Read Online The Sheriff and the Mayor by Starla Kaye - Free Book Online

them almost a
thousand dollars. It had been a good business decision. But it sure complicated
everything.
    Dalton
made a tough decision. “I’m going to cancel the plan, call Cassie tonight. She’s
busy anyway and will probably be glad to hear it.”
    He
didn’t want to change their plans. He’d been looking forward to the day away
with his woman, but he didn’t feel like he had a choice. Unfortunately, he had
a feeling she really would be happy not to have to squeeze it into her
schedule. At least he’d gotten that impression when she hadn’t responded when
he’d told her he was looking forward to their day together just before he left
her yesterday.
    He
heard the cattle bawling in confusion, in frustration with their new situation.
Dang if he didn’t feel like bawling, too. He was confused about where he and
Cassie really stood these days. The sex was good, as always. Still… Frustrated
didn’t even come close to how he felt.
    “You
really think that’s a good idea?” Craig asked, although he sounded relieved.
    Pulled
back from his musings, Dalton gritted out, “No.” He scowled. It was a damn bad
idea. “But my first duty is to this ranch.”
    He
watched the truck pulling out of the field as Parker closed the gate. “I’ve got
a duty to the town as well.” He heard the bitterness in his voice and was
pretty sure his brother had heard it, too.
    He
gave a small flick of the reins and his horse headed off toward the cattle.
Most of them had finally found a spot to settle in and graze on the grass. A
few wandered toward the pond. Oddly, as he rode toward Parker, he wondered what
Cassie was up to today. Was she still working on that bedroom she’d been
painting? Yellow. Not what he particularly liked. Or was she working on another
leather painting for her showing? She’d told him she needed to get at least
another six or so finished.
    Was
she missing him as much as he missed her?
    Maybe
he should go see her tonight, tell her in person that they would have to change
their plans about Wednesday. He also needed to tell her that he probably
wouldn’t be spending much time with her this week. She wasn’t going to like him
not staying the nights with her. He didn’t like the idea either, but that’s the
way it had to be for now. It worried him.
    ***
    By
the time Cassie turned onto her street it was already getting late. The sun was
headed down; the sunset breathtaking with its mix of oranges and pinks. She was
too tired to enjoy it, though. Her brain hurt from thinking too much today,
from trying to stay on top of all the ideas being tossed around, and all of the
new plans. She still hadn’t fully absorbed it all.
    Besides
that, her feet hurt. She was ready to kick off the high heels and ready to
change into her cutoffs and T-shirt. She’d been anxious to get home and finish
setting her bedroom to rights now that the painting was finished. It had been a
long day. At least she hadn’t had time to mope around about missing Dalton.
    Dalton . Her stomach knotted and she turned into the
driveway, barely noticing that the neighbor’s son had mowed her yard. She still
hadn’t figured out how to get out of the day-trip Dalton had planned for
Wednesday. With as awkward as things were between them now, she didn’t look
forward to this conversation. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings. She knew
this was special to him and it should have been to her as well.
    It
was…really. But she had so much else going on now. The day-trip felt like one
more burden for her to bear.
    As
she parked in front of the detached garage, her cell phone rang. Frantic not to
miss the call and hoping it was he, she dug around in her purse. She
breathlessly answered without looking at the caller ID, “Hello! Dalton?”
    “Where
have you been all day?” Dalton asked briskly, his velvety voice sounding thick
with exhaustion and annoyance.
    Added
to her own tiredness, her mood soured. “Hello to you, too.”
    He sucked
in a breath that