She couldn’t help the surprised chuckle that burbled up. “I’m not interested in you, Huck. Believe me. We’re clear.” She tripped but made it out the door, shutting it and running through the snow to Kate’s bug. “Thanks for picking me up,” she breathed once inside and buckled up. Then she frowned. “You need a winter car.”
Kate pulled out of the wide driveway. “I know. Funds are tight.” She glanced at Laurel’s face. “That’s quite the bruise.”
“Car accident. Well, not an accident. Whoever shot at me is still out there, so we all need to be careful until I find the guy.” She liked that Kate didn’t ask questions about Huck.
“So, you and the quiet mountain man?” Kate asked. So much for not asking.
“No,” Laurel said.
Kate slowed down when the car started to slide. “Oh.”
Laurel shifted on the cold leather seat. She’d never trusted people, and she’d missed out on the teenaged skill of girl talk. Perhaps it was time to change that. “We had sex.”
Kate coughed. “Oh. Um, was it good?”
“Beyond good. It was phenomenal.” Laurel sighed. “I’m not looking for a romance, but it still hurt this morning when he said it was a one-off.”
Kate jolted and turned her head, her eyes wide. “He said that? Actually said that it was a one-off?”
Laurel nodded.
“What a . . . dick,” Kate exclaimed.
Laurel laughed. That statement alone made her feel better about the entire situation. “I thought so. It was rude, right?”
“Rude and dickish. Honest, but he could’ve been nicer about it.” Kate turned down the long driveway to Laurel’s mother’s house. “I have to tell you, preparing my three girls for the real world and how rotten people can be is a full-time job. Of course, their father already taught them that lesson.”
Laurel winced. “Does he see them often?”
“When he can take time away from his bimbo,” Kate said, shaking her head. “The state makes him pay child support, or he wouldn’t even do that.” She slowed near the front porch. “Laurel? Is there any chance this job will be permanent? I saw the benefits package for an FBI full-time employee last night while looking through the contract for my temporary position.”
Laurel’s heart ached for the woman. “I don’t think so. Well, maybe? My boss mentioned that the FBI was looking to create a unit out of Seattle to deal with violent crimes. If that actually happens, I’ll definitely recommend you to whoever creates it.”
“That person won’t be you?”
“No,” Laurel said. “I’m better as a consultant.”
Kate parked the car. “Not a team player, huh?”
Laurel opened her door. “I wouldn’t know how to be one.” She smiled and caught sight of one of Uncle Blake’s farm trucks near the garage. How sweet. He had brought her another vehicle to drive after she’d crashed the SUV? She definitely owed him. “Thanks again, and I’ll see you at the office in about an hour.”
The skies opened up and pelted hail at her. What else could go wrong this morning?
* * *
Deidre Snow huddled in the corner of her kitchen, her butt on the chilly wood floor and her head against a cupboard. One she’d lovingly painted a cheerful yellow color years ago. Kitchens should be cheerful.
Life should be cheerful.
The storm railed outside, and ice slashed against her windows. Trying to get in. Just like her imaginary boogeyman. She could swear somebody had been watching her house the last couple of nights. Oh, she hadn’t seen anybody, but the nagging worry hung over her head. Was she imagining things again?
She clutched the keys to her truck in her hand, as she’d done all night, but she couldn’t bring herself to go to the garage and get inside it. All. Night. Her baby was in danger with a mountain man who didn’t like people, and she didn’t have the guts to go rescue her.
The sob that came from her chest was an embarrassment.
Shewas an embarrassment.
Oh, the town saw her as an eccentric but successful businesswoman who wore flowery dresses and dangly jewelry, but it was a facade. She didn’t know a thing about business. Laurel had set up the tea operation, and she’d only been a teenager at the time. All Deidre did was what Laurel had taught her. The business had nothing to do with her true gifts.
