Page 9 of Purrfectly Adorable

I can’t even finish the thought. My blood runs cold. “Did you see which way they went?” I pull out my gun and stalk away from Delia before turning back. I can’t leave her alone. Can’t…

“Never mind. Let’s get Annie put away and get you inside.”

Nervous, I put my gun back in my waistband and grasp the halter, leading the recalcitrant beast back into the barn. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I lead her back up to the house and close the door behind us. Glancing up and back, I lock the door and wave a finger at her. “You stay here. I’m gonna take a Quick Look around and make sure that they’ve actually gone.” Waving my finger in her face, I growl, “Do. Not. Move.”

She nods her head, her caramel curls sliding across, hiding her pretty face from me. “I mean it. Don’t move, angel.”

“Mrrow!”The fluffy calico cat chitters at me, her tail snapping back and forth like a little lion.

“Oh, Princess Peppercorn! What are you up to?”

My brow creases and I stare hard at the fabric under her little paw. “What’s that, Princess?”

She flicks her tail at us again and stalks off. I lean down and pick up a dark, silky green fabric. Delia frowns and then flushes bright red. “Hey! Gimme those!”

I hand her the panties and she stuffs them in her pocket, her eyes closing.

“Uh-hum. Well, I’m still gonna look around. Just don’t move.”

She nods her head, her eyes downcast. I smother a grin. Princess is a pest but in this case, it’s more against her owner than it is against me. I definitely don’t think she wanted me to see her panties. She’s a little thief, but I’m starting to really like the little con.

I check the doors and the windows and don’t find a dang thing. Leaning against a wall, I growl under my breath. There has to be some reason that this person keeps showing up at Delia’s house.

“Are you sure that you don’t know why this person is showing up here, Del?”

“No. I really don’t.”

“Is anybody mad at you right now?”

“No! Why would anybody be mad at me?”

“I don’t know,” I growl under my breath. “But there has to be a reason. Who have you been talking to lately?”

“Just my book club.”

“Okay. Well, maybe I should come hang out at your book club.”

Del snorts, her eyes dancing with laughter, gold and green and so pretty. “I don’t think that our book club is going to be your speed, Courtney. We kind of enjoy reading some spicy romances. I don’t think you’d like it at all.”

“Okay. Well, that’s a little bit of a shock, Del.”

Grinning, she swats my shoulder. “Girls like romances. The spicier the better. You boys just can’t deal with that kind of surprise.”

“I can deal with a lot, Del. And you’re not gonna shock me.” Much.

“Alright. Come along to the meeting. It’s on Wednesday.”

“Alright. But don’t go running after someone if there’s another surprise guest. You call me or the police. And stay put.”

“Fine. But I don’t think they’re out to hurt me, Brandon. I think they’re looking for something. But I’m not sure what.”

“That’s as may be. But please….just stay inside if there’s some more trouble. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Fine,” she huffs. “Now maybe you could go and let me get back to sleep. I’m tired, Brandon.”

“Alright. But I’m gonna stay outside for awhile. See if I notice anything else and look around.”

“Okay. But it’s probably not that big a deal.”

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