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well without a college education wasn’t an easy thing to do. I worked my way up through the ranks until I was running an office. It paid well, but not well enough that I could afford to travel here and visit like I wanted to.” She thought about how much she’d wanted to come back. “Even though I spent the majority of my life in the city, a part of me always wanted to return to country life.”
    “It would be nice to have you here.” A wealth of meaning was in his gaze. Then he seemed to realize that he was making this too personal and he leaned back in his chair as if distancing himself. “Maybe your boyfriend will change his mind.”
    “I doubt it.” She made herself smile, suddenly becoming uncomfortable at the turn in conversation. “Your turn. Tell me what’s been happening with you all these years.”
    He pushed his hand through his hair. “I grew up helping my mama and daddy on the ranch. When I graduated from high school I attended the University of Arizona and got my bachelor’s degree then went into the police academy. I served on the Tucson force for twenty years before moving back and taking on a position as sheriff’s deputy. I decided to run for sheriff, got elected, and here I am.”
    “And here you are.” She smiled.
    Their appetizers arrived and Renee and Dan shared what they’d picked out. It was tasty and she found she was exceptionally hungry. She’d only eaten the tortilla chips while she’d been out and had purchased a second large bottle of water on the way back past the general store.
    While they ate they continued talking, catching up on some of what had happened in their lives over the past three decades. She shared with him how she’d ended up taking ballet lessons instead of riding horses and had been on the debate team as opposed to belonging to a 4-H club. Her family had traded dirt roads and grasslands for asphalt and concrete.
    Dan, on the other hand, had been in 4-H from the time she’d known him until he was eighteen, had competed in junior rodeo competitions, and had played football in high school.
    “Hell,” he said, downplaying that fact. “Our high school was so small that every kid big enough to fit into a uniform could be on the team.”
    Renee laughed and touched a napkin to the corners of her mouth. “That was great.” She sobered. “I really should be going.”
    “I interrupted your dinner and you didn’t even order a meal. I don’t think you came here for just appetizers.” He held her gaze. “I don’t want to be the one to run you off. I shouldn’t have kept you talking so long.”
    She smiled. “I’ve enjoyed it and I’m happy I ran into you.”
    “Why don’t I leave you here and you can order?” Dan said. “I know this is awkward for you because of your situation.”
    She shook her head. “I had planned on a steak but I think I ate too much of the appetizers. I’m fine.”
    He studied her. “I’ll give you a ride back to the bed and breakfast.”
    With another shake of her head, she said, “I’d better walk.” She grasped her purse then felt the faint vibrations of her phone. It had to be Jerry. She felt a twist of guilt in her belly. She had lost track of everything and she shouldn’t have spent so much time with Dan. It had just gone by so quickly.
    She reached inside her purse, drew out the cell phone, and looked at the caller ID screen. Her stomach swooped as she saw that it was indeed Jerry.
    After taking a deep breath, she pressed the ON button then put the phone to her ear. “Hi, Jerry.”
    “What are you doing? I’ve tried calling you six times.” She heard an edge to his tone. “Are you with someone?”
    Dan studied her and she bit the inside of her lip. “I came to the steakhouse alone, but—”
    “You wouldn’t lie to me, would you, Renee?” Jerry’s voice was deadly quiet.
    “Of course not.” She started to tell him that she’d run into Dan at the restaurant but the call disconnected.
    A shadow fell