Chapter Nine
CHAPTER NINE
Katy and Doug had just finished their steaks when Butch started barking, alerting them to Sheriff Cooper’s arrival. Hearing his car pull to a stop they walked quickly outside to greet him.
“Hey, Doug, hello, Katy. I’m surprised to see you here. What brings you to this neck of the woods?”
“Hi, Sheriff. I’m visiting Doug to celebrate the great news.”
“Ah, yes, we’re all very relieved his name has been cleared and the real culprits have been caught. Now about this creature. Can we go straight to the barn?”
“Sure,” Doug replied. “I take it you’ve already heard about this—whatever it is?”
“Yep. There have been a couple of sightings,” the sheriff replied as they started off. “The first one was a week or so ago. A couple were hikin’ near the lake.”
“I heard about that,” Katy said excitedly. “The bartender at the Moonshine Campground told me it scared them so badly they ran all the way down the hill.”
“That’s what they said to me as well. They claimed it was a big furry creature, but they insisted it wasn’t a bear.”
“The thing is, I saw it too,” she continued. “I mean, I glimpsed it.”
“When?”
“Today.”
“We’d been up to the top of the trail and were on our way back down when she said she saw something,” Doug interjected as they entered the barn and he turned on the lights.
“What can you tell me about it?” the sheriff asked, smiling at the horses when they nickered. “Anything you remember. The smallest detail could be important.”
“I only saw it for a split second, but I don’t think it was a bear either. I’m not sure why, I just don’t.”
“That’s called instinct,” the sheriff remarked.
“The kitchen is just through here,” Doug said, opening the door. “Speakin’ of small things, we’ve had a couple of packets of cookies stolen. Seems strange to think a wild creature would take them, but I thought I should mention it. I guess you never know.”
“That is odd,” the sheriff mumbled as he studied the floor. “I was hopin’ there might be some footprints but there’s nothin’, though it hasn’t rained so the ground outside is dry. Show me the entrance leadin’ out the back.”
“Sure. There are two slidin’ doors,” Doug said, leaving the kitchen and stepping down the barn aisle. “Huh, They should be closed all the way,” he remarked, finding them partially open.
“That’s interesting.”
“What is it, sheriff?” Katy asked. “Do you see something?”
“They’re open, but only a couple of feet. That doesn’t seem wide enough for a large animal to get through.”
“This side tends to stick a bit,” Doug grunted as he pulled it all the way closed. “It does the same thing openin’. I need to oil the rollers.”
“This is one smart creature,” the sheriff muttered with a frown. “Katy, are you sure it was covered in fur?”
“Positive. Um, this might sound crazy, but could we have a Bigfoot on our hands?”
“I’m not rulin’ anything out at this point. Make sure you call me if you see it again, and don’t worry about the time. I’ll text you my personal cell phone number.”
“Will do. Butch will let me know if he hears anyone—or should I say, anything—around the house. Speakin’ of Butch, where is he?”
“Over there!” Katy exclaimed, pointing to the dog who was busy sniffing the grass.
“Well, I guess that’s it for now,” the sheriff declared as Doug called Butch back and closed the doors. “I’ll come out in the mornin’ and take a look around this field with a couple of deputies. Whatever this thing is, it’s gettin’ pretty bold.”
“Maybe it’s just hungry,” Katy said softly. “Poor thing. I wonder where it came from. It must be so scared.”
“If you see it again stay away and call me immediately,” the sheriff ordered firmly.
“Of course I will. But I still feel sorry for it.”
“Sheriff, would you mind dropping Katy off at the campground?” Doug asked as they left the barn. “I wasn’t worried about leavin’ for five minutes with the camera set up, but now…”
“Yep, I get that,” the sheriff remarked with a nod. “I don’t mind at all. Do you have everything, Katy?”
“Actually, no, I left something inside.”
“You go ahead. I’ll wait for you.”
As they reached the house, the sheriff climbed into his car while Katy and Doug walked up to the porch and entered the kitchen.
“I don’t remember you arrivin’ with anything,” he remarked, closing the door behind them.
“I didn’t. I just wanted to say a private thank you. I’ve had a wonderful time.”
“Hey, me too,” he murmured, then impulsively moving his arms around her, he pulled her into his body.
Closing his eyes as she melted against him, an unexpected wave of emotion rippled through his heart. The sensuous joy of holding a woman after so long engulfed him, but as he breathed her in, he realized his passion and gratitude wasn’t just about any woman, it was about her. She was special.
“Never let me go,” she whispered. “Just keep me here like this forever.”
“I wish I could, but I promise this is just the first of many more to come,” he managed, never wanting to let her go. “In fact, when you arrive tomorrow the first thing I’ll do is hug you again.”
Though he longed to grip her hair, tug it back and press his lips against hers, he knew if he did he wouldn’t let her leave. But just as the thought floated through his head, she jerked her head up from his shoulder and fervently pressed her lips on his.