Disclaimer: I own nothing
Sheriff Tyler Gates was running late in getting home to the family ranch for lunch. When things were quiet in town, which was pretty much always, and she had the paperwork done then she went home. She could be called there if needed.
So she was running late and then she came across a vehicle on the side of the road, it's driver standing leaning against the driver's door looking dejected. Tyler grinned slowly, this was the most interesting thing that happened all month. The car was a classic American car, the driver was one hot damsel in distress.
Pulling up behind the car she slid out while taking in the female. A few inches shorter than her 6'1", slender and curvy in all the right places, shoulder length dark hair, beautiful unblemished skin and caramel eyes.
Slamming the truck door shut she walked forward, stopping a few feet in front of the driver and pushed her Stetson further up her head to get a better look at the beauty. Wow, she was gorgeous, maybe a few years older than her own 36 years and Tyler felt a bolt of desire shoot through her.
She was vaguely aware of the woman smiling at her as the blood pounded in her ears and rushed to all the points it hadn't rushed to in a very long time. Hell. She grit her teeth and stared at the badge the woman was showing her and on some level comprehended the woman was a Detective from New York. Long way from home.
Blinking out of her stupor she realised the woman was asking for help and she mentally shook herself and decided introductions were in order
" Hello, I'm Sheriff Gates, you can call me Tyler" she offered a hand and gasped softly when the woman took it as electricity shot up her arm and raced through her body. Oh no, this she really did not need.
"Detective Benson but call me Olivia" Olivia blinked down at her hand engulfed in a much larger calloused one and figured it had to be static electricity that just shocked her. "I'd be grateful for a lift back to town so I can call a tow truck. I've cooked my baby unfortunately" she shot a rueful look at her car and sighed, this wasn't going to be cheap, she'd have to ship it back to New York then catch a bus to a city with an airport to fly back herself. So much for her holiday.
"How about I call Bob the town mechanic, he can tow your car and have a look at it"
"Um" Olivia looked at her baby and didn't know how to turn down the offer without looking like a snob. She didn't want just anyone tinkering with her car.
"Bob has a collection of classics which no one but himself is allowed to touch. He'll treat it like one of his own I promise" Tyler assured
"Ok" Olivia shrugged, out of ideas on how to object. It wasn't until then that she realised they'd had the whole conversation while still holding hands. She gave a slight tug and watched as Tyler shot their hands a look, frowned then quickly let go.
"You'll probably need somewhere to stay while Bob has a look, can't guarantee it will be today as he goes at his own pace. Since today is Friday you're probably looking at Monday at the earliest"
Olivia stared disbelieving at Tyler as she took the hat off her head revealing shaggy short black hair which she raked back off her head before slamming her hat back down and pulling it low.
"You're not in a rush to get anywhere are you?"
"No" Olivia replied automatically still disbelieving she may be stuck here until Monday. Oh boy. She watched as Tyler walked towards her car before hurrying after her "What are you doing?"
"Getting your stuff. You'll need it" Tyler shot her a look that said it should have been obvious. Guess it should have been.
Olivia helped get her bags and other items out of her car and transport them back to the Police Vehicle, not sure what was happening but figured it was better than standing on the side of the road and Tyler could be trusted right, she was the Sheriff. This was small town Montana not New York so doubted there would be anything untoward going on.
She shot Tyler a surprised look when she held the door open for her and offered a help up. What on earth? She didn't need help getting into a vehicle. Tyler infuriated her further when she chuckled
"No need to get yourself all pissy ma'am. Us cowboys and cowgirls just know how to treat pretty ladies is all. We got some manners unlike our city business type cousins" Tyler grinned and Olivia realised she was being teased and with a smile clamoured into the truck and allowed Tyler to close her door. Olivia shook her head, Tyler seemed to have a strange sense of humour. Maybe sticking around for a couple of days wouldn't be as bad as she thought, as long as she kept her temper in check.
Tyler slid into the driver's seat beside her and reached for the radio. She called up someone called Ruthanne on dispatch and told her to get Bob to come out get the car, keys were under the seat. She told Ruthanne the owner was a fellow cop so Bob was to be extra careful, then said she was having the afternoon off unless there was an emergency.
Olivia listened fascinated, radio protocol was a lot different in the country than the city. She watched as Tyler hung up one radio and reached for the two way.
"Tyler to Triple B" she stated and turned the ignition to start the truck while waiting for a reply
"Tyler you're late" her mother's voice came back over the airways and Tyler rolled her eyes
"Yeah ma, I'm about 5 miles out, bringing a guest until Monday at least. Fellow officer in need, can you see to it?"
"What?" Olivia turned and shot Tyler a disbelieving look
"Consider it done, see you in ten, I'll set another place at the table" Tyler's mother sounded off and Olivia continued to stare at Tyler in shock as she put the truck in gear and roared away from the verge. She had walked into the twilight zone. Maybe she would wake up soon and this would all be a dream.
"Tyler..."
"Hush woman. We have plenty of room and although the bar and grill is nice the back rooms are made for drunk cowboys. The only hotel is some flea ridden chain on the outskirts of town I wouldn't send my dog to, the Mayor needs to get off his ass and do something about it." Tyler swiftly and expertly changed gears as Olivia looked behind her watching her baby get smaller and smaller. Was she making the biggest mistake of her life entrusting Tyler and this Bob?
"Relax, your car will be fine. Bob will already be on his way salivating over the idea of tinkering with one" Tyler shot her an amused look and turned her attention back to the road. Olivia decided it would be best just to go with the flow for now and re assess later. Like any good cop would.