Ridley ran her fingers through her shoulder length hair, her eyes carefully scrutinizing her appearance. The long floral dress hung loosely on her curvaceous frame, and Ridley exhaled nervously. "It's my father for Christ sake," she said aloud as she ran a finger under her eye lid, trying to wipe away the dark circles, but finding herself unsuccessful. "Why am I so nervous?"

"Because you want his approval so badly."

Ridley jumped, turning toward the doorway. Vin leaned against the frame, his arms folded across his chest. A caring smile covered his handsome face and Ridley felt her heart race. "I don't need his approval," Ridley said, trying to sound defiant, but succeeding in only sounding nervous. Wanting desperately to change the subject, she continued. "Can you believe that Drew and Buck got married?"

Vin shook his head as he crossed the room. Standing behind her, he turned her back toward the mirror. "Don't try and change the subject Rid. There's nothing wrong with wanting your father's approval. You're on your own now. You have a new house and a new life. You want your father to approve," Vin said soothingly, slipping his arms around her waist as he laid his chin on her shoulder. Staring fixed at her reflection in the mirror, Vin felt breathless. "Have I told you how beautiful you are?"

Ridley giggled like a school girl, blushing deeply as she turned to face the handsome lawman. "You are so full of it Tanner," she said playfully, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. "But thank you." Ridley stood on the tips of her toes, placing her lips tenderly to his.

The blast of a horn startled the two as Ridley yipped in surprise. Looking at Vin with wide eyes and an even wider smile, she squealed in delight. "They're here," she said as she took off for the door.

Vin stood in the empty bedroom, his arms held out in front of him. Laughing to himself, he headed for the door she had just disappeared out of and jogged down the hallway to the front door. He stepped out on to the front porch just as Ridley threw herself into the arms of a large, burly man. "Damn," Vin thought to himself as he shoved his hands in his pockets. "He's a giant."

Ridley had talked of her father being like a big teddy bear. Vin just never realized how big. At 6''6", Cleaver easily tipped the scale at 300 pounds, most of which Vin was certain was muscle. Nestled in her father's arms as he spun her around, Ridley looked like a rag doll.

He didn't know why he was so surprised by Cleaver Prescott's large stature. Maybe it was the knowledge that Cleaver Prescott was one of the ten richest men in the country. Or maybe it was the fact that he headed up one of the largest oil companies in the Southern states. In Vin's man, business men were physically fit, slender older men that wore three piece Armani suits. Something like Ezra. Not a big burly Texan comfortably clad in a flannel work shirt and old faded jeans as was the man that stood before him.

Vin approached the black Explorer just as Cleaver set his daughter back on her feet. "How was the drive?" she asked as she took her father's hand in hers. "Is Storm doing all right? Karol's here, you know."

"All right Ridley, let's slow down," Cleaver said, pulling his hand free from her death grip and cupping his daughter's cheek while his eyes fixed on Vin. "I believe you have company Ladybug."

Ridley looked surprised, as if she had forgotten he was there. Blushing profusely, she slid up beside Vin, wrapping her hand in his. "Daddy, this is Vin Tanner. He's a sheriff here in Four Corners," she said bashfully, looking at Vin out of the corner of her eye. "He's been helping me fix up the house too. Oh daddy, you have to see it. It's beautiful."

Vin stepped forward, his hand extended. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Prescott. Ridley's talked a lot about you."

Cleaver noted the lovesick look in his daughter's eyes and filed it away. Now was not the time and Cleaver knew it. Looking at Vin's hand, Cleaver took it firmly, meeting the young deputy's eyes. "Nice to meet you too," is what he said, but his eyes told a different story. In the few seconds that passed between them, Cleaver Prescott wondered what Vin Tanner, deputy sheriff of Four Corners, AZ, was up to.

Not that Cleaver didn't believe that Ridley was worthy of love. She was a bright, beautiful, sweet girl who came from a great deal of wealth, and Cleaver knew that money would drive even the sincerest man to do the most cowardly things. Many had tried to romance his innocent rodeo queen, to which Cleaver had quickly put a stop. A offer of money was all it took to see through the wolf in sheep's clothing, and Ridley was none the wise. To her, the suitor had simply quit calling, leaving her heartbroken. Cleaver hated seeing his daughter so distraught, but in the end, he knew she was better off.

"So how long are you gonna stay daddy?" Ridley asked, shielding her eyes from the sun with her hand as she faced her father.

Cleaver Prescott offered his daughter a genuine smile. "A couple of weeks Ladybug. I want to help get the horses settled."

"Daddy," Ridley said exasperatedly. "You just want to check up on me."

Cleaver's untrusting eyes shifted from Ridley to Vin and he forced his smile to hold. "I just a chance to spend time with you Ladybug. Get to know your friend Mr. Tanner here."

Several seconds of silence passed as Cleaver held his breath, waiting to see if his daughter would accept his answer. Tilting her head to one side, a brilliant smile lit Ridley's face. "That's fantastic. There's so much I want to show you." Suddenly, an idea struck her. "I know. After we get the horses settled into the barn, why don't we all go get some dinner?"

Vin kissed Ridley on her temple, squeezing her tightly to his side. "As much as I'd love to angel, I've got duty. Rain check?" he asked, raising his eyebrows in anticipation as he searched her face.

"I guess I'll forgive you this time," she said playfully, placing a tender kiss on his soft lips. Turning to face her father, Ridley looked at him with the eyes of a child, seeing him as the God she believed him to be. "Guess it's just you and me tonight Pop."

Cleaver laughed heartily. "Just the way I like it kiddo. But that's too bad Mr. Tanner. I do hope we can get together soon," he said, eyeing the sheriff suspiciously. "I'm sure it will be quite educational."

The smile on Ridley's face faltered slightly. A puzzled look crept across her features as she glanced from her father to Vin. Seeing the same puzzled look on Vin's face, Ridley shrugged it off. "Well, you better get going Vin. Chris will kill you if you are late again."

Vin smiled, kissing Ridley on the forehead. "Ain't that the truth." Placing a final quick kiss on her lips, Vin turned toward his truck. "Nice meeting you Mr. Prescott."

"Vin, please, call me Cleaver," he said, his voice full of fake content. Vin waved before sliding into the driver's side door. Watching him, the smile slipped from his face as the big Texan's eyes narrowed to mere slits. "Yes, I'll get to know you all right," Cleaver said under his breath. "I'll get to know just how much it will take to make you disappear Mr. Tanner."

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