There were reasons why Cady Longmire had agreed to run for sheriff: she had been carried away by the idea of continuing her father's legacy; she didn't want to disappoint him; she had been ready to leave for New York but didn't really want to go and was relieved to have a reason to stay.

It wasn't until she put up the first sign along the road that she regretted her decision and thought of the reasons not to run: she wasn't interested enough in being sheriff to put in the time to become qualified; she loved being an attorney in Wyoming even though the legal aid center on the rez was no longer an option; she didn't want to be Zach Heflin's boss after breaking off their brief affair.

Her father took it well when she told him she didn't want to be sheriff of Absaroka County after all. Maybe he had second thoughts, too, or he realized she wouldn't be happy in the position. Vic ended up running unopposed and got elected so the sheriff's department was in capable hands. Walt had said Vic was all cop and no politician but that wasn't a bad thing if you had good deputies who could balance it out. Vic had Ferg who became the department's public relations officer and Zach who kept calm under pressure and could navigate the political minefields. Vic was lead investigator and trained the two new deputies she hired as one of her first actions after taking office.

Cady had joined the public defender's office and was always busy but there was a huge hole in her life. No amount of work could keep her from thinking of Jacob Nighthorse; he was the real reason she couldn't leave Wyoming. She longed to visit him. She had treated him badly and although she had apologized once she had also immediately asked for a favor which kind of canceled it out so she still felt guilty but was afraid to face him. Guilt finally won so she called the prison and asked to see him. What if he refused? She wasn't on his approved visitor list and she wouldn't get on unless he said so. But he agreed so she went, wondering if he only let her come because he wanted to tell her what he thought of her. She had signed up as his attorney so that they could meet privately without visual or audio recording.

When the prison official told Jacob his new attorney needed approval to visit, he was prepared to refuse. There was nothing more to be done and he didn't want to waste the time of whatever young associate the law firm had handed his case off to. Then the official glanced down and read the name: Cady Longmire. Jacob was accustomed to not letting anything show on his face or in his body language; he signed the form and waited endless weeks for the visit. It was only three days but time is relative behind bars.

Jacob looked genuinely pleased to see her. The sharp eyes with their penetrating gaze were dark and deep but they rested on her gently. The slight upturn of his lips softened the stern shape of his mouth. She had hoped prison wasn't wearing him down and it didn't appear to be. It was ridiculous but her first thought was that he looked good in orange. He had often worn vibrantly colored shirts and ties with his dark suits. She had always liked the way he looked – dressed up or casual – and that had led to thoughts of undressing him. She had enjoyed the time they spent together, their conversations and the good work accomplished with his help. It was a cumulative effect adding up to the most meaningful relationship she had ever experienced. She had come to love him but didn't realize it until he was gone.

Cady looked anxious but her eyes met his without hesitation. She knew the rules about clothing and had dressed appropriately for an attorney in a conservative pantsuit and sensible shoes. She looked wonderful whatever she wore. Jacob didn't understand his infatuation with her. She was very young compared to him. He was a rich man who had never felt the need for arm candy even as he grew older. But Cady wasn't a typical trophy; she was intelligent and beautiful, passionate and compassionate. He wished she didn't look nervous but at least she didn't seem to be afraid of him. Jacob knew he appeared menacing at times – he had cultivated the look – but Cady brought down his defenses. He was too damn glad to see her to keep up a façade of threat or indifference. The way she affected him should have made him feel weak but it never had. He couldn't even hate her father who had hounded him for years. Walt Longmire was his nemesis but he had produced Cady. It was the best thing Jacob could say about the man. Besides saving him from hanging.

I'm so sorry." Her eyes flooded. "I should have come sooner. I never meant to hurt you. What a cliché but it's true. I suppose that's how it got to be a cliché."

"You don't owe me an apology. I'm not here because of anything you did. It's all on me."

"I miss you. I wish we could go back to the way we were."

"I don't."

Cady looked stricken.

"We were treading water, Cady. It was enjoyable for awhile but nothing was going to change."

"What do you mean?"

He was locked up and nothing could come of this so why not admit the truth? "I've been in love with you for two years." He was relieved that Cady didn't look shocked or disgusted at the idea.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I'm too old for you."

"You aren't."

"I am. It would have been inappropriate for me to say anything when you were working for me but I couldn't stop seeing you either. And as much as I might have enjoyed enraging your father I didn't want to be the reason for trouble between you. I should have made the break and let you go. And now I'm in prison which is another sizable strike against me."

"You treated me with nothing but respect, kindness, and understanding. Even when I was beating you with your own stake. You gave me the dowry rifle for protection. You came to make sure I was all right after I had to use it. You told me you trusted me. That's more than I've had with any other man."

"I don't want your gratitude, Cady."

"Well, you have it anyway. Along with respect and trust, desire and love. I won't claim kindness and understanding because I haven't done so well with those but I will from now on. I love you, Jacob."

"You can't make the right decision for yourself about this."

"And you think you can make it for both of us?"

"Yes. Because I'm in prison and you are not."

"You'll probably serve three years of a five year sentence."

"That's three years I don't want you to waste. Especially with the years already between us."

Cady was suddenly in a fury. She didn't lose her temper often but the fire embodied by her red hair burned hot when she was provoked. "Fuck that! I'm thirty, you're fifty-five. So what? An older man and a younger woman is another cliché. You know why? Because it happens a lot. So why not us?"

Jacob was silent. He seemed unable to make a rebuttal.

"If you can't think of anything then give in and admit it like a man."

He started to smile. "I don't like being wrong but thank you for pointing it out."

"See? You need me and I need you. 'Itsula utiyvhi anisiyvwiha soi.'"

"We balance each other," he translated.

Cady visited every month after that, always signing in as Jacob's attorney. The guards were used to seeing her. She arrived with a briefcase, spread some papers around and then she and Jacob could talk for thirty minutes. She wanted to understand more about the conflict between Jacob and her father.

"It was more Dad's fault than yours but you didn't help by not cooperating. You wouldn't give a straight answer."

"All my life I've been asked to explain my actions, to prove myself. It got to be a habit to refuse until forced to, even when it would have been easier. I wasn't given the benefit of the doubt; wasn't granted that basic right of innocent until proven guilty. It made me too willing to make allowances for David Ridges and Malachi Strand. My experience with your father blinded me to their faults; I assumed Walt was targeting them as he had me. They were my people and I believed they deserved a second chance but I misjudged both of them. David sabotaged your tire so you couldn't take people to vote. He thought he was repaying me by helping get Branch elected. It was the beginning of his madness and I didn't see it. I didn't want to see it. That's why you were at the side of the road when Billy Barnes ran into your car. I could have lost you before I really knew you."

"Is that why you set up the legal aid center and offered me a job?"

Jacob nodded. "It was a good thing for the rez but you were the reason I did it. Even after your accident I helped David fake his death because I trusted him when he said he wanted to disappear and start over. He was supposed to leave Wyoming and never come back."

"And later when I attacked you, thinking you were responsible for Henry being hurt, you didn't file charges; you even helped Dad at his trial."

"By then I knew how wrong I had been about Malachi. If I hadn't already decided to do the right thing at Walt's trial, I would have agreed anyway," Jacob said. "I was in too deep to deny you anything."

"You wouldn't even let me in your house in case I started throwing things!"

"I didn't give a damn about that. What I couldn't handle was seeing you there and then watching you walk out again."

Cady shook her head. "So much drama and violence between us and around us."

Cady looked sad and serious and Jacob was afraid she was rethinking their relationship. Walt's influence was strong. Would she decide her father had been right about Jacob Nighthorse and end it?

But Cady surprised him again by saying, "We not only balance each other, we deserve each other. We're really not safe to be around anyone else." She smiled. "I don't mind a little drama but can the violence be over now?"

On another visit Jacob asked Cady about her work: "I heard that you dropped out of the campaign for sheriff and went to work for the public defender's office."

"Yeah, I got caught up in the sheriff thing in a moment of weakness but came to my senses pretty fast."

"I regret that the legal aid center had to close."

"You tried to do too much before the casino was completed and running smoothly. It was generous but the timing wasn't right. It is now. Before going to pub def, I got Henry to talk the Tribal Council into funding it again with casino profits."

"But it's still closed."

"It will reopen for the summer. Do you remember Drew Snowhawk?"

"I know the family. He must be the oldest son. A smart kid who got a scholarship and went to college."

"He wants to be a lawyer but the money ran out. It will take him forever to finish while working part-time. I suggested that the casino pay for law school. Drew will open the legal aid center during the summers and put in three years following graduation. After that, he can stay on or leave. He signed a contract."

"That's brilliant," Jacob said admiringly.

"I must have picked something up hanging around a shrewd businessman." Cady paused. "I'm very glad I was able to help get it started but a Cheyenne should be in charge if at all possible. That's why I tried to make sure someone will be in place eventually. Henry will work on funding the school and hospital next. Your vision will happen, Jacob."

"And what about you? Are you satisfied at the public defender's office?"

"I am. Legal aid was good experience because all my clients are poor and need help and quite a few are Native American."

"No ambitions for yourself?"

"I've thought about County Attorney but that would put me on the other side. The prosecution already has advantages. I want my clients to get a fair hearing. Even though most of them are guilty," Cady added reluctantly. "That makes me sound prejudiced."

"It makes you realistic along with idealistic. And it sounds like a much better fit for you than sheriff."

Their lives revolved around the monthly visits but very soon talking wasn't enough. Every glance, every touch, every kiss was foreplay. They kept an eye on the small window in the door but the guards didn't appear to check on them anymore. They went further each time and eventually reached the point of no return. Cady was wearing a skirt. It was a warm day and her legs were bare. Panties were a flimsy barrier easily disposed of. She opened the orange jumpsuit. Jacob cupped her butt and lifted her onto the table. He pushed her top up and pulled her bra down. His mouth found one nipple, his hand the other. She put her arms around him inside the jumpsuit. Her hands moved down, taking his boxers with them. He was ready. She slid to the edge of the table and he entered. They were breathless before it started and neither lasted long. They finished, gasping into each other's shoulder, finally relieved of the sexual tension that had been building for weeks, months, years. Despite beating the odds and not being caught, they couldn't stop. Cady clenched around Jacob. He covered her mouth with his to hide their moans. He was almost hard again. Arousal was slower but they were running out of time and that added to their excitement. Afterward, they barely had time to pull themselves together.

Jacob kissed her and said, "We can't do this again. And we can't be together without doing it so don't come back."

Cady bit her lip to keep from crying. She knew he was right but she couldn't bear to give him up.

Three months later Cady visited Jacob again. There had been no contact but neither had forgotten what was between them.

Jacob's eyes were hot on her but his voice was cool. "It means everything to see you again but it's too dangerous to continue."

Cady smiled. "It's going to be all right. I have two pieces of information. First, you're being released in a month."

Jacob's mouth dropped open. "How?"

"You're a non-violent offender. The system is crowded so they're doing one of their periodic purges of white-collar criminals. I got your name on the list. You've served a year. You'll be on parole for the rest of your sentence and report monthly to a parole officer. That will be Sheriff Moretti of Absaroka County. Acceptable?"

"Yes. Of course." Jacob paused. "What does this mean for us? I don't want you to jeopardize your career by taking up with a felon."

"I'm willing to risk it. Are you sure I'll mean the same to you when you're out of here?"

"You'll mean more." They smiled at each other for a moment before Jacob asked, "What's the second thing?"

Cady hesitated. "I'm pregnant." She watched the emotions crossing Jacob's face and was satisfied with what she saw.

"Are you all right? And the baby? How do you feel?"

"We're fine and I feel great. I like that you didn't ask if it was yours."

"It didn't occur to me that it wouldn't be."

"Thank you." Cady grinned. "You're not usually so open but I saw everything you were feeling when I told you."

He took her hands. "Tell me. Because I feel like I just stared at you with my mouth open."

"Only the first few seconds. Then I was really glad to see that you looked happy."

"It was more than happiness," Jacob said quietly. "It was joy. I never thought I would be a father." Jacob brought her hands to his lips.

Cady teared up. "My hormones are going crazy. I cry about things."

"You're entitled. Do you have morning sickness?"

"I had some but it wasn't too bad. It seems to be over now that I'm starting the second trimester."

"I'm glad for you that it's over but I'm sorry I wasn't with you. I missed a lot."

"Well, there's heartburn, swelling and backache to look forward to."

"I can't wait."

"You may be thinking of pregnancy with a rose-colored filter. You'll get over that."

"Did my face show anything else?"

"Just a typical male reaction when the smile of joy turned into a smirk of satisfaction. That look that says I got my woman with child." Cady was watching Jacob's face. "Yeah, there it is again."

"I can't help it. After all, it was only that one visit."

"Here's something you forgot: my father."

"I don't want early release; I'll be safer in here," Jacob joked, but he was still smiling. He squeezed her hands. "In a month we'll tell him together."

"I think it will be better coming from me."

"I disagree. And I don't want Walt to think I couldn't face him."

"I understand, but I really think it would be better for me to tell him. He'll have a chance to get used to the idea and you can talk with him man-to-man when you get out."

Jacob considered for a few moments then nodded. "I don't like it but you may be right. I want this bad blood between us to end."

"What about your clothes and personal things? Can I get in your house and take some to my place?"

"I don't mean to disparage your home, Cady, but why wouldn't we live in my house?"

"It's still yours? It hasn't been sold but I thought your assets must have been seized."

"The house is mine. Technically I still own the casino but I can't be involved in running it. My partnership in other companies was bought out. Ironically, I have more cash now than before I went to prison. Everything was leveraged back then which is how I ended up here."

"Your house has been closed for a year. Shall I open it up and get it ready?"

"I'll give you the names of some people to hire – a cleaning service, pool maintenance, landscaping."

"That's right, you have a pool. When can I move in?"

"Whenever it's livable."

Jacob ran his hands over Cady's body before she left. "Everything feels rounder but you don't look different."

"You should see me naked."

"I certainly should."

"Everybody will think I'm getting fat but I don't want anyone to know until you're home. Except Dad and Vic." Cady studied his face. "I thought you might be mature enough to handle this like an adult but no, there's the smug look again that says See what I did!"

Jacob spread his hands. "Apparently it's a guy thing beyond my control."

Jacob's cell no longer seemed small. It was just a place to wait until real life could start again. But his new life would have its problems as well. He had never been a very good Indian, picking what parts of his heritage he would honor and disregarding what didn't interest him. He had fought for his people but followed his own inclinations in his personal life. Cady was the essential piece. Soon he would have a child with a white woman and he'd never been more pleased by anything in his life. He hadn't been drawn to her because she was white but because she was Cady. Some of the tribe would see it as a betrayal. He had been important to the reservation and he had already betrayed them once. They might feel that the least he could do to redeem himself was choose a Cheyenne woman and move to the rez. That wasn't going to happen. He was looking forward to being back on his own property; meanwhile he could imagine Cady waiting for him there. It had felt very good to learn that she wanted him even when believing he had little or nothing left.