Page 13 of Midnight & Mavericks

Again with the smug posturing.

“And exactly who is ‘someone like me’?”

“Oh, don’t get your drawers in a bunch, detective. I just meant anyone who lives in the big city where you come from wouldn’t know the value of a tract of land like Mr. Carter’s. That’s all I meant.”

“Ah, I see.” Beau let the conversation lag for a few moments before he asked Van Meter another question. “And did Mr. Carter accept your offer?” Beau wanted as much information from this guy as he could get.

“No, not yet. He’s always been independent. And stubborn. He hasn’t given me an answer yet, but with all the bad luck that has been happening at the ranch, it’s just a matter of time. I’m sure of it.”

Something about the way Teddy spoke, the way he seemed so confident, set Beau’s teeth on edge. It wasn’t what he was saying. It was what he wasn’t saying. His whole conversation sounded rehearsed and calculated.

“What’s your angle?” Beau asked bluntly, leaning forward and resting his forearms on the desk. “Nobody makes an offer above market value out of the goodness of their heart.”

Teddy’s smile faltered for just a moment, but he recovered quickly. “No angle, Detective. Just a very successful businessman trying to do right by an old friend.”

“Right,” Beau said, he didn’t bother to hide his tone dripping with skepticism. “And you are doing this out of the goodness of your heart?”

Teddy chuckled, standing up and straightening his jacket. “Like I said. I have clients who know a good investment when they see one. Believe what you want, Detective. I just thought I’dstop by and introduce myself. Let you know I’m around if you need anything.”

He gave Beau a pointed look. “I heard Abbie is back in town. Now would be as good a time as any to have another talk with Mr. Carter. Get Abbie’s input on the offer. She’s a smart girl and she knows a good thing when she sees one.”

The innuendo was crystal clear, but Beau didn’t take the bait. And he didn’t bother standing when Teddy walked out of the station, his polished shoes clicking against the floor. As soon as the door closed behind him, Beau exhaled, his mind racing. That guy was trouble. He didn’t know how yet, but his gut told him Teddy Van Meter hadn’t paid him a visit today for the reasons he claimed.

Pushing back his chair, Beau stood and grabbed his jacket. He wasn’t going to get any answers organizing files. Maybe he should pay a follow-up visit to Mr. Carter—and his granddaughter.

Yesterday’s encounter with that crazy firebrand left him unsettled. She had gotten under his skin, challenged him in ways no one else had. And as much as he hated to admit it, he liked it. He liked her fire, her stubbornness, her refusal to back down.

He also liked the way she looked at him, even when she was mad enough to spit nails. There was heat in her gaze, something raw and unspoken that pulled him toward her despite his better judgment.

Shaking his head, Beau climbed into his truck and headed toward the Carter ranch. He told himself it was about the case, about following up on leads and protecting the people involved. But deep down, he knew there was more to it. He wanted to see her. He wanted to feel that spark again, even if it was just for a moment.

When he pulled up to the ranch, he saw Abbie outside, her arms crossed as she spoke with her grandfather. She lookeddifferent in the morning light, her hair pulled back in a simple ponytail, her face free of the frustration that had marked it the day before. She looked... natural. Comfortable. Beautiful.

Beau stepped out of the truck, his boots crunching against the gravel. Abbie turned at the sound, her expression shifting from surprise to something he couldn’t quite read.

“Well, if it isn’t the professional,” she said, her tone laced with sarcasm. “What brings you back, Detective? I hope you’re not expecting pies because we are fresh out.”

Beau couldn’t help but grin. “Nah, gotta watch my figure. I wanted to stop by and check on things. Make sure everything’s still standing.”

“Just barely,” she shot back, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Why are you really here, Detective?”

He stepped closer, his gaze locking onto hers. “I had a visit from someone who says he’s an old friend of yours. More than a friend actually. When’s the last time you spoke with Teddy Van Meter?”

Her expression hardened instantly. “He and I were never romantically involved. We dated a couple of times in high school, but it was very casual and usually amid school activities. Why? What did he say?”

“He paid me a visit this morning,” Beau said, his tone serious now. “I got some weird vibes from him like he’s up to something despite his assurances he’s just trying to help a friend.”

Her grandfather, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward. “Why don’t you two come inside? We can talk over coffee.”

Beau cast a questioning glance at Abbie.

“Sure. I think we could all use a sit-down.” She led them inside and Beau followed her grandfather to the scarred and worn table by the kitchen window. “Grandpa, you and thedetective sit and I’ll get us some coffee. And maybe even some pie.”

Beau saw the gleam of amusement in Abbie’s backward glance. He couldn’t wait for round two.

Chapter Nine

The smell of coffee filled the small, cozy kitchen of her family’s old farmhouse, a scent so familiar it almost made Abbie forget why she was here. Almost. The late afternoon sun streamed through the window, casting warm golden light across the room and highlighting every scratch and stain on the well-worn table that bore the marks of decades of family meals, conversations, and quiet moments of solitude. It should have felt comforting. Instead, it felt like a reminder of everything that was slipping through her fingers.

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