"DAMMIT!" Ridley shouted, throwing the shingle off into the air. Panting heavily she sat down on the slanted roof watching as the black shingle fluttered to the ground, landing softly in the grass. Tipping back her black Stetson, she wiped at the thick layer of sweat that covered her brow. "I'm never going to get this fixed."

The previous night's storm had taken it's toll, tearing off several small sections of the roof and knocking her power out for most of the night. 'It was just luck I found them candles,' she thought to herself, reflecting on the evening's supper of cheese whiz and crackers from candle light. Laughing to herself, she shook her head. "Might have been right romantic if I hadn't been by myself."

Setting the hammer on the roof beside her, Ridley drew her knees to her chest. Sweat rolled down her back, damping the white tank that she wore. Removing the cowboy hat from her head, she sat it on the roof beside her. "And I thought Texas was hot," she grumbled, running her fingers through her wet strands of auburn hair.

She had hoped that the storm would have cooled things off, but to Ridley, it felt hotter than ever. Looking out across the dusty acres that surrounded her property, Ridley felt the heat of the day as it pressed against her. "Enough," she grumbled wearily as she gathered up the meager roofing supplies she had. "I need help." As Ridley stood, steadying herself, her stomach growled loudly in protest to the skimpy meal she had consumed the night before. "And food. I'm starving."

Descending the ladder that rested against the side of the house, she disappeared into it, wiggling out of the dripping wet top as she went. Snagging a gray baby doll T out of her closet, Ridley quickly braided her hair. She slipped her cowboy hat back on and tucked the few loose strands of hair behind her ears. Scanning her appearance in the full length chifferobe mirror, she shrugged her shoulders. "Oh well," she said resignedly as she grabbed the keys and headed out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JD slammed the file cabinet shut, running his arm across his brow. "When are we gettin' that air fixed? It's hotter than heck in here," he whined, dropping the file on his desk as he headed over to the water cooler.

Passing by Vin's desk, JD noticed the vacant look in Vin's eyes as he leaned back in his chair. "Hey Vin, how's that girl doing? You know, the one that passed out of the Grille," JD probed, plucking a Styrofoam cup from the stack that sat on top of the cooler. "What's her name, Preston, Presley?"

Vin stared at the ceiling, his head resting against the back of his leather chair. A slow smile spread across his face at the mention of the mysterious woman. "Prescott," Vin corrected the young officer. "Ridley Prescott."

"Did you say Prescott?" both Josiah and Buck said at the same time. JD and Vin exchanged amused glances at the strange unison.

"Yeah, why? You know her?" Vin asked, sitting up in his chair as he looked between his two friends.

Josiah and Buck glanced at each other, as if seeing who wanted to go first. Getting nothing from Buck, Josiah continued. "Ridley Prescott, daughter of Cleaver Prescott, who happens to be one of the richest men in the country," he said matter-of-factly. "If not the world."

JD looked at Vin with equal surprise. "So what is the daughter of the richest man in the world doing here in Four Corners?" JD asked, downing his third cup of ice cold water.

Buck smiled. "Don't know about that, but it gets better. Ridley Prescott is one of the best women circuit riders around. Chris and I rode in the same circuit with her way back and that girl was good, just a young thing back then. Though she ain't so much a girl anymore, now is she?"

Vin smiled slyly. "No, she ain't."

"She still ride?" JD asked, leaning against the water cooler.

The smile slipped from Buck's face. "No, she had an accident a while back. Pretty bad on too." Buck looked down at his hands as he recalled that long ago afternoon when he had heard word of the young woman's accident. Though he hadn't known the girl, there was a kinship among riders. When one fell, they all mourned.

"That where that scar come from?" Vin asked, remembering Ridley's nervous demeanor when he had inquired about the grizzly reminder.

Buck shook his head in agreement. "Yup, nearly killed the little thing. Horse did a somersault and she was still on it when it rolled."

A silence fell among the men. Vin glanced out the window, catching his bottom lip between his thumb and index finger. He hadn't spent much time around rodeos and didn't know much of how they worked, but he was fairly certain that a horse rolling over on a rider wasn't a good thing.

"Wow," JD said, crumpling up the Styrofoam cup he was drinking out of and tossing it in a nearby garbage can. "I think I'll stick to my motorcycle," the young office boosted as he headed back toward his desk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Do you carry any of the 2 inch roofing nails?" Ridley shouted down the isle. She scanned the long rows of roofing accessories, but the nails were no where to be found. It didn't surprise her any though. Gibson's Feed and Seed wasn't exactly a mecca for hardware supplies.

It was sufficient for what would be needed on a local basis. It had a good variety of fencing supplies, assorted feeds and various other ranching accessories. But what it lacked in home building supplies, it made up for in gardening needs.

"Let me see here Missy." The frail old voice said as it drifted up from the isle next to Ridley. Over the shelf, she could see the shiny bald head as it bobbed down the isle, slowly making its way around the corner and to where she stood. "I don't rightly know if we do. Don't think I had anyone askin' in so long....."

The little old man turned the corner, his face curled up in thought. To Ridley, he had to be at least a hundred years old, his body rail thin. But there was a brightness in his eyes that made her smile. He stood beside her, his head tilted slightly back as he looked through the bottom of his magnified glasses. "Now, where did I put them darn things?"

Ridley laughed at the stern determination on the old man's face. "That's okay; I didn't really want to get back up on my roof in this heat anyway. You wouldn't happen to know of a carpenter or contractor in town that could do some work for me, would ya?"

The old man cackled wildly, revealing an empty toothless mouth as he threw his head back. "Child, I know everyone in these here parts. You want a fixer; Vin Tanner's the best around. You'll find him over at the sheriff's office. He's a fine boy; he'll do right by ya."

A grand smile spread across Ridley's face. She couldn't believe her luck. Ever since the handsome officer had made her breakfast, Ridley hadn't been able to get him out of her mind. The quiet way he stood in thought, the thick brown locks of hair that curled at the nape of his neck, the gentle blue eyes that crinkled slightly at the corners when he smiled. "Vin Tanner, you say? I'll have to see if he has some time."

Ridley turned to leave, her mind fixed on the law officer. She had intended on paying him back for the groceries he had purchased. Now she had even more reason to seek him out. "Thank you Mr. Gibson. I appreciate your help."

Old man Gibson waved a hand in the air. "It's Ephraim child. Mr. Gibson was my pa," he said, his face fully animated as he broke into another fit of laughter.

She waved at the old gem as she headed out the door. She had a law officer to find, but before Ridley could head toward the sheriff's office, her stomach growled loudly in protest. "Okay, okay," she said aloud, changing directions as she headed toward the Grille. "Lunch first, Tanner after."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As she stepped into the dark establishment, a sense of deja vu washed over her and she silently prayed that the table of gatherers that had been there when she passed out would not be there again. But glancing toward the back of the small restaurant she could see the same table full of patrons.

Turning forward, Ridley headed straight for the bar. "I'll take a cheeseburger to go," she told the burly bartender. He shook his head in acknowledgment and headed back toward the kitchen. Ridley was about to have a seat at the bar when a woman at the restaurant's only pool table caught her eye. Stopping, she squinted. "Karol? Is that you?"

The woman turned around in surprise, her face puzzled. After several moments of close scrutiny, a smile spread across her face. "Well, Ridley Prescott! How the hell are you girl? When did you get into town?"

Ridley crossed the room, her smile covering her entire face. "About a week ago," she said enthusiastically. "What about you? God, you look great Karol."

Karol blushed slightly, embracing the young woman. "Thanks Rid, you look great yourself." Standing back, she held the young woman's arm out. "You certainly have changed. How long's it been?"

Ridley shook her head as she let go of Karol's hands, shoving her own deep into the pockets of her Levi's. "Gosh, has to be about five years. Since before I quit riding."

The sound of a throat being cleared brought Ridley and Karol from their private conversation. "Oh, I'm sorry," Karol said, motioning toward the small group of people that sat before them. "Ridley, I would like to you meet some of my friends. This is Drew, Trina, JD, and Josiah. Everyone, this is Ridley. I worked for her father a long time ago, training and caring for the horses."

Ridley felt as if she was under a spot light as sweat rolled down her face. A small air conditioner at the back of the restaurant worked overtime putting out cool air, but it did little to quell the rising flush in her cheeks.

The faces that greeted her were friendly. Ridley looked at the attractive red head as she stood, holding her hand out before her. "Pleased to meet you," Trina said as Ridley took her hand. "You in Four Corners to visit or are you staying?"

Ridley returned the warm handshake. "I actually came here to be near Karol. She's amazing when it comes to horses. I've got a Paint that needs some therapy."

Karol blushed, waving at the air. "She flatters me," Karol said, shaking her head as she sat down.

"How you feeling?" JD asked, and Ridley knew immediately that he had been one of the restaurant's patrons the night she had passed out.

"Yeah, the last time we saw you, you were taking a header off of a bar stool," Josiah said, his smile warm and gentle despite the playful jest. "How's your head?"

Ridley's cheeks blazed with embarrassment. "It's better. Thanks for asking."

"Why don't you join us?" Drew asked as she pulled a chair over to the table. "We were just about to beat these guys in pool again. Ain't that right, old man?" Drew poked Josiah in the side as she crossed her long legs.

Ridley watched as the two younger girls giggled playfully at the arched eyebrow that rested on the older man's face. Drew casually flipped her long blonde locks over her shoulder and Ridley couldn't help but feel jealous. The young woman was beautiful, from her stunning blue eyes to her long statuesque legs.

The redhead playfully pushed her friend and Ridley wondered how everyone in town could be so attractive. Blazing green eyes filled with laughter glanced between Drew and Josiah as she held her hands primly in her lap. She was elegant and graceful, and Ridley suddenly felt very ordinary.

"I can't actually. I just came in to grab a burger," Ridley said, shoving her hands deeper in her pockets. "I'm actually lookin' for someone. Don't suppose any one of you know Vin Tanner, do ya?"

JD smiled, remembering the conversation he had had with Vin earlier. "You're looking for Vin, huh? What for?"

JD jumped as Drew kicked him under the table. "Ouch," he cried, bending down to rub at the sore spot on his leg. "What the heck did you do that for?"

"That's none of your business JD Dunne," Drew said sternly. Buck had told her about the incident with the young woman and Vin's curiosity with her. She was glad to hear that the quiet deputy was interested in someone. Since she had arrived in town, she had often seen him off by himself, alone. Though he always stated that he was happy that way, Drew knew better. Vin was no different from any of them, and none of them really wanted to be alone. "You'll have to forgive him Ridley. He doesn't get out much. Vin's over at the station. I don't think he gets off for another hour or so, but you can find him over there."

Ridley tipped her black hat. "Thanks Drew. I appreciate the information." Turning toward the rest of the table, Ridley smiled. "It was great to meet you all. Hope I see ya around more."

JD laughed. "It's a small town Ridley. I'm sure you will."

"Don't be a stranger. We are usually always around so drop by anytime you want. I'm sure that one of us will be here," Drew added.

Turning toward Karol, Ridley hugged her again. "I'm so glad your here. My father's bringing the horses down next week so I'll bring Storm by as soon as you have the clinic set up."

Karol returned the embrace. "That sounds good. See ya later."

Grabbing her burger, Ridley headed out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ridley ran her hands across the small gray T as she stepped into the small sheriff's office. Quickly, she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Suddenly she wished she had spent more time on her appearance. She was not elegant like Trina or dazzling like Drew or a natural beauty like Karol. She was rough around the edges, skittish like a new mare and Ridley suddenly wished she had been able to fix the roof on her own.

"Can I help you with something?"

Ridley jumped at the deep voice. Turning to face a tall blonde, his expression stern and tight, Ridley smiled nervously. "I'm looking for Vin Tanner."

Chris stood for a moment, looking the woman over. She looked familiar to him, but he was certain that he had never met her. "Just a moment and I'll get him," he said emotionlessly as he disappeared back behind the swinging gate.

Ridley took a deep breath, trying to quiet the rapid beating of her heart. Turning toward the door, she suddenly contemplated running when the rich voice washed over her.

"Can I help you with someone?"

Ridley turned quickly, extending her hand as she did. "Hi. I don't know if you remember me. I was the one that passed out at the Grille."

Vin smiled. It was so sudden, and so breathtaking, that it took Ridley's breath away. "Of course I remember you Miss Prescott. How are you feeling?"

Ridley swallowed hard, tucking a strand of hair that had come loose back behind her ear. "I'm much better, thank you." Ridley pulled an envelope out of her pocket and handed it to Vin. "I wanted to give you this. You know...for the groceries."

Vin looked at the envelope as if he had never seen one before. Glancing inside it, he could see three 100 bills. "I can't take this," he said as he handed the envelope back to her, meeting Ridley's dark hazel eyes. "It didn't cost nearly that much for the small amount of food I bought."

Ridley tipped her hat back as she held up her hand. "Mr. Tanner, please. It's the least I can do since you took the time to make me breakfast and all." Ridley felt her face burning red and cursed herself for being so easily rattled.

Vin was just about to protest, when Ridley cut him off. "Besides, I'm looking for a contractor and word has it that you are the best in town."

It was Vin's turn to blush. "What kind of work you needed done?"

"The roof was damaged in the storm last night," Ridley said, her eyes darting between Vin and the ground in front of her. "Plus there are some things around the house that aren't quite working right. I've tried to fix them myself, but I don't have the tools, and frankly, I don't have a clue how."

Vin laughed at her honesty, folding his arms across his chest. "All right then. I'd be glad to help you out around your ranch. But," he said, handing her back the envelope. "I won't take this. You can pay me back some other way."

Ridley looked up in surprise, not quite sure what the deputy meant. "Like how?"

Vin shrugged his shoulders, afraid he had offended the young woman. "I don't know. Maybe you can take me for supper sometime. How about that?"

Ridley wanted to pinch herself. She wasn't sure, but in a round about way, she thought Vin Tanner had asked her out. "Okay," she said with a smile. "We can get something to eat."

"As far as the house goes, I really can't get started on anything 'til this weekend. That okay?"

Ridley shook her head. "That would be great. Why don't you just come on out to the house on Saturday then? Say around noon?"

"Sounds good," Vin said with a smile. "I look forward to working with ya."

Vin held out his hand and Ridley felt her heart began to speed up. Grabbing it, she shook it quickly. Butterflies danced in her stomach as she pressed her hand to the rough, callused skin. "Okay, see ya Saturday." Pulling away, Ridley turned quickly and headed out the door, leaving Vin staring after her.

.