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

she heard over the phone line. “Okay, sorry. It’s been a tough
day. Sorry,” he said again.
    Somewhat
soothed, Cassie now sympathized and regretted snapping at him. “Did you have trouble
mending the fences?”
    It
took him a second to answer and he sounded even wearier. “No. We had a rough
day dealing with fifty head of cattle being delivered unexpectedly early.”
    He
yawned. “I needed to tell you I’m going to be extra busy this week. I won’t be
staying in town. Between my duties as sheriff and needing to help out here—”
    “Got
it. You’re busy,” she cut him off. Her heart hurt, foolish as that was. He had
a lot going on, she knew that, but so did she. And he hadn’t wanted to be with
her this weekend, even if he had part of it.
    She
could almost see him stiffening, scowling at her abrupt tone. But her ex had
put everyone and everything before her, too. He’d only had time for her when he
wanted to yell at her…or punch her out of his frustration with life. Yes,
sometimes she still had a big chip on her shoulder. It might not be fair, but
she didn’t feel up to apologizing.
    “I
guess that means you’re too busy to go to Kansas City on Wednesday.” Why had she
brought up that subject? She was too busy as well.
    He
muttered something under his breath, something that sounded bitter. “I had a
feeling you wouldn’t be all broken up about not going.”
    While
not a physical blow, she felt it as painfully: his anger, his exasperation. Now
she felt bad. “As it happens, I needed to do something else that day, too. I
just didn’t know how to tell you.”
    “Something
involving one of the upcoming community events, I suppose.” Resentment
tightened his tone.
    “Look,
I’m tired, too. I’m not up to arguing with you.” She climbed out of her car,
closed the door harder than she intended. Had he heard the slam?
    He
growled something, so that would be “yes.” Then he asked, “So where have you
been all day? I called your house phone. I must have left three messages.” He
heaved a sigh. “You didn’t answer your cell, either.”
    Her
cell phone had been in her purse, in another room. It had been set on vibrate
ever since church, until she got in her car and switched it back to normal. She
hadn’t checked for messages before tossing it into her bag.
    “I’ve
been at the Langley’s home all afternoon. There was a potluck and a couple
dozen people were there, wanting to talk about—”
    This
time he cut her off. “Yeah, I know. About those events.”
    She
didn’t bother responding. This wasn’t going well. She shouldn’t have even
answered her phone. “I should go.”
    He
ignored her comment. “I suppose they’ve got you even more involved now.” His hostility
was obvious.
    She
counted to ten, twenty, thirty, and then strode toward her house. “People are
excited. This is a good thing, although I realize you don’t think
so.”
    “If
I didn’t know all of the other things you have going on as well, it might not
bother me so much. Dammit, Cassie, you need to learn to say NO sometimes.”
    Okay,
ever since she’d started coming out of her shell again after being slammed into
it by her ex, she wanted to do everything. Someone who hadn’t been kept from
doing things could never really understand what she’d gone through.
    “I’m
enjoying being able to say Yes ,” she admitted defensively, hearing the
hurt in her voice.
    “God,
darlin’, I’m sorry. I just worry about you.” He’d clearly recognized that he’d
gone too far.
    Some
of her irritation faded. She knew he wanted to protect her and keep her from
taking on more than she could handle. Sometimes his being so protective could
be almost as bad as… No. He could never be as bad, as controlling as her ex.
    Cassie
sat down on the porch steps, weariness pulling at her. Still, she softened her
tone when she said, “I’m stronger than you think, Dalton. I can handle more
than you think.” She hesitated. “Same as