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I turned slowly, bringing us face-to-face.

The darkness hid part of her expression, but I could see her eyes.

The girl I remembered had been fearless when arguing with teachers, coaches, and anyone else who told her she couldn’t do something. But she’d been nervous the first time I reached for her hand.

So had I.

This Judy carried a weapon and chased murderers.

But when she realized how close we were standing, I saw the same uncertainty.

I lowered my voice. “You were worried about me.”

“I was trying to keep you from contaminating the trail.”

“That isn’t what it felt like.”

Her hand loosened but didn’t release my shirt. “What did it feel like?”

“You don’t want me to answer that here.”

Heat flashed in her eyes.

I wanted to kiss her.

The thought hit me so hard it stole my breath.

Not the awkward kiss we’d shared as teenagers. I wanted to put my hands around her waist, pull her against me, and find out whether she had been thinking about this as much as I had.

Max barked once.

Judy jumped back.

“Right,” she whispered. “Serial killer.”

“Worst timing in Texas.”

She gave me a look, but her cheeks were flushed.

Wolf and Havoc moved through the trees toward us.

“What did you find?” Wolf asked.

I pointed toward the cigarette. “He watched through the office window. Max has his trail.”

Wolf studied my face, then Judy’s.

His mouth twitched.

“Not one word,” I warned him.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You were going to.”

“I was thinking it.”

“That’s worse.”