The Lawman's Lady: King's Hill Romance Series, #1

ONE

November 25, 2007 ~ 05:26 am ~ Dunbar, Montana

Allison Hamilton had just turned twenty five and was ready for a brand new start. She had been born to Beatrice Hamilton but she had never known her father. Rumor was he had been a hired hand at a local ranch that had seduced a nineteen year old Beatrice. The moment he found out about the pregnancy the man disappeared to parts unknown. It had also been rumored that he was a professional bull rider in the rodeo. Just before turning twelve her mother had been killed in a bank robbery gone bad and Allison had been moved from Billings, Montana to Dunbar, Montana to live with her grandparents, Kyle and Grace Hamilton. The older couple owned a horse ranch and had raised their only grandchild in a good Christian home. At the age of nineteen Allison had left home in search of her father and though she didn’t know his name she did have a picture of him. However, her search for the man turned up cold and Allison had ended up joining the rodeo to work as a stable hand.

Just before her twenty first birthday her grandfather passed away and she was forced to return home to help care for her grandmother and the ranch. However, Kyle had left his family with a mountain of debt and eventually the bank ended up foreclosing on the property. Allison took a job at a local grocery store and was her grandmother’s only caregiver. Almost a year after Kyle’s death Grace passed away in her sleep. Eventually, Allison had taken a job as a stable hand at a local horse ranch and had worked there until life got in the way.

Now she stood at the town’s cemetery with roses in her hand ready to say goodbye. With tears in her eyes, she placed the flowers on the graves of her loved ones and stepped back.

Goodbye, Nana, Papa. Goodbye, mom. I’ll miss you. With one last look around she headed to the awaiting vehicle.

Are you okay? her companion asked. She just nodded and climbed into the passenger side of the truck. Jack Townsend had been her best friend and confidant for many years and when things got ugly he had agreed to help her disappear. It will all work out, Jack stated as he started up the truck. I promise. They were headed to Texas to take refuge with Sam Peterson. She had met the man while working for the rodeo and they had become good friends. Over the years she had kept in touch with her friend and when he heard about her troubles he immediately offered her solace. Sighing, she looked out the window and watched her old life slowly fade away. Her only hope was that the boogey man would never find her.

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December 27, 2007 ~ 10:27 am ~ King’s Hill, Wisconsin

Conrad Stevens was a thirty seven year old deputy at the King’s Hill Police Department. He had been born to Bill and Bonnie Stevens and had two younger brothers, Jeff and Brian. His parents had been high school sweethearts and after college they had returned to Chicago to take jobs at the local ISD. Bill had been a history teacher for ninth graders while Bonnie taught English to seventh graders. They married in a nice Baptist wedding and almost ten months later Conrad was born. Almost three years after that Jeff had entered the world and then Brian came three years after that. The couple had never had any more children and were now semi retired.

At the age of eighteen Conrad had left home to join the Marines and it had been a physical challenge for him until the day he met Dillon Regan. The two had bonded over their love of sports and had become best friends. They had eventually met Nick Harris and Troy Jackson and the four had been known as the four musketeers. They had moved from base to base together and ended up in Quantico, Virginia. Conrad served almost ten years in the military before an injury had sent him home with his tail between his legs. He had gone to school to study criminology and had then entered the Chicago Police Academy. When he failed the written exam by three points he was kicked out of the academy and he had been forced to take a job as a janitor at the local ISD. Pushing those thoughts aside, he climbed out of his truck and slowly made his way into Linda’s Diner. There were only three places to get food in town but Linda’s was the only restaurant in town open before noon. It was almost empty and he had to wonder where everyone was.

Welcome home, Deputy Stevens, Kathy greeted as she placed a cup of coffee in front of him. How are your folks?

Hello, Kathy. They are well. Thanks for asking. How are you?

For an old woman I’m doing surprisingly well.

You are not old. You are what, twenty five, twenty six, he teased as he winked at her.

Oh, quit flirting with me. I’m old enough to be your mama, she chuckled as she playfully slapped his hand. Would you like your usual?

Please. Who’s cooking today?

Rachael. Linda is on vacation.

Oh? How did that happen?

Don surprised her with an Alaskan cruise. They left early this morning.

And she didn’t pitch a fit about leaving?

Oh, she did but Margie and I had bought her everything she needed and packed her bags. Dillon drove them to Madison this morning.

How long will they be gone?

A little over two weeks.

She might call.

No she won’t. Don hijacked her phone. They both laughed and the woman turned to go place his order. As he sipped his coffee he looked around the diner and sighed. This was his life and a small part of him wondered if there was more. Would he spend his life alone or was there an angel out there ready to snatch him up? He let out a huff as he shook his head.

Most everyone he knew was married and had families of their own. His parents had been married over forty years and were deliriously happy. Jeff had met his sweetheart in court and the couple was now married with three boys. Even his younger brother Brian would be married sometime in May. Dillon had found love twice in a lifetime and had three kids. Deputy Harry Sullivan was a recent retired Army vet and was married with three kids. Deputy Chris Benson had served in the Air Force for almost ten years and was married with their first child due sometime in March. Deputy James Calderon had served four years in the army and three in Special Forces. The man wasn’t married but had a steady girlfriend. Deputy Craig Jamison had served in the Navy for four years and was a Navy Seal for another three. The man was single and, unlike Conrad, he enjoyed the bachelor lifestyle. Deputy Holt Mason had served in the Navy Seals along with Jamison and was married with four kids and even a dog. Hell, even an older couple in their sixties had found love and though he knew the couple would never walk down the aisle, he knew that what they had would last forever. Where was his happily ever after? Was he destined to live life alone? Once again he sighed and looked down at the hot plate Kathy had just dropped off. No matter what life brought him he knew that his life would always be in King’s Hill, Wisconsin.

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There is only one happiness in this life, to love and to be loved. By: George Sand

TWO

January 06, 2008

Conrad entered Sally’s Steakhouse at a quarter past six and quickly found his group. They were there celebrating Hailey Regan’s upcoming birthday and the end of winter break. The kids would be returning to school soon and Conrad knew that meant extra hours for them all.

Conrad, Hailey greeted. Thank you for stopping by.

Wouldn’t miss it for the world. At one time he had dated Hailey but had eventually lost her to Hayden. He didn’t hold them any ill will because the couple obviously belonged together. They had two little girls that would soon turn four and seemed as happy as they were the day they said I do. Looking around, he noticed all his friends sitting with their wives and children. Shaking his head, he pushed away his melancholy mood and concentrated on the party.

One by one the server took their orders and soon the conversation switched to upcoming events. The group talked about the Valentine’s Day dance that had somehow become a tradition. Even though it was Aiden and Charlie Regan’s anniversary the couple still managed to throw a party almost every year. Hayden’s birthday followed that and then in March they had their big St. Patrick’s Day events. There would be a parade in the morning followed by a dance in the evening. It had been a tradition that had been started at the beginning of the century as a way to honor one of the town’s founding fathers, Declan Regan. Of course the Harvest Festival always started the second week of April and lasted until sometime in August. It was the biggest event of the town and had been started by Cordial Regan in the early 1960’s. He looked around at all the faces and smiled. They were all very happy and though he envied them he was happy for them all.

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Dillon had watched his friend most of the night and could tell the man was in a funk. He had been that way almost since he lost Hailey to Hayden. Everyone knew the man didn’t hold any grudges but still they all worried that Conrad would soon crack up. The party started to break up and one by one the party goers took their leave. Soon it was just Dillon, his brothers and their families.

Oh, by the way, I finally hired a new stable hand, Hayden told them.

When will they start?

February fourth but she is due to arrive the Saturday before to get settled.

She? Garret screeched out. You hired a woman? Hayden just nodded as he began to help bundle up his girls.

Hailey, are you okay with this? Charlie questioned.

Of course I am. I trust him.

What’s her name?

Her name is Allison Rose Hamilton. She grew up on a horse ranch in Montana, traveled with the rodeo for a while and is now working for Hayden’s friend Sam Peterson on his ranch in Texas. She was the best qualified candidate. Plus her background check came back clean, Hailey explained.

Everyone turned to Dillon and he just nodded. The woman has never even had a speeding ticket. The group laughed and one by one they each took their leave.

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January 28, 2008 ~ 07: 25 am ~ Abilene, Texas

Allison loaded the last of her belongings in the back of her 2000 4x4 Chevy Silverado. It was cherry red and had an extended cab with a sidestep bed and dual working lights. She had worked almost two months for Sam and with the help of her friends she had been able to save every penny she earned. Eventually, she had bought her truck and was now about to take a new step in a new life. Blowing out a breath, she closed up the tailgate and covered everything with a tarp before tying it down.

Allison, Jack began as he stepped toward her, Sally asked me to give you this knap sack. It has enough food to last you for the rest of the day.

And I placed a cooler in the front seat. Sam added. It is full of water and soda for your travel. Allison hugged her friends before turning to take one last look at the place that had been her home for almost two months. Do you need any money?

No. I’m good. Thank you, Sam, for everything.

Tell Hayden hello for me and that he owes me a move. The man chuckled at her confused look and patted her arm. "He will know what I mean. She just nodded and looked at Jack.

I’ll miss you most of all Scarecrow, she teased. The man chuckled as he hugged her. You will send me pictures of the baby when it comes. Won’t you?

I’ll email you with regular updates. I’m just sorry she was too ill to say goodbye. Email me when you get there to let me know you are safe.

I will. Once again she hugged her two friends before climbing into her truck. Life had been good for her but soon the evildoers that had forced her to hide out in Texas had once again forced her to start over some place new. It scared her that she would be found and forced to return to Dunbar. However, Jack assured her it was being dealt with. Holding back tears, she started up the truck and headed to her new home in King’s Hill, Wisconsin. She wondered about the small farming town and prayed that the evildoers would never find her there.

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Jack watched the taillights of Allison’s truck disappear before pulling out his phone. He dialed the familiar Montana number and as he waited he walked toward the barn.

Hello? a familiar voice answered.