Page 27 of Chasing Kaylee Kringle

“And you have no one else?” she whispered, her head dropped in defeat, and against his better judgment, he wanted to wrap her in his arms. To hold her and tell her that he was sorry that this all fell on her, but that would give her power over him. Make her think that she could manipulate him. But there was nothing more important than completing the mission. Once Ansel and his gang were behind bars, Rick could move on. He could take a different case, maybe something in white-collar crime, which was what he wanted to do. Rick didn’t want to spend his career surrounded by violence and traumatized victims. Eventually, he wanted a cozy desk job that would allow him to get home at a decent hour, perhaps with a wife and a couple of kids waiting for him. A chance to decorate a Christmas tree with his family.

“No. You’re my only card to play, Kaylee.”

She pushed against him, and Rick let her, taking a step back.

“I’m not a part of whatever game you’re playing,” she argued, her voice raw with emotion. “I was a college student. I’m in my twenties and supposed to be having fun, not waking up terrified every morning.”

“I’m sorry for that.”

Kaylee spun away, straining on tiptoes to grab a mug hanging in an open cupboard. She managed to snatch it, and she picked up the pot and poured the black coffee into the cup, the rich aroma making his mouth water. While she opened the fridge, he snatched a cup and poured himself some coffee. Kaylee shut the refrigerator door, holding a container of creamer in her hand, and glared at him.

“Help yourself.”

“Thank you. You’re such a kind and generous hostess,” he said, taking a drink from his mug. She snorted, and he had to bite back a grin. “So, what are your plans today?”

“I’m going to work, if I still have a job, and then I am going with some friends to the Potato Lights Spectacular tonight.”

Rick stopped his cup halfway to his mouth, quirking a brow. “Come again?”

Kaylee sighed. “Yes, in Idaho, we have strange traditions. Instead of a Christmas tree, we light a giant decorated potato. Then we grab a potato with wires from the square and stick a light in it. Think candlelight but with potatoes.”

“I thought I’d misheard your boyfriend and the mayor last night.” He took a pull of his coffee, smirking at her over the rim of his cup. “I will have to see it for myself.”

Kaylee pretended to be unbothered, but he noticed the telltale tightening of her jaw. “Suit yourself, but you are going to need to find a hotel, because last night was the end of you sleeping on my couch. I have a life, and I don’t want you encroaching on it.”

“Are you saying you want to have a guest over?” Rick hated the dark, jealous edge in his voice. He’d experienced the same rush of annoyance last night when the delivery driver was asking her out. What was wrong with him?

“No, I’m not expecting a guest, but I also don’t need anyone speculating about the two of us.”

“Speculating on whether or not we’ve slept together?”

“Yes,” she said.

Rick took a long sip from his mug before smirking. “They already know we haven’t.”

“And why is that?”

“Because if we’d slept together, you wouldn’t wanna kick me out.”

Kaylee grabbed a roll of paper towels, launching them at him, and he easily ducked without spilling his coffee.

“You’re an arrogant louse!”

His smile faded. “Maybe, Kaylee, but I’m also a stubborn son of a bitch and used to getting what I want. I’ve waited years to get you to come back to California with me. What’s a few more days?”

Chapter Fourteen

Kaylee

Shit,” Kaylee cursed when she missed the cup completely and poured scalding hot milk across her hand. She glanced up and caught Dana and Gill watching her, one concerned and the other curious. Although Kaylee knew they both had questions, the place had been hopping since the moment the doors opened, and none of them had time to breathe, let alone have a full-blown conversation. Tonight was the Potato Lights Spectacular in the town square, and more people were showing up by the droves to see it. Like the New Year’s Eve Idaho Potato Drop in Boise, this tradition of using potatoes instead of candles to power Christmas lights, and of turning on a decorated potato instead of a tree, was quintessentially Idaho, and people loved it. That was why the TV series Small Town USA chose Holiday.

And if they hadn’t, I wouldn’t be dealing with an unwanted couch crasher.

“You all right, Kaylee?” Cal asked, his face ruddy from the cold outside. The temperature had been dropping slowly over the last few weeks, but they still hadn’t had any snow yet. She hoped the weather held in case she needed to skip town.

“Yeah, Cal, just clumsy this morning.”

“Are you sure? That burn looks bad.”