Sassy Blonde - Stacey Kennedy Page 0,13

retired bull rider. He had messy brown hair and sharp blue eyes. Next to him, dripping saliva onto Nash’s worn cowboy boots, was his loyal yellow Labrador Retriever, Gus.

“Care to explain why you’re here,” Nash demanded.

Beckett strode by, patting Hayes on the shoulder. “I delivered your message,” he said to Nash. “And he didn’t listen, like I said was going to happen.”

Nash’s eyes narrowed on Hayes. “Time off is nonnegotiable. You’re taking the ten days. Go home.”

Most men cowered if Hayes glared at them. Nash glared back. Hayes had two choices: accept the vacation time or quit. The latter wasn’t an option. The job was a good second best to his love of the law. “What will it take for me to lessen that time?” he asked, softening his expression, hoping that worked in his favor.

“A note from the doctor saying one hundred percent that you do not have a concussion,” Nash said. “Otherwise, don’t step foot on the farm. Clear?”

“Yeah, clear,” Hayes muttered. Fuck. No doctor would sign such a note. The liability was too much of a risk.

“He’s a nasty one,” Nash said, obviously changing the subject for Hayes’s benefit. Nash studied the gelding out in the field before addressing Hayes again. “We’ll start some groundwork with him while you’re away, but I take it you want us to leave him for you?”

Hayes gave a firm nod. “You’re damn right I do. That horse and I have unfinished business.”

Before Nash could reply, tires crunching against gravel had Hayes glancing over his shoulder. A police cruiser slowly made its way up the driveway.

“Expecting a visit from the cops?” Hayes asked Nash.

“Not that I know of,” Nash replied.

When the cruiser came to a stop next to Hayes, Darryl Wilson, the scruffy-bearded, dark brown-haired cop rolled down his window. Not only had Darryl graduated high school with Beckett and Hayes, Hayes and Darryl had gone through police academy together. They’d been close friends until Laurel’s death. Hayes couldn’t face the reminder of the job he loved and the life he’d never have again. Darryl was also married to Maisie’s cousin, Penelope. With his elbow resting on his open window, Darryl said to Hayes, “You left the hospital without a doctor’s discharge.” Darryl glanced at Nash. “Hey, Nash.”

Nash nodded in greeting.

Narrowing his eyes, Hayes folded his arms. “Do tell: How did you find out I was even in the hospital?”

Darryl offered a bemused smile, warming his amber eyes. “Your nurse is the wife of the sergeant.”

Damn. That’s how he knew her. “Fuck. Whose wife?”

“Matheson’s.”

Hayes snorted. “And he sent you to fetch me?”

Darryl gave an easy nod. “He figured you’d be less…pissy with me.”

They were probably right.

Darryl paused to turn his two-way radio down and then said directly to Hayes, “Listen, this is what I’ve been told. You can either go back to the hospital and wait for the doctor to discharge you. Or your insurance won’t cover the charges and you’ll have to pay out of pocket.” A slow smile began to spread across Darryl’s face. “Matheson told me to let you know that his wife, who is already pissed at you, will be even more pissed if you don’t go back because she’ll have to do more paperwork. And this will not bode well for Matheson. He told me if you make his life difficult, he’ll make your life hell.”

Hayes frowned. Matheson was a tough bastard.

A gleam filled Darryl’s eyes. “Besides, what’s so bad about one night at the hospital? I’ve seen a few of the nurses there. They’ll take good care of you tonight.”

Beckett called from field, “He was too busy looking elsewhere to notice any nurses there.”

Hayes parted his mouth and then shut his lips tight. He had been looking elsewhere. He’d only seen Maisie in that room.

Darryl’s brows rose. “Oh, yeah, who’s got you wrapped up?”

“He’s talking out of his ass.” Hayes nearly snarled at Beckett, who only grinned back. To Nash, Hayes added, “Keep me updated on the gelding.”

“Of course,” Nash replied.

Hayes gritted his teeth but got in the damn cruiser. “Don’t look so damn happy about this,” he said to Darryl, fastening his seat belt.

“But I am happy,” Darryl said with a chuckle, turning the cruiser around. “I just won a hundred-dollar bet.”

“On?” Hayes inquired.

Darryl grinned. “If I’d require backup or you’d come willingly.”

Hayes dropped his head back against the headrest and shut his eyes. “I should have punched you.”

“The day’s not over yet.” Darryl laughed and hit the gas.

3

The next morning, Maisie woke before her