Deacon

I can't get my mind off Daisy. "You okay?" My deputy asks. I nod and shuffle some papers around on my desk.

"You sure about that, only you don't seem to be here and I've been talking to you for the last fifteen minutes or so?"

"Huh, what were you talking about? Sorry, I've got shit on my mind."

"You don't say. Coffee?"

"Yeah, a strong one. Thanks." I watch as he goes over to the machine and makes the coffees. Aroma fills the small front office as he does. I do have a back office but I like it out front, I have company for a start with my crew here in the station and the windows allow for views to Main Street and the small green area across the road.

"Heard you threw Daisy over your shoulder last night. Did you take her home?" He asks, I glare at him, like it's any of his business.

"She wouldn't get in the vehicle and she'd been drinking. What's a guy supposed to do?"

"I guess that's pissed her off some. You two are good friends, right?"

"Were. She's not talking to me right now."

"I can see that." Curtis says.

I raise my eyebrows at him. "I don't think you understand, I wasn't about to let her walk home alone in the dark with alcohol inside her. What did you think I was going to do? She was already blowing steam out of her ears because I dragged some guy up by the collar. Saunder I think his name was." I do remember his name, I remember every detail about the jerk who had his hand on Daisy, the same hand I'd quite happily have chopped off.

"So I heard." He sets my coffee cup down.

"Word travels fast around here." I mutter and lean back in my chair. "Better than any telephone exchange if you ask me."

Just as I speak, Lacey our ladies man of the police force with his jet black hair and emerald green eyes comes sauntering in. "Yeah, apparently that Saunder guy is pretty damn pissed off." He says and sits down at his desk, leans back and puts his feet up.

"Get your feet off the table, Lacey. This isn't your mom's lounge. And I doubt she'd have allowed it in any case." He does as he says grumbling.

"I don't care if he's pissed off or not. He had his hand on Daisy and from the look of it, it wasn't welcome. I was just upholding the law." This causes Curtis and Lacey to guffaw. "What is so funny?"

"You, Deacon that's what is so funny. Hell, we all know you're smitten with that little lady. If it were me I'd have already got her between the sheets." I growl at Lacey. The thought of that womanizer with Daisy in his bed makes my blood boil in a second.

"Don't you go anywhere near Daisy. You here me. She's off limits and that goes for you too, Curtis." I glare at him too.

Curtis holds both his hands in the air. "Not me, Deacon. No way. I have my own girl now."

I raise my eyebrows. "Since when? You're as bad as Lacey over there, I'm surprised you two haven't picked up any nasty diseases yet." They flick me the finger, what are they some kind of double act now?

"Since a couple of months ago, I've been keeping it quiet. You know her. Taylor the girl who works behind the counter in the hardware store." Ah, that rings a bell.

"Pretty thing with red hair, curly hair, right?" I ask.

He nods his head. "That's the one and lips like cherries." Okay, so now he looks dreamy. He's got it bad. I throw a paperclip at him, as he blushes.

"Man, you're so pussy whipped." Lacey comes out with.

"You'll be next." I tell him.

"Nah, not me. Never. My folks divorced when I was a kid and I've seen what it does to folks that getting hooked up shit and married. I'll be single for the rest of my life." He folds his arms in front of his chest.

"Then you're going to be a lonely motherfucker." I tell him. My phone beeps, I check to see who the message is from. It's my sister, Maxine.

Hey Deacon, I'm going to the horse auction on Saturday. You fancy coming? I checked your roster with your assistant, she says you're not on duty.

I think about it, I mean I could do with looking at some new horses if I want to get the riding school/retreat off the ground. I keep thinking about it and talking to my folks and Maxine about it, only I've not got very far. I know Maxine is doing all the paperwork for me right now and she said she'd be up for helping me out. I've also got to hire a new ranch hand, my guy Philips is moving to be closer to his children in Florida. So much to do, so little time.

Sure, why not. What time?

I'll swing by and pick you up around nine and we can have breakfast at Bluebells.

I'll check see if Logan wants to come and Sage. They're looking for a couple of horses for themselves.

Next time, let's just go on our own for this one. I frown at my screen, that's not like Maxine at all. She's usually up for Sage doing anything with us.

Sure, np. Whatever you say. I'll catch up with you on Saturday. And Max, thanks for helping me with this. I really appreciate it.

Np. You owe me.

You got it.

We end the conversation. "Right, guys let's go on patrol. Curtis, you stay here and man the office." I stand up, down my coffee, place my hat on and head for the door with Lacey behind me.

As soon as we step outside, a young woman stops in her tracks. She blushes as Lacey gives her one of his winning smiles. I groan, the man just cannot help himself.

"C'mon Romeo. Let's go, get in the damn truck." He does as he's told. I like Lacey, he's a good guy as is Curtis. They've worked under me for the last few years and we make up a good team. I know they've always got my back and off duty we hang out together sometimes.

"I spy with my little eye, something beginning with D." He says from the passenger seat.

"What are we like five again?" I ignore him.

"Nah, but you'll want to see this." He motions his head to his right. I see Daisy on the sidewalk and if it isn't that jerk Saunder standing right next to her. Without hesitation, I brake hard and jump out of the vehicle.

"What did I tell you last night? You stay the hell away from Daisy."

"What the hell, Man we're just talking."

"That's already too much." I try not to yell at him. Meanwhile, Lacey hangs one arm out the truck and watches with amusement.

"Just step away from Daisy." I tell him.

"I've done nothing wrong, officer." I don't like the way he says it, but I can't exactly arrest him for anything. Seeing him so close to Daisy makes me see red and I want to punch him in the jaw. I have to clench my fists beside my legs.

"Marshall Deacon. If you so much as do anything, I swear to God, I will not be responsible for my own actions." Daisy shouts at me. Lacey begins to laugh. A few people are looking at us as they pass by. Her hands are on her narrow hips, her eyes are flashing angrily at me and I swear, all I want to do is carry her off into my truck, throw her on the back seat and kiss the anger right out of her body.

What can I do? I'm stuck between wanting to rip Saunder's damn head off and not pissing Daisy off any more than necessary. Maybe she actually likes him? I hadn't considered that.

"C'mon old man." Lacey shouts out the truck window. "Let's roll. Leave the lady and her beau in peace." I turn and glare at him, what did he just say, beau? I swallow hard, like that's going to contain my anger at this moment.

Okay, so I get it. They're just talking. It's a free country and all that, Daisy can speak to whomever she likes but it doesn't mean I have to be happy with it.

"Just go do your job, Deacon." She grabs Saunder by the arm and leads him away. Leaving me staring at her swaying ass as she walks with her arm threaded through his.

"Did you fucking see that?" I ask a laughing Lacey. He chuckles.

"Oh, Man. You've got it so fucking bad."

I punch him in the arm. "Shut the hell up." I turn the engine on and pull off the sidewalk where I planted the truck fuming, and thinking of all the things I want to do to Saunder right now, which extends from thumping him one to locking him in a cell for the rest of his life.