Never Trust a Lawman: Shadow Mountain Series, #2

By Laurie Gilbert

FROM NATIONAL AWARD-WINNING AND BESTSELLING AUTHOR, LAURIE GILBERT...

     Registered Nurse, Renee Johnson has secrets she's determined to keep as she settles in Shadow Mountain. Her affection for the people and town immediately grows strong, but it's her feelings for the sheriff that sparks her desire to stop running, even if that means confronting the man who tortured her and left her with scars both visible and not.

     Sheriff Nick Caldwell quickly realizes the new nurse in town is hiding something dark and dangerous from her past. The more he gets to know her, the more he wants to make sure that past doesn't follow her to Shadow Mountain.

Shadow Mountain Series Book #2

     The idyllic, rural small town of Shadow Mountain in southern Oregon has everything you could want...and a few things you don't.  No one knows that better than rancher, Mitch Darnell in Never Trust A Cowboy, Sheriff Nick Caldwell in Never Trust A Lawman, or former resident and wrongly accused carpenter, Matt Newman in Never Trust A Drifter. When the truth lies in shadow....

     From the author of Hard Evidence, Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Winner for Romantic Suspense and author of Deadly Conspiracies, Winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laurie Gilbert
• Release date: Apr 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201481346

Book preview

NEVER TRUST A LAWMAN

A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE NOVEL

Shadow Mountain Series Book 2

LAURIE GILBERT

Copyright

Copyright © 2021, 2022 Laurie Gilbert

All rights reserved

Second Edition

THE CHARACTERS AND events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Cover design by RL Design

www.gobookcoversdesign.com

Cover Image:

ID 112993099 © Michael Pelin Dreamstime.com

ID 36809785© Alanpoulson Dreamstime.com

Dedication

For Christopher, Grace, Branden and Devyn

Books by Laurie Gilbert

Medical Thrillers

Deadly Medicine Series:

DEADLY IMAGES BOOK 1

DEADLY CONSPIRACIES BOOK 2

(Winner of the Daphne Du Maurier Award

for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense)

Romantic Suspense Novels

Shadow Mountain Series:

NEVER TRUST A COWBOY BOOK 1

NEVER TRUST A LAWMAN BOOK 2

NEVER TRUST A DRIFTER BOOK 3

Single Titles

HARD EVIDENCE

(Winner of the Golden Heart Award

for Romantic Suspense)

Table of Contents

Copyright

Dedication

Books by Laurie Gilbert

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

About the Author

Books by Laurie Gilbert

Chapter 1

SHERIFF NICK CALDWELL stored the last of his camping gear in the shed and started toward the house when he heard the squeal of a female voice coming from the direction of the creek. He knew what had caused it, so he wasn’t alarmed, only irritated. On a hot day like this, the first dip into the water always felt icy cold.

Until now, the new no trespassing signs had been working. For years, he’d tried telling the local high school and college kids that the swift current sometimes moved the submerged rocks around, making diving into the swimming hole dangerous, but they hadn’t listened. When he’d caught the last group on his property diving headfirst into the creek, he’d told them to spread the word that there would be no more warnings. That they’d waited until he was supposed to be out of town to test his edict darkened his mood. It was his job to keep them safe and he’d tried for years, playing good cop. Now it was time to play bad cop and see if he could scare some sense into them.

Nick didn’t waste time going into the house for his handcuffs. Instead, he grabbed a handful of zip-ties from the shed, jamming them into the back pocket of his jeans before heading down the path to the creek. If the kids on his property were counting on sneaking in under his radar, they’d made a big mistake. He’d promised them the next one caught was going to jail and he couldn’t go back on his word. In a small town where everybody knew everybody else’s business, the sheriff couldn’t afford to be seen as weak.

The hot afternoon air cooled a little as he charged down the winding trail deeper into the shade of the thick hemlocks, firs and cedars. There had been no cars parked along the road when he’d driven into his place a short time earlier, so they must have come from across the creek. He owned the land on both sides of the creek, and there was no public access. To get to the creek from the far side of his property meant they had trespassed on Maggie Owens’ property, too. He’d been keeping an eye on the vacant cabin for Maggie ever since her husband, his mentor, had died two years earlier.

As Nick broke free of the trees and stepped into the glare of the afternoon sun, he pulled the zip-ties from his pocket. Directly ahead of him lay the giant cedar tree that had blown down in a windstorm years earlier and served as a footbridge over the creek. On his side lay the only sandy beach area for quite a ways in either direction. It wasn’t the breathtaking scenery of his private sanctuary that captured his attention though; it was the young woman gliding gracefully across the swift current toward the far shore that stole the air from his lungs. She moved with both an art and athleticism, like she owned the water. Pure joy radiated from her in every stroke.

He scanned the area, but didn’t see the others. They usually came in small groups or pairs, but never alone. A single pile of clothes sat on a boulder about three feet from the water. She had to be the first to arrive; no boy in his right mind would leave while a beautiful young woman remained behind to swim.

Rubbing his fingers over the six-day growth of beard, he thought about how eager he had been for a shave and a hot shower before she’d intruded, and his irritation grew.

Nick kept his gaze on the young woman, following each powerful movement as he waited to make certain she was safely out of the swift current and in shallow water before he rained on her parade. The last thing he wanted to do was go for a cold swim with his clothes on. He opened his mouth to call out to her at the same moment she did a somersault and changed direction. The woman surfaced rolling into a backstroke and heading straight for him. And, she was buck-naked.

Suppressing a groan, he tried hard not to look at the large, round breasts winking in and out of the cool water with each powerful stroke. Damn it, man. Get a grip. You’re the sheriff, for Pete’s sake.

He thought he knew most of the locals, but he couldn’t place her. From a distance he could only guess at her age. Maybe she’d been away at college and had just returned to Shadow Mountain. That might explain why she’d ignored the signs. It wasn’t a place a tourist could stumble onto. You had to know exactly where you were going to get there.

Though he was only thirty-six, at times like this he felt ancient. He pushed the thought aside. Party’s over, sunshine, Nick called out the warning. Get dressed. You’re coming with me.

The woman’s arms flailed as she thrashed about, dunking herself in the cold water. Though he knew the water was only thigh deep where she stopped, she remained huddled in a ball, submersed to her neck. Her wet, chin-length brown hair was plastered to her head. He didn’t recognize her, but she could have been in one of the large parties he’d caught out here last year. He took a few steps back and turned his head slightly, so she could get to her clothes without him staring at her, yet keeping her in his peripheral vision.

Her eyes, at first wide and frightened, took on a fierce quality. She let loose a string of vile epithets that made his jaw drop. It was nothing he hadn’t heard before, but the words seemed out of place coming from that delicate little mouth. She picked up a rock. Get out of here or I swear I’ll bash your skull in!

At another time, he might have been amused by the mettle she displayed, but he was in no mood to be challenged today. If you’re looking for trouble, you found it. Now drop the rock and tell me what you think you’re doing.

She remained silent.

He squinted against the glare. Are you here alone? Or expecting company?

Confusion registered on her face for an instant before she said, Lots of company! Her eyes shifted to the left as she spoke.

Nick hid the grin that sprung to his lips. She was a terrible liar. That was a good sign.

You’d better get out of here before they arrive or you’ll be in big trouble.

An exaggerated offensive often signified guilt. Still fighting a smile, Nick said, Why don’t we start with you telling me your name?

Drop dead. Stupid pig. You turn around and leave!

It wasn’t the first time he’d been called that, and he was pretty sure it wouldn’t be the last, but the beautiful naked woman doing the name-calling was definitely a first. Okay, he said, letting out a heavy breath. "We can do this easy or we can do it the hard way, but you are coming with me. Looks like you’re overdue for a lesson on consequences. He took a few more steps backwards to give her a little space, and pointed to her clothes. So, get up here and put your clothes on. I won’t tell you again."

Her eyes narrowed as if judging his sincerity. Indecision played across her face for only a moment before turning into deadly resolve. She sprang up to her full height of about five-four and hurled a baseball-sized rock straight at his head with major-league accuracy.

Nick was so busy ducking the lethal projectile he barely had time for the image of the naked woman to register in his brain. He whipped his head to the side and fell back hard onto his butt as the rock skimmed past his temple.

Spewing a short expletive, he heard a splash and saw that the woman had dived back into the water and was swimming across to the other side. Moving as quickly as he could, he got to his feet in pursuit. Mouthing off to the sheriff was one thing, trying to make good on her threat to bash in his skull was another matter altogether.

This pixie from hell was going to cool her hot temper in a jail cell. He glanced downstream at the fallen cedar footbridge. He knew he couldn’t run down to the bridge, cross the log and climb back up the rocky embankment at the far side of the creek as quickly as he could swim across. Damn.

Nick emptied his pockets, dropping his wallet and keys on the sand. He made a running dive into the water. Despite the shock of the icy water on his hot skin, he shot across the creek in record time.

The woman had reached the other side, scrambled up the embankment and disappeared down the winding forest trail.

By the time Nick cleared the ravine, she was about thirty yards ahead. He raced down the only path through the woods toward his friend’s cabin, determined to catch her before she got to her car and drove away.

His soggy hiking boots squished down on the years of fallen needles and debris layering the forest floor. Giant ferns and lush patches of shamrocks lined the narrow trail. Through the dim filtered sunlight, he caught a glimpse of her lithe form a short distance ahead of him. Before reaching her, he called out, Stop where you are. You’re only making it worse.

She kept running without looking back. As he grabbed her by the arm, he noticed she had another rock in her hand. In a quick move to the side, she jammed her elbow into his abdomen. If she were taller, or shorter, it would have smarted, but the blow hardly phased him. The momentum was still propelling them forward when she tried to sweep his knee. At the same time, she twisted her arm from his grasp.

Nick knew they were both going down. In that single second, he instinctively locked his arms around her, pulling her tight against his chest as he twisted to take the impact on his left shoulder and hip. The thick carpet of fir needles softened the ground, but the blow still forced the air from his lungs.

He fought a gasp when his mind quickly pieced together what he’d seen just now up close and from a distance back at the creek when she’d stood to face him. Angry red scars sliced deliberately across her full breasts and abdomen. A chill swept through him. They were knife scars, but not the kind made by a surgeon. He didn’t have to imagine what kind of horror she’d endured acquiring those scars. He knew. The knowledge was a burden he’d carried with him for many years, his biggest failure and his deepest regret.

She took advantage of his momentary pause to deliver a swift kick to his shin. Let go of me!

Settle down, he said through gritted teeth as pain throbbed in his lower leg.

Her gaze shot up to meet his. Only then did he see the stark terror that filled her eyes.

Instantly, she redoubled her efforts to free herself.

Easy, now. Stop fighting. Nick said in his most soothing voice. I’m not going to hurt you.

Though extremely troubled with regret at having frightened her, he wasn’t going to release her so she could have another go at him with the rock in her hand. Drop the rock and then we’ll talk this out.

She didn’t drop it.

The second thing he’d noticed was that she was older than she’d looked from a distance. I thought you were one of the local college kids who’ve been ignoring the no trespassing signs.

I’m not a kid, she said defiantly.

I can see that. He said, careful to keep his eyes tight on her face. That still doesn’t explain what you’re doing on my property. Exactly what part of ‘trespassers will be prosecuted’ don’t you understand?

Suddenly, she stopped struggling. Perhaps she was exhausted. More likely, she was reconnoitering, waiting to strike again when he didn’t expect it. I didn’t know I was trespassing.

She spoke with the voice of an angel, but she had to be lying. How could she not know she was trespassing with all the signs he’d posted around both his property and Maggie’s? What’s your name?

Silence. Okay, he was a total stranger. He had to admit she was probably being smart. After all, he hadn’t volunteered information about himself either. Of course, he’d assumed she knew exactly who he was. Maybe she did. Maybe that was why she wasn’t giving him her name.

For a reason he didn’t fully understand, he was reluctant to tell her too much. Perhaps it had something to do with his training and the years he’d spent undercover with the Portland Police Bureau. All he knew was that something about the woman didn’t add up.

She dropped the rock. I’m sorry I accidentally trespassed. If you will let go of me, I’ll leave immediately.

They were still on the ground with her half-sprawled on top of him. Slowly, he released her, holding his arms out to the side so she could leave, but ready to defend himself in another attack.

She didn’t move. I suppose it would be asking too much for you to close your eyes or turn your head.

His gaze narrowed on hers. I’m a gentleman, but I’m not stupid. He smiled to soften his words. You could have killed me with that rock back there. Besides, you weren’t so modest when I caught you swimming in my creek.

A blush instantly rose in her cheeks, but she didn’t take her eyes off his. A moment of insanity which I swear will never happen again.

Without another word, she lifted herself off him, quickly backed out of his reach and got to her feet before she turned and ran toward Maggie’s cabin.

Nick had locked his gaze on hers, but he was a trained observer and even his peripheral vision couldn’t miss the tight blonde curls at the juncture of her thighs.

He watched her retreat, unable to look away as he slowly got to his feet. He was unsure exactly why he felt the need to follow her, but he did so