Page 48 of Murder at Rescue Ridge

They walked to the kitchen after locking the front door. He led her into the room for more privacy.

“That’s the idea of an adult adoption,” she said.

“And you would be okay with that?”

Nikki’s shoulders tensed. “Would anything be wrong with me if I was?”

Conrad stopped cold.

“Are you telling me that you’ve never considered changing your last name so you wouldn’t be a Sturgess any longer, what with all the stigma that comes along with Beaumont’s last name?” she asked, more of that tension radiating from her as she cleared the table.

“Not once,” Conrad admitted. “For better or worse, it’s who I am. I’m a Sturgess. I’d like to think my generation will make that name count for something besides cut-throat business deals, gambling on horses, then using them up before throwing them away, and philandering.”

Nikki turned her face away from him as though the words hit a little too close to home with her own situation. She busied herself loading the dishwasher.

Damn. He hadn’t intended anything personal.

“What’s right for me isn’t right for everyone,” he added. “I didn’t mean to react so strongly. It’s your call.”

“Do you really think I haven’t churned over this decision? Lost sleep?”

“Why? My version of parenting means unconditional love,” he offered. “Heath clearly loves you. Would he turn his back on that just because you don’t share a last name?”

“Let’s just say that my stepfather makes a strong argument for the change,” she said. “Not to mention, one of my influential law professors shares that opinion.”

Now, he understood. Her last name could taint her professional life, too. They weren’t so different. The deals Beaumont had made over the years had brought in all kinds of shady rich folks based on the research they’d done in the past few months since the man’s death.

“It’s understandable if you feel compelled,” Conrad said. “I just hope you make the decision that’s right for you and turn off all that external noise.”

Nikki released a slow sigh. “It gets so loud sometimes.”

“Believe me when I say that I understand.”

She turned and leaned her hip against the counter. “You’re right, though. This is a big decision. One that I don’t take lightly.”

“I wasn’t trying to come off as an asshat,” Conrad said.

Nikki laughed. The sound was musical. It lit a dozen campfires in his chest, warming him from the inside out.

“You were being honest,” she said. “You’re one of the most authentic people I’ve ever met, and it’s sexy as hell.”

Now, it was his turn to laugh. “I didn’t realize hell was sexy.”

“It’s certainly hot, much like you,” she teased.

“Keep that up, and I’ll be forced to kiss you again,” he said. The words came out without thinking. He shouldn’t make an offer that was a bad idea to follow through on. Only a bad idea because of the situation and not because she didn’t make him crave naked, skin-to-skin contact. Or to bury himself inside in her sweet heat.

“Keep talking, and I’ll force you to follow through with that promise,” she quipped.

They were at a stalemate. Despite Sandy going to the judge on his behalf, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t end up going down for Harrison’s murder.

“Rain check?” he asked. “You need to get a few hours of sleep. We both need to wake up at the crack of dawn for axe games.”

She stood there, holding his gaze for a long, lingering moment before breaking eye contact. She closed the dishwasher and folded her arms across her chest. “Ready to go to bed?”

“Thought you’d never ask.” Again, he smiled.

“On a serious note, will you sleep with me?” she asked. “I’m not comfortable in this big house.”

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