Page 38 of A Ranger for Christmas
“I don’t know.”
“He the type of guy who would run you off the road because he was jealous of your work?”
“Bradley?” That shocked a laugh. “No. He’s not the brave of heart. He’s a talker, not a doer, a lesson I learned the hard way.”
“What would happen to his career if you could prove your theories?”
“He wouldn’t be the star any longer.”
“He’ll just sit back and watch you climb the ladder of success.”
“I suppose.”
“When did you two break up?”
She frowned, digging again for another unpleasant memory. “A few weeks before I left for Mexico. He said I was leaving him like I’ve left all the men I’ve dated.”
A heavy silence settled and he asked, “Why’d you leave me?”
She shifted. “That wasn’t right. I’m sorry.”
“Why did you leave?”
“I got spooked. I liked you, and it scared me. I have a long history of people I like leaving.”
He was silent for a moment. “If this find of yours is as big as you think, it’s motivation for murder.”
She shook her head, unwilling to believe that someone who had once held her in his arms would savagely run her off the road. “I can’t accept that.”
“You should consider it. Be thinking about all the conversations he’s had with you since that breakup.”
“More clues from a murky past.”
He pulled up in front of a blinking motel sign. She cocked her head, suggesting that this might be a joke. “Don’t let the exterior fool you. The place is clean, and the sheets are fresh.”
“A hot shower would hit the spot. My muscles ache as if I ran a hundred miles.”
“That’s from the accident. You got knocked around pretty good.”
She straightened her shoulders. “I’ll be ready to put this memory behind me.” Though this memory wouldn’t go in the same box with the other memories. She needed a new box for memories associated with Lucas. Not only weren’t they all bad, but most were real nice.
Chapter 13
Tuesday, December 23, 7P.M.
When Lucas returned to the car, he had one key. “They’re booked. They’ve just got one room, but it has two beds.”
“That’s fine.”
“You sure?”
Laughter rumbled in her chest. “As you well know, I’m no blushing virgin.”
Her words triggered a memory of him pushing into her, watching her eyes close as she called out his name. He cleared his throat.
“Good.”
The flinty grate of his voice sparked something within her. “I’ll likely eat and pass out within the hour.”
