LITMIR.BIZ

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have plans tonight?” The annoyance in his tone was unmistakable.

      What didn’t he like? The fact that she had to go out and he’d have to go with her or that it was Lacy she was going to see? “We’re going to a seminar.”

      “You just went to a seminar.”

      Clearly, he didn’t approve of them. “When I called to tell her I couldn’t stop by today, she asked if I’d go with her tonight.”

      After a lengthy pause, he said, “Be careful who you befriend at those.”

      His warning made her search his eyes to see if he was serious. He was. “Do you mean Lacy?” She laughed a little. Lacy was the friendliest person she’d ever met.

      “Haven’t you noticed anything odd about the community center?” He turned to face her full-on.

      “No. It’s modern and beautiful and it serves a wonderful purpose.”

      “Yeah, yeah. Samuel is a godsend. What would Cold Plains do without him?”

      “Why don’t you like Samuel?”

      “I don’t like what he’s doing to this town.” He sounded disgusted.

      She angled her head in question. Why did he think there was something wrong about Cold Plains? “Who wouldn’t want to live here?” This was paradise compared to where she’d come from.

      He leaned against a post supporting her covered patio. “It wasn’t always this way.”

      “What way? Perfect? Idyllic? Safe?” At least it had been up until Jed showed up.

      “This town was full of crime and cowboys before investors came and turned it into a tourist attraction.”

      He didn’t like that? “What’s wrong with improving things?” Gemma asked.

      “Nothing.”

      She was pretty sure he thought there was something wrong with it. Why was he a cop here if he hated it so much? “You’d rather have it full of crime?”

      “No.”

      “Then …?”

      He stared at her for a long time. “You’re new here.”

      What was that supposed to mean? Old-timers knew something she didn’t? She found that so hard to comprehend. Cold Plains was a haven for her.

      Straightening from the post, he walked with slow, sure strides to the patio door. “I’ll drive you and Lacy to the community center.”

      Following him into her house, she wondered if the reason he didn’t like talking about his family situation had anything to do with his opinion of Cold Plains. She sensed a strong connection between the two. Was he here to right a wrong? Or did he have some kind of vendetta against certain people? Against Samuel Grayson?

      Or Bo Fargo? She’d seen the way he’d looked at the man and it hadn’t been friendly. Ford didn’t respect the police chief. But why? He wouldn’t tell her if she asked. He’d already cut the conversation off.

      He led her out the front door and she locked it behind her, watching him scan the neighborhood with trained eyes. She wished he didn’t attract her so much. His mysteries kept mounting. And now he’d warned her to be careful who she befriended. Was he one of those she should steer clear of? Instinct told her no. Her heart was drawn to him for some reason. Then again, her heart had been drawn to Jed, too.

      She’d be careful all right. She’d be careful not to get too starry-eyed over Ford, police officer or not.

      Chapter 3

      Gemma entered Cold Plains Coffee as Ford held the door for her. Dismissing the gentlemanly gesture, she looked for Lacy. She couldn’t wait to go to tonight’s seminar, not for the content, rather, for the break it would give her from the constant temptation to let go of inhibitions.

      Rich wood blinds with swooping maroon drapes accented the western decor of Lacy’s shop. Buffalo-plaid-patterned chairs and sofas created nooks where patrons could gather. In the center, rugged wooden tables surrounded by cushioned chairs sat beneath exposed beams. The acoustics of the architecture kept the mixture of voices in the half-full space to a muted level.

      A middle-aged couple saw them and, after staring a bit, the woman leaned closer to the man and said something that made the man nod and look over again. An elderly woman with a floral sun visor sat at a table and smiled her approval. At first Gemma thought the older woman liked seeing a police officer in the shop, but then she stood in her baby-blue jogging suit and headed toward them, white tennis shoes bright and clean.

      “Anna,” Ford said flatly.

      “Ford,” Anna greeted, leaning toward him to plant a kiss on his cheek, Ford lowering his head to accommodate her. “I didn’t know you were coming here.”

      With an affectionate frown, Ford said, “I highly doubt that. What are you doing here, Anna?”

      She ignored him and turned to Gemma. “I’ve heard all about your trouble, dear. And I couldn’t be prouder of Ford for helping you.”

      “I’m very grateful for his protection,” Gemma said.

      “I told you, I’m working,” Ford said.

      “That’s what you always say. This, however, is different. You call living with a woman working?” Anna gave Gemma a close and deliberate inspection. “A pretty one, too.”

      “I’m not living with her. I’m staying with her for a while. For her protection. I’m a police officer.”

      “And a good one, too.”

      “Why did you come here? And tell me the truth.”

      Anna smiled and gave the air in front of her body a sweep with her hands. “I went for a jog. You know I always jog in the evening.”

      Ford chuckled, a deep, affectionate sound. “So, you decided to stop in for coffee? After a jog?”

      “No harm in that.” Her eyes twinkled with delight.

      “You never drink coffee at night. Especially when you jog, Anna.”

      Anna laughed, the aged sound adorable. The love between them was obvious. She could do no wrong in Ford’s eyes. The woman had to be in her seventies and had the energy of a woman twenty years younger. Athletic and thin and nowhere near frail, she was an inspiration.

      “I came here to see her for myself.”

      The entire exchange touched Gemma, and also revealed a side to Ford she didn’t think emerged often. The soft light in his eyes, the soft light of love.

      “Anna …?” Ford warned in a teasing way.

      “Do you think I’d pass up a chance to meet your new girl? I knew you wouldn’t tell me about her and I couldn’t wait.”

      “She isn’t my girl.”

      “No, but you desperately need one.” She patted his muscular bicep.

      His affection disappeared behind a lowered brow and intensifying eyes. Even with the one person he loved like a mother, he still kept his boundaries firmly in place. Whatever haunted him, it was significant.

      “Why don’t you bring her by the house this weekend? I’ll make us something special for the Fourth of July. You can grill some ribs. Your favorite. I don’t feel like attending the fireworks this year. It’s changed so much …”

      “Anna …” Ford cautioned again. “I told you, I’m working.”

      “Oh, all right, then when you’re finished working, bring her by the house. When will that be? Is August enough lead time?”

      Ford sighed. “Anna …?”

      Lighthearted

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