Page 71 of Caught in the Crossfire

CHAPTER TWENTY

Relief swamped Nicole when Mason parked in Linc’s driveway. She’d been tense from the moment Mason told her he was leaving the job site. Now that he was here, she could relax.

When he stepped onto the porch, she rushed out of the house and into his arms, breathing freely for the first time since he left for work early this morning. She kept waiting for another attack. For the moment, she concentrated on the joy of being with Mason.

He captured her mouth with his. Minutes later, he eased back, stroking his thumb over her bottom lip. “I craved your kiss all day.”

She smiled and led him inside. “If you’re too tired to go out for dinner, we can order takeout.”

Mason squeezed her hand. “I appreciate the offer, but after thinking of steak all afternoon, takeout would be a huge disappointment.”

Nicole laughed. “We’ll go when you finish your shower.”

“I’ll hurry. I’m starved.”

Forty minutes later, Tennessee Steakhouse’s hostess seated them at a corner table in the back. Despite lively conversation and laughter during the meal, Mason and Linc frequently scanned the crowded dining room.

Frowning, she glanced at the patrons in the restaurant. Faces turned away when the people staring at Mason noticed her glaring at them. Two men at the bar, however, stared and smirked, refusing to look away when she zeroed in on them.

They looked familiar. She thought for a moment, then remembered she saw them at the Oakdale construction site two weeks earlier when she had lunch with Mason.

Nicole turned toward him to confirm her suspicions but noticed the wariness in his eyes. “What’s wrong?” she whispered.

“Does the staring bother you?”

“Staring is rude, and ticks me off.” She narrowed her eyes. “But I’m not a fragile princess who folds at the first sign of trouble. I can handle foolish gossips. I can’t handle losing you.”

He leaned close and kissed her with a tenderness that brought tears to her eyes. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You won’t have to find out. I’m in this for the long haul.”

Mason trailed the back of his fingers down her cheek. “I’m blessed.”

“Ready to go, Mase?” Linc asked.

Mason stood and held his hand out to Nicole. His strong fingers closed over hers, sending a shiver of awareness through her body. She loved his controlled strength. Any woman who didn’t appreciate the roughened, calloused hands of a working man was missing out.

As they walked through the restaurant, her skin prickled. People watched them leave, their conversations dying off when she and her dining companions passed their tables. In their wake, the noise level rose.

Nicole squared her shoulders. The citizens of Otter Creek would eat their words when the truth came out. Mason Kincaid was innocent, and Nicole looked forward to facing down his accusers in the near future. All Nicole had to do was identify the killer. Too bad she didn’t have more to go on than a spicy cologne and ham-sized fists.

Mason stayed close to Nicole’s side as they walked to the SUV. Her lips curved when she noticed Linc doing the same with Dawn. Sweet. Unless she misread the situation, those two were becoming emotionally involved, and she loved it. Dawn deserved the best, and Linc might be the right guy.

Halfway to Linc’s SUV, another vehicle circled the side of the building and parked a few spaces away.

Linc slowed, stared at the car, then glanced over his shoulder. “Mason.”

At his low-voiced warning, Nicole crowded closer to Mason, her pulse spiking. What was going on? She glanced around but didn’t see a threat. What was she missing?

When the car’s occupants climbed from the vehicle, Mason stiffened. He nudged her behind him.

She recognized Todd Fitzgerald but not the driver. Based on his body language, Mason did.

Todd noticed Mason and elbowed his companion. The stranger spotted Mason and stopped abruptly, his expression hardening. “Kincaid,” he said, voice flat.

“Gage.” He glanced at Todd. “How are you?”

“Trying to convince me you care?” he snapped.

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