LITMIR.BIZ

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night she thought things were changing between them. She’d changed clothes and he’d changed locations. Think of something calming.

      So maybe a nonconfrontational approach to his release was a better idea. She’d send word to release Jesse with the shift change, leave instructions to take him to his rental car and give him directions to her house. She’d apologize first thing.

      Privately apologize for not listening more carefully about the possible assassin. But for sticking him in jail...never. He deserved that. When the yelling began, they’d be in the privacy of her home. Then they could work out a plan to catch whoever the Tenorenos had hired.

      Yes, she believed him. Now that she was calm and could reason without his Texas-size smile in her face. But she wouldn’t leave her job. Nope. She had responsibilities. Dan was counting on her to keep things under control while he was gone. She couldn’t pick up and run every time someone threatened her brother.

      Or threatened her pride.

      Logically, that meant releasing Jesse and getting started immediately on whatever he’d come to do. They shouldn’t wait for morning. She should face him and get everything done.

      “Julie, can you get Tosh and Tolbert Jennings out here to go pick up a car on 287?” She dug in her pocket and placed the rental keys on the counter. “Have them leave the car here and leave you the invoice and keys. I’ll pay for it.”

      “Sure thing.” Julie raised a finger, paused in thought. “The county usually tows, but you know that, so this must be different.”

      “Yeah. There’s one person who gets under my skin and, well...he did. Let Martha know when it’s back, please.”

      “I can do that.”

      Avery walked back to her truck, changed her mind and went inside the county jail. “No loud banging. That’s a good sign.”

      Martha tossed her head back, looking up from her paperwork. “At the moment. That is one angry gent in there. Keeps ranting that you’re in danger. You back to process him?”

      “Yeah, about that.” Her choice was a private conversation. It didn’t mean she was a coward. Facing Jesse and exposing their complicated past just wasn’t an option. “The Jennings boys are going to bring his car here. Julie will call when it’s back. Do you mind letting him out?”

      Martha closed her eyes and shook her head. “Well, it won’t be the first and I doubt it’s the last. Should I direct him to the nearest motel or tell him they’re all full?”

      “I’m sure he has my address. You could tell him I should be there. If he asks.” Tapping the counter, she was hesitant to place Jesse’s wrath on Martha’s shoulders. Private or not, it was definitely the cowardly way out. “Thanks. I owe you.”

      “Two margaritas at Consuelo’s. There’s no doubt in my mind that this man is a handful. He’s really a Texas Ranger?”

      Avery nodded. “My brother’s partner and best friend. He’s also the guy who grew up next door to me and felt that it was his job to persecute me until the day I left for college. Oh, wait...it didn’t stop, because we all went to Baylor. My social life was horrible with not one, but two, men claiming to be my brother.”

      “Whew. I don’t know what went wrong out there tonight, but I’m glad I’m not hanging around you when he gets out.” Martha laughed. “Really, really glad.”

      “Yeah. I better get going. Lots to do before the big confrontation.”

      “I have faith in you, Avery. And, hon?”

      Confidence wasn’t one of the feelings overwhelming her at the moment. “Yes, ma’am?”

      “I trust that you’ll let the rest of us help you with whatever is going on as soon as you can. And you might consider calling Dan—even if he is on vacation. He won’t like it that you’re in danger and kept him out of the loop.”

      “Sure thing. As soon as I know what’s what.” She stepped onto the covered porch just outside the door, noticing the Jennings truck across the street.

      Trying not to be obvious, she looked without moving her head. Nothing was moving accept Tosh’s dog. He barked a couple of times at her until she closed the door to her truck and sat inside. Tosh waved at her as he came out of the county building.

      A couple of cars were heading north on the business route through town. Other than that, nothing was moving besides a southwest breeze.

      It wouldn’t take long for them to bring back Jesse’s rental. She needed to check the videotape. Whether the man had hidden his face or not would determine how she moved forward.

      She had about an hour before Jesse would be waiting on her porch, waiting for answers. And an apology.

      * * *

      JESSE KNEW AVERY almost as well as he knew himself...maybe better. Predictable, a woman with efficient routines that worked, and a woman who did not like him at the moment.

      Moment? It would be days. Months that might add up to the rest of his life. The reaction to him on the highway proved she wouldn’t work with him. Now or in the future. Walking out on her that night without an explanation was a relationship destroyer. There was no coming back from something like that. He’d known it before he’d seen her cry the next day.

      He’d messed up. Hell...she’d left him in jail.

      An hour alone, behind bars, was plenty of time to think himself into every possible corner. Or not think his way out of any. Major Parker needed information from him to find whoever said the county sheriff had been notified of this threat. They should know who had screwed up or been bought off by the Tenoreno family.

      He had to convince Avery’s coworkers that she was in danger and to let him go. So far they’d left him alone. He wanted to see a confident, satisfied Avery waltz through and tease him. He’d imagined her barely speaking to him. Maybe making him beg to be released. Or putting her hands on her hips while stating dramatically to get out of town.

      Okay, that was a little on the Clint Eastwood side. She’d try to tell him she could take care of herself. He knew that much and had his argument ready.

      The door at the end of the hall opened, and a young deputy with a couple of bottles of water in one hand and cell keys in the other approached him. He began reformulating his arguments.

      Jesse had studied a lot of people. When you were best friends with a man as outgoing as Garrison, you weren’t required to say much to fit in.

      Garrison thought of what to say faster and usually better. Jesse required time to think things through. Then react. Which, admittedly, he could have and should have done better when Avery pulled him over.

      The deputy’s body movements indicated he didn’t know if he could trust Jesse. He dangled freedom from one finger as if he wanted to be convinced, then dropped the keys in his pocket.

      “Mind telling me who you are?” the deputy asked, extending a water bottle through the bars. “No one logged you into the system.”

      “Lieutenant Jesse Ryder, Texas Rangers. My ID’s in that duffel you’re holding, unless Avery took it with her.” He gulped the water, letting it cool not only his parched throat but his temper. “And you?”

      “Deputy Bo Jackson. Why are you here?”

      “Where’s Avery?”

      “Good question.” He shifted his weight to his other foot, attempting to look casual. He didn’t succeed. “We’re hoping you could tell us if she’s not coming back here because of you. Or if you’re here because something’s up with that thing her brother’s involved in.”

      Jesse’s heart rate sped out of control. He lost his grip on the plastic, then watched the bottle bounce and roll, spilling cold water across the old tile. He has her. His gut and mind were in sync. Snake Eyes has her already. “Get me out of here.

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