17
AFTER THE LAUGHTER died down, Nathan turned back to Brooklin and found her smiling as she watched Hogan and Violet. “You look happy.”
She took his hand in both of hers, emphasizing the contrast in their sizes. “I am.”
“I’m glad.” The setting sun cast a halo around her hair. The air smelled thick, as if it might rain. A breeze teased past.
Nathan drew her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. Her skin was so soft, her nails short but glossy with polish. “I never would have imagined Hogan doing that, but I’m glad he did.” He’d gotten used to seeing the strain on her face, but for the moment it was gone. “I like seeing you like this.”
“Like what?” Brooklin could barely contain herself. Then she started snickering.
“Lighthearted, I guess.” He didn’t want her to worry. He wasn’t about to let anything happen to her. But this hilarity? “What’s going on?”
The snickers turned into full-blown chuckles.
His own mouth twitching, Nathan said, “What? It wasn’t that funny.”
She tried a deep breath, but couldn’t get the amusement off her face. Leaning in, she confided, “I orchestrated most of that.”
“Yeah?” Nathan had no idea what she was talking about, but her mood was so carefree, he wanted it to last. “How’s that?”
Her golden eyes searched his. She leaned closer still, whispering. “I’ll tell you something no one else knows, if you’ll tell me how you got hurt.”
“Hurt?”
With one fingertip, she lightly traced the scar on his face. “This.” She ended by moving that finger over his bottom lip. “You had promised to tell me, but then you didn’t and I didn’t want to press you.”
“Pressing me now is okay?”
All the past wariness flooded back into her face and she withdrew. “No. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
“No, it’s fine.” Nathan circled the table, then sat down close beside her. Keeping an eye on the surrounding area, at all the different people there, he said, “I don’t mind telling you. I just forgot.” A lie. They both knew it. “Besides, once I tell you, you’re going to share some awesome secret, right?”
“Yes.” She cautiously smiled again. “It truly is awesome.”
He nodded, wondering where to start. “Truth is I screwed up. We were executing a search warrant for a drug bust. We used some flash bangs—”
“Flash bangs?”
“Explosions that disorient the occupants.” He stopped, remembering, then looked away. “I was first in. There were four occupants, but they were down, cowering. Everything seemed secure in the main rooms. I called it clear. Then Officer Johnson tried to force open an interior door. Soon as it budged, two men came out shooting. Johnson wore his helmet, but he got struck in the back of the head.”
Brooklin covered her mouth. “You got hit, too?”
“The gunfire shattered a mirror. My eyes were mostly protected by the visor, but not the bottom of my face. The glass...” He could almost feel again the pumping adrenaline, the frigid anger. “It jammed inside my helmet. That’s how I got cut. Wounded, but not down.”
“What did you do?”
“I killed them both.” Just not in time to spare Johnson.
Eyes big and soft, Brooklin whispered, “Did Officer Johnson survive?”
He shook his head. “He was young. Newly married.” Nathan’s throat felt tight, but he ignored it. “He died later in the hospital.”
“I am so, so sorry.”
He picked up her hand and kissed her wrist. “You had a right to know.”
Just like that, she melted into his arms. “I’m not sorry for asking. I’m sorry that you were hurt and that you lost a friend.”
Nathan hugged her close. Damn, she felt good in his arms.
“Thank you for telling me.”
He nodded. “I got out of SWAT after that. At first I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do, and somehow I ended up in the area. Didn’t take me long to decide this was home.”
“And then you became the sheriff.”
“It seemed the perfect fit.”
“I understand why. Clearbrook is a special place.” She stroked a hand over his chest. “Small enough to be quaint, with a variety of characters in it. Large enough to have all the conveniences within a short drive.”
Did she realize what that innocent touch did to him? He flattened his own hand over hers, then said, “Will you officially move in with me, Brooklin?”
She froze.
Nathan set her back to see her face, to make her understand. “Eventually we’ll find the guy bothering you. But it doesn’t matter. I want you with me whether there’s any overt danger or not. Always.”
She searched his face. “You love me?”
How the hell had he forgotten that part? He gave a crooked smile. “Yeah, I love you. I think I lost it for you the very first time I saw you. Everything after that was just buildup.”
That brought her right back into his arms. “I love you, too. But there’s something else I need to tell you.”
Since she’d agreed, she could tell him anything she wanted. It wouldn’t matter. “Your exciting secret?”
“Yes.” She looked around as if to ensure no one could hear her. In a barely there whisper, she said, “You know that advice column in the Trickle?”
Suspicion crowded in. He remembered the columns with questions about him, and the disparaging way the columnist had replied. “Yeah?”
“I’m Advice Anonymous.”
Nathan stared at her. “No.”
“Yes. I’m sorry about those first few. I think my replies came from both a touch of jealousy and a little spite.”
“Just a little?”
She gave him a shameless grin. “Okay, I was spiteful. You were pestering me...and I liked it. Only I thought that was dangerous, because if we got involved—”
“You’d have to explain. But now you know it doesn’t matter.”
“No, because you’re so wonderful. Still, I wouldn’t have told, except that if I move in with you, you’re bound to see the pile of mail I get, and you’ll see me working on the weekly piece, so—”
His burst of laughter cut her off.
People looked their way. Brooklin bit her lip.
Once he’d caught his breath, Nathan said, “You were the one who accused me of preferring men.”
She winced. “Guilty. I’m so glad Stan wasn’t offended.”
“Stan thought it was hilarious, especially when you insulted me. And Hogan.”
“That was before I knew you both well.”
When she’d wanted to stay distant—only he hadn’t let her. She’d tried her best to make him lose interest. Good thing he wasn’t a quitter. “Now that you know Hogan—”
She gave him a beautiful smile. “I honestly get a lot of mail from women asking questions about both of you. Recently, since I didn’t want to share you, I decided to focus on the requests about Hogan.”
“And it brought him and Violet closer together.”
Brooklin nodded. “And now you see why I’m so pleased.”
“Yeah, I do.” He kissed her, lingering longer than he should have, but unable to pull away. Against her mouth, he murmured, “You are one multitalented lady.”
“And you love me?”
He took her mouth again. “Yes.”
She put her forehead to his. “The past, those awful accusations... I was so ashamed. It seemed everyone believed the lies, even my fiancé. I couldn’t see trusting anyone else, definitely not a man.” She sat back and touched his face again. “But now there’s you.”
“And you love me, too?”
She nodded. “Everything about you.” Tears sheened her eyes. “I went from being so alone to feeling so blessed. Thank you for convincing me to let you in.”
He touched away the tear from her bottom lashes. “Sometimes I’m a pretty smart guy.” Nathan breathed in the scent of her, stroked her soft hair, felt her toned body against his.
They would put an end to the danger soon. Very soon. Somehow he’d figure it out.
* * *
It was nearing the end of the day, the crowd mellower, the servers wearing down. Giving Kristy a break, Violet waited tables. She’d just finished serving a family of four when she saw a familiar face go past the front window.
Oh, hell no. Joni Jeffers.
Moving quickly, she cut through the diner to the prep area and then outside. She got to Hogan seconds before Joni did. He looked up at her to smile, saw Joni and went still.
A second later he gave Violet a stern shake of his head, no doubt an implicit warning to behave.
Ha! Okay, yeah. She couldn’t, wouldn’t, cause another scene. But if Joni hoped to win Hogan back, she could forget it.
As usual, Joni was dressed to kill in a fitted sundress appropriate for the warm evening. She even wore heels and she came directly to Hogan.
He said, “Joni, hi. How are you?”
“That was my line to you.” She flicked a cautious glance Violet’s way.
“Ms. Jeffers,” Violet said, her smile all but forcing the woman to be cordial.
“Ms....” Joni shook her head, impatient. “I’m sorry. I don’t know your name.”
“You can just call me Violet,” she drawled. Or you can go away.
“Violet.” Her teeth showed in a strained smile. “Pretty name.”
Oh ho, now what was that? An attempt at niceness? Violet crossed her arms. The woman was up to something.
Hogan stepped in. “Did you come for dinner?”
“Actually, I have some business I’d like to discuss with you.”
It took everything Violet had not to protest. If she was superpolite, she’d step away and give them privacy.
Not happening.
“How about I watch things for you?” She snatched the tongs out of Hogan’s hand and planted herself—all of two feet away—at the grills.
Joni said, “Could we talk somewhere private?”
“Sorry, I can’t. You probably saw that we’re slammed tonight. I’m betting Violet has a dozen other things she should be doing. But I can take a few minutes real quick, right here, if it’s important.”
Keeping her back to them, Violet curled her mouth in a satisfied smile. Take that, Joni.
“Fine,” Joni said. “I’ll get right to the point. A few of the companies who had you handling their books...well, they want only you.”
There was silence, and then Hogan asked, “How many companies, Joni?”
“Three. Okay, maybe four. They’re big accounts and I don’t want to lose them.”
“That’s a tough spot...since I don’t work for you anymore.”
“Yes, well...”
Violet literally felt Joni’s glare against her back. She didn’t budge.
Joni cleared her throat. “Since I don’t want to lose them, I thought maybe we could work out something.”
“Something like what?”
She inhaled sharply. “How about you continue with their books for a commission?”
“I have very little free time. It’d depend on how big the commission is.”
She named the size of the account and a percentage for the commission. Violet, quickly trying to do the math in her head, almost whistled. That would put a nice chunk back into Hogan’s budget.
But he said only, “I’ll give it some thought.”
“You’re serious? That was a more than generous offer!”
“And I appreciate it. But my time is limited, so I have to consider it carefully before I take on anything else.”
Joni stewed, then snapped, “Eight hours a week. Surely you can eke out that much time from your social calendar.”
She was so damned snide, Violet’s hand tightened around the tongs. They were good and heavy—but no, if she did, Hogan would be embarrassed again.
And he’d lose the very nice offer.
Striving for patience, Joni sweetened her tone and said, “Very well. How much time do you need?”
“I’ll let you know on Monday.”
“That’ll be fine. Thank you.” She stepped closer to Violet. “Those ribs really do smell delicious. Could I get an order to go?”
“Certainly.” Violet turned to Hogan, a brow raised.
He rolled his eyes. “I’ll get Kristy and a take-out container.”
“Thank you, sugar.” She gave her attention back to Joni. “I gather those are some important accounts?”
“I would not have come here otherwise.”
Violet took her measure, then admitted, “It took guts.”
“I have guts,” Joni confirmed with some obvious pride. “I run my own accounting firm.”
“I run my own diner.” It was Violet’s turn to flash her teeth in the semblance of a smile. “Just think, we actually have something in common.”
As Hogan came back out, Joni watched him and said, “Maybe more than one thing?”
The smile turned to a snarl. “Only if you mean admiration, because, honey, he’s hands-off to you.”
Joni rolled one shoulder. “Sadly true—and I accept it.”
Like she had a choice, Violet thought. But she decided to be gracious in her victory.
Minutes later, Joni was gone with her dinner, and Violet really wanted to stamp her claim on Hogan to avoid all further assumptions by women like that.
He beat her to it, looping his arms around her hips and nuzzling her throat. “I’m proud of you, Violet. Other than glaring just a little, you held it together.”
Seeing no harm in the truth, she confessed, “It wasn’t easy, not with that woman.”
“I know. I could tell.” He pressed his mouth to hers in a soft kiss that felt both tender and possessive. “Thank you.”
That made her roll her eyes. “You don’t have to thank me for not behaving like a lunatic.”
“Where that woman is concerned,” he teased, mimicking her, “I think I do.”
Violet punched him in the stomach, but she was too close to put much strength behind it and he only laughed at her.
Feeling strangely emotional, she traced a fingertip over the words on his shirt. Barbecue Master. True enough, he was a master. But she should have put Screwy Louie’s Barbecue Master.
Because damn it, he was hers.
She’d add the correction to the next shirt she got him.
Picking up on her mood, Hogan lifted her chin. “You know you don’t have to worry about Joni, right? Even if I take the offer—”
“You have to. I know that.”
He gave her a long look. “It’d solve a lot of problems, true, but there’s nothing between Joni and me.”
She couldn’t resist one more grouching comment. “Not for lack of her trying.”
He pulled her in for a longer, deeper kiss, then whispered, “She could run naked in front of me, and it wouldn’t matter. I only want you.”
Her heart did a double beat. As sincere as she could make it, without seeming too clingy, Violet said, “That’s probably good, since I only want you.”
His gaze went hot. “I’ve thought about it a lot. About you.” He put his mouth to her ear, whispering, “How you taste, the way you sound when you’re getting close. How tight you squeeze me when you come, and how wet you are—”
Shaking, Violet pushed his back. “You’re doing it again! Blast it, Hogan, we can’t get out of here yet.”
He grinned. “Soon, though. And now you have something to think about.”
She fried him with a cross frown. “Wasn’t like I needed help with that.” Knowing she’d been gone too long, she turned away with a huff and strode into the dining area.
She found Colt hustling to keep up without her.
Poor kid. After a quick apology to him, she told him to take his break and dived back in—but Hogan was right.
He’d certainly given her something to think about.
* * *
To make a point, Colt went right up to the table where Charish sat with a few of their friends, two other girls and two other boys, including Mack.
He bent and brushed his mouth over hers.
Everyone stared.
Charish beamed.
“I’ve got fifteen minutes. Let’s go outside.”
Accepting the hand he offered her, Charish left her seat in a rush.
Mack said, “Hey!” around a fat grin.
With his arm behind Charish, Colt subtly flipped him off, then heard the group laughing.
Earlier, he’d told Mack the way of things, and there were no problems.
Colt led her out the front door. His dad was around back, along with two dozen customers at least. He wanted time alone with her. Now that he’d made a move, his body was telling him to make a few more.
At least at the front of the building it was quieter, any passersby on the move.
They strolled down the sidewalk to where his truck was parked at the end of the block. It was nearly deserted here at the narrow one-way side street that got little traffic.
Charish looked up at the sky. “It’s pretty tonight.”
Colt kept his gaze on her profile. “The sunsets are always great. Honor loves them.” In case she didn’t know, he explained, “She’s my aunt.”
“I’ve met her,” Charish said. “I go to the salon where she works.”
Colt admired her hair, long and dark and currently bone straight down her back, swishing just above her hips. She changed it up a lot with ponytails, braids, straight or wavy, up or down. No matter what she did with it, it always teased him with the need to touch it.
Now he could, and so he stroked his hand through it, bunched it in his fist and enjoyed the silkiness of it.
Starkly aware of her as a girl who wanted him, a girl who hadn’t taken a nice “no” as an answer—thank God—Colt lowered the back gate, took her tiny waist in his hands and easily lifted her up to sit.
Before he could pull back, Charish wrapped her arms around his neck, keeping him from stepping away.
“Colt?”
Those big dark eyes stole any self-proclaimed control. Unable to resist, he leaned in and kissed her.
She immediately opened her mouth, scooted closer until her breasts were against his chest, and he knew he just might lose it.
This wasn’t the school where touching was off-limits, but still they didn’t have complete privacy, so he forced himself to end the kiss. “What time do your parents expect you home?”
“I have another hour.”
She’d be gone before he got off work. “How about I come by tomorrow? I have a few hours in the morning. We can take my dog, Diesel, to the creek.” And with any luck, the parklike area wouldn’t be too jammed. He wanted his mouth on hers, and more.
“I’d love that.” She kissed his face, his nose, his jaw, his chin...
Smiling, Colt cupped her face and said, “Hold still.” Then he took her mouth the way he liked, the way she apparently liked, too, given her soft moan.
He let his hand travel to her shoulder down to her waist again, and then to the flare of her hip.
She wore a denim skirt, and refusing to think of possible consequences, his palm coasted over her bare thigh.
They both breathed harder.
She’s not telling me to stop, Colt realized, and of course that sent his thoughts reeling into different scenarios, all of them impossible on a truck bed at the curb of the street with him having only ten minutes left for his break.
But he couldn’t leave her, not yet, not this time.
It wasn’t until someone bumped into him that he came back to the here and now.
He looked up and into a pair of mirrored sunglasses.
“Sorry,” the guy said absently. He tugged a ball cap lower, stuffed his hands deeper into his loose cargo pants, stepped up to the sidewalk and continued on.
The guy’s distracted gaze stayed glued to the diner, which was probably what caused their collision in the first place.
Colt watched him stride toward the diner, saw him pause and study the building.
Alarm bells went off in his head and he pulled Charish from the truck, his hand tight on hers. “Come on.”
“What’s wrong.”
She sounded startled and uncertain, so he paused to reassure her. “Not a thing with you, except that I shouldn’t start things I can’t finish.” He brushed his knuckles over her rosy cheek. “When we’re alone, though...” He left that thought unfinished.
Squeezing his hand, she sighed and said, “I can’t wait.”
Colt breathed a little harder. Her agreement was almost more temptation than he could take. If he didn’t get his brain elsewhere, and fast, he’d end up embarrassing himself.
When he looked back up, the guy was gone. Into the diner? Oh, hell. “Let’s go.” He picked up the pace, causing Charish to almost jog beside him—which made her breasts bounce, and damn, he really needed to focus.
When he burst into the diner and looked around, he saw the man wasn’t there after all. Violet had just left the dining room with a tub full of dirty dishes. A large group was in the process of getting their seats, another group leaving.
Everything was as it should be and finally he started to relax.
“What in the world was that about?” Charish asked.
“I thought I saw someone...” What could he say? It was private business and he wouldn’t break his father’s trust by speaking out of turn. “Never mind. It’s not important.”
“You’re sure everything is okay?”
“Yeah. But I have to get back on the clock now. Tomorrow, okay? I’ll call you when I’m on my way.”
She went on tiptoe to brush her mouth over his. “I’ll be ready, Colt.”
Damn, the way she said that with so much promise... Colt watched her walk away, her hips swaying, her expression content, and knew he was a goner. Good intentions only took a guy so far.
As Violet started back into the room, loudly humming, Colt stopped her. “Okay if I take two more minutes?”
“Sure, honey. Take ten if you need them.”
Violet called everyone “honey” or “sugar,” but he still liked it. No one had ever treated him with quite the same combination of respect, affection and familiarity.
He’d have told his dad by now that he not only adored Violet, he loved her, too. He wanted her in their lives. But his dad needed to make that decision on his own—while also knowing it would never be a problem for Colt.
Going through the diner and out to the prep area, Colt found his dad cleaning one grill while the last of the ribs sizzled on another. “Got a sec?”
Hogan looked up, saw his face and put everything else on hold. “What’s up?”
It had always been that way, Colt thought. His dad seemed to know his moods, always picking up on any trouble or worry, no matter how trivial it might be.
“How do you do that?”
“What’s that?” As usual, Hogan played down his concern so Colt wouldn’t feel pressured or put on the spot. He cleaned his hands on a towel, occasionally giving Colt a searching glance while he waited with extreme patience.
Colt felt a reluctant grin tug at his mouth. “You’re the best of dads. You know that, right?”
Taken aback, Hogan spiked up his brows. “What brought that on?”
“Just saying. You’re always telling me what a good son I am, right? Figured I’d return the compliment.”
Abashed, Hogan nodded. “Thank you.”
Moving on before that all got too serious, Colt said, “Anyway, I wanted you to know about something. Probably nothing. But I don’t know... It didn’t feel right.”
“Then we don’t want to dismiss it.”
Exactly Colt’s thoughts. He explained about the man and how he’d watched the diner.
“You’d know him again if you saw him?”
“Not sure. He wore reflective glasses and a Reds ball cap.”
“Hmm.” Hogan looked toward Nathan, caught his eye and with a lift of his chin called him over.
Colt wasn’t sure what to think. He didn’t want to make a big deal out of nothing, but he’d also rather look like an alarmist than have the guy be an actual threat.
After he’d heard everything, Nathan clapped Colt on the shoulder. “My rule is to never discount instinct. If it felt wrong to you, then it likely was. We don’t have much to go on, but can you guess age? Hair color? Height or weight? Anything like that?”
“Maybe a few inches shorter than Dad. Thin. Definitely older than me, but not old. Maybe your age. Somewhere in there.” He shrugged. “I’d say brown hair, but that’s just a guess. Mostly I looked into those reflective glasses. Oh, and he wore really baggy tan cargo pants.”
Suddenly Violet came out dragging Kristy in her wake. She almost stumbled over her own feet when she saw Nathan, Colt and Hogan in close conversation. Surprise quickly shifted to irritation.
Colt knew she thought she’d been excluded. She was such a take-charge woman she wouldn’t like being left out.
Hogan separated from them, taking a step closer to her. “Everything okay?”
“What’s going on here?”
Hogan said, “You first.”
“All right, fine. I wanted you to hear this yourself.” She pulled Kristy forward.
Obviously confused, Kristy looked around at everyone, shrugged and said, “I was putting trash bags in the Dumpster around back by the stairs, and someone came by to ask about Brooklin. At least, I think it was Brooklin. The way he described her, especially her eyes, and saying she was new to town... What?”
Colt watched in awe as Nathan banked the fury, as his dad calmed his expression.
Something was happening. He felt it. Instinct, Nathan said. Was it the same guy?
“When was this?” Nathan asked.
“Just a few minutes ago. I thought you and Brooklin were gone. I told him to check back here but he said he already had and he couldn’t find you.”
Hogan said, “Can you describe him?”
Kristy rolled a shoulder. “He wore a hat and sunglasses...” She frowned and said again, more strident this time, “What?”
Violet quickly spoke up. “There’s a guy who’s been hanging around pestering the ladies. If you see him again, get away from him, okay? And then let me know.”
“Or better still,” Hogan said, “tell me.”
Violet pinned him with a look of umbrage.
Colt, not wanting them to clash, asked Kristy, “Was he wearing cargo pants?”
“I think so. Honestly, we’re so busy right now I wasn’t paying that much attention.”
“What exactly did he say to you?”
She smiled at Colt, liking his calm and easy tone more than the tempered tones of Nathan and Hogan.
“He said he was a friend of hers, knew she was new to town and wanted to hook up with her again. He described her and asked if I knew where she lived. I told him Clearbrook wasn’t that large, but that I wasn’t sure. Anyway, I told him to talk to the sheriff.” Her expression turned sly. “I figured Nathan would know where she lived.”
Ignoring that, Nathan asked, “He was on foot?”
“Far as I know.”
“Anything else?” Hogan asked.
She shook her head. “Why so much interest? The guy didn’t seem dangerous. I thought he had a nice smile.”
Violet stepped in. “No, he’s probably not dangerous at all. But it’s a little creepy how he keeps approaching all the women. Like I said, steer clear of him, okay?”
“Sure, no problem.”
“And from now on,” Colt said, “I’ll be the one to take out the garbage.”
Soon as Kristy went back to work, Violet said, “All right, tell me quick. It’s slowed down some, but Kristy can’t handle it on her own.”
“I’ll go,” Colt offered, but Hogan shook his head.
“I want you to describe the guy to Brooklin.” Then to Violet, he explained what had happened.
Her horrified gaze shot to Colt. Voice a bit shrill, she said, “I want you to stay away from him, too. You understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Don’t you ‘yes, ma’am’ me, Colt Guthrie. You’re all agreeable because you plan to do just as you please.”
He said, “Uh...”
“I want your promise.”
Colt was stuck. He didn’t like seeing Violet upset, but no way could he make that promise, not if the guy might bother Kristy or Violet. He glanced over at Brooklin and included her in his thoughts. He couldn’t let some jerk bother any woman. “I, ah...”
Hogan handled the issue, putting his arm around Violet and steering her away. “I’ll talk to my son, okay?”
She didn’t want to—anyone could see that—but Violet gave in. “Fine.”
“Now I need Colt to describe the guy to Brooklin.”
“I would love to be in on this conversation, but I really do have to go.” She pointed at Hogan. “You won’t keep anything from me.”
He grinned at her, said, “Yes, ma’am,” then pulled her in for a lingering kiss before she could blast him.
Colt loved the look in his dad’s eyes, as well as the surprise on Violet’s. She glanced at Colt and blushed, then hustled in.
“Nicely played, Dad,” Colt said, giving his approval. “You’ve got her confused.”
Hogan nodded. “She’ll figure it out soon enough.”
She would, huh? Colt figured things were moving right along, with all the pieces falling into place.
There was only one exception.
When they all turned to Brooklin, they found her watching like a deer in the headlights. She knew something was happening.
Colt sympathized with her as Nathan fetched her over.
Tense with uneasiness, she asked, “What’s happened?”
Nathan put his arm around her. “Someone asked about you. I want to know if you recognize the guy at all.”
Colt gave the description again, watching Brooklin closely as he did so. He saw the fear disappear and a look of relief take its place.
“Well,” she said, leaning into Nathan, “I don’t think that’s a tragedy at all. In fact, the guy you described could be Russell.”
“Russell?” Nathan asked.
“My ex-fiancé. Remember, I told you he was a teacher with me?”
If Nathan had looked pissed before, it was nothing like the thundercloud that surrounded him now. “Your ex-fiancé? Here?”
She shrugged. “Could be. I’ve never seen Russell in a ball hat or cargoes. But the height sounds right, and he was always slim.”
“We’ll hang around a little longer,” Nathan decided with grim anticipation, “just in case he comes back.” Not fooling anyone, he fashioned a mean smile and said, “I’d like to meet him.”
The show of jealousy amused Colt, but he coughed it away so he wouldn’t offend the sheriff further. “I better get in there now. I can tell Violet what’s happening if you want. That way you can finish up out here.”
Hogan agreed, but said, “If you see him, Colt, let me know.”
“I will.” He grinned at his dad. “And I’ll do what I can to keep Violet away from him.”