Falling for the Lawman

The Lawman Next Door

Piper McKinney’s got her hands full. Busy saving her farm from developers, and her family from trouble, she has no time for love. Not even for the handsome state trooper who becomes her new neighbor. But Zach Harrison can’t ignore the girl next door. Even though he gave up the farming life years ago, Piper intrigues him, and her plight calls out to the protector in him. Piper may not want a man, especially one with a badge, but Zach will show her that he’s here to serve and protect...and love.

Kirkwood Lake: A town full of heart and hope.

“We’re neighbors and that’s all we’ll ever be.”

“You’re sure about that?” His touch was so gentle, so pure that Piper’s heart wanted to melt on the spot. His gaze lingered on her short nails, the calluses on her fingers. He didn’t bring her hand to his mouth for a kiss, but his expression was a kiss, a look of warmth and understanding.

“Zach, I don’t flirt well.”

He laughed. “Yes, you do.”

“Okay, maybe I do. But I can’t. Shouldn’t. Won’t.”

“Me, either. Maybe sometime we should sit down and list our reasons for why we won’t work, Piper, because even though I live next door and I’ve only known you a few days, when I’m not with you, I’m thinking about you.”

“Well, stop.”

“I’ve tried. It doesn’t appear to be working.”

“Try harder.”

He grinned at her. “What if I don’t want to?”

RUTH LOGAN HERNE

Born into poverty, Ruth puts great stock in one of her favorite Ben Franklinisms: “Having been poor is no shame. Being ashamed of it is.” With God-given appreciation for the amazing opportunities abounding in our land, Ruth finds simple gifts in the everyday blessings of smudge-faced small children, bright flowers, freshly baked goods, good friends, family, puppies and higher education. She believes a good woman should never fear dirt, snakes or spiders, all of which like to infest her aged farmhouse, necessitating a good pair of tongs for extracting the snakes, a flat-bottomed shoe for the spiders, and for the dirt…

Simply put, she’s learned that some things aren’t worth fretting about! If you laugh in the face of dust and love to talk about God, men, romance, great shoes and wonderful food, feel free to contact Ruth through her website at http://ruthloganherne.com.

Falling for the Lawman

Ruth Logan Herne

The Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.

—2 Samuel 23:11–12

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Kim Zarpentine of Zarpentine Farms and Robyn Sweeney of Sweeney Farms for their wonderful example of “Piper” in reality. You women bless me with your faith, industry and knowledge. May God bless you both! Huge thanks to New York State Trooper Christopher Lana, whose candid

help made Zach Harrison come to life. To Anne Lana, a dear friend and sister-in-Christ. You bless so many with your gentle presence. To Mary and Ivan Connealy for answering my nonstop farming questions. Ivan, Nebraska truly does have the best beef! To Beth for all your help on keeping manuscripts tight. Thank you for blessing me with your time and effort! Huge thanks to Melissa Endlich, my editor, boss and buddy at Love Inspired Books. Her constant encouragement and belief are true gifts. And to the town of Parma, whose support of “Blackie the Rooster” changed local laws allowing farm animals to live in peace. Although Blackie is no longer with us, “Phoenix” and “Starlight” carry on his morning tradition.

To Katie, my beautiful granddaughter… May God bless you and keep you all of your days, Katie-girl! Grammy and Grandpa love you!

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Chapter One

“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens.”

Raised in the pews of a sweet country church, New York State Trooper Zach Harrison embraced the poetic lines of Ecclesiastes one hundred percent.

But it couldn’t and shouldn’t apply to constantly crowing roosters.

He refused to look at the dashboard temperature readout as he climbed out of his car. The trickle of sweat along his neck proved the meteorologists correct. Low nineties by noon, even here in the hills of Western New York.

He shut the driver’s door and ignored the initial blast of mid-July heat. The best thing about working nights to help cover summer vacations was the cooler temperatures. The worst? Trying to sleep in the middle of the day in a new house, with his father pacing in the next room, the sun beating on the roof, no central air and the neighbor’s rooster crowing on the quarter hour.

He couldn’t change anything too major about the house. Not yet, anyway. The down payment, closing costs and lumber to replace the rotting backyard deck put a serious dent in his savings.