A Men of Clifton, Montana novel #7
by Susan Fisher-Davis
An honest man wants an
honest woman to love. But when a lie comes between them, can their love be
saved?
Everyone tells Sheriff
Sam Garrett to find a good woman and settle down. When he sets his sights on
Clifton’s veterinarian, he fears she despises him yet he’s desired her from the
first moment they met. She is quite possibly the only woman in town who isn’t
attracted to him which might be why he wants her even more.
Tessa McGuire has a
secret and she fears anyone learning it, especially Sam who she can’t seem to
resist even though she knows she should. After arresting her for outstanding
warrants, desire fuels their mutual needs to the point where neither can resist
its pull. Once they start seeing each other, she’s happier than she’s ever been
but knows she should tell him the truth.
Tessa wants Sam to be
happy, but wanting him for her own is dangerous because her secret could change
everything… When her secret comes out, Tessa’s life and hopes fall apart,
possibly putting everyone around her in danger. What once was a hopeful
relationship with Sam comes to a heartbreaking end. Now can she win him back
and save what they had?
Excerpt from SAM:
Tessa wiped the tears
from her face as she drove back to town from Ryder’s place.
What kind of veterinarian are you? You're not supposed to
cry over the loss of an animal.
Her dream of being an
equine vet had come true right after she graduated and a large equine hospital
in Pennsylvania had hired her, and then when the opportunity for her own
practice opened up, eighteen months ago, she jumped on it. At first, she wasn't
thrilled with the small town of Clifton but after being here for a while now,
she loved it and the people in it—well, all the people but perhaps, one.
Her hands gripped the
steering wheel, her jaw clenching as she thought of him. The man drove her crazy and as far as she could tell, he
didn't like her either.
She glanced in her
rearview mirror and swore aloud when she saw blue and red lights flashing. Speak of the devil. Tessa pulled over,
got her license, proof of insurance, and registration out, and then put her
window down. Glancing in the side view mirror, she saw him get out of his big
SUV patrol cruiser, put his black Stetson on, and walk up alongside her car.
Tessa bit her lip to hold back a groan. She handed her information out the
window before he could ask for it.
"You in a hurry
today, Doctor McGuire?" Sam Garrett asked in that deep voice of his that
drove her nuts, even though she didn’t want it to.
Tessa refused to look up
at him. Way up. The man topped six foot five, and every inch was
mouth-watering. "I didn't realize I was speeding, Sheriff.”
"Ten miles over the
posted limit," he murmured. "I'll be right back."
"Take your
time," Tessa mumbled.
Her eyes went
instinctively to the side view mirror and watched his retreating backside—those
broad shoulders. Why was he so hot? That dark brown, almost black hair was sexy
enough but those beautiful blue eyes could make any woman want to jump his
bones. She watched him take his hat off before getting back in his cruiser. His
hair touched the collar of his khaki shirt. That wasn’t very professional, but
then neither was the way his jeans hugged his butt.
She tapped her fingers
on the steering wheel. What was taking so long? Knowing Sam, he was
deliberately taking his time just to irritate her. He was the only person in
town who called her Tessa. Everyone else called her Tess or Doc Mac. Not Sam,
though. He had to be different, and too damn good-looking for her peace of
mind. He was the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on. She gritted her teeth so
hard that she was surprised they didn't shatter.
Turning around in her
seat, she looked through her back window at him. What was he doing? He was
looking down at something then he grabbed his hat from the dash, and opened his
door. She quickly turned back to the front but the longer she sat there, the
angrier she got. Throwing her door open, she stepped out, folded her arms over
her chest, and leaned against her car. She saw him hesitate when he saw her
outside the car. His sexy mouth twitched at the corner.
"Getting impatient,
Tessa?" He tilted his head.
"What was taking so
long? Believe it or not, I have patients to see."
"And I have
speeders to stop."
Tessa snorted.
"Must get boring for you." She put her hand out. "Can I have my
license back now?"
Sam tapped it against
his palm. "You have an unpaid ticket."
Tessa's mouth dropped
open. "I do not!"
Sam nodded. "Yep.
Seems I have to take you in."
Tessa put her hands on
her hips. "You will do no such thing, Sam Garrett!"
"Sheriff Sam Garrett." He reached
for her arm.
Tessa jerked away from
him. "You are not taking me to jail for an unpaid ticket," she
shouted at him, her anger getting the best of her.
"Tessa, calm down.
You didn't pay the fine and so a warrant’s been issued. Just get in the cruiser
and I'll take you to the station. You can pay it there." He reached for
her again.
"I will not go in
that cruiser. I'll follow you." She clenched her jaw in defiance.
"I can't let you do
that. With a warrant, I have to take you in."
Tessa poked him in the
chest with her finger. "You are not taking me anywhere," she said
through gritted teeth.
"Should I add
assaulting an officer to the charge?" His eyebrow rose, a sense of mocking
which infuriated her even more.
"Oh, you'd love
that, wouldn't you?" She poked him again.
Tessa heard him take a
deep breath right before he spun her around and placed her against the car. She
sputtered. "What…what do you think you're doing?"
She tried to turn
around, but Sam pushed her against the car again and pulled her arms behind
her. Her throat expelled an exasperated gasp when she felt the handcuffs go on
her wrists.
"Sam Garrett, don't
you dare," Tessa screamed at him.
He spun her around to
face him. "Sheriff Sam Garrett
and I asked you nicely, Tessa and you wouldn't do as I asked." He leaned
down to look into her eyes. "You do not touch an officer of the law."
He straightened to his full height. "Am I clear?"
Tessa glared at him with
narrowed eyes. "Crystal. You
want to frisk me too?"
Sam's lips rose in a
slow, sexy smile. "Do you want me to?"
Her heart skipped a
couple of beats at the idea of him running his large hands down her body and it
was all she could do to keep from saying yes.
"You touch me and
I'll have your badge." Tessa scowled up at that handsome face. Although he
was clean-shaven, a faint shadow accentuated his chiseled jaw. Sideburns
blended into the shadow, ending right before his earlobes. His nose was
straight and sat over a gorgeous set of lips, a bowed upper and full bottom lip
that had her wanting to nibble on them, and then gorgeous deep dimples that
showed even when he spoke. His baby blue eyes, surrounded by thick lush lashes,
were striking in his tanned face. Regardless, she refused to look away from
him.
He shook his head at
her.
"You do realize
that I have every right to frisk you? There is a bench warrant out for your
arrest. That gives me the right." Sam pulled on her arm to lead her toward
the cruiser. "You have the right to remain silent…please do…anything you
say…God help us…can, and will be used against you in a court of law. You have
the right to an attorney—"
“I don’t think the
handcuffs are necessary, Sheriff. I’m not going to run. I need to get my purse
and keys…please.”
“Fine…I’ll take them
off, but you are still going in. Understand?” Sam regarded her as if she was
going to run as he unlocked the cuffs.
"I understand…Sheriff." Once her hands were free
again, Tessa reached into her car to get her keys and purse. After locking it,
she walked to the cruiser without looking at him, and stood by the back door.
Sam strode toward her.
"You can sit up front."
When she shook her head,
he sighed and opened the back door. He helped her in, his hand on the top of
her head for which he apologized. “Sorry—habit.” Then he closed the door.
Tessa watched as he took
his Stetson off, settled into the driver’s seat, and set his hat on the
passenger side. His blue eyes looked into the mirror at her before he put his
sunglasses on. She glanced away. He started the SUV and pulled out. Tessa
watched out the window as the green fields flew by. Old wooden barns stood
vacant. She rubbed her hands over her cheeks, refusing to cry. Those blue eyes
saw everything and she refused to let him see her cry. She leaned her head back
against the seat, closed her eyes, and listened as he called the department to
notify them of the arrest.
****
Sam shook his head, and
swore under his breath. He felt like a real ass for handcuffing her and taking
her in but once he ran her license and the warrant came back, he couldn't let
her go. It was only a misdemeanor so all she had to do was pay the fine, and
then she could leave. His eyes shifted to the mirror. Her head was back against
the headrest. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Her long, curly
black hair was in its usual ponytail. He'd never seen it down. Those long curls
made a man want to bury his hands in them. Her hair must be nearly down to her
waist, since the ponytail hung between her shoulder blades. Her bangs were the
only straight part of her hair and those eyes… Sam shifted in his seat as his
groin tightened. Her dark brown, almond shaped eyes made his mouth water. Her
lips were lush and full, and he wanted so much to taste them but then he
scowled thinking how she hated him…for some unknown reason…rather a reason
known only to her. She avoided him every chance she got and he had no idea why.
Sam drove the cruiser
around to the back of the sheriff's department to avoid embarrassment for her.
Of course, with Betty Lou being dispatcher, it wouldn't be long before the
entire town was aware of the arrest. Sam mentally groaned as he got out and
knew he’d never live this down. Opening the back door, Tessa stepped out with a
huff. He inclined his head for her to walk ahead of him, and almost laughed
when she scowled at him then tossed her head. That long ponytail swinging as
she walked into the building. When she stopped inside the door, Sam moved
around her since he knew she'd follow him as he headed for his office. He
hadn’t even had a chance to take his hat off yet when Betty Lou burst through
the doorway.
"Are you out of
your mind?" She put her hands on her ample hips and stared at Sam. He took
his hat off and hung it on a hall tree beside the door. Tessa took a seat in a
chair in front of his desk.
"I don't need your
input, Betty Lou." Sam sat down at his desk without looking at her. Betty
Lou patted Tessa on the shoulder.
"I've got your
paperwork done, honey, so you can get on your way." With a glaring look at
Sam, she left the office. She was his godmother but at times, she really tried
his patience.
Sam grumbled and ran his
hand through his hair then he shuffled through piles of papers and swore when
he couldn't find what he was looking for. His office was well organized and as
neat as a pin. The large windows behind his desk let the summer sun shine in
through the venetian blinds. Two metal file cabinets sat against the wood
paneled wall and the scuffed hardwood floors along with the old wooden desk
showed years of wear. Sam pushed his chair back and stood then strode from the
office.
"Betty Lou,"
he shouted. "I need the paperwork for Tessa to sign so she can pay her
fine and leave."
Betty Lou marched toward
him and shoved the papers at his chest. She narrowed her eyes at him.
"Your mother's going to hear about this, Sam Garrett." She spun away
and went back to her desk.
Sam rolled his eyes and
muttered under his breath as he headed back into his office. He glanced over at
Tessa and knew she was trying not to laugh.
"You think
something's funny, Doctor McGuire?" he said with an annoyed growl and
watched as she straightened up in the chair. She still wouldn't look at him as
she shook her head. He gave a curt nod and took a seat behind his desk.
"Your fine is fifty
dollars," Sam told her, reading the paper in front of him.
Tessa's mouth dropped
open and she jumped up out of the chair. "Are you serious? Fifty dollars?"
"Yes, and before
you go getting all pissed off, just remember you could have paid thirty-five
instead…had you not tried to skirt the fine in the first place." Tessa sat
back down, reached into her purse, and withdrew her debit card. Sam shook his
head. "Nope…cash only."
"How am I supposed
to get cash? You have an ATM in here somewhere?"
Sam grunted. "Not
likely."
"Then how do I pay
you? I don't carry a lot of cash." She nibbled on her bottom lip and Sam
almost groaned at the effect it had on him. "I can go over…what?" she asked when Sam shook his
head again.
"You can't leave
here until you pay the fine."
"You're crazy, Sam
Garrett," Tessa exclaimed. "I can walk right across the street to the
ATM. I'll be right back. Do you seriously think I'm going to run?" She was
shouting now. "I live in this town."
"You tell him,
honey," Betty Lou yelled in from the other room.
"Betty Lou,"
Sam growled. "Shut up!"
Tessa dropped back down
into the chair. "Sheriff, please. I swear I'll be right back."
"I'm not letting
you out of my sight. It's the law. But I can go with you."
"Wonderful,"
Tessa mumbled as she followed him through the office, and out the front of the
building. "How do I get back to my car, Sheriff?" she asked as they
crossed the street.
"I'll take
you," Sam told her.
"It just keeps
getting better," Tessa muttered.
Sam frowned. "I
could have Betty Lou take you but I think I'm the lesser of two evils." He
halted and looked at Tessa. "She'll talk your ear off, unlike me."
"I know that's
right. You barely speak to me at all."
"I think you have
that backwards."
"Whatever. Excuse
me so I can get my money." She moved around him and stepped up to the ATM.
Sam folded his arms across his chest, leaned against the building and hooked
his boot heel against the brick. He put his fingers to his hat when Lacey
strolled past him. She always seemed to be around when he was.
"Hello,
Sheriff." Lacey winked at him as she spoke.
Sam smiled until he met
Tessa's gaze. "What?"
Tessa shook her head.
"Seriously? Lacey Cosgrove?"
"Jealous?" Sam
grinned.
Tessa snorted.
"Please."
Sam leaned down, close
to her ear. "Oh, I could please you, angel. I can promise you that."
“You think so, Sheriff?
Maybe I should make you prove it,” she said before spinning around to march
back across the street while Sam stood there and watched her as she did. He
couldn't keep his eyes off her ass in those tight jeans. The woman was built like
a brick shit house. Christ. His dick
wanted to salute.
He jogged to catch up to
her. She opened the door and went inside right before he got to her. Sam took a
few deep breaths before he opened the door and entered the building. Tessa
slapped her money down on the counter for Betty Lou and waited for a receipt.
"Do you want me to
drive you back to your car, Tess?" Betty Lou asked, sending a scowl at
Sam. He ran his hand down his face. This was getting ridiculous.
"I'll take her
back. How about you do your job and that means no gossiping while I’m
gone," Sam told her.
Betty Lou huffed and
gave Tessa her receipt. "I'll make sure it's out of the system."
"Thank you, Betty
Lou." Tessa headed for the back door to where his cruiser was. She pushed
the door open and went outside. Sam blew out a breath.
"Sam—" Betty
Lou started.
"Not one word,
Betty Lou. Not. One. Word." He turned away from her and followed Tessa out
the back door.
About the Author:
Susan Fisher-Davis writes steamy, hot, sexy
books that women love to read. Her stories always have a happily ever after and
isn’t that what romance is about? After starting out with Secret Cravings
Publishing, she decided to go indie when SCP closed their doors in August 2015.
Now she writes and publishes with Blue Whiskey Publishing.
Susan was born and raised in a small town in
the western part of Maryland surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains. She moved
to Tennessee in 1996 with her husband and two children where she enjoys walks
in the woods, fishing, and dreaming about hot men to share with us.
She currently has two series out, The Men of Clifton, Montana and The Bad Boys
of Dry River. Cowboys and bad boys...what more could any woman want? Her newest
series, The Callahans, a series about four cousins, begins with A COWBOY FOR
CHRISTMAS, a novella, which is now available but the following books in the
series will be full-length.
