Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 135696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 678(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 452(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 678(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 452(@300wpm)
The corners of her lips did that wrinkle thing before she said, “I don’t know. In all honesty, the macaroni salad was uninspired, but still yummy, and the brats were fantastic.”
“What I meant to say was, I cooked last night, you’re on that detail tonight. I’ll deal with dessert.” He got a full smile at that, and only when he did, did he say, “Let’s go.”
He did the arm around the shoulders gig again and took her right to the passenger side door of his truck.
Then, he was stunned it happened considering the mood he was in, but he had to fight laughing since she had so much trouble climbing up, he had to put his hands to her waist and practically lift her into her seat.
By the time he got in beside her, closed his door and was engaging the ignition, she joked, “I feel like I just climbed Mount Everest.”
Vodka princesses clearly didn’t ride around in fully-loaded, jacked up Rams.
He put the truck in reverse, saying, “I was there, and it was more like I hefted you to the peak.”
“Whatever,” she mumbled.
He headed down his drive.
“Should I call Dave and Brenda?” she asked.
“Maybe not now. Talk to the police. We’ll call them later.”
“Well, if word gets around fast—”
“Honey, I know them. They’re gonna be more worried about you than their doorframe. Trust me. Take this one step at a time.”
“Okay. I trust you.”
His head didn’t feel like it was going to explode anymore, but that weight hadn’t left his chest. Though, her saying that helped alleviate some of it.
Her cabin was maybe a one-minute drive from his place, once you navigated the lanes, which, both his and hers, added another couple minutes.
So they were at her place in no time, and there were three Fret County Sheriff’s vehicles in it, lights still flashing, though one of them just arrived, because the deputies were grabbing gear to prepare to see if there were any forensics to be collected.
When he switched off his truck, he turned to her. “Wait there. I’ll lift you down.”
“I can climb out, Riggs.”
He raised his brows.
“I’ll wait,” she mumbled.
He ducked his head to hide his smile and got out.
“Hey, Doc,” Wade Dickerson, one of the newly arrived deputies called.
“Yo, Wade,” he called back as he rounded his vehicle.
She had her door open and her belt off, and he didn’t bother spotting her as she gave it a go. He just grabbed her waist, hauled her out and put her to her feet.
“Well, that was expedient,” she said.
“We’ll practice it,” he teased.
“You carting me around?”
“No. You getting in and out of my truck.”
She did an eye roll.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the cabin.
“Footies.” Sean Stole, another deputy, met them at the door and handed them both two slips of blue fabric with elasticated edges.
Damn, they were taking this seriously.
Maybe their discussion about the Whitakers tweaked Harry.
Or maybe Harry liked someone fucking with Nadia about as much as Riggs did.
“Hold on to me to steady yourself as you put them on,” he ordered Nadia.
She did as told and pulled the footies over a pair of strappy flat sandals.
He followed suit, balancing on each leg.
“You’re so macho, I think they have to alter the definition of macho to describe you,” she said like it was a complaint.
“What?” he asked.
“You couldn’t hold on to me when you put on your footies like I did with you?”
“I got good balance.”
“So do I.”
“My house wasn’t just broken into so I got my head together.”
“You skidded to a halt in your driveway not fifteen minutes ago.”
“Because I was intent to get to you because you sounded panicked due to your house being broken into.”
“Another indication of your machismo. I need to inform Webster so they can be thorough in their redefinition.”
“See you got two different reactions to possible peril. Being a pain in the ass or being a smartass,” he returned.
Her mouth dropped open.
Harry broke into their conversation by saying, “Desi, Lucy, you two wanna come inside and have a look around?”
Nadia swung a scowl Harry’s way.
Riggs hooked a thumb at her. “That’s the pain in the ass version.”
She latched onto his thumb and hissed, “Stop it, Riggs.”
He grinned at her.
Harry took her attention.
“Mizz Williams, I’m Sheriff Harry Moran.”
“Hi. Nadia. I’m Nadia,” she replied, letting Riggs go and sticking out her hand to Harry.
Harry took it, squeezed briefly then let it go and stepped aside so they could go in.
“Have a look around,” Harry instructed. “As thorough as possible, but please don’t touch anything. If you think you need to touch, let us know and we’ll get you some gloves. If you see anything amiss, no matter what it is, bring it to our attention.”
She nodded, glanced at Riggs, then started moving around the space.
Riggs crossed his arms on his chest and watched her. Harry settled in beside him and did the same.