“No.” April twisted her fingers together. “You don’t understand.”

“You’re right. I don’t. And, honey, at this moment I don’t really want to.” There was a lot of lust in the look he settled on her.

“And I don’t really want to tell you. But, like I said before, you set a high bar for full disclosure. So whether you want to or not, you have to hear this.”

“Okay, then. If I agree to listen, can we pick up where we just left off?”

“Trust me. You’re not going to want to do that.” When Will found out she was a scheming, underhanded, devious witch, he wouldn’t want anything to do with her.

“Let me be the judge of that. Because right now I want to kiss you more than anything. And unless you tell me you’re a man, which I know for a fact isn’t true, there’s not much you could say to change my mind.” His blue eyes turned darker and focused a lot of intensity on her mouth.

* * *

The Bachelors of Blackwater Lake: They won’t be single for long!

How to Land Her Lawman

Teresa Southwick

www.millsandboon.co.uk

TERESA SOUTHWICK lives with her husband in Las Vegas, the city that reinvents itself every day. An avid fan of romance novels, she is delighted to be living out her dream of writing for Mills & Boon.

To Kate Carlisle, Christine Rimmer and Susan Mallery, the best plot group ever. You make it so much fun to play “what if?”

Contents

Cover

Introduction

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Will Fletcher would rather face an armed felon than have the conversation he was about to have with his ex-girlfriend. But, as the saying went, this town wasn’t big enough for the both of them. For better or worse, this summer he was the acting sheriff in Blackwater Lake and she was a freelance photographer who occasionally did work for the department. She also had a studio on Main Street across from his office.

There was no way he wouldn’t see her and the sooner this confrontation was behind him the better.

He’d been watching the Photography Shop all morning, waiting for her to be alone, and now stood on the sidewalk in front of the sheriff’s office ready to head over. Hesitation was costing him a hell of a lot of time when there was work to do. He looked left, then right before crossing the street. Her window had big, fancy letters telling the establishment’s name, then smaller print in the right hand corner proclaiming April Kennedy, Photographer. There was a list of services in the right corner—Portraits, Family Sittings, Weddings and Special Occasions.

Will stared at the displayed dance-hall girl and gambler forms with cutouts where the tourists put their faces for a fun souvenir picture of a visit to Blackwater Lake, Montana. Technically he was a visitor but definitely not a tourist. Born and raised in this town, he was only here to help out and would go back to being a detective for Chicago PD in three months when his dad, the real sheriff, got a clean bill of health to resume his job.

“Man up, Fletcher,” he muttered. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

She could cry. The thought made him cringe.

He’d seen her do that and it ripped him up. But that was a lot of years ago. He didn’t know whether or not she’d still be angry but the first face-to-face since then was no doubt going to be awkward.

Will braced himself and pushed open the glass door. The bell above it rang as he walked inside. There was no one in the front but a familiar female voice called out, “I’ll be right with you.”

It was cheerful and sweet and the sound echoed inside him, stirring the cobwebs of tucked-away memories. It was impossible not to notice the framed photos displayed on the walls, examples of her skill as a photographer. There were individuals, families, babies. Some were black-and-white portraits, dramatic and really good. There’d always been something about April that people responded to, something that made them relax and allowed the camera to capture a special look or smile. The only black-and-whites he usually saw were cop cars, so this was a pleasant change.

“I’m so sorry I kept you waiting—” April Kennedy came through the open doorway and froze in her tracks when she saw him.

“Hi,” he said.

At one time they’d practically been engaged, but Will felt as if he was seeing her for the first time. Her shiny long brown hair was pulled into a ponytail with wisps coming loose around her face. She was wearing jeans and a purple Photography Shop T-shirt that clung to every sweet curve. Big hazel eyes stared back at him and right now they were more green than brown, which meant she wasn’t happy to see him. He couldn’t blame her.

“Will.”

“You look really good, April.”

“Thanks. So do you.”

“I’m pretty sure you didn’t want to tell me that, so I’ll take it as a compliment.”

“Gotta be honest.” She shrugged.

“And I’ve always liked that about you.”

“I heard you were coming back to Blackwater Lake.”

He didn’t have to ask how she’d heard. April was best friends with his younger sister, Kim. She and her teenage son lived with their dad and Will had moved into his old room for the summer. One big happy family again. The backyard of April’s little house was separated by an alley from his dad’s rear yard. Hank Fletcher had watched over April and her single mom because it was the neighborly thing to do. And, unlike himself, his dad had been there when April’s mom died of breast cancer. The Fletchers had kind of unofficially adopted her, so of course they would warn her that he was coming back.

“The thing is, this is a small town,” he started.

“As opposed to Chicago.” Her voice was as icy as a Windy City blizzard.

“Right. There’s no way we won’t run into each other and I wanted to make sure the first time wasn’t public and uncomfortable for you.”

He’d checked one out of two boxes. This wasn’t public but she had to be as uncomfortable as he was.

“Kim told you to do this.” She wasn’t asking a question.

“My sister mentioned that it would be better if the first time we saw each other it was just the two of us, without a big crowd of people looking on. And talking about it.” Because the only thing folks in Blackwater Lake were better at than being neighborly was gossiping.

“Still, you didn’t have to take her advice. It’s actually very thoughtful of you, Will.” Her tone implied his consideration was unexpected.

Or maybe it just sounded that way because his conscience was passing the words through the guilt filter. Either way, he figured it was a good idea to clear the air. “I don’t think I ever apologized for what happened in Chicago.”

“You mean the time I came to surprise you and a woman answered the door wearing nothing but your shirt?”

“Yeah. That.” He was staring at her mouth, the way she pressed her lips together. It had always made him want to kiss her and unfortunately now was no exception. Normally it was comforting knowing things didn’t change but this wasn’t one of those times.

“You tried to apologize, actually.” She met his gaze directly. “But I wasn’t speaking to you, so that made it kind of hard.”

“Well, let me say it now. I’m sorry for what happened.”

“Let it go, Will. I have. That was a long time ago. It was my idea not to be exclusive when you went to Chicago and entered the police academy. It seemed the right thing to do since I couldn’t go with you and everyone knows long-distance relationships are a challenge. We found out the hard way how true that is. Technically we didn’t have a relationship and it still fell apart.”

Will remembered trying to talk her into going to Chicago with him, but her mom had just been diagnosed. April had never known her dad and wouldn’t abandon the mother who had raised her daughter alone and always put her first. She’d suggested they date other people but keep in touch and after a year reevaluate things between them. He was glad she hadn’t forgotten that.

“I didn’t expect you not to date,” she said. “And you did.”

“For what it’s worth, you were right about everything.”

“Things happen for the best. Water under the bridge. Let bygones be bygones. And any other cliché you can think of to put this behind you.” She shrugged as if it made no difference to her.

“Okay, then.”

Will felt oddly dissatisfied with her response. Maybe the altitude was getting to him. That was the best explanation he could come up with for why he wasn’t completely relieved that she didn’t scream or cry or seem the least bit emotional about what had happened. Or maybe he was simply an egotistical jerk who expected her to still be a little bothered about something he’d done six years ago.

Possibly his reaction was colored by the fact that he’d married the woman wearing nothing but his shirt and it had been a failure. On top of that, he’d always had the nagging feeling that what he’d done to April was the biggest mistake he’d ever made. For a man who hated to fail, doing it twice at the same time didn’t sit very well. And it was kind of annoying that she seemed completely at peace with how things had turned out.

“So, if that’s all—” She cocked a thumb over her shoulder toward the back room, where a camera sat on a tripod.

“Just so you know, I’ll be here until the end of summer while Dad is recuperating from his open-heart surgery.”

“That was a scare.” She put her hand to her chest. The first honest emotion she’d exhibited since he’d walked in. “First the heart attack, then surgery. It was like watching the Rock of Gibraltar crack. Your sister has been his diet-and-exercise drill sergeant ever since he got out of the hospital and started cardiac rehab.”

“Kim is hard to say no to.” He was here talking to April, wasn’t he? “The sheriff has always protected the citizens of his town first and himself a distant second. Maybe he saw God when the doc put him under for the procedure because right after he got out of the hospital he asked me to fill in for him. Then he got the mayor and town council to approve my temporary appointment.”

“It would be just like him to push himself to go back to work too soon. I’m sure your family is glad to have you here.” Her tone said she felt differently. “And a good thing you could take extended leave from your job.”

Maybe the job needed time off from him. Between that and his sister nagging him to not be an ass and do it for Dad, he had decided to take one for team Fletcher. All he was willing to say was, “I have a lot of days on the Chicago PD books.”

“So you’re the sheriff now.” She folded her arms over her chest.

“Acting, but yeah. And I wanted to make sure I can count on you for freelance work when needed.” Sometimes there were multicar accidents that required photos with more detail than an untrained photographer could capture with a cell phone. Insurance companies were funny that way when a settlement was involved. Mug shots were part of the official record.

“Of course I’ll continue the arrangement. It’s important that Hank knows everything will go smoothly in his absence. Just as if he was at the wheel.”

“So you’re doing it for Dad.”

“Absolutely. After you and I didn’t work out, you got what’s-her-name, but I got your family. I’d do anything for them.”

“They’re lucky to have you.”

“No.” She shook her head and her ponytail swung from side to side. “I’m the lucky one.”

The weird feeling in his chest felt a lot like envy. He was jealous of her loyalty to his dad, sister and nephew even though he’d given up any right to her commitment. He might not have cheated officially but it was a betrayal of spirit. And he still didn’t feel as if the air was cleared.

“I should have told you I was dating someone, but I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“And that worked out so well.” She smiled, but it didn’t turn her hazel eyes from green to warm. They went almost chocolaty brown. “Golly, this has been fun, but I have someone coming in for a sitting and need to get things set up.”

“Okay. I didn’t mean to keep you.”

“No problem. I appreciate you stopping by. Now when we run into each other it won’t be awkward at all. See you around, Will.” She turned and walked into the back.

“Bye, April.”

He left her shop and felt like gum on someone’s shoe. Kim had said seeing her would take the heat off, but she couldn’t have been more wrong. The heat was on and it had nothing to do with their history and everything to do with the beautiful, sexy woman April Kennedy still was. And when had she gotten so confident and sassy? So independent?

That was different. She was the same—but different.

Man, it was going to be a long, hot summer.

* * *

April heard a knock on the sliding glass door in her kitchen and hurried to answer it. Kim Fletcher was standing on the back porch and she yanked the other woman inside.

“Thanks for coming. I’m glad you didn’t have plans with Luke.”

“I’d have canceled if I did. You said it was vital that we talk. What’s up?”

Her friend was engaged to be married this summer to another teacher at Blackwater Lake High School, where she worked in the English Department. Luke was the football coach in addition to teaching science. Her son, Tim, played freshman football and approved of the man his mom was going to marry. She’d found her happily-ever-after and April was glad at least one of them had.

“Did anyone at home know you were coming over here?”

Kim gave her a “really?” look. “News flash. My father, brother and son are guys. They don’t pay any attention to me. I could announce that I was going to be a fire eater in the circus and they’d say ‘Have a good time.’ I’m invisible to them.”

“Okay.” With Will in Chicago all this time, April had forgotten how inconvenient it was that her best friend and her ex were siblings. Who now temporarily lived together under the same roof. All she’d thought about was her own personal emergency and made an SOS call to her bestie. “I need to talk to you and the conversation calls for wine.”

“Twist my arm.” Kim held it out. “I promise I won’t say no.”

Kim Fletcher was pretty and for a long time April hadn’t thought about how much she looked like her brother. Same blue eyes and brown hair, although her friend’s was heavily highlighted, making her look more blonde. The thought of manly, masculine Will with highlighted hair almost made her smile.

After April poured Chardonnay into the two wineglasses waiting on the kitchen island, they carried them to the family room and sat on the sofa.

Kim scooted back and tucked her legs up beside her. “You saw Will.”

April sipped her wine then nodded. “I’d say you’re psychic except that he admitted the meeting was your idea. To avoid an awkward, public encounter.”

“You’re welcome,” Kim said.

“Hold it. I’m not on the gratitude train yet.” April had been jittery and uneasy ever since seeing him again. She liked status quo and really wanted it restored but wasn’t quite sure how to stuff all the emotional junk back in the jar. “It might have been better to take my chances. Maybe I wouldn’t have run into him at all.”

“Seriously?” The other woman gave her a you’re-kidding-yourself look. “This town is the size of a postage stamp. The sheriff’s office is right across the street from your shop. He’s living not very far from your back door. If you really believe your paths won’t cross in the three months he’ll be here, you’re in serious denial.”

“I know. And you’re right. But I wish you’d warned me.”

Kim shook her head. “Surprise was better. Your reaction had to be natural. Unscripted.”

April wanted to crawl into a hole when she thought about how it had gone seeing Will again. She hadn’t been prepared and preparation was her thing. When she got in the car, she mentally plotted the route to her destination. Writing a grocery list started on aisle one and ended at produce. For a photography sitting she always had cameras, lenses, backdrops and props ready.

Even though he lived in Chicago, she knew Will would return to Blackwater Lake from time to time because his family was here. Kim had always warned her when he was visiting and she’d successfully avoided him. In fact she hadn’t seen him at the hospital when his dad had surgery, but she knew he’d been there. She managed to stay out of his way. None of that stopped her from picturing how a meeting between them would go and in her imagination she’d always been less tongue-tied, her wit sharp as a stiletto. Her moment to make him sorry he hadn’t waited for her.

“I don’t know about unscripted,” April said ruefully, “but it was unsomething.”

“How was it? Seeing him again, I mean?” Sympathy gathered in Kim’s eyes.

“He looks good.” Really good. April hated to admit it, but he’d been right that she hadn’t wanted to tell him so. “And it’s nice of him to put his life on hold and come back to help the family.”

Kim nodded absently. “Don’t get me wrong. I love my brother. But I think there’s something going on with him. Career-wise, I mean. There have been family crises—God knows I was one. Being an unwed teenage mother certainly qualifies for family-crisis material. Mom was killed in that car accident not long after he entered the police academy. It’s not to say he doesn’t care because I know he does. But he never put work on hold to be here for us before.”

“Has he said anything?”

The other woman shook her head. “No. He just seems edgy, tense. Different. I don’t know. Maybe I’m seeing ghosts where there aren’t any.”

“Maybe you should talk to him about it.” April didn’t have the right to be involved in his life and it annoyed her that she couldn’t shut off her concern. “Get him to open up.”

“You know better than anyone that my brother doesn’t talk about stuff. Right now getting Dad back on his feet is the most important thing. Will stepping in for him as sheriff means Dad won’t worry about this town and can focus on getting strong again.”

“That’s true.” But April’s life would be far less complicated if the sheriff trusted someone besides his son. No matter how well Chicago PD trained its officers. On top of that Will knew Blackwater Lake inside and out. There was no doubt he would take good care of the town. “I just wish I knew how to get through the next three months with Will here.”

Thoughtfully, Kim tapped a fingernail against her wineglass. “A statement like that makes me think you’re still in love with my brother.”

“No. You’re wrong. It’s been a lot of years.” April rejected that suggestion with every fiber of her being. “That would just be stupid. Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”

“Hmm.” The woman stared at her. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

“A cliché? From Blackwater Lake High School’s favorite honors English teacher?”

“Clichés work because they convey a lot of truth. In this case, you seem to have strong feelings about seeing Will again. That doesn’t happen if you don’t care.” She finished the wine in her glass. “Hence, smoke and fire.”

“I can assure you that what I feel for Will isn’t love. It’s ancient history. I’ve had relationships since him.”

“But you make sure they never work. You always find an excuse to not take things to the next level. As soon as a guy even hints at getting serious, you shut down and blow him off completely.”

April shrugged. “So sue me. I want something special, to be swept away. Settling for less isn’t an option for me. And you have to kiss a lot of frogs...”

“Maybe.” Kim didn’t sound convinced. “Or maybe you need closure with the first frog. Maybe you never moved on after Will hopped away.”

“Finding him with another woman seemed like closure to me.” But, darn it, today he’d looked genuinely sorry about what had happened.

“Then why did you call me over here to talk? What’s the problem?” Her friend didn’t sound annoyed as much as frustrated that she couldn’t help.

“I guess the problem is that I really want to hate him. That would make this summer so much easier and less awkward. Hate is simple, straightforward and sensible. I can deal with hate. But he was nice.”

“Rest assured I’ll give him a stern talking-to about that.” There was a teasing look in Kim’s eyes.

“You know what I mean,” April protested.

“I do. And I still say your problem is about closure.”

“I wish I could be the opposite of a bear and hibernate in the summer. Go to sleep and wake up after Labor Day. If I haven’t gotten closure by now, I’m never going to.”

“Maybe there’s a way.” Her friend had a familiar expression on her face, the one that hinted inspiration was knocking on the door.

“Enlighten me.” April’s interest was piqued.

“Seduce him.”

“What? Are you crazy?”

“In the best possible way, or so my fiancé says. That Luke is a keeper,” she said with a sigh.

“No argument. But can we go back to where you just told me to seduce your brother in order to find closure?”

“And then dump him. Did I leave that part out?”

“Yes.” April sat up straighter. “How does that give me closure?”

“Your last breakup was situational and one-sided. Your emotions are stuck in neutral. Flirt with him. Have a fling. When he’s putty in your hands tell him Jean Luc, your winter-ski-instructor-lover, is due to arrive any day and you have to end your summer dalliance.”

“On top of the fact that there is no Jean Luc, I don’t think I can do that.”

“Don’t you see?” Kim said, warming to her proposal. “You finally have your chance for revenge. Of course you can do it.”

April shook her head. “I’m not that person.”

“Look, I know you’re really nice. It’s why I love you and why we’ve been best friends forever. But, trust me on this, you need to get some perspective and the best way to do that is to take control.”

“But he’s your brother,” April protested.

“All the better. I give you my permission. If I approve no one can judge you harshly.”

“But I’m not very good at seduction.”

“You’ll be fine. And I have a feeling it won’t take much effort or finesse. You need this and revenge is swift and satisfying. Humility would give Will a little character.”

April was starting to weaken. “But he married Miss Naked-Under-His-Shirt. And now they’re divorced.” Surely she could be forgiven for feeling the tiniest bit of satisfaction about that. “I would think that gives him a lot of character credits.”

“No. He left her, remember?” Kim made a face. “I never liked that woman.”

April loved her for that. “Still, it seems inherently dishonest. Because it is inherently dishonest.”

“If you flirt with him and he responds, how is that dishonest? It would be if you hated him, but you said you can’t do that.”

This whole scene tipped into weird territory because that actually made a twisted sort of sense. “So you really don’t think this is a despicably underhanded thing to do? Intentionally flirting with every intention of dumping him? That’s the very definition of premeditated.”

“You’re so overthinking this.” Kim sighed. “Just get my brother in bed, then say goodbye. He’s moving back to his life in Chicago at the end of the summer anyway. The two of you have a good time and it ends. Things will work out. Trust me.”

Famous last words.

But a lot of what her friend said made sense. It was a proactive way to deal with the problem. If he felt nothing for her, no way would there be sex. That in itself would be confirmation they’d never have worked out. Pretty much all she had to do was be nice to him and see what happened.

She leaned over and hugged her friend. “That’s why I needed to talk to you.”

“Happy to help.”

“You definitely did,” April said.

And now she had a plan.

Chapter Two

April pulled the chicken casserole out of the oven and smiled at the cheerful bubbling around the edges of the perfectly browned noodles. The crispy parts were her favorite.

“Okay, then,” she said to herself, “Operation Poke the Bear is officially under way.”

And officially time to get in touch with her inner flirt. Hopefully she still had some of that mojo although that would presuppose she ever had any in the first place. Anything too obvious would be, well...too obvious. It would be a dead giveaway if she walked up to him and said, “Hey, Mr. Sexy Pants, come on up and see me sometime.”

When she started to hyperventilate it was a signal that she needed to get a grip. Less than twenty-four hours ago Kim had floated this idea. A slow start didn’t mean she’d lose the race and as long as she didn’t do anything out of character, no warning flags would be raised.

“Okay. Here goes.” She put a lid on the dish, then slid the whole thing into a casserole carrier and food warmer.

April grabbed the dish and went out her kitchen door, stepping onto the patio. She looked around at her neatly trimmed grass and the flowers in cheerful bloom. A sidewalk led to the alley and she smiled, remembering that her mother put it in because there was already a worn path in the grass from April going to Will’s house. Or him coming here.

That seemed like a lifetime ago, but still a stab of sadness went through her. She still missed her mom and probably always would. Seeing Will again had stirred up a lot of memories, some good but a whole lot of them not.

Sighing, she walked across the alley, up the three steps to the Fletchers’ back door and knocked loudly.

Moments later it opened and Will stood there. “April. Hi.”

“Hey. I made a casserole for your dad. And everyone.” Oh, God, her mind was going blank. “I’ve gotten in the habit of doing this since he got out of the hospital. It was a helpless feeling not being able to do anything for him, so I made food and brought it over. This is heart-healthy. Low fat. Whole-grain noodles.” She was babbling.

When the horrifying thought sank in, she pressed her lips closed and ground her back teeth together. And oh, right, she was supposed to be flirting. So she batted her eyelashes.

“This is very nice of you.” Will took the container she held out and met her gaze. Frowning, he asked, “Is there something wrong with your eyes?”

“Oh. No. I mean—” She blinked furiously. “I think there was something in one, but it’s fine now.”

“Good.”

Doggone it! This flirting thing wasn’t easy. It just felt awkward and dishonest. She should cut her losses and run for cover. “Okay, then. I’ll see you around.”

“Come on in.” Will moved the door open a little wider with his shoulder. “Unless you’ve got plans.”

“No.” Jean Luc was busy tonight, so she was free to flirt.

She walked into the house that was as familiar to her as her own. The door opened into the family room with a leather corner group and a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. On the other side of a granite-covered bar was the kitchen with its large square island, stainless-steel appliances and plentiful oak cupboards.

She looked around. “It’s awfully quiet. Where is everyone?”

“Kim is out with Luke.” He set the casserole on the island and looked at her. The expression on his face said his sister and her fiancé weren’t out so much as staying in and having sex.

April’s already pounding pulse kicked up a notch. “What about your dad and Tim?”

“They went to a movie.”

“Okay.” The house was empty. In theory that worked for her plan except that she wasn’t very good at flirting. “Well, then, now you have dinner. Enjoy.”

He slid her a questioning look. “Have you eaten yet?”

“No.”

“What are you doing for dinner?” he asked.

“Oh, I have a frozen thing in the freezer.” She cocked a thumb over her shoulder, indicating the general direction of her house, freezer and the frozen thing.

Will leaned back against the countertop and folded his arms over his chest. The tailored long-sleeved khaki-colored sheriff’s uniform shirt fit his upper body like a second skin. Matching pants showcased his flat stomach and muscular legs to male perfection. She was the one with a seduction plan, but if this was being in control, she’d be better off flying by the seat of her pants.

“So,” he said, “you put in time and effort on this food and you’re going to eat something that’s been in a state of suspended animation for God knows how long?”

“Yeah, pretty much. I do it all the time.” She could have bitten her tongue clean off for saying that. How pathetic did it sound that she often ate by herself? Next he’d be asking how many cats she owned.

“Not tonight you won’t,” Will insisted. “You’re going to stay and have some of the meal you made.”

Per the plan she had to strike the right balance between reluctance and giving in. It wouldn’t do to appear too eager. The problem was that having dinner with him was tempting and it was awfully darn difficult to tamp down her enthusiasm. Because, gosh darn it, she did eat alone most of the time and the prospect of companionship at a meal was awfully appealing. And she told herself any companion would do. Herself almost bought into that thought.

“I don’t know—”

“Did you put poison in the casserole?”

“Of course not. Wow, you can take the detective out of Chicago, but you can’t take the suspicion out of the detective.”

“And you didn’t put a gallon of hot sauce in there to sabotage it and get even with me?”

“It was for your dad. I didn’t even know you’d be here. The goal is to make Hank stronger and not give him another heart attack.”

“So stay. It smells pretty good. Have dinner here.” His blue eyes darkened with challenge while the beginning of a grin curved up the corners of his mouth.

“If that law-enforcement thing hadn’t worked out, you’d have made a pretty persuasive lawyer.” She happened to be looking at him and saw the shadows cross his face. They were there for a moment, then disappeared. “I’d like that.”

“How about a glass of wine?”

“Sounds good.” It actually sounded fabulous, but again, balance. Not too eager.

He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of Chardonnay, then found two wineglasses in the cupboard. After removing the cork, he poured and handed her a glass.

“Can I help with something?” she asked. “There should be a touch of a green. I could throw some salad together. Microwave some broccoli.”

“Yeah, broccoli would be easiest. But I can do that. You’ve already done more than your fair share.”

“Can I at least set the table?”

“If you insist.” He’d already opened the freezer and glanced over his shoulder at her.

The look zinged right through her. “I do.”

“Okay.”

April was here so often she knew where everything was stored. So she got out plates, utensils, napkins and water glasses, then arranged them all on the round oak table in the nook. She and Will moved around the kitchen as if this meal was a meticulously choreographed ballet. But instead of dips, twirls and lifts, they managed to avoid even the slightest touch. Was he on edge, too?

She put hot pads out, then took the casserole from the food warmer and set it in the center of the table with a serving spoon. The bubbling had stopped but the dish was still warm and smelled yummy if she did say so herself.

Will set a steaming bowl of broccoli beside the noodle dish and said, “Let’s eat.”

April sat across from him, then put food on her plate and dug in. Macaroni and cheese was world-class comfort food, but noodles and chicken came in a close second to her way of thinking. Since Will had come back to Blackwater Lake, comfort was in short supply. Now here she was sharing a meal with him and feeling decidedly uncomfortable.

“I can’t remember the last time we had dinner together,” she said.

Will took a sip of wine, then his mouth pulled tight. “I’m sorry, April.”

“The thought just popped into my mind. I didn’t say that to make you feel bad,” she assured him.

“I know. And yet I do.” He toyed with the stem of his glass, those big hands dwarfing the delicate crystal that had been his mother’s. “I should have told you that I was dating someone. It was a lie of omission and I’m not proud of how I handled it.”

April put down her fork and picked up her wine, then took a sip. He was sincerely sorry about what happened and that confused her. The goal was to seduce him and be the one to walk away, but this contrite Will made her question the mission. It was for closure, she reminded herself. That didn’t mean she couldn’t meet him halfway.

“Look, Will, it takes two to make a relationship. You’re not the only one responsible for the way things turned out. If you remember back, communication between us had dropped off by a lot. You’re not entirely responsible for that. Phone calls and messages go both ways and I didn’t hold up my end of that either.”

“Still, I should have—”

“Let it go. Really. Do whatever you need to in order to work through this because I don’t see you as good martyr material.”

“No?” His mouth twitched.

“Let’s file it under ‘Not meant to be.’ Thinking about that time and wondering what if will drive you crazy.” She shrugged. “We’ll never know what might have happened if my mom hadn’t gotten sick.”

“I suppose.”

“No supposing,” she said. “It’s true. That part of our life is in the past. But this is a new time. Maybe there’s a chance to salvage a friendship.”

“I’d like that.” He held up his glass. “To being friends.”

She touched the rim of her glass to his. “Friends.”

They drank, then smiled at each other. She might be a flirting failure but friends was a start. She could work with that.

* * *

Sometimes it was hard for Will to believe he was filling in for his father as the sheriff of Blackwater Lake. Granted it had been less than a week, but that didn’t change the fact that he had big shoes to fill. Hank Fletcher had always been his hero and Will wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps. Any law-enforcement job was a big one, but compared to what he’d seen in Chicago, this gig was like maintaining order in the land of Far, Far Away.

The office had one main room with a couple of desks for a single deputy and the dispatcher/clerk. Clarice Mulvaney was in her midfifties, a plump, brown-eyed brunette, friendly and efficient. Deputy Eddie Johnson was Will’s height, but skinny. He was barely twenty-one but looked about twelve. Or maybe that was just because Will felt so old. Still the kid was smart and eager to learn.

In the back of the room there was a door that led to two six-by-eight-foot cells, empty at the moment and since this was Tuesday there was a very good chance they would stay that way. Things got a little extra exciting on the weekend when someone was more likely to be drunk and disorderly. Although every day was a weekend now because the official kick-off of summer had been last Saturday. So there was no taking weeknights for granted with tourists all over the place for the next three months.

As acting sheriff, Will took the private office off to the right, which had a closing door. Rank had its privileges.

The phone rang and Clarice answered. “Blackwater Lake Sheriff’s Office. This is Clarice.” She listened for a moment then said, “Is everyone all right?” After grabbing a pen, she jotted down notes. “Okay. Sit tight. I’ll send someone right away.”

“What’s up?” Will asked.

“MVA on Lake Shore Road. Two cars involved.”

Will moved in front of her desk. The sheriff also coordinated fire-department services. “Do we need to roll rescue and paramedics?”

“No. Everyone was out of the cars and there are no apparent injuries. But neither of the vehicles is drivable, so we need to alert McKnight Automotive that there will be either a tow or flatbed truck removal.”

“Okay. Can you take care of that?”

“Sure thing.”

“Eddie,” he said to the blond, blue-eyed deputy. “Take the cruiser out there and evaluate the situation. Talk to everyone involved and make a report. Radio in with your recommendations.”

“Yes, sir.” In a heartbeat the kid was out of his chair and ready to go.

Will held out the keys, and the deputy grabbed them on his way out the door. It didn’t escape his notice that the kid’s smooth face barely required a shave. Must be a thrill to drive a cop car. If there was another call Will would take his SUV. He stood beside his dispatcher and both of them watched the deputy put on the cruiser’s lights before pulling away from the curb. As he’d been trained to do.

Will knew Clarice had worked with his father for over twenty years and was a valued member of the small department. Hank had always said she made him look good. When the resort was completed, the town was going to grow and law enforcement would have to keep up with it. Not his problem, he reminded himself. After the summer he was out of here. But his dad was going to have to deal with it and that would mean more stress. He would need dependable, dedicated employees.

“What do you think of Eddie?” he asked.

Clarice looked thoughtful for a moment. “He’s a good kid. Coolheaded, smart, conscientious. Your dad has an eye for talent.” She grinned. “After all, you’re here.”

“Not because of talent. It’s the training.”

“Could be both,” she said. “And your dad figured Eddie could benefit from your experience and training.”

“While I’m here.” Will didn’t want to give the false impression that he was staying for good and put a finer point on her statement.

“One day at a time.” She had a mysterious Zen expression on her face.

“Right.”

He was looking out the window and saw the door to the Photography Shop open and April walked out. She turned and locked up, then crossed the street and headed toward the sheriff’s office. It was possible she was going somewhere else, but he hoped not. The sight of her lifted his spirits just like she’d done last night when he found her on his porch with a casserole in her hands. It wasn’t fancy food but turned out to be the best dinner he’d had in a long time.

That had little to do with the cooking and everything to do with the company. Like every situation, he analyzed it and figured he’d enjoyed the evening because any lingering guilt about hurting her was gone. There were other things that kept him up at night but not her. At least not guilt about her, because he’d lost some sleep wondering if her mouth still tasted as sweet as he remembered.

April walked into the office and saw him standing by the dispatch desk. “Hi.”

“Hey.”

She looked at the older woman. “Hi, Clarice. How’s the family?”

“Everyone is doing great.”

“Are you a grandmother yet?” April asked.

“Sandy’s due after Labor Day.”

“I didn’t know you were going to be a grandmother,” Will said.

“Because you never asked.” Her tone was only marginally disapproving. “She and her husband live in California, a suburb of LA. He’s an attorney for a big law firm there. Sandy works at a preschool, at least until the baby’s born.”

“Congratulations,” he said.

“Thanks, boss. By the way, I’ll need some time off after she gives birth.”

“My father will be back then. I’m sure he already has you covered and it won’t be a problem.” Then Will remembered she had a son, too. What was that kid’s name? Oh, yeah. “How’s Mark?”

“Good. I’m surprised you remembered his name.” She hadn’t missed the slight hesitation. “He’s getting a doctorate in marine science from the University of Miami.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah. A nerd like his dad.”

Will knew her husband taught chemistry at the junior college located about twenty-five miles from Blackwater Lake. Where April had gone to school. Damned if even after all this time he didn’t still feel a twinge remembering that she hadn’t gone with him to Chicago.

Will looked at her now. “So, April, how can we help you? Are you here to report a crime?”

She laughed. “More like crime prevention.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Would you mind if we talked in your office?” The words were for him, but April gave Clarice a shrug that was part apology, part I-know-you-understand.

“I’ve got work to do,” the dispatcher said.

“Okay. In my office, then.” He turned and headed in that direction with April behind him. When they walked in the room he asked, “Do you want me to close the door?”

“Not necessary. I just wanted a little privacy for this conversation.”

“Okay.” He indicated the two chairs in front of the desk. “Have a seat.”

“Thanks.” She sat down and the wattage on her smile was probably visible from space. Plus she was doing that weird thing with her eyes again. “I could use your help.”

“With what?”

“Crowd control. More specifically teenage make-out prevention.”

“A little more information would be really helpful.”

“Yeah. Sorry.” She laughed again, but the sound seemed more nervous than anything else. “Every year just after school gets out the high school kids get together in that open field a half mile from the high school. The seniors who ruled the school pass on the power, symbolically of course, to the juniors, who are now incoming seniors.”

“Okay. But why do you need official backup?”

“That’s the thing. It’s not official, not technically a school function, so no chaperones are required. But these are teenagers and extra surveillance is the smart way to go.”

“Why are you doing the asking?” Apparently his guilt wasn’t completely gone because there was a part of him surprised that she would request anything from him.

“I take pictures that always make their way into the yearbook. It’s an annual thing they do. Every year.” She cringed. “I already said that, didn’t I?”

“Yeah.”

“The thing is, I don’t want any of them having sex on my watch.”

“I guess not.” He couldn’t stop a small smile.

“Glad you think this is funny.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do,” she challenged.

“Maybe a little.” He shrugged.

“Come on, Will, be serious. These kids are drowning in hormones and they’re sneaky.”

He remembered. Partly because there was something about April that made him feel like a randy teenager again. The reaction could have been because she mentioned making out and sex, but he didn’t think so. It was all her. The playful ponytail, curves that had grown curvier with time and a mouth that would drive a saint insane.

“What time is this photo shoot?”

“Tonight. Eight o’clock. I know what you’re thinking,” she said.

“I don’t think you do.”

“You’d be wrong. You’re thinking that it would be better to schedule this earlier in the evening before the sun goes down.” She shook her head and pressed those plump lips together. Then she seemed to remember something and forced a big smile, followed by some eyelash batting. “The problem is that a lot of the kids have summer jobs and aren’t available earlier. Not to mention that I have a business and later is better.”

She was wrong. That wasn’t what he’d been thinking. His thoughts ran more along the lines of finding a secluded place to get her alone in the dark. “I see.”

“I thought you would.” Her eyes took on a pleading expression. “So, can I count on you?”

Will was conflicted about what to do. He didn’t want to turn her down. This behavior of hers was surprising. First dinner last night and now a request for assistance today. She smiled a lot and did that weird thing with her eyes, which he didn’t recall, but they’d toasted to friendship last night. And today she’d voluntarily come to see him and ask for assistance.

On the flip side, it probably wasn’t a good idea to be out with her after dark, what with his mind going randy teenager on him. Still, the kids would be around and that would cool his temptation. Friends helped each other out.

“Okay. I’ll give you a hand.”

“Thanks, Will.” She smiled again, but it was the first natural one since walking into his office. And it was a stunner.

He really hoped this wasn’t a mistake.

Chapter Three

It was a beautiful night for taking pictures. April had her digital SLR camera on a tripod set up in the meadow and was snapping pictures of the outgoing senior class student-body officers passing a plastic toy torch. Someone held up a handmade sign that said “Class of 2017—we rule the school!” She stopped and scrolled through the images, then adjusted the shutter speed in order to make the shots clearer while allowing for the light from a full moon.

And speaking of that... She counted heads for the umpteenth time. There were supposed to be ten and she tallied eight. “Where did Trevor and Kate go?”

She looked at the group of teens and every single one looked guilty as sin. “Come on. You know my rules. No getting frisky and pairing off during this shoot. I know the seniors who just graduated don’t care. But listen up seniors-to-be, if you want me to take pictures next year you’ll tell me where they went. Otherwise this tradition will just be a sad memory.”

April looked at them and they stared back at her without speaking. “Anyone? Now would be a good time to speak up. You really want to spoil the fun for the other classes coming up behind you?”

“You’re right. We don’t care.” That was Mike Espy, a good-looking football player who’d received a football scholarship to the University of California, Los Angeles. “I can’t wait to get out of this two-bit nowhere town. It’s big-city excitement for me.”

“Oh, don’t be such a jerk.” Patty Carnegie, a pretty blonde cheerleader who was looking forward to senior year and being captain of the squad, gave him a withering look. Then she met April’s gaze. “They took a walk.”

Red alert. That was code for finding a place to be alone and unleash all the teenage hormones raging through them. Will was out there somewhere. She knew because they’d come here together in his SUV. Part of her had expected him to back out, but he’d been right on time.

She wondered if he’d felt the same way Mike did about not being able to shake the dust of Blackwater Lake off his shoes fast enough. That didn’t really matter now, though. She had two unaccounted-for teenagers who could be getting into trouble on her watch.

“Look who I found wandering around in the woods.” And there was Will, walking the two wayward kids back to the group.

There was a lot of good-natured hooting and hollering but Trevor and Kate looked unrepentant. “We had to try,” he said.

“And I have to tell you not to do it again.”

April shot Will a grateful look. He shrugged as if to say he didn’t blame them. Kids would be kids. She and Will had been there once upon a time when his father the sheriff had broken up one of their make-out sessions.

The windows of Will’s seen-better-days truck had been fogged up and they felt like the only two lovers in the world. Right up until the moment there was tapping on the driver’s door. April quickly adjusted her clothes and Will rolled down the window. Hank peeked inside and ordered him to get her home on time. She never knew if Will’s dad had said anything to him privately. Hmm.

“Okay, you guys, let’s finish up.” April took her place behind the camera again.

“What should we do?” Lindsay was a junior and incoming student-body treasurer.

“Just be yourselves. Hang out. Pretend I’m not here,” she advised.

“You just told us not to do that again,” Mike reminded her.

Everyone laughed and she snapped a great picture. “I told you not to go walking alone in the woods. Now I want you to relax, have fun. If you think about getting your picture taken, you’ll freeze up and be stiff. So act as if I don’t have this camera trained on you to record this moment in the history of Blackwater Lake High School.”

“Go Wolves,” someone called out.

“Let’s hear it for the blue and gold,” a boy said.

Spontaneously the kids started a cheer. “Two, four, six, eight, who do we appreciate?”

“Kennedy,” everyone hollered.

Then a chant started. “April! April! April!”

She smiled, watching them have fun. The innocence of youth that she was capturing forever. She got some great unstructured shots, more than enough to provide the yearbook committee with outstanding choices.

“Okay, you guys. Listen up. This is a wrap.” She grinned at all of them. “Great job. Sheriff Fletcher will make sure everyone has transportation home.”

A couple of the girls hugged her and expressed the appreciation of everyone, then hurried off with the group to the dirt area where they’d parked cars. Will brought up the rear and the moonlight allowed her to appreciate what a very excellent rear he had. That reaction was a direct result of pent-up big-girl hormones because she hadn’t had a real date for a while.

She heard the sound of cars starting then driving away while beginning the task of packing up her equipment. It had been fun as always and her threat to discontinue future photo shoots was an empty one because she enjoyed it as much, if not more, than the kids. Maybe because her senior year in high school had been the happiest time in her life.

When the car noises faded she saw Will walking toward her. The anticipation filling her at the sight of him wasn’t too much different than what she’d felt when they’d been together before. Flirting with a toad would be a challenge. But for the purposes of this plan to put him behind her, April knew it was good to be attracted.

“Mission accomplished.” He watched her pack up her cameras and lenses and put them in their protective cases.

“Everyone got off okay?”

“Yes. And I have to say it was like herding cats.”

“I know what you mean.” She looked up at him and her heart stuttered. At some point she was going to have to get a handle on that reaction, but it probably wouldn’t happen tonight. “Seriously, Will, thanks for your help. I’m really glad you were here for backup.”

“I didn’t do much.”

“You did a lot. Not just anyone can stand there and look intimidating, but you pulled it off spectacularly.”

“It’s a gift. Then there were those two who just had to defy authority,” he said.

“And you got them safely back to the herd. Bless you.”

“Happy to help.”

“I appreciate it.” She had packed everything up while they talked and now folded the tripod. “I’m all set.”

“Let me get that for you.” He easily picked up everything that would have taken her two trips to haul.

“Thanks.”

In silence they walked back to where his SUV was parked in the dirt area. He opened the rear liftgate and stowed her equipment while she climbed into the passenger seat. Moments later he slammed the door then settled behind the wheel and turned the key in the ignition. The dash lights illuminated his features and the past came rushing back to her. All the dreams, hopes and hurts of that teenage girl she’d once been.

One of the perks of not being together anymore was that theoretically she no longer cared what he thought of her. That meant she didn’t have anything to lose by asking him whatever popped into her head. And she did it now. “Do you remember that night we were in your truck, parked right here, and your dad found us?”

“I wish I could say no.” The glance he sent her was uncomfortable.

“Did he ever say anything more about it? When I wasn’t there?”

“Yes.”

She waited but he clammed up. “Care to elaborate?”

“If I said no would you let it drop?” This time he looked hopeful.

“From the perspective of a girl who never knew her father and missed that experience, it’s my opinion that you should be grateful your dad cared enough to get involved. To risk alienating you.”

“I get that now. At the time he really ticked me off.”

“What did he say to you?”

“He told me not to disrespect you.”

She smiled. “That sounds like Hank. Did he give you the don’t-get-her-pregnant speech?”

“Don’t remind me,” he groaned, his reaction confirming her guess.

Considering they eventually broke up, it was a blessing there hadn’t been an unexpected pregnancy. That reminded her of what Mike had said and she wondered how Will felt. This was as good a time as any to bring it up.

“Can I ask you something?”

“As long as it has nothing to do with my dad making me feel twelve years old.”

“No.” She laughed. “I don’t know if you heard what one of the boys said. You were herding stray cats.”

“What?” he asked.

“I said the graduated seniors probably didn’t care but I was going to end the passing-the-torch tradition if they didn’t follow my rules. He, Mike, confirmed that he didn’t care and couldn’t wait to get out of this small town, get a taste of the big city.”

“Young and stupid,” Will muttered.

“So you didn’t feel that way when you were around his age?” she asked.

“No, I did.”

“But you just said he’s young and stupid. Do you regret moving to Chicago?”

He was quiet for several moments. “I just meant the big city isn’t just about excitement.” His mouth pulled tight for a second. “In a place with so many people there’s a lot going on, both good and bad. The years give you perspective to see both sides.”

“I guess so.”

April had the oddest sensation of disappointment, as if she’d hoped he would admit he had regrets about leaving Blackwater Lake, and her, behind. And wasn’t that just silliness. It was a reminder of why she was here with him in the first place and romance was definitely not involved.

She’d foolishly believed that she and Will would be together always and deliriously happy. They would have kids and be the family she’d always longed for. He was right about years giving you perspective because she no longer had stars in her eyes. As far as she was concerned the only stars on her radar were in the sky and that’s where they were going to stay. There was no way she would get sucked in to romance again.

Her assignment was to have a fling with Will and this time be the one to end things. High school had been happy because of Will, but now she had to put it, and him, behind her.

It was time for phase two of the plan. “Do you want to stop at Bar None for a drink? I’m buying. Call it a thank-you for your help tonight.”

He didn’t say anything for a few seconds and she braced for rejection. Finally he said, “That sounds good.”

Here goes nothing, she thought. A friendly drink and that was it. She wasn’t going to blow this chance for closure.

* * *

The morning after helping April with her teenage photo shoot Will was still trying to forget how beautiful she’d looked in the moonlight. And how eager he’d been to have a drink with her. There’d been a part of him hoping it would lead to more, but no such luck.

“You didn’t have to come with me to see the doctor, Will.”

“Hmm?” His father’s voice pulled him back to the moment.

“I said, I could have brought myself here to the clinic. You didn’t need to tag along.”

“If I didn’t, you know as well as I do that Kim’s head would explode.”

His dad laughed. He was sitting on the exam table in one of the patient rooms at Mercy Medical Clinic, waiting to see Adam Stone, the family-practice doctor on staff. Adam had consulted with the cardiologist and cardiothoracic surgeon who’d performed the bypass surgery and was now handling the follow-up checks. In fact, he’d stabilized Hank after the initial heart attack, before transport to the medical center in Copper Hill, which was over an hour away.

“Your sister is something of a control freak.”

“That makes it tough when she can’t be in two places at once.” Sitting in a chair against the wall, Will grinned at his dad. “It was either doctor duty or her appointment with the manager at Fireside restaurant to consult on the food for her wedding reception.”

“I’m glad she picked that one,” Hank said. “This wedding is really important to her. And she’s been through a lot of tough times. She’s way past due for a chance at happiness.”

“Yeah.” Will couldn’t agree more.

“The thing is, she would have put wedding prep on hold to come to this appointment with me if you weren’t here, son.” His dad’s gaze was unflinching.

Will did his best not to squirm like a twelve-year-old in the hard plastic chair. Since coming back to Blackwater Lake it seemed guilt was his new best friend. His sister had carried all the family stuff, including being a teenage single mom while going to college and becoming a teacher.

And then there was April and how he’d treated her. At least he’d squared one out of those two guilt trips. She didn’t seem to be holding a grudge about the past. He’d had a great time last night and it seemed as if she had, too. Bygones went bye-bye. She was friendly and, if he didn’t miss his guess, a little flirty.

Since that lightning-rod moment all those years ago when her full mouth and curvy body had grabbed him by the throat, she’d always had the power to get his juices going. As much as he wished that was a bygone, too, it had happened again last night.

But this doctor’s appointment was about giving his sister a break so she could finalize details for her summer wedding.

“I’m happy to help, Dad.” Will really meant that. “And I hope Kim enjoys everything—up to and including her wedding day. She deserves all the good stuff.”

“Who’s holding down the fort while you’re here with me?”

Will had no doubt this was small talk because Sheriff Hank Fletcher still knew exactly what was going on in his jurisdiction. “Clarice and Eddie. They know how to get me if something comes up they can’t handle.”

“What do you think of Eddie? Professional assessment.”

“Hard to tell. I haven’t been here long enough to see him function in a crisis. But he seems bright, eager. He brings a lot of energy.”

Hank nodded. “I thought so, too. Things are going to change when the resort and building development are finished. More people will move here, which is a blessing and curse. We’ll do our best to anticipate potential problem situations but life has a way of throwing the unexpected at you just when you think you’ve got it all figured out.”

Will didn’t miss the sadness in his father’s blue eyes and knew he was thinking about losing his wife in a car accident. He’d come home for the funeral but couldn’t stay long. He had to get back to his job and proving himself to the seasoned veterans in the Chicago Police Department. Or was that just what he’d told himself to shut down the guilt he’d felt for leaving the people he loved?

He and April had hooked up and it was the last time they were together. Considering they’d just buried his mother, it was probably the best and worst night of his life. She had made him forget the pain for a little while.

“It’s good for Eddie to have you here,” Hank said.

“Why?”

“You have a lot of big-city experiences. Blackwater Lake won’t be on that scale, but there’s a lot you can teach him that I can’t.”

“I’m happy to do what I can, Dad, while I’m here. But—”

There was a light knock on the door then it opened and the doctor walked in. In his white lab coat over light blue scrubs, Adam Stone greeted them both and shook hands.

“It’s good to see you, Will.”

“You, too.” They’d met a couple months ago during his dad’s health crisis.

“So, how’s the patient doing?”

“Feeling great, doc.” Hank pulled his T-shirt off as the doctor removed the stethoscope worn draped around his neck.

“Take a deep breath.” Adam pressed the round thing to various places on his dad’s chest and back, carefully listening each time he moved it. “Sounds good. Strong heartbeat and your lungs are clear.”

He carefully inspected the scar on Hank’s chest and nodded approval. “This looks awesome.”

“Chicks dig scars,” Hank joked.

“Then you should be very popular, Dad.”

Adam laughed. “It’s healing well.”

“How’s the wife and kids,” Hank asked.

“Great. Couldn’t be better.” The doctor smiled broadly. “C.J. is loving Cabot Dixon’s summer camp and has decided he’s going to be a cowboy when he grows up. Or Robin Hood. He’s been taking archery classes with Kate Scott, actually Dixon now. They got married,” he explained to Will. “And C.J. can’t make up his mind whether he likes riding horses better than shooting a bow and arrow.”

Hank laughed. “And that little girl of yours?”

“Beautiful. Just like her mom.” His voice grew marginally softer when he mentioned the two women in his life. “Although I could do without the terrible twos. If she’s as good at everything else as she is at that, she’ll be incredibly successful in her chosen field.”

“Yeah, I remember that stage,” Hank said wryly. “My wife handled it and that’s why Kim and Will grew up so well.”

Will marveled at how his father got people to talk, to open up. He considered it part of his job to know the citizens of his town and the man was a master. That was very different from Will’s work in Chicago. There was no way law enforcement could spend the time to get to know everyone.

Adam met his gaze. “How is it being back?”

Will figured he should be used to that question by now but it seemed every day in Blackwater Lake made his feelings a little less clear. So all he said was, “Good.” Best to leave it at that and change the subject. “So my dad is doing okay?”

“Pretty remarkable actually. Pulse, heart rate, breath sounds, blood pressure are all where we want them. Anything you think I should know?” Adam asked.

“No. I’m feeling good,” the patient said.

“I’m going to order some blood work.”

“Heaven forbid I should get out of here without someone sticking me with a needle,” his dad joked.

“Man up, Hank. You should be used to it by now,” the doc said.

“Not really.”

Adam glanced through the chart. “You’re still exercising and watching your diet?”

His dad’s expression was wry. “Have you met my daughter, Kim? You know, the pretty, bossy one?”

“Okay. Point taken. I’m betting that skill was sharpened by working with teenagers.” Adam laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes. So keep it up. At this pace you’ll be ready to go back to work when your medical leave is over at the end of summer.”

“Thanks, Doc.”

“I want to see you again in six weeks. You can make an appointment with the receptionist on the way out.” He shook hands with both of them again. “Take care.”

Twenty minutes later they were in Will’s SUV and headed home. After leaving the clinic his dad had grown unusually quiet, a stark difference from the gregarious man who was keeping up with the personal life of someone who lived in his town. The checkup couldn’t have gone better. So what was the deal? Will was a police officer and trained detective but without clues he was unable to draw a conclusion.

And then there was this dandy technique that cops used to find out stuff. It was called interrogation. “What’s going on, Dad? You’re pretty quiet over there. The doc gave you high marks and said you’ll be back to work soon.”

“Yeah.” The flat tone was a clue.

“Is this about work?”

“In a way. I’ve been thinking about retiring. I knew it was creeping up on me but didn’t give it a lot of thought until the heart attack and surgery. Now...”

“What?”

“It’s been on my mind. And you know that pretty, bossy sister of yours? She’s been relentless about me slowing down. Taking it easy. Traveling.”

“You’ve always wanted to,” Will reminded him. “I remember you talking about it when Kim and I were kids.”

“Not so much after your mom died.”

Will felt a jab of guilt again that he hadn’t been around much after the funeral. “I know that was a hard time for you.”

“It was. And I’ll always love her. But I’m not grieving the loss anymore.” A big sigh came from the passenger seat. “Since Josie—”

“The widow who rents a room from Maggie Potter. I met her when you were in the hospital.” Nice woman, he thought.

“Yeah. She stayed in Copper Hill to be there for your sister until I was out of the woods.”

“I liked her.”

“Kim does, too. And if she didn’t—”

Will laughed. “It wouldn’t be pretty.”

“No kidding.”

“You should take a trip,” Will said. “With Josie.”

“I’d like that, but I feel a responsibility to the folks here in Blackwater Lake. Can’t just turn their welfare over to a rookie deputy, no matter how smart and eager he is. Not with the hotel and condos getting closer to opening every day.”

“Yeah, I can see where you’re coming from.”

Will knew this was his dad hinting for him to make this temporary sheriff thing permanent. He remembered what that kid at the photo shoot had said about his hurry to get to the big city. In fact Will had told April he understood where the kid was coming from. But it felt like forever since he’d been obsessed with excitement, getting away from this town to do something more important.

“I know you do, Will. And I always knew you wanted me to be proud of your accomplishments. You have no idea how proud I am of you, the man you’ve become.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“And you’re older now. Age has a way of making you look at things differently. This town really has a lot to offer a man.”

Just like that an image of sassy April Kennedy popped into his mind. She wasn’t that skinny little girl anymore, but had grown into a beautiful, confident, accomplished woman. So many of his good memories were wrapped up in her, but she was the girl he’d left behind. It hadn’t worked out for them and no matter what Will accomplished in his career the failure in his personal life would always bother him.

“Blackwater Lake was a good place to grow up. Tim is thriving here.”

“Yes, he is. He’s a great kid.” There was grandfatherly pride in his voice, but there was something flat in the tone.

Will glanced over to the passenger seat and saw the look of resignation on his dad’s face. He should have known the man wouldn’t miss the way Will had deliberately changed the subject. There was no point in taking the idea any further. He would be going back to Chicago at the end of the summer.

That was just the way it was.

Chapter Four

In her kitchen, April peeked out her sliding glass door with its great view of Will’s house across the alley. She knew he ran every morning and she did, too. In spite of Kim’s dire prediction that she and Will were bound to run into each other, so far it hadn’t happened. That was about to change. She hadn’t seen him since he’d helped with the teenage photo shoot and that had been a couple days ago. The time had come to give her game a kick in the pants.

It was Sunday, the one day of the week that she didn’t open the shop until afternoon. But she got up a little earlier than usual, put on her running clothes, stretched out and now watched the Fletchers’ back door. If he didn’t show soon she’d have to do her run solo and think of another way to get this flirtation show on the road. Then an ego-deflating thought hit her.

What if he just didn’t like her at all?

Before she had a chance to blow that out of proportion his rear door opened. It was him, and he leaned back inside for a moment. This was her chance.

She left the house and hurried up the sidewalk until reaching the alley, then pretended not to see Will, who stopped at the edge of the grass behind her.

“April?”

She glanced over her shoulder. “Hey, Will. Morning.”

He caught up with her and fell into step. “Mind if I tag along?”

“Nope.” It took effort not to look smug.

“How far do you go?”

“About six miles. Up Deer Springs to Spruce. Around the elementary school, down Elkhorn Road and back.”

“Works for me.”

She glanced over at him in his running shorts and snub gray T-shirt with the bold black letters CPD written on it. The wide shoulders and broad chest were pretty impressive and that was darned annoying. Why couldn’t he be fat? Would it kill him to have male-pattern baldness setting in? But she wasn’t that lucky. He was even better looking than when she’d loved him.

“Try to keep up,” she said and increased her speed.

Will stayed right with her and it was easy for him because his legs were muscular and so much longer than hers. If he wanted to, he could leave her in the dust. But he didn’t, so it wasn’t a stretch to assume he didn’t mind her company. She would go with that working theory.

“How’s your dad?” She happened to look over at him and saw his mouth pull tight. “What’s wrong?”

“He’s fine.” With the baseball hat and aviator sunglasses it was impossible to read his expression. “Had a checkup the other day and doc says he’s the poster boy for how to recover from a heart attack.”

“Oh, good. You scared me there for a minute.” That was a relief. Hank Fletcher was the father she’d never had. “It’s just that you had a weird look on your face and I went to the bad place.”

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to send you there. Dad passed everything with flying colors. Doc even said if he keeps up the good work he’ll get the green light to go back to the job at the end of summer.”

“That’s great.” Then she noticed the muscle in his jaw flex and wondered what he was leaving out. “So why do you look like someone disconnected the siren on your cop car?”

He met her gaze and one corner of his mouth quirked up. “Because someone disconnected the siren on my cop car.”

“Okay. Roger that. You don’t want to talk about it.”

April remembered a time when he told her everything, but obviously things had changed. It shouldn’t bother her that he no longer confided in her. The fact that it did even a little was evidence that getting closure was the right way to go.

For about a mile they ran without talking. Then Will broke the silence. “How’s business?”

“Good. Summer tourist traffic in the shop is up significantly from last year. Plus weddings keep me busy. ’Tis the season for them.”

“Are you taking the pictures when my sister gets married?”

“Of course.”

“But you’re her best friend. Who’s going to be her maid of honor?” Will asked.

“I don’t think she’s having one.” She and Kim had sort of danced around this. If her friend had chosen someone else April would know. “I’m doing the bridal shower and everything the MOH is supposed to do before the actual ceremony. I’ll just be too busy commemorating the important moments for posterity to actually take part in the important moments.”

As they finished the loop around Blackwater Lake Elementary and headed back, Will asked, “Does it ever bother you to miss out on stuff because you’re documenting memories?”

“I love what I do.” If she missed out it wasn’t because of taking pictures. People left her. Her father did before she ever knew him. Her mom died. Will... He found someone else.

“Now you’re the one with a weird look on your face.”

As their feet hit the asphalt in a rhythmic sound she glanced over, annoyed again. This time because he still knew her well enough to know when something bothered her.

“I have cramps,” she said.

“Do you want to slow down? Walk the rest of the way?”

“No.” She kicked up her speed again, enough that it kept them from talking.

April had done this route so many times she knew to start slowing down at the intersection of Deer Springs and Spruce. By the time they got back she was walking and stopped at the edge of her grass to stretch her muscles so she didn’t really get cramps. Instead of saying goodbye, Will did his postrun stretching alongside her.

Again she couldn’t help noticing how masculine he looked, his T-shirt showing darker spots around his neck and arms from the sweat. And, doggone it, that was sexy. If any health-care professional had checked her heart rate right then she could blame it on the run, but that would be a lie. The spike had nothing to do with exercise and everything to do with the Fletcher effect. It wasn’t cause for alarm, just appreciation for a good-looking man. But it was still more evidence that she needed to ratchet up this flirtation in order to put him in her past where he belonged.

“Do you want a bottle of water?”

Will straightened slowly, clearly checking out her legs as he did. She was wearing a stretchy pink shirt over her sports bra and black spandex capris that fit her like a second skin. And she’d give anything to know if he liked what he saw. Darn sunglasses.

“I can throw in a cup of coffee,” she offered, “and a muffin baked fresh this morning.”

“Blueberry? Like you used to make?” There was a husky quality to his voice that amped up the sexy factor.

“Yes. Did that sweeten the pot?”

“Not really. You had me at water.” He grinned. “But I wouldn’t say no to a muffin.”

That was why she’d made them. He’d always raved about her baking. If the spandex hadn’t worked, muffins were her fallback strategy. The way to a man’s heart through his stomach and all that.

“Come on in.”

He followed her into the house, where she grabbed two bottles of water from the refrigerator, then handed one to him. He twisted the top off, then drank deeply, again one of those profoundly masculine movements that made her heart skip.

This was where she got it in a big way that the last time she’d kissed a guy had been longer ago than she could recall. The resulting knot of yearning wasn’t a flaw in the plan, she told herself with a confidence that took some work.

“I’ll turn on the coffee.”

“Can I help?” He sat on one of the high stools at the bar separating kitchen and family rooms.

“No. Thanks.”

Water and coffee grounds were ready to go; she only had to flip the switch. As soon as she did a sizzling sound started and almost instantly the rich coffee aroma filled the room.

“You’ve made some changes since the last time I was here,” he commented.

“Yeah.” She looked around the kitchen. This place was where she’d spent her teenage years. Now it was part of her inheritance, although she’d give it up in a heartbeat to have her mother back. “I updated the cupboards and changed the countertops to granite. Along with the house, my mom left me a little money and after I got the shop up and running there was enough left to do a few things.”

“It looks good.”

“I like it.” She reached up into one of the cupboards and pulled out two mugs—one that said I Don’t Do Mornings and the other sporting the Seattle city skyline, including Space Needle.

“Have you been to the Pacific Northwest?” he asked.

“Yeah. I went with a friend.”

“Anyone I know?”

“Don’t think so. Joe moved here after you left for Chicago.” She poured coffee in the Seattle mug and handed it to him. “Do you still take it black?”

“Yup. Do you still drink yours the sissy way?”

“Of course. Cream and sugar.” She smiled at the memory of how he used to tease her about this. “But these days it’s nonfat and sugar substitute.”

“Why?”

“A girl has to watch her figure.”

“Some girls maybe, but not you. Guys will do that for you.” Maybe it was wishful thinking but it sounded like there was a slight edge to his voice. “What does Joe do?”

“Construction. While he was here.” She handed him a paper plate with a muffin on it.

“Does that mean he’s gone?” He folded the cupcake paper down and took a bite of muffin.

“Yeah. He went back to Seattle. It’s where he’s from. We went there to visit his family.”

“Do you keep in touch?” Definitely an edgy sarcasm in his tone.

“No.” She poured cream in her coffee, then took the container and put it back in the refrigerator. When she turned back, she caught him staring at her butt and legs. And if her feminine instincts weren’t completely rusted out, she was pretty sure he approved of what he saw. “There was no point. Long-distance relationships don’t work.”

“April—”

She held up a hand. “That wasn’t a dig at you. Really, Will. It’s just the truth.”

He looked at her over the rim of his mug as he took a sip. “Okay.” Then he glanced at his watch. “I have to get going. On duty in a little while.”

“I guess peacekeeping is a seven-day-a-week job,” she said.

“’Fraid so.” He stood. “Thanks for the coffee and muffin. We’ll have to do this again sometime.”

“I’d like that.” She walked him to the door. “Bye, Will.”

“See you.”

She watched him walk over to his house and remembered the approval on his face when he’d checked her out. A glow radiated through her and it wasn’t just about the fact that her revenge plan was back on track.

No, this was about the fact that Will wasn’t completely neutral where she was concerned. It was personally satisfying and she looked forward to more.

* * *

“I swear Luke and I are going to Vegas for a quickie wedding.” Kim plopped herself down on the couch in the family room.

Will picked up the remote and muted the sound of the baseball game on TV. He’d only turned it on to keep himself from thinking about April. It wasn’t working very well. The memory of her in those tight black running pants had his mind on things it had no business being on. The White Sox could wait. His sister, on the other hand, was on the verge of a meltdown if not already there.

“What’s wrong?”

“Everything.” She threw up her hands dramatically.

“Where’s Dad?”

“At the movies with Tim. You’re it, big brother. There’s no one else here to deal with me. I don’t need a big wedding. A small backyard barbecue would be perfect, don’t you think? Or even something at the park. Easy peasy.”

“You know you want a big wedding,” Will reminded her.

“Why? What was I thinking?”

“That you’ve never been married before and you’re only doing this once, so it’s going to be a blowout affair.”

“That’s a direct quote, isn’t it?” she asked.

“Yup.” He looked at her beside him. “You said it the night before Dad had his surgery.”

“Talk is cheap. Making a grand pronouncement is a lot easier than taking the steps to make it happen.”

“Talk is cheap. But I can’t help if you don’t spit it out, Kimmie. What specifically is making you freak out?”

Tears welled in her blue eyes. “I got a call from the bridal shop. My dress is back-ordered and might not arrive in time.”

“So pick out another dress.” When big, fat tears started rolling down her cheeks, he knew that was the wrong thing to say. “Hey, come here.”

She slid over and leaned her head on his shoulder. “It’s just...I w-wanted that dress.”

“And it might be fine. Back-ordered isn’t a definite not going to happen. But maybe you can pick out a runner-up just in case?”

“That’s way too sensible.” She sniffled and probably rubbed her runny nose on his T-shirt. “I just wanted to be bridezilla for a day. Throw a tantrum.”

“And it was a beauty, sis. Way to be an overachiever.” He put his arm around her shoulders and tucked her against him. “The thing is, I can guarantee that no one, including your groom, will know that any dress you wear is not your first choice.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because you’d look beautiful in a burlap sack.”

“Aw. That’s sweet.” She sniffled again and looked at him. “Makes me feel bad about blowing my nose on your shirt.”

“It’s yours now.”

She smiled as intended. “How do you know Luke won’t know it’s a second-best dress?”

“Because guys don’t care about that stuff. He’d be happy if you walked down the aisle naked.” He winced. “I can’t believe I just said that to my sister.”

“It’s okay. I took it in the spirit and all that. It’s not a news flash that guys are pigs.”

“That’s harsh. We just have an acute appreciation for the female form.”

“Right.” She rubbed at an imaginary spot on the leg of her jeans. “Speaking of female forms, I saw you and April go running the other day and you went in her house when the two of you got back.”

Will had forgotten how life was in a small town. Everyone watched what was going on and talked about it. At least Kim was talking to him and not someone at the Grizzly Bear Diner, which was ground zero for rumor spreading.

“So,” he said narrowing his gaze on her, “your summer job while you’re not teaching high school is doing covert surveillance for the CIA?”

“There are times when teaching teens feels like doing covert surveillance. It’s not easy to stay one step ahead of those kids.” There was a sly look in her eyes. “Speaking of steps, we were talking about you and April running together. What’s up with that?”

“She runs. I run.” He was having a little trouble concentrating after his naked woman remark, except April was the woman he was picturing naked. Okay, so he was a pig. He was a guy. He could own that. Because April had looked pretty spectacular in those tight black pants she’d worn. That spandex stuff hugged every curve and left little to the imagination, just enough that he wanted to take them off her and see everything. But that was pretty stupid, right? The two of them had their shot and he blew it. “I saw her in the alley before she started her run, so we went together.”

His sister said something that sounded like, “Good for her,” but Will couldn’t be sure. “Afterwards she invited me in for coffee and a muffin.”

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