Jack (Men of Clifton, Montana #50)

Chapter One

Jack smiled at the busy streets as he drove down Main Street. He pulled into the courthouse parking lot and hurried inside to escape the hot day.

He walked over to a display case on the wall and searched for the Sheriff’s office before heading toward the elevators. When the doors opened on his desired floor, he made his way to Sam Garrett’s office, easily recognizable by his name etched on the beveled glass door.

Jack entered and approached the counter, mentally groaning when he saw Betty Lou Harper sitting behind it. Clearing his throat, she looked up at him with a frown before recognition dawned upon her face.

“Well, well, well. Jack Lawrence, still as handsome as ever. How are you, honey?”

“I’m fine, Betty Lou. And yourself?”

“Just fine and dandy. Do you need to see Sam?”

“Yes please, ma’am.”

“Alright.” Betty Lou pressed a button on the intercom but let go and yelled. “Sam!”

“I think you’re supposed to hold—” Jack stopped talking when she glared at him.

“Betty Lou, you have to keep the button held down while you talk,” Sam explained as he entered the lobby and saw Jack, grinning. “Jack, how in the hell are ya?”

“I’m doing well, Sam—”

“Sam Garrett, stop swearing,” Betty Lou scolded.

Rolling his eyes, Sam chuckled and led Jack to his office.

“You know, tomorrow is her last day. She’s finally retiring and I’ll finally get some peace and quiet.”

“I heard that loud and clear, Sam Garrett.”

“I said it loud enough so you would,” Sam replied with a grin. Jack couldn’t help but laugh along with Betty Lou.

Once they were inside Sam’s office, he motioned for Jack to take a seat in one of the old wooden chairs across from his desk.

“What can I do for you, Jack?”

“I wanted to ask if you were hiring.”

Jack watched Sam’s eyebrows raise in surprise. “You’re not with the Marshals anymore?”

“I quit. I wanted to come back home. But if you’re not hiring, I understand. I can always check with the police department.”

“To be honest, I could use another deputy on dayshift. I just hired someone new for nightshift the other day. With Clifton getting more tourists every year, we’re short-staffed.”

“How many deputies are on dayshift now?”

“Only three, and it’s still a struggle to cover everything during this time of the year. I try to get out of the office when I can, but most days I’m stuck behind a desk.”

“Yeah, I noticed how crowded it was here.”

“The towns are doing well, but with only three deputies, it’s hard to cover the entire county. Gray Beckett had to hire some new deputies in his county too.”

“I haven’t seen Gray in ages.”

“Damn, Jack, you haven’t seen anyone in ages.” Sam grinned knowingly.

“I’ve been home a few times, but other than visiting my family, I didn’t really see anyone.”

“When were you thinking of starting?”

“I want to buy a house and get settled first, so maybe around the beginning of next month. That gives me about three weeks to get everything sorted.”

Sam glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall before looking back at Jack and nodding.

“That should work. We have a few more weeks left in July, but August and September will be busy too, so I’d really appreciate it if you could start as soon as possible.”

“If you need me earlier than that...”

“Get settled in first because once you start, there won’t be much time for anything else. Just let me know whenever you’re ready to start.”

“My boss can give me a good reference if needed.”

Sam smirked. “As if I would need one. I already know how good you are at your job, Jack.”

“So... do I officially have a job here?”

“Yes, welcome aboard.” Sam stood up from his desk. “I’ll order some shirts for you, a protective vest, and your badge. Do you have your own gun?”

“I do.”

“Perfect.” Sam grabbed his hat from the rack and put it on his head. “I’m meeting my wife for lunch now, but I’ll see you first thing next month. Just a heads up, you’ll have to rotate weekends.”

“Not a problem.” Jack shook Sam’s hand. “This isn’t the same office, is it?”

“No. We got moved up a floor. Damn good thing there’s an elevator. I’m sure there would be days I wouldn’t feel like climbing the stairs.” Sam grinned.

“Same here. I’ll see you soon.”

“Let me walk you out.” Sam said, and they left the office. He stopped at the front desk. “Betty Lou, could you please order five shirts for Jack?” He turned to Jack. “What size do you wear?”

“Probably the same as you.”

“Got it. I’ll make sure those are ordered today.”

“I appreciate it, Betty Lou. And congratulations on your retirement.”

“Thank you. I’m sure I will enjoy it.” Betty Lou smiled.

“I’ll be chasing after her and her sister, Bobbie Jo all over town,” Sam joked, earning a playful glare from Betty Lou.

“You’re going to miss me, Sam Garrett.”

“Yeah, like the way I’d miss a toothache,” Sam chuckled as Betty Lou laughed. “I’m meeting Tessa for lunch. Do you want me to bring anything back for you?”

“No thanks, Sam. I brought something with me today. It was nice seeing you again, honey,” Betty Lou said warmly to Jack.

“You too, Betty Lou.” Jack touched his hat before following Sam into the hall. After leaving the elevator, they walked down the courthouse steps together.

“I’ll see you soon, Jack. Make sure to pick up those shirts before your first day of work. They should be here in a day or two. If no one is here, I’ll leave them behind the counter, along with papers you’ll need to fill out for taxes.”

“Alright, Sam.”

Sam pulled out his wallet and handed Jack a business card.

“All my info is on there. I’ll get some cards made for you too once you find a house.”

“Thanks, I’ll see you soon. Enjoy your lunch; I’m heading to my sister’s house now.”

“Say hi to Brenna for me,” Sam said as they parted ways.

“Will do.” Jack jogged to his truck and drove off toward his sister and brother-in-law’s house.

****

Randi’s feet felt as heavy as lead, every step a struggle as she trudged along the bustling sidewalk. The sun beat down on her tired shoulders, and she longed for a cool place to rest. That’s when she saw it, a sign for Clifton Realty. A glimmer of hope sparked in her exhausted mind. Perhaps they could help her find a place to open her dream business; a shop filled with handmade candles, bath salts and soaps.

As she stepped inside, the refreshing blast of air conditioning washed over her like an oasis in the desert. She couldn’t help but smile at the woman sitting behind the desk, who greeted her with warmth and kindness.

“Hello, welcome to Clifton Realty. How can I assist you today?”

Randi noticed two other women busy at their desks, presumably working as real estate agents.

“I’m looking to purchase a building for my candle and soap shop, so I was hoping to speak with one of your agents.”

The woman glanced over her shoulder before turning back to Randi.

“If you take a seat, one of them will be available as soon as they finish their phone calls.”

“Thank you so much.” Randi gratefully sank onto a nearby bench, feeling the weight of exhaustion slowly lifting off her shoulders.

After a few minutes, a woman approached her with a warm smile.

“Hello, I’m Lydia Griffin.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Lydia. I’m Randi Guthrie.”

“The pleasure is mine, Randi. What brings you here today?”

“I want to open a candle and soap shop. I make all the products myself.”

Lydia’s eyes lit up in surprise and admiration. “That sounds wonderful! Come back to my desk and we’ll take a look at some potential properties together.”

They spent the next hour discussing different options and going through photos until finally landing on two potential locations. Some were too large and costly to convert into a shop, but these two seemed just right.

As they left the office, Randi and Lydia strolled along the bustling sidewalk until they reached an empty building. Lydia typed in the code for the lockbox and retrieved a key, leading them inside. Instantly, Randi’s eyes widened at the potential of space.

“This building also has an apartment/storage room above it.”

“An apartment? That would be perfect for me. Can we see it?”

“Absolutely. There are two entrances, the one we used just now, and another at the back. Many old buildings have rear delivery doors like this, with alleys behind them.”

“I really like this place. The large front windows let in so much natural light, which will be great for displays. And with its spacious layout, I can create separate rooms for different scents and products. I’ll also need a designated area to make my candles and soaps. The delivery door is a great addition. Hopefully, I’ll find employees who either have experience or are willing to learn.”

Lydia nodded in agreement. “There’s a job search website that could help you find suitable candidates. Let me write down the link on the back of my business card for you. And may I ask if you’ll be taking out a loan for this purchase?”

“Yes, I have a good bit to put down from when I sold my other shop.”

A smile tugged at Lydia’s lips. “That’s wonderful news! That will definitely be in your favor for a loan.”

“Agreed.” Randi grinned as her eyes scanned the area. “I think this will be perfect, but I do want to see the apartment.”

“Sure thing, we can take the back exit instead of walking through the alleyway.”

Lydia led her around the building to the back entrance. Randi noticed a set of metal stairs leading up to the second floor. They climbed them and she waited as Lydia unlocked and opened the door.

They walked into a cozy kitchen and living room space. Randi’s face lit up with a smile. “This is great. The windows are lovely.”

“They overlook the street and allow plenty of natural light. Let’s take a closer look.”

Randi nodded and followed Lydia down a hallway.

“Does it mention how many bedrooms or bathrooms there are?” Randi asked, as she followed Lydia.

“It says one bedroom, one bathroom. Are you married or have children?”

“No, I’m single. My career keeps me busy most of the time.”

“I can understand that. Do you have a significant other in your life?” Lydia shook her head. “I’m sorry, that’s none of my business.”

“It’s okay, no one special at the moment. I haven’t been in a long-term relationship in years. I’ve dated, but once I opened my own shop in Alabama, it became my priority and some men didn’t like that.” Randi shrugged.

“Of course. So, you’re a long way from home.” Lydia smiled. “I’m originally from Louisiana.”

“Really? How did you end up here?”

“It’s a long story, but how about we have lunch one day and swap stories?”

“Sounds wonderful”

“Are you set on this place, or would you like to see the other place available?”

“I’m set on this one.” Randi opened the door to what would be the bedroom and stepped into the attached bathroom with a sigh. “I’ll need to replace that tub and sink, but that shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Yes, they’re definitely showing some wear and tear after all these years. It would be best to replace them. Where are you currently staying?”

“I’m in an extended-stay motel. It’s decent, but I get tired of hearing people coming and going at all hours of the night.”

“That would drive me crazy too.”

Randi looked at Lydia with determination. “I want this place. What’s the next step?”

“We’ll go back to the office and sign the papers. We’ll also have it inspected for any potential issues like termites, rodents, or mold. Although I don’t see any signs of mold, I’ll take care of it just to be safe. I wouldn’t recommend moving in until after the inspection is done.”

“Okay, but if there are any problems found and I’ve already signed the papers, what happens then?”

“Oh, the contract will state that it can be voided if anything fails the inspection.”

“Good to know. I was worried about being stuck with a property that had hidden issues.” Randi grinned.

Lydia returned her smile. “To me, it looks to be in good shape, but I’m no expert on things like that. I’ll arrange for an inspection later today and get it done as soon as possible.”

“I really appreciate that. Let me give you my number just in case you need to reach me for anything.”

“Just call me and I’ll add your number to my contacts.”

“Great idea.” Randi pulled out her phone and Lydia’s business card from her purse and added her number to Lydia’s contact list.

“If you’re ready, we can head back to the office now and we’ll go over the contract, then I’ll get with the bank.”

Randi nodded eagerly and followed Lydia out of the building. She couldn’t wait to start making this place her new home and shop.

****

The last week of July, Jack started working as a deputy, since he’d gotten settled in with the house. He strolled along the sidewalk, acknowledging the people he passed with a nod. The heat was oppressive, but at least he was able to begin his duties earlier than expected. He had recently purchased a house with twenty-five acres of land for his four horses to roam freely. The property also included a small barn where he had brought his horses just last week.

As he made his way toward the local diner, he noticed a grand opening sign across the street. Curious, he stopped to read the name on the window: Randi’s Scented Haven.

“Randi’s Scented Haven?” he muttered before crossing the street to investigate.

The closer he got; he was hit with delightful scents emanating from inside. Peering into the window, he saw rows and rows of candles on one side and what looked like bars of soap on the other. No wonder it smelled so wonderful.

Taking a deep breath, Jack entered the shop and immediately saw that it was bustling with mostly women customers.

A female voice greeted him, “Well hello there, deputy.” He turned to see a woman smiling at him.

“Ma’am,” Jack replied with a touch of his hat.

“It smells great in here, doesn’t?” She flirted.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m just browsing. I noticed this was a new store, and I just wanted to check it out.”

“It’s packed.”

“Are you the owner?”

“Oh no,” she chuckled, “I can’t make anything like this. But the woman who owns this place sure knows how. I was just curious to see what it was all about. Now I know I’ll be spending some money here.”

Jack smiled, “Well that’s good news for the owner. Do you happen to know who that is?”

“Hmm, let me see.” The woman scanned the shop before pointing to a woman talking to another customer by the soap. “That’s her, with the dark brown hair.”

Jack followed her gaze and when the woman looked his way, he was struck with instant attraction. She wasn’t very tall, no more than five foot six, but incredibly beautiful with her hair cascading around her shoulders and her dark brown eyes were very exotic looking. He took a deep breath and approached her once the other woman walked off.

A smile tugged at her lips, causing him to grin as he walked up to her. He lifted his hand to touch the brim of his white straw Stetson.

“Hello, ma’am,” he greeted her.

“Good afternoon, Deputy. Are you in need of candles, bath salts, or soap?” She tilted her head, and Jack couldn’t help but be drawn to those full, luscious lips.

He chuckled. “Not that I know of. I was just passing by and saw the sign. I was curious about the shop’s name.”

“I’m Randi Guthrie, the owner. I just recently moved here,” she said and he noticed a southern twang.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Guthrie. I’m Jack Lawrence.” He looked around. “It smells so good in here.”

She extended her hand to him, and he gently took it in his own.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Deputy Lawrence. But please, call me Randi.”

“Randi? Is that a nickname?”

“Yes, for Miranda. You can call me either one.”

“I will, and you can call me Jack.”

They stood staring into each other’s eyes until they were interrupted by a customer.

“My apologies for interrupting, but is it possible to order all of what you sell? Like in scents I’d like?”

“Yes, of course ma’am. You can mix and match scents or choose a specific one for either candle, bath salts, or soap.”

Jack watched as Randi flashed the woman a warm smile, unable to take his eyes off her.

“Can we discuss it further?” the woman asked Randi, and Jack wanted to protest but held back.

“Of course,” Randi replied.

“I’ll let you two talk, then. Have a nice day.” Jack turned to Randi with a smile. “It was nice meeting you. Welcome to Clifton.”

“Thank you. Feel free to come back anytime, Jack.”

“I’ll definitely try.” He tipped his hat once more. “Ladies.” Then he walked out into the sweltering heat of the day.

****

Randi’s eyes followed him until the woman cleared her throat, bringing her back to reality. She gave the woman a smile.

“I can create any scents you desire. What are you interested in?”

At the end of the day, Randi was exhausted but grateful for the success of her grand opening. She had made numerous sales and received plenty of orders. She knew she would have to hire someone soon, even if it was just to run the cash register. But she also hoped to eventually hire someone to help with creating scents. The thought of working alone every day did not appeal to her.

As she locked up the back door and made her way up the staircase to her apartment, she couldn’t wait to relax in her newly remodeled bathroom and soak in the jacuzzi tub. After locking her door behind her and hanging up her purse on the coat rack, she kicked off her shoes and headed down the hallway, taking off her T-shirt along the way.

In her bedroom, she discarded her jeans and underwear before unhooking her bra with a sigh. Men didn’t understand how good it felt to take off a bra after a long day. Leaving her clothes on the floor, she entered the bathroom and turned on the water for the tub, adding some bath salts for added relaxation.

As she settled into the tub and turned on the jets, Randi couldn’t help but think about Deputy Jack Lawrence. He was one handsome man. His soft-looking dark hair contrasted beautifully with his ice blue eyes in his tanned face. At first glance, he looked like he was in his early to mid-forties and Randi would love to get to know him better, but she had no idea if he was single or involved with someone else.

“Damn, I’d love to see you again, Jack Lawrence,” Randi whispered to herself, knowing it was unlikely since he could possibly be in a relationship. Just because he didn’t wear a wedding band didn’t mean a thing. Some men didn’t.

The next day during her lunch break, Randi locked up her shop and headed across the street to the diner. Even though she was new in town, the delicious smells coming from the restaurant made her mouth water.

As she reached for the door handle, it swung open, revealing a rugged cowboy standing in the doorway. He touched the brim of his hat and held the door for her.

“Thank you,” she said with a grateful smile.

“My pleasure, ma’am.” His voice was deep, sending shivers down her spine. She couldn’t help but admire his handsome features as he walked away.

Randi stepped into the diner and immediately caught the attention of everyone inside. She felt self-conscious under their curious gazes until an older woman with kind eyes approached her.

“Hi there, sweetie. I’m Connie, the owner of this place. Come on, have a seat. Rafe just left so we have a place for you.” She patted Randi’s arm and led her to a stool at the counter.

“Why are they all staring at me?” Randi whispered nervously.

“Don’t mind them, dear. They don’t know you yet, but they do know you’re not a tourist. Not much gets by the people of Clifton. Once you’ve been here for a while, you’ll be part of the family.” Connie smiled warmly at her before gesturing to the menu. “Take your pick, our burgers are the best.”

A burger did sound good to Randi, and she quickly placed her order with Connie who winked playfully.

Taking in the charming atmosphere of the small-town diner, Randi couldn’t help but feel at home. The bell above the door jingled and she turned to see Jack Lawrence entering. A wave of excitement and nerves washed over her as she watched him being greeted by several patrons who called out his name or waved at him while passing. When he made his way toward her, a smile lit up his face and her heart skipped a beat.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked politely.

“I would love that,” Randi replied eagerly.

Jack took the seat next to her and she was hit with the scent of his aftershave mixed with sweat from the hot summer day. It was an intoxicating combination that made her heart race.

She wanted to know if he was single, but how could she bring that subject up without coming across too strongly?