On Her Father's Grave (Rogue River #1)(24)

The Memorial Day celebration had brought in a dozen food trucks and everyone was taking advantage of the diversity. A small carnival with rides and games filled two-thirds of the park. A petting zoo and face painting booth attracted the younger set. In the center of the park was a small pavilion decorated with red, white, and blue bunting that hosted a country music band. Directly in front of the band, dancers crowded the portable dance floor. Zane paused in his food hunt to watch the dancers two-step.

Zane didn’t want to live anywhere else. He was determined to carve out his niche in Solitude. The homey town had spoken to his heart the first day he’d arrived, seeking to put down roots in a small town with less winter snow and cold. The temperate west side of Oregon held more appeal than where he’d grown up in the high desert of eastern Oregon.

He recognized three-quarters of the people present, and knew the first names of most of them. “Evening, Chief” was the refrain he heard as he walked through the park. Word had spread. They knew he was chief, and they’d accepted it. Would he stop feeling like an outsider now? He’d always had Solitude’s respect, but he wanted that deep sense of belonging. He thought of Big Bill and the legacy the man had left behind. Bill Taylor would always be remembered for his decades of service.

Zane wanted to achieve the same.

He spotted Stevie among the two-steppers. She wore a short denim skirt and cowboy boots. The usual country girl’s “goin’ out” uniform. The beaming smile on her face told him she’d put her brief flashback from that morning behind her. He watched her step and slide, admiring her ease with the steps. Her dance partner grabbed her hand and spun her, and jealousy poked Zane in the chest.

Eric Hearne.

Judging by the smile on Stevie’s face, she’d reconsidered Eric’s request for a date.

“Good evening, Chief. Enjoying the festivities?”

Zane looked down to find Patsy Taylor smiling at him. Merriment shone in her eyes and made him wonder if his face had reflected his thoughts of the last ten seconds.

“Absolutely. I was trying to figure out what I want for dinner.”

Patsy turned her gaze in the opposite direction to the food trucks. “I believe you’re looking in the wrong place, Zane.”

“Am I?” he said softly.

She tilted her head at him. “She’s only been in town a few days. She’s had a major upheaval in her life, but I believe she’s here to stay. I always knew she’d come back someday. Out of all my kids, I knew she would have to leave Solitude to figure out that this is where she belonged.” She looked at the dancers. “Go slowly, Zane. And have patience. She might have to try something else first to figure out that it’s not right for her. Then the answer will be obvious.”

Zane followed her gaze. “Patience isn’t one of my strong points.”

“Sure it is. I’ve been watching you for five years as you waited for the right woman to come to town. What do you think you’ve been doing?” Her gaze seemed to penetrate deep into his soul, seeing things he tried to keep private.

“You’ve been watching me?” he muttered, feeling exposed and a bit betrayed. He’d always considered Patsy and Bill good friends. Had he simply been a social experiment?

She put her hand on his arm and warmth flowed through his muscles. He felt ashamed for doubting her friendship. “Bill adored you. He considered you to be one of his sons. And I’ve always loved having you join our family. I’ve watched you with the eyes of a mother who simply wants the best for you. That’s all. I want the people I care about to be happy.”

“I’m her boss. It’s not right.” He looked at her hopefully, wanting her to give him a solution.

“What are you afraid of?” she asked.

“Well,” he paused. “What if it doesn’t work out and we have to continue to work together in the same small building? Will she respect me as a boss? Will it be awkward? Will we be able to get along?”

Brown eyes like Stevie’s measured him. “So you always start a new relationship preparing for its bitter end?”

“Of course not,” he muttered. “But I have to consider the consequences. This could affect more than just the two of us. Like the people we work with.”

“Does it really, Zane?” she asked softly. “Are the two of you the type to make people around you miserable if something doesn’t go as expected? I know you haven’t known Stevie long, but from what you do know, is she the type to disrespect you after?”

Not at all. Stevie had honor and integrity flowing out of her pores. It was how she was made. She couldn’t get away from it. Just like her mother.

“Thank you, Patsy.” Zane forced the words out, his throat feeling thick. He wrapped his arms around her tiny form in a hug and planted a kiss on the top of her head. “That’s for watching out for me.”

“Hey, that’s my mother you’re kissing.”

James stopped beside Zane and gave him a friendly punch on the arm.

“Grandma!” shouted the three-year-old holding James’s hand. He rushed Patsy for a hug. She promptly picked him up and swirled him in a circle.

James grinned at Zane. “Nice to see you’re not on duty. How’d you get so lucky?”

“I write the schedule these days.” The country song ended, and Zane’s gaze went back to the dancers, where Stevie and Eric had stopped and now chatted with another couple.