Page 18 of Her Cadillac Cowboy
“Why?”
“Because you were about to thank me for my thoughtfulness, and I saved you the trouble.”
Josh ground his teeth. “Not why did you say you’re welcome; why did you call the cops?”
“Isn’t it obvious? That little twerp and his gang of hooligans vandalized my cars.”
The teen struggled in Josh’s grasp for a moment. “My name is Willie-boy, an’ I ain’t no twerp.”
“And you think that dragging in the police is the solution?” Josh focused on Sara.
“It certainly is. A night in jail will convince our friend here to tell us who’s involved, and a judge will deal with the parents, who are irresponsible enough to let their child run loose and get into trouble.”
“I don’t know how a woman who is so intelligent about cars can be so stupid about kids.”
“What does that mean?”
“Did it ever occur to you that this kid doesn’t have parents or a home? At least not the way you’d think of them.”
“Then he belongs in an orphanage or a halfway house. The sheriff will take care of that, too.” Her voice wavered. Was she scared or just suffering an adrenaline shock? He hoped she was scared. Good and scared about what the consequence of calling the police might mean for a kid with few if any resources.
Sirens sounded in the distance.
She folded her arms across her chest, her purse held like a shield before her.
Josh shook his head. There was no getting through to her. “Look, kid. I’m not going to be able to keep you out of jail tonight. I will be there in the morning to bail you out.” He ground out the words. “When I do, you’ll owe me, and I intend to collect.”
As a squad car slid to a halt at the end of the alley, the kid stood immobile. He made cement look happy.
The officers took statements and arrested the teen. As they left, Josh turned to see Sara picking her way gingerly down the alley toward her car. What was wrong with her? Setting off at a jog, he caught up with her easily. “Sara?”
She stopped at his approach and leaned against the fence surrounding Carson’s back lot. She lifted her left foot and bent over it, examining the sole. She was barefoot. In all the excitement, he’d been too pre-occupied with the kid to notice.
“What are you doing running around barefoot?” The question came out more harshly than he intended.
“I wasn’t running around barefoot,” she snapped.
He made an impatient sound and lifted her into his arms. “I suppose the gunk on your feet is the latest thing in protective foot gear.”
“Put me down.”
He ignored her order. Having his arms around Sara, even when he was furious with her, was too great a pleasure to give up. Despite her bristly attitude, she felt soft in all the right places, and very kissable.Get your mind out of your pants, Josh. She needs medical attention more than a randy guy right now.
“For your information, I don’t dress for the office with hurdles and a four-hundred-meter race in mind. They aren’t the usual activities on my business agenda. My shoes came off while I was running after that punk. Now, put me down!”
He wanted to kiss her, but he wouldn’t cause her more trouble, now. “No, I’ll put you down when I’m good and ready. I’m not having you lacerate your feet on the trash in this alley, then lay the blame at that kid’s door. He’s got too much trouble as it is. I won’t allow you or anyone to add to it.”
He plunked her down on the hood of a lot car and walked away.
“Where are you going?”
“You’re so smart, you figure it out.”
