Page 208 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

He saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”

Maddox ate until he thought his stomach would pop. “That was fantastic.”

“Really?” Her eyes filled with cautious hope.

“Really. Some of the lightest biscuits I’ve ever had.”

Her lips curved with pleasure as she sat back in her seat. “Thank you.”

A current of desire buzzed through Maddox. Everything he’d ever wanted was sitting right there in front of him. All he had to do was stand up and pull Addie into his arms. Well, he could go that route … if he were a glutton for punishment. In two-seconds flat, Addie would slap him—no punch him—and order him out of her house. Then she’d be left alone to face this threat. He decided then and there that someone upstairs must have a sense of humor. Otherwise, why in the heck would he be inthis situation? He’d better school his feelings before he made a complete idiot of himself. “Despite all the turmoil … it was good to see you singing this morning.”

Color seeped into her cheeks as she gave him a nervous laugh. “I was feeling pretty down this morning when I first got up. Singing helped take my mind off everything.” She hugged her arms, her eyes turning to dark pools of green. “Too much alone time’s not good. I start thinking about everything.” Her voice faltered. “Jordan’s death. How Piper’s now a widow. My almost kidnapping.” She shook her head, her features tightening. “The crazy part is that we still don’t have any answers.”

He rubbed his jaw, mentally running through the plan. “I should hear back from Sutton today. Hopefully, he’ll be able to shed some light on the kidnapper, find out why he targeted you and if he’s the one who killed Jordan.”

“Yes,” she said despondently, “and I hope Piper will be able to tell us what was going on with Jordan.”

He gave her a meaningful look. “Including why Jordan met with a divorce attorney.” It took half a second for the air between them to grow tense. “We have to press Piper on the state of her marriage, even if it’s uncomfortable,” he added.

She threw up a hand. “Geez. Why does it matter what kind of relationship they had? Jordan’s gone.”

He heard the tremor in her voice, felt a wave of sympathy for the loss of her friend. It was all he could do to keep from reaching over and taking her hand. “It might not matter, but we have to turn over every stone. That’s the only way we’ll find out the truth.” He eyed her, knowing his next comment would set her off. Nevertheless, it needed to be said. “I’ve been thinking about the key Jordan gave you.”

She straightened in her seat, interest flickering in her eyes. “Have you had some ideas about what it goes to?”

“A few.” He waved a hand. “But that’s not what I want to talk about.”

She cocked her head, looking thoughtful. “Then what?”

“Jordan gave the key to you, not to Piper, his wife. Does that not strike you as odd?”

Her forehead raised. “I dunno. Not necessarily. We were good friends, and I happened to be in the same location where he was.”

“You didn’thappento be there.” He made air quotes. “Jordan came to see you.”

She frowned, wariness seeping into her voice. “To get the jewelry for Piper.”

“Yeah, that’s what he said.”

She gave him a hard look, spitting out the words. “I have no reason to doubt that Jordan came to see me to get the jewelry.”

“And yet he happened to drop a key into your purse. Now someone’s out to get you.” He fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Do you not see a pattern here?”

“You don’t have to get smart about it.” Her jaw tightened. “I don’t understand why you’re so determined to throw Piper under the bus.”

It took effort to keep from raising his voice. “I’m not trying to throw anyone under the bus. Jordan said you were the only one he could trust, meaning that he might not have trusted Piper. That’s all I’m saying.”

“That’s absurd!” she scoffed, her face turning red. “Of course he trusted Piper.”

He held up a hand. “You’ve got to remove your emotions from this, look at it analytically.”

She shook her head, her voice cracking with emotion. “I just lost one of my closest friends. My best friend lost her husband.” Her nostrils flared, the words falling like concrete blocks fromher lips as she balled her fist. “Forgive me if I’m a little emotional.”

The conversation was spiraling out of control. He had to rein it back in. “I get it. What you’re going through is tough, but I’m not the enemy here.”

“Then stop acting like it,” she shot back.

They sat eyeing one another until Maddox spoke. “All I’m saying is that it might not be wise to let Piper know we have a key.”

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