Page 94 of Winters Heat

“And I call bullshit on that one. Leather, fake tits, ready to—”

“I got your point.”

“No, you’ve completely missed my point.”

“And that is?” he said through clamped teeth.

“My point is she’s not Mia.” Cash stared from under the low-set brim of the cowboy hat.

“So today was to screw with me. Great. Thanks. I really needed it.”

“You’re stupid. Connect the dots. More than willing female. Your stereotypical fuck. But you didn’t care. The Winters I know wouldn’t mind blowing off some steam with the likes of Sugar.”

“I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

“No, brother, you’ve just got Mia Kensington on your mind. And you should deal with it.”

“I’ve dealt with it. End of discussion.”

They pulled up to the front of his house. Winters grabbed his rifle and jumped out with Cash laughing behind him. Winters walked through the front door, threw the door shut but caught it just before it slammed. No need to wake Clara if she slept and make both of them miserable. He was doing it well enough for two.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Mia zoned out in front of her computer. The screensaver was blank, except for the lonely square bouncing corner to corner. A Magic Mike highlight reel could’ve played on repeat, and she wouldn’t have noticed. Instead, she twirled a pencil between her fingers. Her last patient cancelled, and she was left with empty time.

She drank so much coffee that the next step would be mainlining espresso. That wouldn’t do. Coworkers were already whispering. After the professional inquisition from her coworkers about her bruises and scratches, she decided all the cover up and foundation wasn’t hiding the tired eyes and sad smile they really wanted to know about. It was too bad the frown was here to stay.

She stared at her coffee cup, debating the drawbacks of the shakes. A jittery caffeine headache would kick this defective day over to the pointless category. She held her hands out to ensure her fingers didn’t tremble.

Someone knocked on her closed door. She should have turned out the lights. Disruptions weren’t welcome. Her next appointment wasn’t for at least another hour, so whoever it was could find someone else to bother. If she didn’t move, they might leave her alone.

The door clicked open. She cringed, disinterested and annoyed. But then an infant gurgled, offering a slew of nonsensical words. Her heartstrings quivered, wanting to see the baby, needing to see Colby. She inched round in her chair, heart punching into her throat. Disappointment exploded in her chest.Not Colby.

“Judith.” Her throat stung. Mia failed a happy smile. It was more of a smeared grin. Of course it wasn’t him. Why would it be? She hated herself for even hoping he’d show his face. The man had no reason to, but as much as it pained her, she was so desperate to hear from him. Pathetic. She was steps beyond pathetic. “What are you doing here? I mean, I’m glad to see you. But, is everything okay?”

She stood, fidgeting with her shirt.Oh…no. Something happened to Colby.

Softness creased Judith’s face. Clara knotted her hands into the woman’s hair, then, excited and flapping her arms, offered Mia a conversation of sounds and syllables.

Judith waited for Clara to stop. “Hi. How are you?”

Not a big fan of lying, she shrugged. “Would you like to sit down?”

Judith seemed to hesitate. She took one slow step, then another, finally relaxing onto a leather couch.

“I’m not the interfering type. But…” Clara reached for her, and a piece of her heart broke. “I’m sorry, Mia, would you like to say hi to Clara? Hold her?”

Mia closed her eyes against the hot tears that threatened to wash away her cover up under her eyes. She blinked twice. “It’s okay. I don’t think I should.”

I can’t, because I’ll fall apart.

Judith fidgeted, toying with Clara’s hand. “I just want you to know, Colby is... He’s just not right in his head. I don’t know what you two went through, but he’s never come home shell-shocked before. Beneath all that bravado, there’s a guy who’s just scared of losing everything.”

“We went through a lot. I just… thought things were different than they were.”

Judith shook her head as if disappointed in herself, or maybe in Colby. “I’m meddling. I know I crossed the line. I shouldn’t be here.”

“You’re not meddling, Judith. Don’t worry.”

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