Free Capturing the Cowboy's Heart by Lindsey Brookes Page B

all.  Hell, Cade, there’s plenty of nice girls—”
    “Sheriff,” Cade cut in, his voice tight, “is Miss Dalton all right?”
    “She’s about as happy as a tom cat that’s just had its tail yanked.  You wanna come down and bail her out before she drives me crazy?”
    He was almost afraid to ask.  “What’s she doing?”
    “Singing something about being held prisoner in what sounds like three different languages.”
    “That bad, huh?”
    “Worse.”
    Cade was caught up between the urge to laugh and the urge to strangle Lacy Dalton’s pretty little neck.  He climbed from his bed and made his way out to the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee. 
    “Cade?  You still there?”
    “Yep.”  His sleep-dazed mind finally catching up with the conversation.  He shoved the cup of cold coffee into the microwave.  Damned if he wasn’t tempted to let Lacy spend the night in jail, but had no desire to get on the bad side of the law by doing so.  “Where’s her car?”
    “Cutter’s road.  She says there’s a spare key in her purse .”
    “Thanks.”
    “So are you coming to get her now or should I simply gag her until morning?  My nerves ca n’t take much more of this.”
    Sure enough, he could hear Lacy singing in the background, or at least trying to.  He could see why she’d chosen to become a journalist instead of a professional singer.
    “I’ll be there as soon as I get dressed.”
    The sheriff let out a long sigh.  “I ain’t never said this to another man before, but I could kiss you for this.”
    “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t or I might find myself in jail right alongside Miss Dalton.”
    The sheriff laughed.  “I’ll let her know you’re on your way.  Maybe that’ll shut her up.”
    “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell her that I’m coming to get her.  Let her think she’s there for the duration.  Maybe she’ll think twice next time before flying down a country road in that damned sports car of hers.”
    The thought of what might have happened had his smile fading.  Didn’t she realize she could have gotten herself killed driving like that?  One wrong turn...
    The sheriff hesitated.  “ A ll right, but you’d best hurry.   I’m tempted to shoot her.  What were you thinking bringing her kind into this town? ” 
    “ She’s not what you think she is.  Lacy is a reporter who’s here to do a story on my wonderfully exciting life.” 
    “ A reporter?  But she dresses like—”
    “ A hooker,” Cade finished for him.  “But she’s not.  She only put that on to get back at me for insulting her fashion sense.”
    “ The old look but don’t touch type of revenge?   Because there sure was plenty to look at.”
    He couldn’t argue there.  Dalton ’s shorts definitely left little to the imagination.  It was no wonder the sheriff thought...  
    “ That’s pretty much it.”
    “You’ve got your hands full with that one.”
    That was the problem.  He wanted his hands filled with her.  Irritation at the way she affected him settled in once again, deepening his frown.
    “I’ll be there in a few.”   He hung up and turned to find Burk l ounging against the doorframe.
    Running a hand through his sleep rumpled hair, his friend nodded toward the phone in Cade’s hand.  “ Problem ?”
    “You could say that.  Dalton ’s gone and landed herself in jail.”
    Burk’s eyes widened.  “Jail?”
    “Yeah.  Seems she was speeding in that car of hers and then the sheriff mistook her for a hooker.”
    “Bet that went over real well.”
    “She’s in jail if that tells you anything.  I told you she needed to put some more clothes on.  Now I have to go bail her out. ”
    Burk’s chuckle echoed through the room .
    “Glad you find this situation humorous .  I can promise you neither Dalton nor I do.  Now g o put some clothes on,” Cade said as he retrieved his coffee from the microwave.
    “What for?”
    “I need you to drive her car