“Where was it coming from?” Rawley sharpened his tone like a blade.
The man shook his head, eyes darting toward the shadows at the edge of the lot. “Not until I have some sort of deal.”
“Everybody wants a fucking deal,” Rawley muttered, glancing at the face of his watch. “It’s late. I’m heading home. If you’re serious about this, come see me tomorrow. Third floor.”
“Where on the third floor?” The man’s shoulders sagged with relief.
“As soon as you step off the elevator, the door is right in front of you.” He removed his hand from his holster.
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Rawley nodded, waited until the man disappeared, then got inside his truck. He started it, pressed the heated seats button and sighed when it warmed him.
Chapter Fifteen
Skylar stared at the ornate clock on the mantle, as she waited for Rawley to arrive. Every creak in the house made her pulse quicken. She nearly launched herself off the sofa when the rumble of an engine approached, then exhaled a shaky breath when she recognized the familiar growl of Rawley’s Silverado.
She walked across the hardwood floor to the door, pressing her nose against the frosted glass pane to see him stepping from his truck, his broad shoulders hunched against the biting wind. Her heart fluttered like a trapped bird. He yanked open the back door, leaned in, then stepped back as the two dogs jumped out, their coats gleaming. She couldn’t help but laugh as they raced to the door, their tails whipping back and forth with hurricane force.
Skylar swung open the door just as Rawley strode up the flagstone walk, his duffel bag slung over one shoulder, probably stuffed with shirts, jeans and that sandalwood aftershave that made her dizzy.
“Hi,” she said, her stomach plummeting when he flashed a grin that crinkled the corners of his dark eyes.Oh, Skylar Jane McCoy, you are drowning in those eyes, she reminded herself for the hundredth time.
He stepped onto the porch as the dogs circled her legs, their cold wet noses investigating her wool socks.
“Hi, baby,” he murmured, his voice like warm honey as he pressed his lips against hers.
“Come inside before you freeze,” she whispered against his mouth, tasting coffee and mint.
“Thanks. Come on, guys.”
Once inside the warmth of the living room, Rawley watched as the dogs’ nails clicked frantically across the floor until they spotted Cosmo, who arched his back and leapt from his perchon the window seat. They tore after the cat in a blur of black and white fur, nearly knocking over a side table in their pursuit. Skylar laughed as she watched them.
“At least they’re getting along,” she said, watching Cosmo dart under the sofa with ease.
“I’m going to check those plaster casts. I’ll be right back.”
“Alright.”
“Lock the door behind me.”
“Okay.”
“I won’t be long.”
She nodded, her golden hair catching the lamplight, and he walked outside into the crisp night air.
****
Rawley waited until he heard the click of the deadbolt. The snow crunched beneath his boots as he opened the back door on his truck to remove cardboard boxes for the casts, then made his way to them using his flashlight to cut through the inky darkness. Moonlight filtered through the pine trees, casting long shadows across the clearing. He was relieved to see the plaster casts were undisturbed, their detailed impressions perfect. He squatted down, carefully removed them from the soft earth, wrapped them in paper, and placed them inside the boxes with steady hands. After securing them in his truck, he trudged back to the porch. He lightly tapped his knuckles against the door; it opened and he stepped inside to the welcoming warmth. The dogs scrambled toward him, toenails clicking frantically on the hardwood floor as if he’d been gone for hours. He removed his hat and sheepskin coat, then hung them on the antique coat rack by the door.
“I love your coat. It’s what I always have my characters wear.” She smiled at him, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
“It keeps you warm in these Montana winters for sure. Do you happen to have decaf coffee?”
“I do. I’ll make you a cup.”
“Thanks, Skylar,” he said quietly as he stared into her blue eyes.
