Page 62 of Deadly Evidence
“It wasn’tallmyfault that he got hurt. You were there—it was the dog, not me, who ran into that corral. If anything,youcould have caught that dog faster.”
Dante jammed his thumbs in his back pockets. It was a shame that Mia was such a knockout because with that mouth of hers, she sure wasn’t the kind of person a guy wanted to hang around for very long.
“I’ll see you around, princess.” He turned toward the barn. “Unless I’m lucky.”
He was halfway there when he heard her chair screech against the flagstones.
“Wait!”
He kept going...and then stopped, considering.
“Please,” she called out.
He turned and found her walking toward him, that glorious black hair swinging against her hips.
“Look—I’m sorry. I shouldn’t take things out on you,” she said. “I’ve been rude, and I’m sorry.”
It was easier being mad, because then he didn’t have to come up with something cool to say. “Uh...that’s okay.”
She looked up at him with eyes prettier than a newborn calf’s and gave him a tentative smile. “It’s crazy arguing all the time. Maybe we could be friends?”
He scowled at her, remembering all the times he’d been put down by girls like her. He’d been considered a loser in high school, and he sure hadn’t made any friends at the detention center, either.
There had never been anyone in his life like her—beautiful and smart and planning to go places. Was being friends with her evenpossible?
Maybe it was time to finally let down his guard.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Anna wearily closed out of the accounting program on her computer and flipped off the desk lamp, then swung her chair toward the windows.
The deep shadows of twilight reflected her image on the glass, but the haggard woman staring back at her had to be a stranger.At this rate, I’ll look eighty by the time I hit thirty-five.
There was a sense of deep satisfaction that came from being a part of this land. Preserving her family’s heritage. Seeing her daughter grow up where her family had ranched for generations. But none of it was easy.
Not with loans still due, Jonah’s failing health, and so many people depending on her.
And her constant thoughts about Brady.
He’d been gone two days now, but there hadn’t been a word from him. Had he developed an infection? Needed surgery?
Maybe he wouldn’t come back, and she’d never know why or what happened. She’d simply been a part of his cover for an investigation, after all. Nothing more than that.
Except for the night he moved into the house.
Remembering that kiss they’d shared, her skin warmed. But they’d both shied away from the moment, realizing that any further relationship could have no future.
She only had to remember just how believable he’d been over the “accidental” fire in his cabin to realize that the kiss had probably been just a part of his cover—the careful establishment of their so-called history together.
He’d planned it, she supposed, so she wouldn’t appear alarmed if he ever took her hand or even brushed a kiss against her cheek to reinforce their “past” in front of someone else.
At the sound of soft footsteps in the hall, Anna turned and found Mia standing just outside the door.
“You got a minute?” Mia bit her lower lip, clearly debating coming in. “I need to talk to you.”
“Of course.” Anna rounded her desk and settled into one of the upholstered chairs in the corner, waving Mia toward the other. “What’s up?”
“I...well...” Mia took the other chair and curled her feet beneath her, her expression troubled. “I’m worried about Jonah. He coughs more when he eats, and he’s breathing harder. He’s having more trouble feeding himself. I try to help, but he gets mad, and...”
