Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 101501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“No biggie. I knew you changed in here.”
Rachel blinked then looked at Josh, surprised I’d let it go. “Well, that’s good. I wouldn’t want you to think anything happened between Logan and me while you were gone last night.”
I smiled slowly because she was still trying to imply there’d been an opportunity the night before. “It would be hard for you to have slept with Logan last night when he was out until almost seven this morning helping with Frank’s death and then he was with me, in that bed, until an hour before opening.”
Josh choked on a cough at my reply then mumbled, “Christ, Skylar, fifteen-year-old in the room,” before leaving Rachel and me alone, chuckling as he went.
One brother down, one to go. Jake would be the hardest to accept my relationship with Logan. He was overprotective and still didn’t trust Logan fully.
Rachel raised an eyebrow and then scanned me from head to toe. “I misjudged you. I was certain Pollyanna would take the bait.”
“Pollyanna?”
“Yep. I thought for sure you would hold out for a wedding ring before you rode the sausage express, but I clearly misjudged you. Good for you.” She grinned, then raised her hand in a fist and waited for me to bump mine with hers.
I puzzled over her reaction then raised my fist and bumped hers. “Does this mean you’ll stop flirting with Logan?”
Rachel snorted. “I flirt in my sleep, so probably not. My rule is this, until there’s a wedding ring on a finger, anything can happen. I draw the line at going after a married man. However, making sure a hot specimen like Logan is aware of his options, is more of a public service. If he takes me up on my advances, I’m doing you a favor, right?”
It was my turn to blink. With friends like Rachel, who needed enemies?
“Then I’ll point out that firing any woman going after my man, or anyone else’s man, ring or not, is also a public service.”
She grinned slowly then inclined her head in defeat. “Man, I really had you pegged wrong. You’ve got teeth, Pollyanna. I like it.”
“Then get back to work before I bite.”
Her lips twitched and she saluted me, then picked up her red panties where Josh had dropped them and walked out the door.
I blew air out of my lungs to calm my nerves then looked out the window to check the weather again. Larger flakes of snow were now pelting the glass. The temperature would be dropping lower soon. If Duke was still out there waiting to be found, I hoped he had his emergency gear in the back of his truck.
_______________
Crime scene tape roped off the mortuary as Logan made his way back into town. He stopped and stared at the blacked out building, wondering if they’d determined what caused the explosion. During his search for Duke, his mind had drifted back to that morning and Frank Wells many times. Something about Frank’s injuries had bothered Logan. The way his body had been lying face up, but the blow that killed him was to the back of his head. He’d intended to speak to Duke about it, but now . . . Logan scanned the street looking for a deputy’s vehicle. The snow was falling harder, making visibility difficult, so he eased off his brake and headed into town. When he rounded the corner, bright lights from the football field peeked through the trees. He’d called Skylar once he had decent cell reception, and she’d told him where to find her. She’d asked about Duke, but he’d hedged and said they’d talk when he got back to town.
The streets were jammed with vehicles the closer he got to the field, so he pulled off and parked. He didn’t want to take a chance they wouldn’t allow Max at the game without a leash, so he grabbed Max’s off the floorboard and attached it to his collar.
He noted they had two games in one night. The middle school had their game first, which accounted for all the football jerseys crowding the entrance. After buying his ticket, the crowd surrounding the field erupted with cheers as he approached. A female commentator could be heard over the roar, her own enthusiasm for the previous play apparent as she called out, “Touchdown, Mustangs. A thirty-yard laser shot from James to Humphries puts the Mustangs on the board first.”
Logan scanned the crowd looking for Skylar and found her at the top of one of the two bleachers abutting the field. She was dancing to music coming out of the PA system as the home team kicked the extra point, high-fiving those around her before putting her fingers to her lips and blowing a whistle so sharp Max barked.
Logan curled his tongue and pressed it against his teeth and blew a sharp whistle in return to get Skylar’s attention. She turned at the sound and her face blossomed into the sweetest sight he’d ever seen. Her cheeks were rosy from the wind, her eyes sparkled from the stadium lights illuminating the field. But her expression was soft, meant only for him, and the knot in his chest tightened further. Josh ran over and grabbed Max’s leash from his hand, followed by a group of boys that looked to be his age. He handed off Max to Josh without turning his attention away from Skylar.