"Actually, it's halting a potential adulteress-and maybe saving her life. I would have killed her if she'd been successful. I was just marking my territory, so to speak."
"That's what dogs do-and bears. They don't go punching public officials."
"I didn't actually punch her. I suppose I could have peed on your trouser leg, but that would have been crude. Besides, it would mess up your nice new uniform."
"The wrath of an angry woman is something to behold," Dean muttered. "And now I'm sandwiched between two of them!"
Later, David Dean called Lydia-from bed after making love to his wife. He accepted her offer and thus became Under Sheriff of Ouray County, Colorado. Lydia Larkin let loose a sigh of relief.
"Tell Cynthia thank you," she said and added. "We'll make a hell of a team. Nothing but smooth sailing from here on out."
Not one of them believed that for a minute.
The End