Free Going Cowboy Crazy by Katie Lane Page A

the windows—all waving.
    “We’re talking to the sheriff.” He drove around back and rolled up next to the Dumpsters.
    “The sheriff’s office is in a diner?”
    “Sort of.” He got out and came around to her side of the truck, opening the door and helping her down. But once her feet were on the ground, he didn’t seem in any hurry to move.
    In the late-morning sun, he was even more handsome. His thick hair glittered like ripe wheat and the faded green of his western shirt turned his eyes a deep moss.Eyes that suddenly looked extremely serious. And since they rarely looked serious, she started to get worried.
    “Look, Faith. Before we go in there, you need to understand the type of people you’re dealing with. Small-town folks are different.” Slate paused and ran a hand over the back of his neck. “They don’t see things like most people. In fact, sometimes they don’t see things at all.”
    “What do you mean?” Obviously, whatever he was trying to tell her was difficult for him.
    “I mean, sometimes they get something in their heads, and they just don’t want to let it go. Like you being Hope.”
    “Of course, they think I’m Hope. You said yourself that I look just like her. And I wasn’t exactly truthful with them.” Faith glanced around at all the cars in the parking lot, and guilt washed over her. “But maybe I should be.”
    “Well, I’ve been thinking about that, and I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
    “Why not? I thought the sheriff was happy about it.”
    “Maybe happy is the wrong word.”
    She frowned. “He was mad?”
    He held up a hand. “No. He wasn’t mad. He was just… surprised! That’s it, he was surprised. And I don’t think it would be fair to leave Hope out of surprising the rest of the town.”
    “Oh.” She hadn’t thought of that. Of course, it should be left up to Hope to tell her friends and family. “So you think I should keep acting like Hope until I leave?”
    “I think that might be for the best. Hope would blow a fuse if everyone found out before she did.”
    Faith nodded. “Okay, I’ll only talk to Sheriff Winslow.”
    He placed a hand at the small of her back as they walked to the door. “Actually, honey, I thought I’d talk tothe sheriff. He gets nervous around strangers. And when he gets nervous his memory gets worse.”
    “Oh.” She stopped. “Then maybe I should just wait in the truck.”
    “That might work in other places. But in Bramble, if you don’t show your face, they’ll come out and get you.” He pulled open the door. “So just have a seat and do what you did last night—smile and don’t say a word.”
    The strong smell of fried onions brought tears to her eyes as she stepped through the door. They were still watering when a man sitting at the table to their right greeted them.
    “Mornin’, Hope. Slate.”
    “Hey, Little Bit.” Kenny’s friend sat next to the man. “You sure disappeared fast last night, Coach.”
    “So fast it makes a person wonder what you were up to,” a woman with a baby on her lap said.
    “The water still low at Sutter Springs?” someone else asked.
    “Hell, they weren’t worried about no water. Not from what Little Billy Ray said,” a man in a booth clear across the room yelled.
    There were snickers and a few sly winks. And Faith would’ve turned back around and headed out the door if Slate hadn’t blocked her way.
    “Mornin’, y’all.” His hand pushed her forward. “You’re sure looking bushy-tailed this morning. Must be the extra sleep you got. Funny thing, the parking lot at Boot’s clearing out so early.”
    The room filled with excuses.
    “My arthritis started actin’ up.”
    “Bunions.”
    “Had to get the babysitter home.”
    “Early church.”
    “Stomach didn’t feel right.”
    Slate ignored the excuses. “Anyone seen Sam?”
    “Yeah, he’s back in the kitchen talking with Josie,” said the woman behind the counter.
    He guided Faith to a chrome and red