

Yes.

See any sign of the dog after the accident?

No.

Scribble, scribble went his pen. Elise couldn’t help noticing the man was really rather good-looking. Sort of a young Clint Eastwood type. Handsome, terse, impassive. He’d probably be a downright dreamboat, in fact, if he ever smiled. Which didn’t seem likely.

Now, you said this dog might have been a basset hound—is that right?

That’s what my da—I mean, I think so. I only got a brief glimpse of it when it first darted into the road. Elise swallowed. She’d been so careful to avoid mentioning Kelsey’s existence, and here she’d just come close to blowing it.

The sheriff made a three-hundred-sixty-degree survey of their surroundings, as if to confirm for himself that the canine perpetrator was no longer in the vicinity. Elise took the opportunity to secretly study her adversary a little further.

His profile could have been carved out of desert sandstone. His features were rugged, strong, all hard angles and flat planes. His skin had had more than a passing acquaintance with the intense sunlight and dry wind of southern Arizona. From the side, Elise could see behind his sunglasses a little. Judging by the crinkles gathered at the corners of his eyes, she put his age at three or four years older than her own thirty-two.

He projected an air of self-assurance, of patience, of a man confident of his ability to do the job and willing to take the time to do it right. As he scanned the scene of Elise’s accident, he came across as observant, thorough, intelligent. And much too good at his job for Elise’s comfort.

There wasn’t much for him to observe at the moment, however. The houses were few and far between out here on the edge of town. The only thing there was a lot of was prickly pear cactus, which didn’t provide much of a hiding place for a wayward pooch.

The sheriff had obviously come to the same conclusion. With a resigned shrug, he turned back to Elise. Well, maybe I can send someone out to track him down. Be nice if I could have a word with the owners about letting their dog run loose. He aimed his pen at Elise’s car. Could be they might feel a bit inclined afterward to help you out with the repair bill.

Oh, no, that’s not necessary, I assure you. Really. The last thing Elise wanted right now was any more complications from this stupid accident.

The sheriff regarded her thoughtfully for a moment before continuing. You’ve got plenty of insurance, then?

Er... Oh, God, what if he somehow took a look at her policy for some reason? Better tell the truth. I’ve got to pay a five-hundred-dollar deductible before the insurance kicks in, she admitted.

Hmm. The sheriff massaged the nape of his neck. He had a disconcerting habit of pausing before he spoke, as if to give Elise a chance to play out a little more verbal rope with which to hang herself. Seems to me the folks who own that dog have kind of a moral obligation to chip in on that five-hundred-dollar deductible, wouldn’t you say?

Well, I—

At the very least, they owe you an apology.

Really, it’s not neces— Elise gulped. Just over the sheriff’s muscular shoulder, she’d caught a glimpse of Kelsey and Mrs. Applegate coming out of the house. "I mean, it was only a teeny little accident, after all. Not something to make a federal case