Page 60 of Chilled

“Damaged. Scars are so ugly. My beautiful baby.” Her fingers clutched at his with a bruising grip.

What could he say to her that would break through her grief? The only thing that might sooth her guilt would be an admission to loving her daughter and regarding her as beautiful despite the scars.

Nick couldn’t do that. He didn’t know what he felt for Brenna and was afraid to ask himself. He did know he admired her for her dedication to her home and family and her abilities as an investigator. But love? After knowing her only a few days?

Not possible.

Why the hell didn’t she come out of the kitchen so they could get going?

Lifting the glass cake cover,Alice asked, “Is Nick your own personal bodyguard now?”

“I wouldn’t call him that. It’s more like he’s guarding a body of evidence.”

“Yeah,” Alice said as if she believed Brenna’s nonchalance. She slid a serrated knife into a beautifully decorated chocolate cake that looked as if it had come from a bakery.

Brenna almost put her hand out to stop Alice from cutting into the work of art.

“And it doesn’t hurt that he’s an absolute babe, huh?”

Brenna shrugged. “He’s okay.”

“Okay?” Alice stared across the island countertop at her sister, her eyes narrowing. “Is there something you want to tell your big sis?”

“No.” Brenna’s face heated, and she could have stomped her own foot for responding too quickly to her sister’s question. With her cheeks burning, she knew she gave herself away.

Alice’s narrowed glance widened, and a grin spread across her face. “You did it! You slept with him, didn’t you?”

By now Brenna’s face burned all the way out to her ears, and she couldn’t help glancing back over her shoulder to make sure the door remained closed between the kitchen and the dining room. “Shhh! It’s not like you think.”

“Oh, come on.” Alice laid the knife on the cake plate and rounded the counter to take Brenna’s hands. “How long has it been since you’ve let someone in your bedroom?”

“Not that long.” Brenna stared down at their hands. Alice’s were slender and manicured, while her own sported short-clipped nails, giving her fingers a masculine appearance in comparison.

“Bull. You haven’t been with anyone since Victor. Am I right?” She squeezed Brenna’s hands gently. “That bastard made a mess of you, didn’t he?”

“No. I did it to myself.”

“And with Nick?”

Brenna pulled her fingers loose and turned away. “I don’t know. We’ve only known each other for a couple of days. I have no idea what I was thinking...why I let him... Oh, hell.” Her shoulders sagged. “What am I doing?”

“You like him, and, from what I can tell, he likes you. Sounds like you’re grabbing for a little happiness.”

Brenna swung back toward her sister. “I’m in the middle of a murder investigation. I have no right to grab for happiness when women are dying.”

“Honey, there will always be another investigation, another murder to solve. When will you make time for you?” She slid her arm around Brenna’s waist and hugged her.

Brenna leaned into her sister, cherishing the comfort of the closeness she’d missed since Alice’s marriage. “It’s not like he’ll stay.”

“You’ll have a little fun while he’s here. Who said you have to marry him?”

Brenna doubted she could be so superficial. She’d taken two years to get over Victor, and he hadn’t been worth shedding a tear over. With Nick... She glanced toward the door standing between him and her. It might as well be a solid rock wall. They could never have more than a quick fling. Once they solved the case, he’d go back to Virginia, and she’d return to Bismarck or move on to Minneapolis. Once again, she’d pick up the pieces and march on. Alone.

“Hey,” Alice stepped back and looked her in the eyes. “You really like him, don’t you?”

More than she wanted to admit. “I’m afraid to fall for him.”

“I know. Love can be a scary thing. You never know if it’ll last.”

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