Morgan let out a deep breath. G.o.d, all these women trying to set me up! But she supposed it wouldn't hurt to talk to the sheriff. It would be nice to make a new friend, at least. So she shoved away from the bar, taking both mugs with her as she approached the booth.

"Good evening, Chief Daniels," she said easily. "Tracy asked me to bring your beer over." She slid the frosty mug in front of her.Reese looked up, her lips twitching in a smile. "Ma-Ma-Morgan," she said.

Morgan's eyes narrowed. "Don't even think it," she said.

Reese laughed. "But who would name their child Zula?"

Without thinking, Morgan reached out and grabbed Reese's arm with her thumb and forefinger, twisting hard in a pinch. She accomplished her goal. Chief Daniels let out a yelp that caused everyone in the bar to look their way.

"Jesus Christ!"

But Morgan didn't flinch. "Never ever say that word in public again."

"I'm going to have a bruise."

"Good. I hope it hurt."

Reese rubbed her arm. "Is this your normal approach when you're trying to pick up women?"

"Excuse me?" Morgan took a step back.

"Because I'm not interested."

"Oh, my G.o.d. You think I want to sleep with you?"

"Don't you?"

Morgan laughed and slid into the booth opposite her. "No.

Whatever gave you that idea?"

"From what I've gathered, you're the only lesbian in town.

And you're single."

"So if you're the only lesbian in town and another one shows up, you automatically think s.e.x? I was thinking more of a friendly bonding. You know, someone to check out the straight chicks with, someone to fight over the occasional ski b.u.m who stumbles into town, that sort of thing. I don't want to sleep with you, Chief."

Reese tilted her head. "Why not? Am I not your type?"

Morgan studied her. Yes, definitely attractive. Her hair was just unruly enough to be s.e.xy, her dark eyes intense. But her type?

"You're hiding something, and you brood about it," Morgan said.

"And not that I don't find you attractive. I do. I mean, I'm not dead," she said with a laugh. She leaned closer. "Why are you here?"

"Here? Here as in Hinsdale County?"

"Yes. Not that we don't appreciate it. After Ned left, we all thought we'd be stuck with Googan."

"And when my year is up, you very well may." Reese took a swallow of beer. "I'm in exile. My prison term is up in one year."

"Oh, yeah? What'd you do? Sleep with your boss's daughter or something?" At the slight blush that colored Reese's face, Morgan laughed. "Oh, my G.o.d! Are you insane? What was she?

A teenager?"

"Insane? You should know."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Although Charlie's daughter was straight, I hear. I think you trump me, Marietta Zula," she said with a wicked grin.

Morgan gritted her teeth. "How do you know about Charlie's daughter?" She leaned closer. "And have you forgotten the pinch?

Because I'll do it again."

Reese rubbed her arm. "No, I haven't forgotten."

Morgan touched her warm cheeks, knowing she was blus.h.i.+ng.

"How do you know about Mona?" she asked quietly.

"Eloise mentioned it."

"Oh, good grief."

"So was she really straight?"

"I don't know. I certainly wasn't her first." Morgan blushed again. "I can't believe I'm telling you about her."

"Isn't that part of our lesbian bonding thing?"

Morgan smiled. "Jackson had just died. I was lonely. I-"

"Who was Jackson?"

"He was my dog. My partner, my friend." Morgan stared into her beer for a moment, remembering Jackson. "Anyway, she was here. I had no idea she was Charlie's daughter. Actually, I can't believe I took her to my house. I don't normally do things like that." Morgan smiled at her. "So what's your story?"

"Not the boss's daughter." She sipped her beer again. "It was his wife."

"Oh, my G.o.d, his wife?"

"It was actually the mayor's wife."

"Well, I hope it was good."

"Quite good. Just not good enough to lose my job over, no."

"What happened?"

"I had a rather cushy job, Winter Park. Chief of Police." She grinned. "That's where the Chief Daniels thing started. And in my defense, she came on to me. Relentlessly."

"I'm sure."

"It's the truth."

"And you finally gave in?"

"Yeah. Unfortunately, it was at the mayor's house. And he came home unexpectedly."

"Oh, my."

"Of course, he couldn't just fire me. You have to have cause.

Sleeping with his wife wasn't justification. And he didn't want the whole county to know. So, he pulled some strings, and here I am. In lovely Lake City, Colorado, in the middle of winter, hours from the nearest town of any size."

"Why didn't you just resign?"

"Why should I? I did a good job. There was no reason to resign. And I need a job."

"You were having an affair with the mayor's wife."

"Affair really isn't the word. And like I said, she came on to me.""Not being able to say no is hardly an excuse."

"I never said it was an excuse." Reese looked up as Jeff brought over her dinner. "Thanks, Jeff."

"Sure thing." He nodded at Morgan. "Another beer?"

She shook her head. "No. I'm heading home. Thanks." She slid to the edge of the booth and stood. "I guess that explains why you've been so standoffish with everyone. It's easier to cut and run after a year when you don't have relations.h.i.+ps with the people you're sworn to protect. We're not really real that way."

She motioned to the window. "Storm coming in tonight," she said. "Ten inches."

"I heard. Ought to be a slow day tomorrow."

Morgan nodded. "Goodnight."

Reese watched her go, then tossed back the last of her beer.

She couldn't remember the last time a woman had dared speak to her that way. And the pinch? d.a.m.n, that hurt. She smiled slightly. Just because she was in exile didn't mean she had to shun all contact with the locals. Morgan was right. It was easier to cut and run. But it would make the year pa.s.s more quickly if she had a friend to hang out with, have dinner together occasionally. She arched an eyebrow. A friend? No, an acquaintance. She didn't really make friends. She'd been told once that her personality was a little too insensitive and gauche to be conducive to forming friends.h.i.+ps. She generally said what was on her mind, and no, she didn't waste time with unnecessary pleasantries. Too many years in the police business for niceties. Too many years of running hookers and druggies off the streets in Vegas. Sweltering in one hundred fifteen degrees would make anyone insensitive to the pleasantries of civilized culture. That, and she found it a waste of time.

So she stood, tossing a few bills on the table, enough to cover her meal and a few extra for a tip. She walked out without speaking to anyone, pausing only to nod in Tracy's direction as she slipped into the night.

0.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

It was the kind of snowstorm Morgan hated. Not the fast-moving ones that dumped their snow and then moved on, leaving behind brilliant blue skies. No. This was the kind that started during the night and hung around all day, a make the world a dreary gray, fuzzy with the swirl of snow, bring life to a standstill kind of storm.

She moved away from the window and back to the fire, holding her hands out unconsciously to the warmth. Yes, she b.i.t.c.hed about the cold and the snow. But really, it was the cabin fever brought on by the cold and snow that got to her. She hated being confined like this. Hated it.

Yeah, yeah, it was pretty and all that after it was over with.

It was just getting to that point that wore on her nerves. And to make matters worse, there was no Jackson around to distract her, no one to talk to, no one to take out into the storm for a quick potty break. Being stuck inside her tiny Forest Service house, staring out at the endless snow, made her feel as lost and alone as she'd ever been.

Ridiculous.

They still had power in town. She had a collection of DVDs.

She could watch a movie. Or better yet, read a book. But glancing at the bookshelf, she shook her head. Not in the mood. So she paced again, back and forth, her eyes darting between the fire and the endless white outside the window.

Reese strolled through the quiet office, not even Eloise bothering to make the drive into town this morning. Reese had always lived by the code that the post office and the police would be ready for duty regardless of the weather. Apparently, that didn't hold true in Lake City. But at least Googan had the good sense to call and offer to come in. Eloise was more to the point. I guess you know only a fool would try to drive in this mess.

"And here I am," she muttered as she filled her coffee cup for the fourth time. Even Sloan's was empty, she noted, as she looked out on the deserted street that ran through town.

She'd heard on the scanner that the snowplows wouldn't be out until the storm moved on. At least she'd had the foresight to post the Road Closed signs last night heading to Slumgullion Pa.s.s. A quick call to the Pattersons up at the lodge confirmed her decision. Rick told her they'd had at least two feet. She also noted the excitement in his voice. Snow meant snowmobilers. It was no different than when she worked in Winter Park and the folks at the resort were all having o.r.g.a.s.ms as the snow kept falling and falling.

Ah, Winter Park. She smiled as she fondly remembered the town. Ski season doubled the population, and the bars and restaurants were the hub of activity. A storm like today, the place would still be alive with tourists. She pulled her gaze away from the empty street. Not here, no. No tourists. Not even the locals were out and about.

"And a whole year of this," she murmured as she went back to her office to brood.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

"You want me to what?" Morgan stared at Charlie. He'd obviously lost his mind.

"A couple of hours. It won't be bad."

Morgan glared at him. "Despite the fact that I don't really even like the woman, you want me to cross-country ski for a couple of hours? Charlie, you know I hate that. Why can't I take her out on snowmobiles?"

"Because she wants to ski, to learn the trails, get familiar with it all before the summer tourist season picks up."

"Christ, Charlie, it's December. She's worried about the summer season already?"

"Look, she requested and I obliged."

"No, you want me to oblige." She took a deep breath, already dreading being on those d.a.m.n skinny skis for hours. But it was a beautiful day. Not even a hint of a breeze, the sky an endless blue, the temperature feeling almost balmy at thirty-five.

"So you'll do it?"