Page 89 of Shadow Sabotage
“Hmmm.” I frowned.
He eyed me. “But if she was single andIwas with someone, I’d take a different approach.”
“Meaning?”
He shrugged. “I think it’s disrespectful to be so … charming … to other women if you’re in a committed relationship.”
I brightened. “I think so, too.”
“Well, there you have it.” He looked over and gave me a little smile. Not the charming smile he gave Darla and Leslie or even the easy grin he gave Pete. The one he gave me was almost tentative. Unsure. Hopeful.
It was a smile I’d never seen him give anyone else.
And I fell in love with it.
I looked away, focusing my eyes on the road in front of us. My heart thumped in my chest as I tried to think of something insightful to say instead of blurting out my feelings like I was tempted to do. I was only saved by the realization that we were pulling into the ranch. I’d been so distracted by our talk that I hadn’t even noticed where he was driving.
He pulled into the parking spot in front of his cabin, got out, and headed toward the front door.
I hopped out, then froze. This was the cabin where I’d practically attacked him a couple of days ago, climbing into his lap and kissing him like I’d die if I didn’t. The place where he slept and showered. The place where the tantalizing scent of his expensive cologne had lingered even when he’d left to get us food. The place where we’d shared a bottle of scotch and I’d opened up my heart.
That was the problem with me. Unlike Beth and Cheyenne, who were slow, steady, and stable, my feelings always felt like a tornado ripping across the prairie.
And my feelings for Vance?
Those were an EF5. Stronger than anything I’d ever withstood. Strong enough to make me destroy everything I’d built in my life.
He stood at the door, waiting. Then a flash of realization washed over his face. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said, shaking his head. “I didn’t even think. We left your truck at the office. We can run back and get it.”
He moved back toward the vehicle, but I stopped him. “That’s okay,” I said. “We can get it later. But do you mind if I run home and change?
“Of course. I’ll make coffee while you’re gone,” he said, wiggling the dessert boxes. “We can fuel ourselves with sugar and caffeine, then dive into Katelyn’s cell phone.”
I gave him the most awkward wave ever, then started walking up the driveway, hoping a break and a cold shower would knock some sense into me.
Then I would go back inside that cabin, act like a freaking professional, and solve a murder.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Vance
I puton a pot of coffee, then set up a crime board while I waited for Claire to arrive. I was adding photographs to it when she knocked.
“Come on in,” I called.
She opened the door and stepped inside. “Whoa.”
“Whoa what?” I turned around. When I saw her, my breath caught.
She’d changed into the soft jeans she preferred, a dark-green sweater, and suede boots. A beaded necklace hung around her neck, flowing down between the valley of her breasts. The bun was gone, and her beautiful hair fell in a soft cascade. I loved how varied it was, a mix of different textures. Ringlets beside soft waves, like even her hair refused to be put into a box. It was completely unlike the perfect heat-styled hair most women seemed to prefer. It was messy and wild and totally Claire. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever known.
And she was staring at me like she’d said something I hadn’t caught.
“Cat got your tongue?” she asked, dropping her bag on the kitchen table.
I shook myself. “Sorry. What were you saying?”
“You’ve got a murder board.” She grinned, shaking her head in amazement. “An actual murder board.”
