CHAPTER ONE
THIRTY SEVEN YEAR OLD sheriff, Drew Bailey, parked her truck in her dirt driveway, having come home from the local grocery store. Looking towards the barn, she saw the familiar vehicles of the horse boarders parked along the fence. Thus far it was a typical Saturday morning.
Hearing a car coming up her drive, she turned to see a beat up, yellow Volkswagen Beetle slowing to a stop behind her truck. The passenger side window rolled down as Drew approached wearing a large smile.
Bending to look into the car, Drew greeted the two women. "Morning, Lola, Kate. Kate, I'm surprised to see you here."
"Oh, my car's in the shop, so I have to use Lola's while she rides. You want a hand with your things?" she inquired.
"Yeah, that'd be great. Gives us a chance to catch up on things while the little one rides." Drew stated, playfully jibing Lola.
"Watch who you call little, old lady." Lola bantered.
"Lola, I can't believe you. Take that back." her mother Kate demanded.
"Oh, don't fuss, Katherine. I'd be the first to admit it's true. In the eyes of any seventeen year old, I'd be over the hill already." As Kate got out of the car, Drew smiled at Lola. "Try to stay out of trouble, young lady."
Mockingly, Lola saluted. "Yes, ma'am, Sheriff Bailey." she answered tearing off down the hill in her car.
"She's gotten a mouth on her, Drew. Ever since her father died, she's been so disrespectful with adults. I get complaints from her teachers all the time."
"You want me to talk to her? Maybe all she needs is someone other than her mother to talk to."
"You don't mind?"
"Of course not. You know I'd do anything for your girls. By the way, how's Natalie?"
"Fine. She's adjusting well to college, better than I thought she would."
"Glad to hear it. How are you doing? I haven't seen you much since the funeral. I'm sorry about that. I should be doing a better job as a friend."
"You are being a friend, Drew. You're helping bring Paul's killer to justice. Under the circumstances, that's just about the best thing you could do." Kate whispered wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.
Drew embraced her. "It's all right, Kate. Everything's going to be okay."
Kate recovered quickly enough to help with the groceries before they sat at the kitchen table with coffee to discuss other things. After an hour Kate mentioned that she had to get going, so Drew walked her to Lola's car down at the barn.
"Listen, why don't you and Lola have lunch with me when you come back? I'll even make those cheeseburgers she loves so much."
"All right. You want a ride back to the house?"
Drew shook her head. "I'm going to hang around here for while. See you later."
Going into the barn, Drew began talking with some of the boarders before stopping into the office to check on the two person staff. Much to her surprise she found the younger one, Steve, talking with Lola alone. They didn't notice her at first, but she definitely noticed the way Steve kept touching Lola at every possible moment. However, she grew concerned that Lola seemed uncomfortable. "Hey y'all." Drew said getting their attention.
Steve jumped at her voice. "Drew, what are you doing down here?" Lola asked immediately moving closer to her.
"Wanted to talk to you. Do you have a minute?"
Walking side by side towards the stall where her horse was kept, Lola inquired, "What's up?"
"Something going on between you and Steve?"
"No. He's cute, but something about him gives me the creeps. I don't know what it is, maybe nothing. I just don't feel comfortable alone with him. Anyway, you didn't come down here to ask me that."
"Well, I was wondering if you weren't busy after riding if you'd like to join your mother and me for lunch?"
"Are you going to make those cheeseburgers? You know how much I love those."
"If you'd like."
"Then I'll definitely be there."
"Good. Listen, I was talking with your mom, and she mentioned that you were having problems in school. You want to talk about it?"
Lola shrugged. "School sucks this year. I thought senior year was supposed to be the most fun."
"Is cheerleading bad?"
"No. It's all right. The squad's pretty good."
"How are your grades?"
"Usual."
"Then what seems to be the problem?"
"Homecoming. I was nominated for queen."
"Well, that's great news, isn't it? You're mom will be thrilled."
"It's just that the court gets escorted by their fathers." she mumbled.
"Oh, I see." Drew replied pulling Lola into her with one arm. "That's got to be hard for you, but maybe we can think of a solution. Is there someone else you'd like to take?"