Hunter Creed Sheriff Series Book 1: Sheriff Series, #1

By Sally Lovell

Hunter Creed lived a nice quiet life as the Sheriff of Fairfield, Montana. His life soon becomes a little complicated when Gracie Steves walked back into his life with blood on her hands. As Hunter ties to wrap his head around becoming a father of a sixteen year son he just met, drugs begin to surface in his town, sending teenagers in the ER. The son Hunter has yet to get to know comes up missing. Hunter tries to juggle his personal crisis and hunt down a drug dealer as his life starts crashing down around him. He soon discovers the son he doesn't know and the drugs are closer entwined than he originally thought.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sally Lovell
• Release date: Oct 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223196662

Book preview

Chapter 1

Gracie Stevens was singing loudly to the radio in her red Mustang.  The radio blared out her favorite song by Luke Bryan, Country Girl.

Country girl, shake for me, girl, shake it for me, Gracie sang loudly to the song.  She was driving down Old Country Road at dusk.  The sun was just beginning to set at 9:30 p.m.  The sky was streaked with oranges and pinks.  The temperature was still holding at 75 degrees with humidity in June. 

Gracie had the air conditioner on low with her window rolled down.  Her curly brown hair blew around in the wind from the opened window.  Gracie tapped her hands on the steering wheel to the beat of the music singing.

Country girl, shake it for me, girl, shake it for me, shake it for me, girl, shake it for me, what the hell! Gracie yelled out, seeing a flash in front of her headlights, and then heard a thud under her car.  She slammed on the brakes.

Oh shit, what in the hell was that! She put the car into park and then turned down the radio.  Sitting still for a few minutes, she leaned her head out the open window.  She didn't hear anything except her own heartbeat.

What did I hit?  She whispered to herself.  She looked off to the side of the road and didn't spot anything unusual. 

I better get out and see if there is any damage to my car.  Gracie unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door slowly, climbing out of the car.

Gracie walked towards the front of her car.  She looked to the side of the road and still didn't spot anything.  Turning back to her car, Gracie noticed blood on the bumper.  Reaching out, she touched the bumper and found the blood was wet and fresh.

Oh shit! Gracie breathed out, looking at the blood on her finger.  She then heard a moaning noise coming from underneath her car.  Gracie was startled by the noise, reaching out and touching the front bumper again.  She bent down slightly, holding her breath to hear the sound again.  Gracie heard the moan again.  Fear ran through her body, wondering what she had hit, but she was too scared to look further.

Gracie straightened back up, trying to decide what to do.  She needed to get help.  Rushing back to the driver's side, she opened the door, turned the key, and started the car.  Gracie hit the power window button to roll up the window and turned the ignition off, pulling out the keys.  She grabbed her purse from the passenger seat, throwing the purse strap over her shoulder.  She shut the door and hit the key fob to lock the doors.

Hearing the low moan again, Gracie decided to go get help.  She knew she was only a mile or a little more from the small town of Fairfield.  She had just come from the grocery store picking up coffee.  It was now getting dark outside as the sun set for the day.

Gracie walked to the side of the road.  She bent down to see if she could make out the object underneath her car.  Gracie could see a form but couldn't make out what it was.  Gracie swallowed hard and shivered, seeing the thing underneath the car.

Gracie quickly straightened back up, then lost her balance, falling backward into the ditch.  She tried to catch herself but failed.  Gracie landed on her butt, her hands sinking into the muck behind her.  She felt the mud and leaves squish underneath her hands, covering them in filth.

Well, crap! Gracie breathed out, raising her dirty, mud-covered hands.  She shook her hands, flinging mud all over the place.

Damn it all, Gracie mumbled and rose to her feet.  She wiped the excess mud off her jeans, leaving a dirty spot.  Gracie sighed in disgust and began walking down the road.  She decided to jog to get help faster.

Gracie could feel herself running out of air, running a mile down the road.  She was relieved when she spotted the tavern's lights flashing.  With her breath coming out in heavy pants, Gracie bent over to catch some air.  With her legs burning and breathing even, she opened the door and staggered into the dimly lit tavern.

The tavern wasn't busy except for a few men sitting at the bar and a man and woman seated in a booth in the far corner.  None of the patrons seemed to see or hear Gracie enter.  Gracie slowly scanned the men at the bar to see if any of them looked like they could help her out.  She saw a man at the end of the bar that seemed helpful.  Gracie walked over to him with long strides.

I need help.  I think I just killed something! Gracie yelled out panic in her voice.

The man paid no attention to her as he continued conversing with another man sitting next to him.  Gracie couldn't believe how rude all the patrons were, obviously ignoring her.  She tried to get their attention by clearing her throat loudly.  However, the men still didn't acknowledge her.

Gracie finally slammed her hands down on the bar, making a loud thumping noise that echoed throughout the bar.  The men stopped talking and turned to look at her.  She now received their undivided attention but could tell they were clearly irritated by the interruption.

I need the police.  I just ran something over with my fucking car.  I think it might be dying! Gracie yelled out.

The men at the bar had their eyes focused on the petite brunette with messy hair and wide, wild eyes.  The men turned away from the crazy woman at the bar, continuing to talk amongst each other.  Gracie watched in frustration as they talked and glanced at her.  She blew out a breath between her lips.

Excuse me.  Did any of you morons hear what I just said?  I killed something out on the road and needed the police.  Can one of you stupid assholes tell me where to find the police?  Gracie yelled, her body shaking with anger and frustration.

The men at the bar looked at her, laughing.  Gracie couldn't believe her eyes.  She looked at them with disbelief and felt anger and frustration flow through her body at their carelessness.  Gracie moved closer to the man at the end of the bar.  She put her dirty hands into the man's face.  The man stared at her with annoyance and backed away from her hands.

You all think it is funny?  Your fucking wife could be the one on the road underneath my fucking car, you stupid moron!

The man closest to her stared at her with anger and uncertainty in his eyes.  He pointed his finger at her, causing Gracie to step back.

What did you just say about my wife, lady? The man asked harshly.

Oh, I finally got your attention now.  I just needed to threaten somebody's wife? Gracie sneered back at him, pressing her hands on the bar top.

You had better explain yourself right now, or we are going to have a problem, lady, The man sneered through clenched teeth, narrowing his eyes.

Gracie swallowed hard and stepped back as the man stood up, crossing his massive arms over his chest.  Gracie held her hands up with palms facing him, stopping the man from approaching her.

I...I ..am sorry.  I just need the police.  There is something I believe might be dying underneath my car.

If that was the case, why did you mention my wife? The man sneered

I am sorry for the comment towards your wife.  I just needed to get someone's attention to help me.

The man grunted and pointed to the far corner of the bar.  Gracie's eyes followed his finger-pointing.  She could make out a man and woman in the far corner sitting intimately together.

Over there is the Sheriff.  His name is Hunter Creed.  He is off duty, so you better have something important happening, or he will be one pissed-off man for being interrupted by Emma, the man stated.

Gracie was startled at hearing the Sheriff's name and took a quick intake of breath.  Her heart instantly started beating faster.  Gracie broke out in a cold sweat, feeling it run down her back and between her breasts.  She gripped the bar's edge in a white-knuckled hold, leaning against it with shaky legs.

Did you say the Sheriff's name was Hunter Creed? Gracie asked, hoping with her whole being that she heard the man wrong.

Yes, I did, Sheriff Hunter Creed, the one and only Sheriff of Fairfield, The man replied, smiling, pointing his finger towards the couple on the far side of the bar again.  Gracie's eyes followed his finger to a couple at the far corner.

Gracie felt her stomach climb into her throat.  She stood still, biting her bottom lip.  Her hands started sweating and shaking.  Gracie wrung them together.  She couldn't bring herself to move towards the Sheriff yet.

Is there another Sheriff  besides Creed? Gracie asked, hopeful.

Nope, there is only Sheriff Creed. The man laughed and waved his hand in the Sheriff's direction.  Sheriff Creed is right over there.  By all means, go over there and tell him your problem.

I will, thank you very much, Gracie replied sarcastically.

Gracie turned on her heel in a huff towards the direction the man pointed.  Her night just seemed to get worse by the minute.  Gracie saw a man and woman sitting in the dark corner.  Gracie felt her body break out in a nervous sweat once more.  She really never thought she would run into Hunter Creed again.

Gracie figured Hunter left Fairfield and would never come back.  She didn't think she could do this.  Gracie wasn't ready to see Hunter Creed yet.

Gracie stood still, biting her bottom lip and twisting her hands together, trying to get the nerve to walk over to Creed's table.  She didn't think her legs were going to move and felt weak.  It had been fifteen years since Gracie had last seen Hunter Creed.  Gracie figured maybe he wouldn't even remember her.  They had spent one fantastic night together, and that was the end of their story.  The problem was Gracie had fallen so hard for Hunter.  Hunter didn't even know how much she had loved him once.  Just seeing Hunter again brought up the old hurt in her heart.

Gracie swallowed hard and slowly started walking in the couple's direction.  She could hear the men at the bar snickering behind her back.  Gracie could do this.  She was, after all, 31 years old now and not 16.  Gracie kept telling herself Hunter wouldn't remember her because it was only one night and a lifetime ago.  Gracie needed to put on her big girl panties and get moving.  Hunter was probably sitting with his wife anyway.

Gracie inched closer to the couple in the corner.  She felt sweat trickle down between her shoulder blades and breasts.  Her body trembled from being nervous and tense.  Gracie rolled her shoulders, trying to loosen them up.  She really didn't want to approach them but knew it was necessary.

The closer Gracie got to them, the more her stomach twisted in knots, and her hands began shaking.  She stared at Hunter's back intently, like watching prey.  Hunter had broad shoulders.  He definitely was a lot bigger and more muscular than she remembered.  His light brown hair was cropped short.

Hunter was a man now instead of a nineteen-year-old boy.  He was handsome as a teenager and probably even more so as a man.  Everything inside of her felt apprehensive and nervous.  Gracie was an emotional mess seeing Hunter Creed again.

Chapter 2

Hunter Creed wrapped his arm around Emma and pulled her closer to his body.  Emma had luscious curves, which drove Hunter crazy.  Hunter liked the feel of her soft skin pressed against him.  Emma was beautiful with light blue eyes and long, wavy blonde hair down to her curvy hips.  She always had a smile on her face for him.

Hunter, baby, you look like you had a rough day, Emma murmured.  Hunter wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her body closer to his.

I had a hell of a day.  I had a meeting with Mayor Thompson, the jackass.  I would like another Deputy, but of course, the town budget is tight like always, Hunter grumbled.

Hunter reached over to Emma, trailing his finger along the tops of her breasts not covered by the blue tank top.  Emma's skin was warm and silky smooth underneath his rough hands.

Maybe the Mayor will change his mind in a few days and let you hire another Deputy, Emma replied.

I doubt that.  I don't want to talk about the Mayor.  I want to keep my mind clear of work and focus it on you and what I want to do to you tonight, Hunter whispered next to her ear.

Oh, I like the sound of that, Emma murmured.

Good, because I intend on giving you my full attention, Hunter replied, nipping her ear with his teeth.  Emma giggled and shivered from the sharp pinch of his teeth.

Is that a promise?

Oh baby, you can bet on it.  I will love this body of yours all night until neither one of us can move, Hunter replied, kissing her neck.

Wow, I get to have you to myself for the whole night?

Baby, I don't plan on leaving until the sun comes up tomorrow, Hunter murmured, scraping his teeth along the sensitive spot on her neck.  Again, Emma's body shivered with pleasure.

Kiss me, Emma whispered.

Hunter chuckled, bending his head, capturing her mouth in a hot, wet kiss.  He slid his tongue over the bottom of her lip, waiting for her to allow his tongue entrance.  Emma parted her lips, giving him access.

Hunter's tongue slid inside, devouring hers in a passionate kiss.  After having a day from hell with Mayor Jim Thompson, he was ready to sink into Emma's warm, luscious body.  Hunter didn't want to think about the argument he had gotten into with the Mayor.  He wanted to hire another Deputy.

All's Hunter wanted to think about was sliding into bed with Emma and fucking her for the next couple of hours or all night long if he felt like it.  Emma was always willing to give him whatever he needed whenever he wanted.

Hunter sometimes felt guilty for not giving her what she wanted most: a serious relationship.  He wasn't the settling-down type of guy.  Emma knew that when they started having casual sex.  Hunter told her right from the beginning he wasn't interested in a serious relationship.  Emma didn't have an issue with it.  Hunter was too wrapped up with Emma to notice the woman approaching them.

Gracie slowly approached the Sheriff, who was passionately kissing a blonde-haired woman next to him.  She could see they were becoming more intimate.  The Sheriff's hand slid down, cupping the woman's breast.  Gracie swallowed the lump in her throat, viewing the intimacy before her.

Gracie stood silently next to the table, waiting to be noticed by the Sheriff.  Hunter was too busy kissing and feeling Emma's soft breast to see Gracie beside him.  Hunter heard the men at the bar catcalling and whistling, knowing Emma, and he had become the center of attention for some reason.

Hunter raised his hand, sticking up his middle finger, flipping the men at the bar off without breaking the kiss with Emma.  He heard them laughing even harder.  Hunter felt a finger poke him in the shoulder.  He pulled away from Emma's delicious mouth with a growl of displeasure.

Hunter couldn't believe one of those jackasses had the guts to interrupt him with Emma.  The finger poking him in the shoulder grew harder as a throat cleared to get his attention.  Hunter turned his head slightly to the left with irritation, eyeing the person out of his peripheral vision.  Hunter released Emma's mouth.

This better be fucking important, or someone is going to be hurting, Hunter growled as he grabbed a hold of the finger poking him.

Gracie gasped in pain as her finger was bent backward in the Sheriff's tight grip.  Hunter quickly stood up and faced the person who had the balls to interrupt him with Emma.  He instantly let loose, noticing the finger belonged to a beautiful woman with dark shoulder-length brown hair and tears glazing over her green eyes.

Shit!  I am sorry, Hunter said, apologizing instantly, feeling terrible for causing this woman pain.

Hunter couldn't see her face because her head bent down, looking at the floor.  Gracie quickly pulled her hand back against her body, rubbing the sore finger with her other hand.

Damn, I am really sorry for hurting you.  I thought it was one of the assholes at the bar being funny, Hunter said, trying to explain his actions.

Gracie looked up at Hunter with wide, tear-filled eyes.  She swallowed hard, seeing the handsome man Hunter had become.  The young body grew into a man, muscular and athletic.  The years that had passed had treated Hunter very well.  Hunter was even sexier as a full-grown man than the 19-year-old boy who had taken her virginity.

The man that stood before Gracie had a chiseled jaw with a dimple in his chin, a straight nose, kissable lips, and dark blue eyes with slight crinkles at the edge of them from the sun.  His light brown hair was cropped short in a military cut.  Hunter stood 6'2" with broad shoulders and substantial muscled arms.  His waist and hips were slim, with long muscled legs.  His black t-shirt emphasized the width of his chest and showed off his tattooed arms.  Hunter's jeans hugged his hips and legs nicely.

Hunter stared down at the petite woman he had just hurt.  Gracie's hair was a curly brown mess, and her face was plastered with dark smudges.  Hunter was startled by the beautiful light green eyes that looked at him with long black eyelashes wet with tears.  Hunter had only seen the light green eyes like those once on another woman from high school.  The same bright green eyes that he dreamt about every once in a while, still after 15 years.

The woman was beautiful with those green eyes, flushed cheeks, and luscious, kissable lips caught between her teeth.  Her dark brown hair framed her face with messy curls.  She only stood up to Hunter's chest.  Hunter guessed she was 5'0.  The woman was petite and dainty-looking.  His cock jerked behind his zipper, looking at the beautiful woman.  Even though he was already hard on Emma, this woman made him want to ravish her.

Are you the Sheriff? Gracie asked in a soft, high voice, already knowing the answer.

Hunter nodded his head and looked closer at the woman standing in front of him.  He then noticed the smug of dirt on her forehead.  As his eyes traveled over her, he saw her hands were covered in mud and what looked like traces of blood.

The woman's white t-shirt had dirt smudged on the front, and her jeans were also dirty.  She wore white tennis shoes caked with mud on her feet.  Her brown hair held several leaves and twigs caught in the curls.  She looked like she had been trampling through the woods.

The trace of blood on her hands became an immediate concern to Hunter.  He looked to see if she had been injured, but nothing was visible.  The woman looking at him felt familiar, but he couldn't seem to place where he knew her.  Hunter did know she wasn't living here in Fairfield, or he would have recognized her immediately.

The woman wasn't wearing a wedding ring, so she was possibly single.  Hunter knew about everyone in the area from being the Sheriff for the last five years.

Yes, I am, the name's Sheriff Hunter Creed.  Why?  Is there a problem I need to be aware of? Hunter asked, reaching out and grabbing her wrists, holding them tightly, and examining the dirt and speckles of blood on them.  Gracie was startled by his firm grip on her wrists.  She tried to pull them out of this grasp.

Where did all this dirt and what looks like it could be blood on your hands come from?  Hunter asked, scrutinizing her hands.

Hunter's dark blue eyes narrowed and locked on hers with concern.  Gracie again tried to pull her wrist from his grip, shrinking under his stern gaze.

If you would stop manhandling me.  I could tell you, Gracie sneered, pulling on her wrists.

Lady, you need to tell me right now.  Where did all this dirt and blood come from? Hunter replied harshly.

Gracie stared up at the handsome Sheriff with defiance, raising her chin up.  Hunter narrowed his eyes again and gripped her wrists tighter, watching her flinch from his tight hold.

Explain it to me.  Now! Hunter roared.

Gracie shivered at the harsh tone of his voice while his blue eyes glared down at her.  Hunter reminded her of a lion ready to pounce on its prey after stalking it into exhaustion.  The stern look on his face made her want to confess every bad thing she had ever done in her life.  His stare definitely meant business.

Gracie shifted her stance, with him watching her so intently.  She remembered that same look in High School when he told her he was leaving Fairfield to join the Army Rangers, and it broke her heart and soul.  She blinked her eyes, shoving the old thought out of her head.

Where did the dirt and blood come from? Hunter sternly asked.

I...I... I hit something with my car.  I...think...it is dead, Gracie replied nervously, seeing his stern face.

Where? Hunter persisted.

On...on the road, Gracie replied softly.  Hunter shook his head at her vague answer.

I got that, but where?

A...a mile or so down the road, Gracie replied, pointing towards the door.  She didn't like the way he questioned her harshly like she was a criminal.

Where is your car? Hunter asked harshly.

Still on the road.  I walked here to find help.  I couldn't drive it, could I, if I hit something, Gracie said sarcastically.

What did you hit? Hunter demanded.

I don't fucking know.  There was a loud thud under my car, and I stopped.  I got out, and there was blood on the front bumper of my car.  On my way here, I fell in the ditch and got muddy, Gracie replied smartly.

Did you even look to see what you hit?  Hunter demanded.

No, I was too scared to look.  The thing was still alive and moaning, Gracie replied, shrugging her shoulders.

So, you don't know if it was a person or animal? Hunter shook his head in frustration.  He couldn't believe this woman stood before him, not knowing whether she had run over someone or an animal.

No! Gracie cried out in distress.

Whys that? Hunter asked sternly.

I was distracted trying to figure out where I was, and then I hit it, Gracie lied, not wanting to tell him the truth that she was singing and not paying attention.

Hunter let go of her wrists finally, turning his back to her.  Gracie frowned at the red marks on her wrists and instantly rubbed her sore wrists with her hands.  Hunter turned towards Emma.

Emma, I am sorry.  I guess I am back on duty.  Can I have a rain check, darling? Hunter asked softly.

Anytime, Hunter, Emma smiled at Hunter.

Hunter bent down and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.  He turned his head slightly, whispering in Emma's ear, ensuring she was the only one to hear.

Babe, keep your bed warm and your body naked in case I wrap this up in an hour or two, Hunter whispered in her ear.

Always for you, Hunter, Emma whispered back.

Hunter kissed Emma on the cheek, then turned back to Gracie.  Gracie had watched Hunter kiss the blonde woman and felt a pain of jealousy run through her.  At one time, his lips used to kiss her, too.

You better follow me out and show me where that car of yours is located, Hunter said sternly, waving his arm toward the entrance.

Are you done playing kissy face now? Gracie mumbled under her breath.

Excuse me? Hunter replied, arching his eyebrow, unsure he just heard the woman right.

Gracie quickly turned on her heels and headed towards the exit door, thinking.  She couldn't believe that comment had slipped out of her mouth.  Gracie had no reason to feel jealousy where Hunter was concerned.  Hunter was never hers and would never be, so she needed to shut her mouth before it got her into trouble.

Hunter followed the woman to the door staring at her sweet ass moving side to side.  She was one hell of a looker with dirt and all.  His cock jerked behind his zipper again.  He shook his head, remembering the woman needed his help, not his loving.  Gracie reminded him of a girl in High School years ago, but he didn't think it was her.

Hunter tried hard to remember the girl's name in High School, whom this woman reminded him of.  It drove him crazy that he couldn't remember her name right now.  This woman was definitely familiar to him.

The men up at the bar jarred Hunter out of thought.  They were yelling shit at him and being smartasses like always.  Several men at the bar shouted at him as he followed the woman to the exit door.

Hey, Sheriff, you better go easy on that girl.  She is half your size!

Blister her ass and ride her hard, Sheriff!

Shut up, assholes, or I'll take your ugly asses to jail, Hunter replied.  Hunter shook his head and waved the men's remarks off as he walked out the door.

Chapter 3

Hunter followed the beautiful woman with messy hair, dirt, and blood on her hands out the exit door.  Hunter wondered what the hell she hit.  He figured some sort of animal.  Hunter didn't think it was too serious to put her in jail.  Hunter shook the thought out of his head and turned to look at her.

They walked to his truck with the big letters Sheriff on the side.  Hunter opened the passenger side door for Gracie to climb inside.  Gracie climbed up inside.  Hunter closed the door once she had the seat belt on.  He walked over to the passenger side, opened the door, and climbed up.

What direction is your car? Hunter asked, glancing over at her with a stern expression.  Gracie pointed to the left as he pulled out of the bar's driveway and onto the road.  He needed to get some more information from her.

So, you seriously have no idea what you ran over? Hunter asked, glancing over in her direction.

"No, I don't.