It took them only moments to settle in on the sofa. Several lanterns were lit because the board on the window kept the sunlight from coming in.
He sat close enough to her that she could feel the body heat wafting from him, she could smell the scent that stirred her and created that crazy pool of warmth deep inside her.
She wasn’t sure what it was about the handsome lawman, but something about him made her feel especially feminine and pretty. Maybe he would be the first man she’d take as a lover…no strings attached. It would just be a hook-up without commitment.
She chided herself, wondering where that thought had come from. It was crazy. She didn’t really know him at all, and in any case her heart was still broken from her experience with Jason Webber. It was forever broken and she wasn’t the least bit interested in having any kind of a romantic relationship.
“How did you spend your day?” he asked.
“I worked for most of the afternoon,” she replied.
He gazed at her with obvious curiosity. “What do you do for work?”
“I’m a medical transcriber. Among other things, I deal with insurance and collections, but that’s certainly not my real passion,” she said.
“Then what’s your real passion?”
“Doing a lot of the work my mother did, only I want to open a storefront in town and sell some of the natural remedies that come from the swamp,” she replied.
“So, you want to become the next voodoo queen?” he asked with a teasing sparkle in his eyes.
She laughed. “Not hardly, and despite what some people think, my mother wasn’t a voodoo queen, although I’ll admit she sometimes liked to play the part. Really, she just wanted to help people.”
“I’ve spoken to several people in town and in the swamp who have spoken very highly of your mother and the help they received from her.”
“That’s nice to hear. Anyway, that’s my goal. The medical transcribing is just a means to an end.”
“How long before you get that storefront?”
“I’m hoping within the next couple of weeks or so,” she replied. “People don’t realize how healing some of the plants and flowers from the swamp can be.”
She leaned forward as she continued, “For instance black willow bark is an anti-inflammatory and can help treat arthritis and gout, among other things. The stems and leaves of jewelweed are used to relieve itching and pain from hives and poison ivy. Several parts of the groundsel bush help treat fever and congestion and chills.”
She sat back, realizing she had gone off on a tangent of sorts. “I’m so sorry, I must be boring you to death.”
“Not at all,” he said. “Actually, I find it all quite fascinating.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Are you lying to me, Chief LeCroix?”
He laughed, the low deep sound pleasant to her ears. “No. I don’t lie. I might have my flaws, but lying isn’t one of them. My officers will tell you I’m always brutally honest.”
“All men lie,” she replied as a small shaft of pain stabbed through her. Certainly Jason had lied to her. He’d lied every time he’d told her that he loved her. He’d lied to her every time he encouraged her with their talks of a wonderful future together.
“If you really believe that, then it’s a damned shame,” he replied soberly. “Now, unfortunately I had to speak with your sisters today. I needed to get their take on who might have attacked you.”
“What did you learn from them?”
“Damn little,” he replied. “Neither one of them could think of anyone who might want to attack you. Have you had any more thoughts about it?”
“I’ve thought about it all day long, but I still can’t think of anyone who would want me dead.” A sudden shiver walked up her spine as she thought about the attack that had happened. Thank God she had awakened when she had. If she hadn’t, there was no question in her mind that she would be dead. She touched one of the bandages on her arm.
“Do they hurt?” he asked softly.
“A little,” she admitted.
“Maybe we should have called the doctor for some pain meds for you,” he said.
“I wouldn’t have taken them. I’ll be fine. They’re going to hurt for a little while, but eventually they’ll heal up just fine,” she replied.
