LITMIR.BIZ

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pounced. “Coffee and Ellie’s rolls. You’re a handy man to have around, Joe.”

      He grinned. “Not many can resist Ellie’s goodies.”

      “And you exploit that weakness to get you off the hook for breaking and entering, hmm?” She bit into a sugary cinnamon bun, closed her eyes, and moaned. “Heaven.”

      Joe swallowed hard. A fleck of powdered sugar clung to the gloss on her bottom lip. Mesmerized, he dragged his gaze away from that temptation.

      “It wasn’t breaking and entering. The door was unlocked, remember?”

      “So you say.” She took another bite. “I thought Rosa was a great cook. I’d forgotten about Ellie’s delights.”

      “Rosa?”

      “The cook on the ranch where I live.”

      Joe realized there was a lot he didn’t know about Penny. “You live on a ranch?”

      “Yes. And I love it.”

      “Enough to give up being a secret agent?”

      She frowned at the odd question. “Don’t need to. The ranch is my home and my home base.”

      He had no idea what possessed him to ask such a question in the first place. And though he truly wanted her to tell him more, her evasive tone and look told him today wouldn’t be the day.

      Evidently, his interrogating skills were getting rusty. Then again, Penny Archer hadn’t committed a crime. He had no reason to interrogate her.

      Except for his own personal enlightment.

      “So, other than taking your life in your hands, what are you doing here?” she asked.

      “Bringing you coffee and rolls…and boxes.”

      “Oh. Thank you.” She looked around the kitchen.

      “There’s a lot to sift through. I’m not looking forward to it.”

      He moved closer, touched her smooth cheek, could practically feel her battling to stand her ground, to keep from flinching and stepping back.

      She didn’t trust him. That was clearly evident.

      “Can I help?” Speed up the process that’ll take you out of my life again?

      She shrugged, rubbed a palm against the thigh of her jeans and stepped around him. She did it smoothly, nonchalantly. He knew she wasn’t as composed as she wanted to appear.

      “I imagine it’ll just be tedious stuff. And between keeping the peace in town and tending to cattle or whatever on your ranch, I can’t picture you having a whole lot of spare time.”

      “I have competent officers in town and a foreman and full crew on the ranch. I wouldn’t mind spending time with you, Penny. Catching up.”

      “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, Joe—”

      “Yoo-hoo! Anybody home?”

      Penny smiled, felt her insides go all fluttery. She knew that voice. Georgia Truman. One of the honorary aunts from across the street. Wanetta couldn’t be far behind.

      “Aunt Georgia,” Penny said, meeting the women in the front hall where they’d already let themselves in the house. “And Aunt Wanetta. It’s so good to see you.” She hugged each woman.

      “Land sakes, let’s have a look at you,” Georgia said, holding Penny at arm’s length. “Look, Wanetta. Our girl’s all grown up and she’s got muscles. Didn’t I tell you that job of hers was demanding?”

      “Yes, you did, Georgia,” Wanetta said, adjusting the netted hat she wore that had been knocked askew when Penny had hugged her.

      “We saw Chief Colter’s car out front and thought we ought to get over and make sure you’re not having troubles.”

      “No, nothing like that. He brought coffee and some of Ellie’s rolls.”

      “Ah, yes, you poor dear. Of course you don’t have proper food and supplies in the house. Agnes would have ousted us from the bridge club if she’d known we waited so long to be hospitable like this.”

      “You’re forgiven. I just got in last night. And it was very late.” Penny smiled, feeling a little overwhelmed. She wasn’t prepared for the emotions that took over at the familiar sight of the women she’d always wished were kin rather than mere neighbors.

      Just as she wasn’t prepared for her emotions over Joe.

      It really would be in her best interest to get out of town as quickly as possible. But in the light of day, getting a good look at her surroundings, she realized how much her grandmother had let the house run down. It would take some fixing up to get it in shape to sell.

      “Oh, Netta and I heard you come in. But we saw Joe’s car then, too.” She paused just a beat. “We didn’t want to come over in our nightclothes with a man present and all. What I meant was we shouldn’t have waited so long this morning.”

      “If you’d been earlier, you would have caught me in my nightclothes.”

      “And very nice ones at that,” Joe commented softly.

      Georgia and Wanetta exchanged a pleased look and Penny glared at Joe. “Don’t you have work to do? Criminals to catch?”

      “Darlin’, your window breaking is the most exciting criminal-type activity that has happened around here in a while.” He winked. “But you’re right. I am due to clock in.”

      “Someone broke your window?” Wanetta asked.

      “I did. I forgot Grandmother’s key.”

      “Oh, what a pity. Although we couldn’t have been much help to you there. We gave Agnes a spare set of keys to our house, but she never would reciprocate. Wanetta and I figured you’d probably written her some telling letters, and she felt concerned she might compromise our government’s secrets if some old snoop read the wrong correspondence.”

      “Not that she ever came right out and called Georgia or me a snoop,” Wanetta added, the netting on her hat bobbing like a wiry feather duster.

      “I’m sure she didn’t.” But Penny was feeling sick to her stomach, now. She hadn’t written lengthy letters to her grandmother. Oh, she’d sent Christmas, birthday, and various holiday cards, added a few lines of personal tidbits. Out of courtesy and duty. Out of guilt.

      But Agnes had never reciprocated. And the few times Penny had called, suggested a visit, Agnes had discouraged it.

      So why had her grandmother obviously bragged? Why had she led the neighbors and townspeople to believe their relationship was a loving, confiding one?

      It was like the behavior of someone whose relative was a social misfit. Lie, brag and pretend to outsiders lest they find out that person’s offspring isn’t quite up to snuff.

      Like they’d all done with Penny’s mother.

      Was that it? Did Agnes fear Penny would end up like Jeanice Archer? Had she been insulating herself against potential shame?

      “Oh, dear,” Georgia said. “We’ve made you sad. Agnes was a strange old bird, but she was your grandmother and I’m sure you miss her.”

      “Yes.” Startled, Penny looked back when Joe moved next to her, placed a palm on her shoulder and squeezed.

      She wished he’d keep his distance. And that he wouldn’t touch her. It would be all over town before lunch that she and Joe had a thing going.

      A rumor spread innocently. Not maliciously. But still too close to the past for comfort. The sisters would mention Joe and Penny’s name in the same breath and the gossip mill would take it from there.

      She moved out of his reach. “Thank you for bringing

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