Complicated Matters by Unknown Page A

he said to himself more than her. “Why not?” He grinned, as he watched her nervous reaction. “There’s plenty of privacy back here.”
       “How should I know?” She wrapped her arms around her knees. “Maybe this isn’t his thing.”
       “Take it easy.” He closed his eyes enjoying the vision that came to mind. “I’m just saying this place could be rather romantic under the right circumstances.” He opened his eyes and looked at what sky he could see from under the shade of the tree. “A full moon and a star-filled sky. Perhaps a little campfire, and a picnic on a blanket.”
       Farrah got up. “With mosquitoes buzzing all around.” 
       “I was visualizing fireflies.”
       “Visualize whatever you want, but the mosquitoes will still be there biting all exposed flesh.” She untied the horses. “It’s time to go.” 
       Despite Taylor’s objections, Farrah grabbed his reins and turned the leisurely ride into a near gallop.
       Taylor nearly fell off his horse as they returned to the farm. “What was that all about?” He stumbled getting off.
       She stripped the horses of their gear. “I just thought you had something better to do.” 
       Taylor dusted himself off. “Is there something I can help you with?” 
       She handed him a saddle. “The tack room’s over there. Put the saddle on an empty sawhorse.”
       Taylor raised an eyebrow. “Tack room?”
       “Yeah.” She rolled her eyes. “That’s what we call the place where the riding gear is stored.” 
       This girl has a way of making a man feel like a complete idiot. “He put the saddle away and helped her with the rest of the gear. “Thanks for the riding lesson. I better go.”
       “Sheriff Taylor, please wait.”
       He heard footsteps advancing at a fast rate. 
       Her hand touched his forearm tingling his skin. He turned to face her. “Is there another area in which you would like to prove your superiority, Miss Mathews?”
       “Ouch, that was harsh.” Farrah winced. Her expression softened to a smile. “But I guess I kinda deserve it.” She lowered her head and stirred the dirt with the toe of her shoe.  “I  wanted to tell you I’m sorry for the tone in my voice.”
       “Apology accepted.”
     
       *
     
       Taylor drove along the back roads questioning everyone he could find. So far, no one had seen a thing.
       He went back to Jones and Edwards. “Has DOT been here yet?”
       “They put up some warning signs, but say it’s gonna be two more days before they can get to the bridge.” Edwards informed him. “This road ain’t exactly high priority.” 
       Dammit. One way in and one way out. “Okay, you guys go home and get some rest. I’ll get somebody else out here tonight.”
       “Have a good one, Sheriff.” The two deputies wasted no time leaving the mosquito-infested area.
       He pressed the button on his tactical mic. “Hey, boss lady. Is everything quiet?”
       “So far. Did you find that poacher?”
       “No.” He thought about Farrah Mathews being out there all alone. “The bridge is still out, so let’s keep high visibility in this area.”
       “You got it. I’m sending someone out there right now.”
       Taylor could hear the dispatcher calling for Deputy Winthrop and his partner to cruise the area. Winthrop seems to be a good man. She should be okay while I get some rest . “I’ll be home if you need me.”
       “We’ll do, Sheriff.”
       Taylor had been up for more than twenty-four hours. His eyes were heavy and his mind was hazy. He barely had the strength to take his shower. A shot of Jack, a kiss to Lianna’s picture, and he was on his journey to the past.
       He dreamed he was back in Little Havana. He couldn’t have been more than nine or ten years old. His family was walking along the Calle Ocho Trail, attending Ciernes Culturales . Cultural Fridays was the one thing on which his mother had