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would Cold Plains do without him?”
    “Why don’t you like Samuel?”
    “I don’t like what he’s doing to this town.” He sounded disgusted.
    She angled her head in question. Why did he think there was something wrong about Cold Plains? “Who wouldn’t want to live here?” This was paradise compared to where she’d come from.
    He leaned against a post supporting her covered patio. “It wasn’t always this way.”
    “What way? Perfect? Idyllic? Safe?” At least it had been up until Jed showed up.
    “This town was full of crime and cowboys before investors came and turned it into a tourist attraction.”
    He didn’t like that? “What’s wrong with improving things?” Gemma asked.
    “Nothing.”
    She was pretty sure he thought there was something wrong with it. Why was he a cop here if he hated it so much? “You’d rather have it full of crime?”
    “No.”
    “Then…?”
    He stared at her for a long time. “You’re new here.”
    What was that supposed to mean? Old-timers knew something she didn’t? She found that so hard to comprehend. Cold Plains was a haven for her.
    Straightening from the post, he walked with slow, sure strides to the patio door. “I’ll drive you and Lacy to the community center.”
    Following him into her house, she wondered if the reason he didn’t like talking about his family situation had anything to do with his opinion of Cold Plains. She sensed a strong connection between the two. Was he here to right a wrong? Or did he have some kind of vendetta against certain people? Against Samuel Grayson?
    Or Bo Fargo? She’d seen the way he’d looked at the man and it hadn’t been friendly. Ford didn’t respect the police chief. But why? He wouldn’t tell her if she asked. He’d already cut the conversation off.
    He led her out the front door and she locked it behind her, watching him scan the neighborhood with trained eyes. She wished he didn’t attract her so much. His mysteries kept mounting. And now he’d warned her to be careful who she befriended. Was he one of those she should steer clear of? Instinct told her no. Her heart was drawn to him for some reason. Then again, her heart had been drawn to Jed, too.
    She’d be careful all right. She’d be careful not to get too starry-eyed over Ford, police officer or not.

Chapter 3
    G emma entered Cold Plains Coffee as Ford held the door for her. Dismissing the gentlemanly gesture, she looked for Lacy. She couldn’t wait to go to tonight’s seminar, not for the content, rather, for the break it would give her from the constant temptation to let go of inhibitions.
    Rich wood blinds with swooping maroon drapes accented the western decor of Lacy’s shop. Buffalo-plaid-patterned chairs and sofas created nooks where patrons could gather. In the center, rugged wooden tables surrounded by cushioned chairs sat beneath exposed beams. The acoustics of the architecture kept the mixture of voices in the half-full space to a muted level.
    A middle-aged couple saw them and, after staring a bit, the woman leaned closer to the man and said something that made the man nod and look over again. An elderly woman with a floral sun visor sat at a table and smiled her approval. At first Gemma thought the older woman liked seeing a police officer in the shop, but then she stood in her baby-blue jogging suit and headed toward them, white tennis shoes bright and clean.
    “Anna,” Ford said flatly.
    “Ford,” Anna greeted, leaning toward him to plant a kiss on his cheek, Ford lowering his head to accommodate her. “I didn’t know you were coming here.”
    With an affectionate frown, Ford said, “I highly doubt that. What are you doing here, Anna?”
    She ignored him and turned to Gemma. “I’ve heard all about your trouble, dear. And I couldn’t be prouder of Ford for helping you.”
    “I’m very grateful for his protection,” Gemma said.
    “I told you, I’m working,” Ford said.
    “That’s what you always say. This, however,