T-Rex shook her hand. Im sorry. I dont remember.
I can understand. There was a lot going on. Brendas lips thinned and she glanced at Sierra. Be glad you were sick that day. I still have nightmares.
Sierra shuddered. Im so sorry for Mrs. Green. Her husband was such a nice man.
Mr. Green, the bus driver? T-Rex asked.
Sierra and Brenda nodded.
It was a shame. He didnt do anything to deserve being shot, T-Rex said.
Well, dont let us keep you, Mr. Trainor, Sierra said. Thanks again. She stepped back, out of his way.
A babys cry had Brenda moving toward the door shed come out of. Thats my cue. Nice to see you again, T-Rex.
T-Rex shook his head and glanced around. I understand the County Records office is somewhere in this building.
Sierra nodded. You have to go back out to the front of the armory to get to their offices.
This was an armory?
It used to house a small unit of the Montana Army National Guard. When they moved out, they donated the building to the town. Now its the Grizzly Pass Community Center.
He swept the gym with another assessing glance. Now that shed mentioned it, he could imagine a military unit holding formations in the gym when the weather outside was too cold, wet or snowy. A twinge of regret filled his belly. While he was pretty much playing the civilian Stateside, members of his unit were putting their lives on the line in some godforsaken country on the other side of the world. His fists clenched. Nice that the building could be useful. As much as hed like to talk to the pretty woman with the long, wavy blond hair, he had work to do. The sooner they figured out who was at the bottom of all the troubles in Grizzly Pass, the sooner he could be back with his unit.
Besides, it would do him no good to get close to a female. His career was with the US Marine Corps. And hed seen the devastation a career in the military could wreak on a family. He couldnt do that to a woman, any more than he could do what Sierras ex-husband had done to her. No, he was single for a reason. Career military men had no business dragging families along with them.
Ill be going. If your ex gives you any more trouble, you can call me. Ill be happy to step in as the protective boyfriend for as long as Im here. As long as that was as far as it went. He didnt say it, but he thought it, specifically to remind him he wasnt in Grizzly Pass to start anything. He was there to finish it.
He spun and walked out of the building and around to the front, where an entrance led into a hallway with what had once been the offices of the officers and enlisted men whod run the unit. Now the doors were marked with the names of businesses. He found the one marked County Records and entered.
With the help of the clerk, he found the surveys and plats of the properties bordering the oil pipeline running through the hills on the south side of Yellowstone National Park.
He snapped photos with his cell phone, and on a notepad he jotted down the names of the people or corporations who owned the land. When he was finished, he tucked his notepad into his pocket. Thank you, he called out as he left the office. Hed been there for over an hour. He knew he should go straight to his truck and leave, but he couldnt without first checking on Sierra. Back around the side of the armory, he found the entrance to the gym and day care.
Sierra stood with the little red-haired girl and a woman with equally red hair who had to be the childs mother.
She took a nap after the commotion, but she might continue to be distressed, Sierra was saying. Im so sorry it happened in front of the children.
The mother held her daughter close in her arms. Im just glad youre okay. Dont you worry about us. Take care of yourself. The woman turned and stopped, her eyes wide. Oh. I didnt hear you come in. Her eyes narrowed and she shot a glance back at Sierra. Do you know him? I can stay if you need me to.
Sierra smiled. I know him. Hes the one who chased Clay away. The kids love him.
As if on cue, the little red-haired toddler reached her arms up to T-Rex. My turn.
Her mother frowned.
Its okay. Sierra nodded. T-Rex had them all wanting a turn.
Eloisa leaned farther out.
T-Rex grabbed her before she fell from her mothers arms. Do you mind?
I guess not. Eloisas mother gave him a confused smile. She doesnt usually go to strangers.
T-Rex swung her up into the air and back to the ground, then up again.
Eloisa giggled and laughed. When he handed her back to her mother, she clapped her hands and held them out. Again.
Sorry, sweetie. Her mother straightened the child on her hip and hiked her diaper bag up onto her shoulder. We have to get home and cook supper. She smiled, waved and exited, leaving Sierra alone in the gym with T-Rex.
Are all of the others gone? he asked.
Everyone but me. She retrieved her purse from a chair and slipped it over her shoulder. I get to lock up tonight.
Ill wait.
You dont have to.
I know. He waved a hand, indicating she should lead the way.
Really. I can do this on my own.
He touched her arm. Look, youre giving chivalry a bad name. After what happened today, I would feel better knowing you made it home safely.
Her baby blue eyes sparkled, and her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. She pushed her long blond hair back over her shoulders. Okay, then. She led the way to the door.
T-Rexs gut twisted and his groin tightened as she sailed past him, her slim hips swaying ever so slightly in her tan slacks.
He liked what he saw. Normally he would go after her and ask her out on a date. But his usual MO was to date and ditch. Based on what hed witnessed of how her ex-husband had treated her, he couldnt do that to Sierra. She needed a man who treated her like a princess, with all the love and caring she deserved. This woman was strictly off-limits.
She led him out of the building, closed the door and locked it behind them.
So, youre here with the others whove been loaned to the Department of Homeland Security? she asked as they walked side by side to their vehicles.
I am. He paused beside her older-model sedan and waited for her to pop the locks. When she had, he opened the door for her.
She glanced up at him. Thank you for all you did today.
Youre welcome. She stood so close he could smell the subtle scent of her perfume. If he leaned forward just a little, he could capture her mouth with his. His pulse quickened and his gaze slipped from her shining blue eyes to those soft, full kissable lips.
I... Id better go. Its getting dark. She slipped into the car, closed the door and started the engine.
T-Rex stepped back, telling himself he was a fool to even think about kissing the woman. She was on the rebound from a bad marriage. Hed be doing her a favor to stay out of her life.
Sierra lowered the window. If ever I can do anything for you, dont hesitate to ask. I owe you big-time.
He nodded, tempted to collect on her debt by requesting a kiss. Instead, he shook his head. No repayment required. Just being a good citizen. Ill follow you to make sure you get home okay.
This is a small town. Its not necessary. She smiled and backed out of the parking lot.