“How long have you been a cop?”
“Since I was eighteen. I hired on as a deputy for my predecessor, then was elected sheriff two years ago.”
“Impressive.”
Duke shrugged. “At the time, there were some who thought I was too young for the job, but no one else would step up to take it. We’ll see if they reelect me when my term is up. I’m only thirty-three and sheriffs in larger counties are generally older and have more experience. But I live in a small community.”
“Something tells me you prefer it that way.”
“You’d be right.”
“Do you want to be reelected?”
“Yes and no,” he admitted. “Some days, I love my job. Others, it’s a pain in the ass. Guess you could say that about any job though, right?”
“Yep.” I’d had the job most girls could only dream of, but dreams weren’t always what you imagined them to be, and when there were more bad days than good, it was time to walk away. “What would you do if you weren’t a cop?”
“Be a cop.” He laughed. “I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
For his sake, I hoped that didn’t change.
Because turning your back on your dream, giving it up, was heartbreaking.
We rounded a curve and the trail narrowed, forcing us closer. I slowed to get behind him, but Duke slowed too, keeping by my side. The roped muscles of his arm brushed against my bare skin. His knuckles grazed mine and I forgot to breathe.
When I looked up, those blue eyes were waiting.
Damn it, I should have picked Wyoming for my new home.
There was a spark between us, and I hadn’t felt a crush on a man in ages. Duke might just be that something unexpected I’d been wishing for.
But our time together was up.
Before I was ready to part ways with this handsome and kind stranger, a wooden sign greeted us on the trail with an arrow pointing toward the parking lot where we’d left my car—a black Range Rover I’d purchased the day Everly and I had arrived in Jackson, Wyoming.
I’d driven it through Yellowstone while she’d followed in her rental car. We’d left the rental at the trailhead where we’d started today’s adventure. Our plan was to camp out tonight and cross into Montana tomorrow.
Then Everly would head to the airport in Bozeman, where she’d catch a flight home to Nashville.
And I’d continue on to Calamity and start this next chapter of my life.
There were only a few vehicles in the parking lot as we emerged from the trail. The moment Everly spotted my SUV, she sighed. “We made it. Let’s never hike again. Though I am kind of sad I didn’t get to use my bear spray.”
Duke chuckled. “I’ve been pepper sprayed twice, once at the police academy and another time for a training exercise. Trust me when I say you don’t want to use those cans unless absolutely necessary.”
“Thanks for not being a serial killer.” Everly held out her hand to shake Duke’s. “And thanks for rescuing us.”
“No problem.” He waved as she turned and walked toward the SUV, fishing out the keys we’d put in her backpack.
I scanned the parking lot, taking note of the trees and the signs, looking anywhere but at Duke until it was time for the inevitable goodbye.
“Pleasure to meet you, Jade Morgan.” He extended his hand, and I slipped mine into his grip.
Tingles raced across my skin as the rough callouses on his palm scraped against my fingers. I met his gaze, soaking up the azure blue. “Take care, Duke.”
He inched closer, not letting go as I’d expected. Instead, he held my hand, tugging me in as his focus dropped to my lips. Like maybe he was thinking of kissing me.
Maybe I wanted him to.
But then he blinked, the moment broken, and the heat of his hand disappeared.
I plastered on a smile to mask the disappointment.
It was better this way, right? Cops asked questions and I doubted Duke would be satisfied with partial answers. Over the next year or two, I needed to keep my eye on the prize. At twenty-eight years old, I was building a new life. The smartest thing for me to do would be avoiding men, especially a hot sheriff who was in the public spotlight.
But after just hours with him, I knew I’d wonder about Duke. I’d wonder what might have been. He was fantasy fodder at its finest.
“Drive safe.” With a tip of his green baseball cap, he turned and walked toward a large white truck parked beneath a towering evergreen.
I stood, rooted in place, as he climbed in and drove away.
“Goodbye, Duke Evans.”
That really was a great name.
“I can’t believe you won’t be home when I get there.” Everly sniffled. “This weekend went way too fast.”
“But I’m glad we did it.”
She wiped away a tear. “Me too.”
The two of us looked human again after long showers and sleep in an actual bed. While camping out two nights with a long hike in between had been an experience neither of us would forget, I wasn’t in a hurry to see the inside of a tent again.
When we’d arrived at the Madison Campground after the hike, we’d been exhausted. Everly and I had barely mustered the energy to set up our tent and sleeping bags before we’d collapsed. The next morning, we’d woken up early, packed our things and hit the road. After collecting her rental car from the trailhead, we’d driven to West Yellowstone, where a hotel room and spa appointments had been waiting.
I’d soaked up one last day and night with my best friend before we’d come outside to say goodbye. Everly was driving to the airport.
I was heading to Calamity.
“Call me when you get home?” I asked.
She nodded. “I will. If you need anything at all, I’m just a plane ride away.”
I hugged her, squeezing tight. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m going to miss you too.”
My entire life, Everly had lived less than one block away from me. First as little girls riding bikes in our cul-de-sac. Then as women living together in Nashville for the past ten years. And now she’d be across the country, living her normal life, while I was moving to a new town, a new state and a new home, hoping to find a new dream.
Hoping to find that elusive peace.
“Thanks for this,” I said. “For the weekend. For coming out here with me. For keeping this a secret.”
“I hope it stays that way.” Her brown eyes filled with worry. “Are you sure about this?”
“No, but I have to try.”
“You know your secret is safe with me, but . . . at some point, someone is going to figure it out.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” I sighed. “If I’m lucky, I can hide here forever.”
And if not . . .
The doubts weren’t going to stop me from trying.
“Just take care of yourself, okay?” She hugged me again. “Love you.”
“Love you too.” I stood beside my car, watching her get into hers and drive away. It wasn’t until her taillights disappeared down the highway that I finally unglued my feet.
And started my new beginning.
“Oh, hell.” I glanced at my watch and abandoned my lazy pace.