Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 145729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
“Didn’t you mention once to Jerry that you were allergic to cats? He told me the lumberyard cat had kittens before he could get her to a vet, and you couldn’t take one because you’re allergic.”
“Yep. Totally allergic, so I’ll be the cat lady that has rashes and sneezes all the time. So attractive.”
Both laughing, they moved through the kitchen into the dining room. Molly looked around at the paintings on the wall. “These are beautiful. Are they all the same artist?”
Sonia blushed. She loved painting, but she had to hide her work. She couldn’t stop herself from sketching nature, all the plants and animals she saw in the swamp. “I’m working with oil because I want the colors vivid. The swamp is beautiful, and I want others to see it the way I do.”
“Everyone should see these. Honestly, Sonia, these are very good. I’d love to buy one from you.”
Before she could answer, she caught the flash of lights through the trees. Her breath caught in her throat, and she stepped back from the window. “Molly, it looks like I’ve got more company. Why don’t you stay in the kitchen while I go to the door?” If she had to shift, she didn’t want an audience. “Just in case, you know.”
Molly paled. “Didn’t you say Joshua was going to come by later?”
They could hear the car coming up the gravel driveway. Sonia shook her head. “I was going to text him after we were done talking and having a good time. I wanted your advice, not his company tonight.” Which was kind of a lie, but she wasn’t admitting that to Molly or herself. “Just stay in there for a couple of minutes, hon. I’ll go see who it is.”
She hurried through the formal dining room to the great room. Pulling open the door, she slipped outside and moved to the left of the door on the verandah. She didn’t have lights on outside and didn’t turn them on now. She just waited while the visitor parked his SUV and then got out. Instantly her body relaxed.
She waited until he was up the three steps before she let him know he wasn’t alone. “Bastien. What brings you out here tonight?”
He was in uniform. He paused on the wide porch. “Sonia. I didn’t see you there in the dark.” He looked around. “You alone?”
“Why?” she countered.
“I saw Molly leave town and when I cruised by your house, I saw her car. She doesn’t normally travel this far out, and she never stays out this late. I was worried.”
She could hear deception in his voice. He wasn’t telling her the entire truth. The lie was mixed with truth.
“We had dinner together. Girl talk. Forming a posse.”
He leaned one hand against the large column. He did look good in his uniform, and the lazy pose only served to emphasize how handsome he was. “Why do the two of you need a posse?”
She stayed in the shadows. The more still she stayed, the more the night covered her. He knew where she was, his gaze was directly on her, but she knew she blended in at night. She wasn’t certain what he wanted yet and she wasn’t going to let him get to Molly if his intention was to arrest her and send her back to Blake.
“Women stick together when men are circling. We compare notes and keep each other strong.”
“Molly trying to be strong?” He flashed a grin at her. “Or is it you?”
“Maybe both.” She wasn’t in the least fooled by that easy smile.
“Invite me in.” It was said nicely, but there was a subtle order underlying that pleasant tone. He straightened, going from lazy to meaning business.
“Why?” She got the message, but she wasn’t giving in without knowing what she had to do to protect her friend.
“I have to see for myself that Molly’s okay.”
His answer was so unexpected she made the mistake of moving, presenting a good target if he wanted to take out his gun and shoot her.
“Why?” she repeated.
He sighed. “She’s careful. She looks over her shoulder. She’s in trouble. I’m not about to let anything happen to her. I’m getting her story, and then, I warn you, I’m going to get yours.”
She liked that he wanted to look after Molly. The sincerity in his voice told her that much was the strict truth. She also was happy that he didn’t think she was running from someone. She was a woman alone and he wanted to know why, but he didn’t think danger was as imminent with her as it was with Molly. She was doing something right.
“Fine, but behave yourself. I’m not afraid of kicking you out if you upset her.”
“Why would you think I’d upset Molly?” There was genuine concern, but also speculation.
Sonia knew she could never forget he was a cop. He had the mind of an investigator and the way she answered him or even got sassy with him would give too much away. She pressed her lips together and stalked back to the door.