Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“I can’t imagine living here,” she said when they stopped at a traffic light.
“It’s constant activity.”
A car horn blared in the distance, followed by the wail of a siren—she couldn’t be certain whether ambulance or police. “How do you sleep at night?”
“You get used to it.”
“I don’t think I could.”
“Maybe one day you’ll get to find out.”
She leaned her head against the cool window. “Doubtful. The few times I’ve been here I couldn’t wait to get away from the crowds and all the activity.”
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope. Small-town girl, remember?” She turned to look at his surprised expression and raised a hand in a wave.
His answering low, sexy chuckle echoed throughout the car. “We’re here.” He turned into a parking garage in the middle of the busy street and pulled down a long, steep ramp, ending where a man waited to take his truck.
She hopped out and met Mike around the back of the vehicle.
“Ready to brave the big bad city?” he asked.
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not a farmer girl, for God’s sake.” And she had her mini Glock holstered behind her.
His small laugh turned into a bigger one. The next thing she knew, he’d grabbed her hand and walked up the steep incline to street level. “The place we’re going isn’t too far. Just around the corner.”
She nodded and kept pace with him, surprised he hadn’t released her hand. A definite spike of awareness settled low in her stomach at the prolonged contact, heating her from the inside out and helping ward off the cold winter wind. Serendipity was just as chilly, but the wind swirling between the high buildings lent a bite to the air, and she was grateful when he paused in front of what looked like a bar and grill.
He pulled open the door, holding it for her to step ahead of him. Inside, the place was small and dark, with low lighting and what appeared to be wooden booths lining the walls, but there was a warmth to the overall look.
“Mikey!” A booming voice greeted them, taking Cara off guard. She’d have thought their contact would be someone quieter, maybe sitting back in a booth somewhere waiting to talk. Instead a large man with salt-and-pepper hair and a large paunch strode up to Mike, a big grin on his face.
“Bill Carlson, you old son of a bitch. How have you been?” Mike slapped the big burly man on the shoulder, but Bill apparently wasn’t satisfied because he pulled Mike into a brotherly hug.
“I’m good,” the man said. “Damn good.”
Mike stepped back and looked the man over. “Owning this place agrees with you. I think you’re eating too much of your own food.”
The other man, who had to be a good two decades older than Mike, merely grinned. “It’s not just the bar, it’s the woman. I married Lucy, and she makes sure there’s a home-cooked meal for me whenever I walk in the door.” He patted his round stomach.
Mike’s eyes opened wide. “You tied the knot? I thought you said, and I quote, ‘No damn woman will shackle me in this lifetime.’”
The big man shook his head and laughed. “Live and learn, buddy. Live and learn. So who’s this pretty lady?”
Cara blushed at the description, but she was equally curious to know how Mike knew the man since he seemed so happy to see him.
“Cara Hartley, meet Bill Carlson. Bill was a detective before he got soft and retired,” Mike said with a teasing glint in his eye.
Cara noticed he’d opted not to give Bill a description of who Cara was to him, and she tried not to let it bother her. Better no description than one she wouldn’t want to hear.
“Soft happens to all of us, buddy,” Bill said before turning his attention back to Cara. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Hartley.”
She shook his extended hand. “Call me Cara,” she said. “And it’s nice to meet you too.”
Bill glanced at Mike and cocked his head to the side. “I didn’t know you were bringing company,” Bill said quietly, but not so softly that Cara couldn’t hear.
Mike shrugged. “Didn’t seem important.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” Bill stepped back, his gaze sweeping over them. “Last booth on the right. It’s big enough for three. I’ll be in the back if you need me.” He paused and glanced at Cara. “Pleasure to meet you,” he said, before turning and heading back through the double doors leading to the kitchen.
Cara drew a deep breath. “Do you want me to wait here?” She wasn’t oblivious to the fact that his contact wasn’t expecting her and probably wouldn’t be happy Mike had brought her along.
“No.” Without another word of explanation, Mike started for the back, and Cara followed.
They reached the back booth where Mike’s contact was sitting, and she was stunning. A knockout from her long, brown hair accented with beautiful blond highlights, tanned skin, and perfect features, to the way she didn’t just wear her leather jacket and purple scarf—she owned it.