GENRE: Romance
LENGTH: 82,363 words
RATING:

Seeking a new start after loss of a child and a bitter divorce, Penny Keller arrives in Bisbee, Arizona, to apply for a dispatcher position for the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department. Penny soon finds herself in the middle of tangled department politics embedded in some deep prejudices, a long-standing feud between her supervisor and one of the deputies, and dive into an ongoing drug ring investigation.

Still smarting from a painful betrayal by a woman he’d tried to help, Valdez Hawke is determinedly single and a lone wolf. His law enforcement career has become his whole life, and he doesn’t have time for the burgeoning attraction he feels for the new dispatcher. Pursuing her would also fuel his long-term feud with his immediate supervisor. Still, spunky and charming Penny is almost too much to resist.

When old secrets start to emerge, Penny finds the middle a dangerous place to be. Her new life introduces her to a complex world and an intriguing man who may be the partner she needs ... if they can get past old secrets and clever enemies hiding behind subtle prejudice.

EXCERPT:

Penny slept deeply from 2000 to 2330, when her alarm went off. After splashing cold water on her face in an effort to rid her mind of the cobwebby feeling of sleep, she dressed quickly. Although she was not late, she was not as early as usual, but if June noticed, she didn't remark on it. She just briefed Penny quickly before bidding her a cheerful goodnight. Fortunately, the night was relatively quiet. When Linda relieved Penny at 0745, she felt little more tired than usual.

Penny stepped out into the invigorating morning. The cool, sweet air seemed like a tonic, sweeping the night's weariness away. She walked slowly across the parking lot, savoring the scent, the coolness, and the hint of change in the air.

As she approached her car, she could see around the corner of the high rock wall which held up the hillside at the upper edge of the parking lot. That's when she saw Val's truck, parked near the wall, beyond several other vehicles.

Next she saw Val, but she cut off the greeting she started to voice because she realized he was not alone. He leaned against the left front fender of his truck, holding another person in his arms, someone whose dark head rested forward against his shoulder.

Oh my God, that's Mollie! Penny froze, concealed behind her car. In the quiet morning air, sounds carried too well. She could hear Val, speaking in a low but intense tone.

"Por Dios, Mollie, call in sick! Linda's on duty isn't she? They can make it without you today. I'll talk to Pete if it comes to that. Come on. We'll come back for your car later."

She could not hear what Mollie replied, but after Val helped her into the truck, they drove away. For long moments after the pickup disappeared from view, Penny stood staring unseeing at the wall, too numb to move. Val's duplicity cut her to the quick. Not only had he lied to her, in deed if not in word, he was also apparently cheating on Mollie by his attentions to Penny. How could he seem so nice and behave so despicably?

Penny's liking and respect for the Chief Dispatcher had grown steadily as they came to know each other. Surely Mollie didn't deserve such treatment. Had it been just three nights ago, the evening which had brought the overwhelming moments in Val's arms? What she had just witnessed made a mockery of the memory.

I will not cry, she told herself fiercely as she opened the VW's rust dotted green door. I won't, she repeated as she climbed in stiffly. I won't. I made a mistake, that's all. It will never happen again, that's for sure.

She made herself start the car and drive home. When she got there, she put the bug in the garage and closed the door, climbed slowly up the inside stairs, took a quick shower and fell into bed, all vitality and invigoration forgotten. She drew the shades to keep out the morning and almost willed herself into oblivion.

Eventually the jangle of the telephone woke her from a deep but dream-haunted sleep. For a moment, she was disoriented. She tried to shut off the silent alarm clock and finally found the phone on about the sixth ring.

"Penny, are you all right?" It was Pete's voice -- a relief, a disappointment.

"Oh sure, I was just asleep."

"Whoops, I'm sorry. Of course -- you got off at 0800. Sorry I woke you, but I really need to see you today. Can you drop by my office later, maybe about 1530?"

Penny took a deep breath, trying to clear her thoughts enough to answer coherently. "Sure, Pete. Is there some problem, something wrong?"

"Not really. I wanted you to hear about some personnel changes first from me, maybe give me your opinion."

"All right, I'll be there."

"Good girl. Sweet dreams, now."

Penny cat-napped for awhile and finally got up about 1400. She had a glass of iced tea and a bowl of peaches and milk. After that, she decided she needed another shower to really wake up. Finally she put on a sleeveless blue and white checked gingham dress, got Beanie out of the garage, and drove up to the courthouse.

Mary greeted her warmly. "Pete can see you right now," she said.

Penny paused at the door, reliving her first glimpse of the lieutenant. As then, his blond head was bent over the desk as he concentrated on his work. Either some slight sound or the intensity of her gaze made him aware of her presence and he looked up to smile at her warmly.

"Come on in, Penny, and have a seat. I'll be with you in just a minute."