"Good morning, Jeannie. Did I miss anything yesterday?"

"Hmm, I don't know," she replied and held back her giggle. "Did you hear about the Harford boys' naked romp in Town Square last night?"

Vaughn groaned softly and tried not to laugh. He attempted a more serious look and raised his brows. "Yes, and I intend to look into that."

"Should I forward the photos of the incident for your investigation?" she teased.

"No, that's okay," he replied. "Everyone in town sent me a copy last night."

Jeannie noted his good mood despite the commotion outside. "I a.s.sume you enjoyed your day off."

"Actually, I was hung over the entire day," he replied, "but I had a good time drinking with the boys Tuesday night."

Jeannie suddenly appeared concerned and her eyes widened. "Oh, G.o.d, you didn't hook-up with Melanie, did you?"

Vaughn held back his laugh and firmly shook his head. "Not in this lifetime," he replied. "Apart from the disaster outside, is everything else set up for the fair? Extra officers, security, permits in place?"

"Yes, Sheriff," she replied. "The remainder of your police force will arrive later this afternoon, and we have plenty of security guards arriving Friday night." There was an odd silence between them. Jeannie grinned. "And, yes, you're covered for the bachelor auction, so stop worrying about it."

He appeared surprised by her candor and looked innocent. "Did I say I was worried? I'm not worried," he announced. "I'll be in my office--not being worried."

Vaughn headed into his office, poured a cup of coffee from the coffeepot on the nearby table, and collapsed behind his desk. He looked over some papers then glanced at the revised flier for the fair that had somehow made it to his desk. He glanced at Casey's name listed under the kissing booth and hid his grin. There was a knock on the door. Tucker opened the door without awaiting a response and stood in the doorway. He wore a cheap grin on his handsome face.

"You aren't going to believe the rumors I'd heard around town," he announced while barely being able to contain himself.

Vaughn groaned softly. "I'm sure I won't," he announced then smirked. "Let me have it."

Tucker flopped into the chair before the desk and raised his brows suggestively. "You and Casey Remington--"

The sheriff shook his head while appearing humored. "There is no me and Casey."

"Not what I heard," Tucker teased. "A little bird told me our sheriff got plastered Tuesday night and was seen with a drunken Casey on his lap. Apparently there was some serious groping and possibly a little tongue action."

Vaughn shifted in his chair and was obviously embarra.s.sed. "You may want to double check your sources."

"You were seen leaving with her."

"No, Casey left on her horse," Vaughn informed him. "Her brother gave me a ride home."

"You didn't get home until noon yesterday," Tucker announced then grinned. "Come on, Vaughn, I'm your best friend. Give up some details. Did you bang Casey or what?"

"No, I didn't bang Casey," he scoffed. "Grey let me sleep it off in a guestroom. There were three other men in the house including her ex-boyfriend."

Tucker shook his head and frowned. "I'm disappointed in you."

There was another knock on the door. Mitch.e.l.l walked into the office, eyed Vaughn, pointed, and chuckled.

"Congratulations, Sheriff!"

Vaughn suddenly groaned. "Nothing happened."

"According to Wiley something happened," Mitch.e.l.l announced cheerfully.

"Wiley?" Vaughn asked then frowned. "Why does he hate me so much?"

"Hate you? He's proud of you," Mitch.e.l.l said. "Guess you and Casey finally kissed and made up--or is that 'made out'?"

Vaughn again shifted in his chair. "Okay, Tuesday night if officially closed for discussion."

"We can always discuss Wednesday morning," Tucker teased.

"The two of you are like a couple of h.o.r.n.y teenage boys. Moving on--"

Both deputies appeared disappointed that there wouldn't be any details or even an admission to what happened. It was back to business as usual.

"June stopped by with the bachelor auction schedule," Mitch.e.l.l informed him. "She was adamant about keeping us last in line. She is also quoted as saying, 'Sheriff Holt needs to suck it up and shake his thing for charity'."

"That's really nice--coming from a seventy-year-old lady," Vaughn scoffed.

"Earnest Harford was looking for you," Tucker informed him. "He seemed p.i.s.sed."

"When doesn't Earnest seem p.i.s.sed?" Vaughn remarked with little interest. "I a.s.sume it has something to do with the incident in Town Square yesterday evening."

"How did you guess?" Tucker teased.

"Dumb luck," he replied. "Did you get a straight answer out of either of his boys?"

"They said they were minding their business when someone got the slip on them," Mitch.e.l.l replied. "When they came to, they were naked and tied to the cannon."

"Yeah, I'm sure they were minding their own business," Vaughn scoffed.

"A couple of people reported seeing Ernest's car cruising slowly past the Remington farm driveway several times since Casey kicked the c.r.a.p out of his boys," Tucker added.

"When the rest of our rent-a-cops arrive, I want them to include the Remington farm in their sweeps," Vaughn informed them. "I also want them to keep an eye on Ernest and his boys. I don't want any trouble out of them during the fair."

"You've got it," Tucker said.

Both Tucker and Mitch.e.l.l stood and left the office. Vaughn leaned back in his chair and appeared to sink reflectively into thought. He finally leaned forward and worked on his computer. He checked his email messages from yesterday. Most were photos of the incident with Wayne and Ryan outside Town Hall. He held back his laugh then opened a confidential file. As he read, his expression suddenly dropped and concern swept over his face.

"Oh, Casey. What have you done?"

Vaughn printed out the report, grabbed his jacket, and hurried from his office.

Chapter Twenty-three.

The fairgrounds entrance was guarded by a rental cop to keep non-essential people out of the way while vendors set up rides and games in preparation for their busy week. Anyone entering was required to provide their name in order to gain access to the extremely busy area. Workers and vendors milled around in preparation for the upcoming events in two days. Casey's horse was tied just inside the gates. Despite the commotion, the horse wasn't the least bit affected by cars and trucks coming and going. Toward the back of the fairgrounds, there was a bustle of activity surrounding the stage area. Grey talked with Wiley toward the back of the bleachers by the sound system while the talent show contestants rehea.r.s.ed their routines on stage. Casey, Dina, and several other contestants sat on the front row bleachers before the stage and watched Melanie practice her tap dance routine in workout clothing.

Casey appeared tense and leaned closer to Dina, who sat alongside her. "She's better than I remember."

Her comment seemed to be the same sediments shared by the other contestants. They all whispered while watching the very talented and attractive Melanie perform. Abby sat on the bleachers on the opposite side of the aisle and proudly watched her daughter's dance routine.

Dina leaned closer to Casey and whispered back, "It's all about how you look up there. Remember, the judges like to see a little leg and cleavage."

"Are you sure we need to be here?" Casey asked softly. "I don't see the point to this. Grey didn't see the point."

"Practicing at home and being on the actual stage are completely different," Dina insisted. "It has a different feel, makes different sounds, and the elevation sometimes throws performers off. Trust me."

Casey frowned and attempted to relax. As Melanie finished her act, the other partic.i.p.ants exchanged more comments with disgust. Abby applauded enthusiastically. Melanie walked offstage and smirked at Casey as she pa.s.sed. Their new rivalry was almost baffling to Casey. She knew she'd gotten into it with Melanie the other night at the tavern, but it seemed as if the rivalry had been going on much longer than that. Casey was almost certain it had something to do with Sheriff Holt. Abby handed Melanie a towel as she approached and praised her.

Wiley was heard speaking into the microphone from behind the stands. "Casey, you're up next."

Melanie appeared interested and remained to watch her performance. Casey eyed Dina for rea.s.surance. Dina grinned and nodded her toward the stage. Casey reluctantly walked on stage and awaited her music. Wiley turned on the music from the sound system while Dina coached Casey on dance steps. Casey made an effort to dance to the music but got the steps wrong. She appeared very stiff and awkward. Her dance routine was borderline embarra.s.sing. Melanie hid her humored smile and exchanged a few words with her mother. Both took pleasure in Casey's obvious failure. The other contestants talked quietly and appeared equally stunned by Casey's unprepared routine. Once the song ended, Casey was quick to exit the stage. Dina hurried to join her and tried to rea.s.sure her that she just needed a little more practice.

Toward the back of the bleachers, Wiley stood with Grey and watched in silence. Wiley's smile was twisted into a slight grimace, but he appeared unable to say anything negative about Casey to Grey. Grey had his arms folded across his chest and held his chin. The look on his face was something between horrified and embarra.s.sed.

Wiley spoke into the microphone. "Dina, you're up next."

Dina nodded, gave Casey a rea.s.suring pat on the shoulders, and then hurried onto stage for her rehearsal. Casey ignored the looks and whispers from the other contestants and returned to the bleachers to watch Dina's performance. Wiley turned to Grey and offered a timid smile.

"I know we schedule contestants according to when they sign up," Wiley began, "but perhaps Casey would be less nervous if she went on closer to the beginning. Most of our performers feel intimidated following Melanie."

Grey appeared to fume silently and could barely look at Wiley. He finally collected himself and managed a smile. "No, we're fine with last spot," Grey announced with conviction. "She was better at home. She has another two days to get the routine down. She'll be fine."

Wiley smiled and nodded. "I'm sure she'll be terrific."

Once Dina was finished with her routine, she joined Casey and they approached Grey and Wiley near the back. Grey glared at Casey then turned and walked away. Wiley smiled cheerfully at both women.

"You were both terrific," he announced. "Why don't you take these last two days to polish your routines? You'll be fantastic on Sat.u.r.day night."

Casey managed a weak smile. Wiley hadn't changed any since she'd been gone. She could do no wrong in his mind. It was sweet and troubling at the same time. It may have taken two years of absence, but she'd grown to love Wiley and understood his fatherly feelings for her. Casey and Dina left the stage area and hurried after Grey, who appeared reluctant to wait for them. They caught up to him and walked across the bustling fairgrounds in the direction of the main entrance. Once they were out of earshot of the busy vendors, Grey suddenly stopped and turned to face Casey with the rage evident in his eyes.

"What the h.e.l.l was that?" Grey demanded, as the vein in his temple appeared ready to explode.

Casey appeared surprised by his tone toward her but contained her reaction. "Dina said we should practice on stage."

"That wasn't part of the plan," he snapped hotly while throwing his arms around in a fit of rage. "You almost got moved from last spot. If Wiley wasn't so hot for you, he may have b.u.mped you altogether!"

"It's my fault, Grey," Dina announced timidly.

He spun toward Dina and pointed a warning finger at her, startling her. "Things have to go according to plan," he lashed out. "I won't have anyone messing this up!"

Dina stared at him with surprise and a look of possible concern. She appeared unable to respond at first. She timidly replied with a soft, "I'm sorry."

Grey's mood softened as he fidgeted. He appeared to be wrestling with some particularly unpleasant demons. "No, I'm sorry," he said more gently while running his fingers through his hair. He avoided looking at either woman. "I'm just a little tense. This is very important, that's all."

He turned and continued toward the main entrance with both following. There was a long silence. Casey then looked around and realized something was missing.

"What happened to our partners in crime?" Casey asked.

"Off doing whatever it is they do that I don't want to know about," Grey muttered.

Vaughn was seen approaching from the main entrance in the near distance. All three saw him heading in their direction.

Grey suddenly groaned softly and rolled his eyes with disgust. "Great, just what I need," he scoffed softly. "One of you needs to distract him with a b.l.o.w.j.o.b or something. I can't deal with him right now."

Casey and Dina glared at Grey. Neither was humored by the comment. As Vaughn approached, Grey immediately turned on the charm.

"Sheriff Holt, I see you survived those tequila shots," Grey announced pleasantly.

Vaughn paused before them and glanced at Dina. "Dina, would you mind excusing us?" he announced firmly.

Dina appeared surprised then concerned and shifted nervously. "I'll meet you guys at the shop." She continued toward the main entrance.

"Is something wrong, Sheriff?" Grey asked while giving him an innocent look. "If it's about what happened at the tavern, I swear, I didn't show those pictures to anyone."

Vaughn lacked patience and appeared unusually authoritative. "Drop the good brother, bad sister act," he firmly announced, surprising both. "I want to know why you're here and what you brought into my town."

"What are you talking about?" Grey asked innocently.

Vaughn removed the folded paper from his pocket and handed it to Grey. Grey unfolded the paper and glanced at it. His expression twisted into something resembling a sneer.

"I'm talking about your 'family friends'," Vaughn remarked sternly and glared at both. "Former Special Ops with sealed military records. There's a string of charges against those two from a.s.sault to attempted murder."

Grey glared at Vaughn and carelessly returned the paper. "I don't see anything about arrests or convictions."

Vaughn was losing his patience with them. "I think the two of you came back for revenge, and you brought your little friends to help you."

Grey smirked with a strange look on his face. He looked like a cobra preparing to strike. "Revenge is an ugly word, Sheriff," he remarked lowly. "I'm sorry if we're still a little p.i.s.sed about our parents' being butchered." Grey stiffened while glaring at Vaughn. Grey appeared to be restraining himself from reacting, but it came off frightening all the same. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we have work to do." Grey nodded to Casey. "Come on."

Casey turned without hesitation and headed toward the main gate with her brother. Grey headed through the gate and into town while Casey untied her horse. Vaughn approached her. She didn't look at him.

"I don't like being played, Casey," Vaughn boldly informed her. "I really thought you'd finally stopped blaming me for what happened that night."

Casey mounted her horse without comment and appeared ready to ride away. She then hesitated and looked at him as he stood near her horse.

"I don't have to blame you," Casey informed him. "You're doing that enough for both of us."

Vaughn stared at her in silence. Casey looked past him and frowned. Melanie and Abby were approaching from across the fairgrounds.

"Great, here comes your girlfriend," she muttered.