Page 23 of Wanted by the Lawman

He handed her a cup and she sipped. “Let me get this straight. You make a killer cup of coffee, investigate footprints in the snow, wipe tears, and you’re not hitched? Is this a joke?” She looked at him over the rim of her steaming cup.

Had she really gone there?

Yeah and she didn’t regret it, not one bit.

“Not every lady finds the ability to make a cup of coffee a relationship-worthy talent.”

She turned away from her sexy neighbor and busied herself doing anything but admiring him. Liking someone, getting involved with someone, meant she’d have to jump back in and she didn’t believe she was quite ready for the dating scene this quick. A part of her wanted to explain to Zander why she was so tense. Rory could show up. There was always that chance.

When the other cup was done brewing, they went back into the living room. He placed his untouched cup on the table. “I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” Had she said something?

“Taking your trash out.”

“No, you can’t. Really, no.” He made coffee and now doing chores around the house? Too much for her.

“No, I do. It’s almost full and I don’t want you to have to go out in the snow. Hasn’t anyone ever taught you how to dress in winter? Every time I see you, you’re underdressed.”

Her cheeks warmed. She just knew he was referring to this morning when he saw her naked in the window. Wynn should steer clear of that fiasco, but Lord help her, she needed him to understand that she hadn’t done it on purpose. “Yeah…about that…I didn’t know…” She could hardly form the words on her tongue as the temperature increased.

“I’m not complaining,” he teased.

“Yes, but I didn’t flash you on purpose. I’m not that kind of neighbor.”

“That stinks. A man can hope, can’t he?”

She grinned. “I guess he can.”

“And that’s the reason why I’ll handle the trash.” He winked.

Damn, why did he have to be so helpful? And flirtatious?

So damn good looking?

Once he came back in, she met him in the center of the kitchen and handed him his cup. “I topped it off. The other cup got cold. Sorry about the chip in the cup.”

“You’re talking to a bachelor. I drink out of paper cups and eat off foam plates.” He smiled. She found herself wanting to smile too, even if things were tough.

He strolled across the room, his boots thudding on the old wooden flooring as he looked out into the back yard. “How’s the firewood burning?”

“Once I get it going, it’s not bad.”

“Around these parts we’re known to have power outages regularly. The snow gets heavy on the electric lines and it can take hours, sometimes days, to have the power back on. Best to be prepared. Stock up on necessities, not just cookies.”

She heard the smile in his voice and resisted the urge to laugh. “I’ll try to keep that in mind.” Were they making small talk? He did seem the type for chit-chat. “Thank you for the warning. Any more thoughts on Susie-Q?”

“What are neighbors for? I think she’d appreciate the company.”

So would I. “Great.”

“Are you feeling better now?”

“I am.” A knock made her jump. She wasn’t expecting anyone. “I’ll go check to see who that is.”

~~~**~~~

Hearing a familiar voice, Zander set his coffee cup in the sink and stepped out into the living room where Rudy and another man dressed in a black suit, silk tie, definitely a fed, stepped in.

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