Sierra Falls (Sierra Falls 1)

“What?” Sorrow caught his eye again. “Of course not. I love dogs. I just…I think I know who that is. ”

The animal burst into the kitchen. He was friendly and high-energy, with a lean, medium-sized body and short, white fur covered with cartoon-cute brown spots. He looked like he might’ve come from central casting for a Hollywood dog movie.

Billy squatted to call him over. “Hey, little guy. Who do you belong to?” He glanced up, and Sorrow was stiff as a board.

The owner strolled in, and the dog forgot about Billy, galloping back to his master’s side.

It was Damien Simmons. The boyfriend.

Thirteen

“Hey, Bailey. You look great. ” Damien stepped in close.

Sorrow fought the urge to flinch away, self-conscious of Billy standing right there next to her. She and Damien had a thing. He was her boyfriend. So why was this situation stressing her out? She tipped her head so Damien could brush a kiss on her cheek—she wasn’t about to give him a full-on mouth kiss with the sheriff standing right there.

Billy stepped forward, reaching out to shake hands. “It’s Damien Simmons, right?”

The two men gripped hands, and if the white knuckles were any indication, it looked like a squeezing contest was going on.

“Hey, Sheriff. Good to see you. ” Damien’s smile was wide and easy, Sierra Falls poster boy. “Thanks for taking care of our Edith today. The woman does love her meetings. ”

Our Edith. Sorrow felt her back go rigid. What was up with that? Helping out around the lodge was one thing, but laying claim to her mother was entirely another. She bit her tongue. Boundaries, Damien.

“My pleasure,” Billy said. “That’s a cute dog. What kind is he?”

“Just a bird dog. Aren’t ya, Coop?” Damien scratched between the dog’s ears, then smoothed his hand back to give a firm, affectionate pat to Cooper’s side. “He was a rescue mutt…a pointer, most likely. He loves to hunt, don’t you, boy?”

The dog wagged furiously. That creature sure did love Damien…he could get in line with the rest of the town.

Damien’s clothes finally registered. He was wearing his top-of-the-line gray and white camouflage jacket. “You went hunting?”

“You were out hunting in this weather?” Billy asked at the same time.

“I did and I was. ” Damien directed his smile at her. “Quail season doesn’t end till February. ”

“Oh. ” So that was the important meeting that couldn’t be interrupted? “You held all your calls so you could hunt?”

The sheriff laughed. Good that someone found it amusing. “Isn’t it kind of wet for that?”

She must’ve been scowling because Damien chucked her chin, telling her, “Don’t look so bummed. I brought you a few quail in the cooler—you can cook us up one of your gourmet feasts. ”

Damien wandered back into the den, and they followed. His sudden presence had her feeling a little smothered. She told herself she was glad he’d had a good day. But it would’ve been nice if he’d at least fielded her call, instead of ignoring her and then showing up unannounced for dinner.

Billy went to the window and pulled back the curtain. It was full dark, and the snow glowed like a white blanket in the moonlight. “I still can’t get over that you were hunting in this weather. ”

“Not a hunter, Sheriff?” Damien settled on the couch. She sat stiffly on the end, and he scooted closer.

Billy seemed to be taking in every detail of their interaction, and it made her intensely uncomfortable. “Sure, I’ve hunted,” he said. “I still have some venison in my freezer from the fall. And I love the snow…skiing, snowshoeing, it’s all good. But choosing to sit in it? All day? Not my thing. ”

“Me neither,” her mother chimed in.

Sorrow had to agree. If anyone was asking. Which they weren’t.

“Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it,” said Damien. “We hike around, it’s good exercise. I’ll take you sometime. ”

This whole exchange had her feeling peevish. “You never offered to take me. ”

Damien faced her full-on, asking earnestly, “Would you like to go hunting with me tomorrow?”