I should have known. No one wants to give anything away for free. “Call me Shelby. What is it I can do for you, Mr. Lockneer?”

            He saw the wary look on her face. “Nothing like what you're thinking, I'm sure. My proposition has to do with what's going on here.”

            “Which is?”

            “Well, if you're anything like me, you don't like to just sit around doing nothing. Am I right?”

            Shelby nodded.

            “I'm building another barn just behind this one, and will be buying about a dozen more horses. Are you as good with animals as Rebecca says you are?”

            “I don't know, since I'm not sure what she's said. But, I like them, if that helps.”

            He jingled the change in his pocket. “That helps a lot, Shelby. I thought you might want to work here, for a while. What do you think? The pay won't be that great, but you'll get free use of the electricity, and I'll have another apartment built over the new barn.”

            The prospect of having a steady job almost scared Shelby. Getting up every day and doing the same thing, at the same place? She didn't know if she had it in her. “Can I think about it, Mr. Lockneer?”

            “Certainly.” He pulled a card from his wallet. “Just give me a call and let me know. You can use Rebecca's phone, I'm sure.”

            “Thanks.” Shelby watched him leave, then sat back and thought hard about her future.

           

Chapter 16

            ON THE FOLLOWING day, since she was feeling better, Shelby decided that she needed to go into town and talk to the sheriff about the fire. Rebecca insisted on driving her, partly because she wanted to make certain Shelby didn't end up in jail for something she didn't do. The ride into town was a quiet one, both women thinking about what the day's revelations could bring.

            Once they were parked in front of the building that housed the sheriff's department, Shelby was stopped from getting out of the car by Rebecca's hand on her arm. “Let me come in with you.”

            “Why? I'm sure it's just routine questions. It's not like I'm guilty of anything.”

            “We both know that, but I don't think they're too sure about it.”

            Shelby shrugged. “Well, okay. But we'll probably get in there and he'll just want me to sign some papers, or something. I just wanted to save you the trouble.”

            Once they were inside, a woman directed them to a couple of chairs at the deputy's desk. He was no where to be seen, but she assured them she'd let him know they were there.

            The deputy arrived a few minutes later, this time in uniform. “Sorry I was late.” He looked at Rebecca, then to Shelby. “Is she your lawyer?”

            “No, just a friend.” Shelby leaned back in her chair. “Do I need a lawyer?”

            “Of course not. I just have a few more questions I need to ask you, before I close this case out.” He looked to Rebecca. “If you want, there's a nice break room just down the hall. I'm sure all of this will bore you.”

            Rebecca smiled sweetly at him. “That's all right. I'm perfectly comfortable here. Besides, I was there that night, and can answer any questions you might have from the outside point of view.”

            He nodded. “Fine.” Shuffling through some papers, the deputy looked up at Shelby. “Ms. Fisher, the fire report says that you were in the barn for several minutes during the fire, is that correct?”

            “Yes. I was trying to get as many animals out as possible. Luckily, the fire was set away from the pens, and I was able to reach a lot of them.”

            “You and the deceased were not on the best of terms, were you?”

            Shelby shrugged her shoulders. “You could say that. Although I never thought he'd stoop to such levels.”

            The deputy scribbled something down, then looked up. “Witnesses say you had more than enough time to disable Mr. Sanger before leaving the barn.”

            Rebecca had heard enough. “Now wait just a damned minute! She released almost every animal in there, at risk to her own life, and you're trying to blame her for that asshole?”

            “Rebecca, please. Calm down,” Shelby whispered, feeling the eyes of the other occupants of the room on them. “It's okay.”

            “No, it's not. I've read the newspapers and seen the news reports. Mr. Deputy, did you notice that the pens were on the opposite side of the barn from where they said the fire had started? How could she have been two places at once? Especially with the heavy smoke?”

            The deputy looked uncomfortable. “We're not trying to place any type of blame on Ms. Fisher, ma'am. I just need to get her account of the incident for my report.” In fact he wanted to add another person to the list of suspects, but now knew that he wasn't going to be able to. At least not this person. “Why don't I just have your statement typed up, and you can leave?”

            Rebecca sat back, pleased. “That sounds great. Right, Shelby?”

            Shelby could only fight back a grin.

#

            DAYS AFTER LOCKNEER'S proposal, Shelby still hadn't decided whether she was going to accept the job offer or not. She walked around the barn, wondering if she would feel comfortable staying in one place. The thought unsettled her.

            “Penny for your thoughts,” Rebecca's voice called. As much as she tried to give Shelby her space, she found herself hunting the other woman down when she was out of sight.

            Shelby turned and gave her lover a small smile. “Not much to pay for, to tell you the truth. I was just looking around.” She wanted to go out and do something, but wasn't sure how she was supposed to tell Rebecca. “Do you think your boss would mind if I rode one of the horses? I'd kind of like to get out for a bit.”

            “I know of something we can do that doesn't require going anywhere.” Rebecca moved closer and ran her hands up and down Shelby's arms. “Would you like to come upstairs?”

            For the first time in as long as she could remember, Shelby wasn't in the mood. Now she had to come up with a way to break it to Rebecca, who seemed to always be in the mood. “Honestly, darlin', I just need a little time to myself. Is that okay?”

            Hurt, Rebecca couldn't help but snap, “Sure. I'll just be upstairs, waiting for you if you decide you need some playtime. That's all I am to you, aren't I?”

            “Do you really think that? Because if you do, there's something seriously wrong.” Shelby started to walk away when Rebecca grabbed her arm.

            “Don't you walk away when I'm talking to you.”

            Shelby frowned. “What is your problem? I just need a little fresh air.”

            “Dammit, Shelby. I can feel you drifting away from me. What have I done wrong?”

            “I'm not drifting. But I'm beginning to wonder why you're acting this way. Have I said or done anything to make you this clingy? This is a new side of you I don't think I like very well.”

            Rebecca released the grip on Shelby's arm and backed away. “I knew you'd get tired of me, I just didn't think it would be this soon.”

            “Baby, no.” Shelby moved forward and pulled Rebecca into her arms.

            “Then why won't you move into the apartment? I hate that you live in that little trailer.”

            “Because the trailer has been my home for a lot of years. I just want to take this slow, okay? But don't think I'm going to go running off just because I won't move in with you.”

            Accepting the words and the thought behind it, Rebecca cupped Shelby's face in her hands and kissed her. “Take Patches. She could use the exercise.” She kissed her again, then turned and went upstairs to the apartment. Her part in the argument had upset her, and Rebecca wanted nothing more than to go someplace quiet and think.

#

            AFTER THE ARGUMENT in the barn, each woman tried to be more considerate of the other's feelings. Some nights they'd sleep together in the apartment, others they'd snuggle up together in the trailer. Shelby told Rebecca it wasn't necessary, but her lover was determined to make Shelby comfortable in her own space.