On Deadly Ground (Dan & Chloe Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

local officers of the law.’
    Dan flicked his gaze to Chloe and she smiled at him playfully.
    The Sheriff released Dan’s hand and turned his attention to Chloe.
    ‘Ma’am, and you are?’
    ‘Chloe,’ she held her left hand out.
    The Sheriff took Chloe’s hand in his meaty paw. He was surprised by the strength in her grip, he looked her up and down, for such a petite thing she had as firm a handshake as any man’s.
    ‘Chloe Constantine, Dan’s my husband.’
    ‘Sheriff Lawson.’
    Lawson let go of the young woman’s hand and glanced from Dan to Chloe and back again. He figured the husband was at least a decade her senior but he didn’t hold it against Dan.
    Hell, look at her , Lawson said to himself: she’s a pure forest fire, damn; I never knew women could be that beautiful .
    ‘Sheriff?’
    Lawson snapped his head around to his deputy who had squatted next to the unconscious youth, ‘I think I better call for the medics.’
    Lawson nodded his head.
    ‘Sure thing deputy, use my car to call it in.’
    Right then the young mother that had been knocked over came up to them, she offered her thanks to Dan, and then she started to talk rapidly at Sheriff Lawson.
    ‘See Pete, I told you this would happen sooner or later, you and your department are too soft on these damn tourists...’
    Dan and Chloe stepped back from the confrontation, putting several metres between them. Dan turned to Chloe and cocked his head to one side and asked in a whisper what she was thinking asking the cop out to the ranch.
    ‘Have you forgotten that there are men buried on our property, hell Chloe, we’re not exactly your average Mr and Mrs?’
    Chloe chuckled softly, she knew Dan wasn’t angry at her; he was just playing it safe.
    ‘I know all that baby, but I figured it’s time we got to know who it is that keeps the peace in these parts. You never know when we may need them and if we’re on good terms with the local Sheriff’s department then that can’t be a bad thing can it?’
    Dan frowned at Chloe as realisation dawned on his face.
    ‘Baby, we’re safe, I told you that, and we’ll ride out tomorrow and check out our precautions but...’
    Chloe pushed up on to her tiptoes and she kissed Dan’s bottom lip, she squeezed his arms.
    ‘I know sexy,’ she said softly so as not to be overheard. ‘But better safe than sorry, you never know.’
    ‘Okay, but hell Chloe, we’re armed. I just want to get out of here.’
    Lawson touched Dan’s shoulder and Dan spun around. The look in Dan’s eyes made Lawson take a step backwards and he almost dropped his hand to his holstered revolver but he quickly composed himself.
    Dan and Chloe both offered up smiles and the Sheriff relaxed some more.
    ‘Sorry Sheriff, you made me jump, I guess this whole thing has shaken me up a little.’
    ‘I need you to come down to the station.’
    Dan tensed up but he quickly realised what Lawson was on about. He’d need Dan and Chloe to give official statements of what had just happened.
    ‘Of course.’
    Chloe stepped forward with her most endearing smile and once again asked if he would care to join them later that day.
    Lawson scratched his stubbled cheek.
    ‘Hitch a lift with Harry,’ Chloe said. She could see that the Sheriff was giving it the serious once over.
    ‘Dan makes a mean burger,’ Chloe added with a warm smile.
    Sheriff Lawson smiled and nodded his head.
    ‘Thank you ma’am. That’s mighty neighbourly of you.’
    ‘No problem and please, call me Chloe.’
    ‘Well, thank you Chloe.’
    ‘Is it okay if we drive down to the station Sheriff?’ Dan asked, ‘I know where it is.’
    Lawson nodded his head.
    ‘That’s fine Mister Constantine.’
    ‘Please, its Dan or Daniel.’
    Dan was relieved that the Sheriff had no problem with them coming down to the station in their own vehicle. He wanted to secure their weapons before stepping in to the Sheriff’s offices. Dan didn’t want a security system alerting the law to