Set in Chapter 3 post "Of Children and Travelers"
Ch. 6
He had always prided himself on his ethics. Honesty and integrity had even been his campaign slogan. So how exactly had he, Mr. Ethical, found himself sitting in a hotel room in Arizona lusting after another man's wife. Lusting seemed an appropriate word, if not entirely accurate. The ride back was fairly quiet. What conversation they did have was strictly work related. There was a palpable energy between them, however. He couldn't deny it and neither could she. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Her face was turned slightly so that her gaze was focused out the passenger window.
He had sat on the bed in that motel and for fleeting moment, he had considered knocking on the door between their rooms. He had always found her attractive in an unconventional, slightly wild way. Despite all their obvious differences, he had found her compelling since the day that he had hired her. In that motel, away from the prying eyes of the Durant populace, he had let him mind wander. What if he had knocked? What would her response have been? Would she have been receptive to his clumsy advances? He could almost picture the smile now in his mind. Surprised but not. Just as curious as himself but wary of taking that first step.
He had shaken the thoughts from his head. But, she had knocked. In that moment, his heart had stopped in his chest and then began pounding. It was pounding so hard, he figured she could hear it through the door that separated them. Would she look at him like she did when she had helped with his key card? That wide unguarded smile had ignited something inside of his gut and the fire was still burning there, smoldering.
He had been equal parts disappointed and relieved when he realized it was business. The softness of her previous smile had been replaced with the all business version of her. They were, after all, here for work purposes. Now, hours later, they were headed back to Wyoming. Nothing had been said and nothing would be said. For a moment, he had been prepared to throw his ethics and integrity in the trash and run full on with honesty. Now they had slipped back into their comfortable roles as sheriff and deputy. He would push all of this to the back of his hand with the help of some Ranier and she would go home to her husband. They would continue on as if this interlude hadn't happened.