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“I thought it would be nice to hang out and talk about something besides crime and murder.”
She stared at him. “Because we have such a great relationship?”
He laughed at that. “Not yet, but I’m hoping.”
Hoping? Hoping for what? For a normal relationship with a normal woman?Big laugh on you, Cole Landry.
But her pulse skipped slightly, and her words stuck in her throat. “Cole, there’s something you need to know about me.”
One eyebrow cocked, and a grin teased at his solemn mouth. “You’re an escaped convict? A hooker looking to retire? A black widow who kills men for money?”
She shook her head. She couldn’t even smile at his attempted humor. “I’m not very good with relationships. I don’t want you to think—”
“Dana, I don’t think anything. And I’m not asking you for anything. Just your friendship. All right?”
“That’s all? Because…”
Cole swung his legs around and leaned his elbows on his knees. “No worries. For right now, friendship is a good thing. And Dana?”
“Yes?”
His voice softened. “You don’t have to be afraid of me.”
“I-I don’t know why you feel the need to tell me that.”
“Because every time I get close to you or touch you, you react as if I’m about to strangle you.”
“I just… Forget it. Forget I said anything. I’d like to be friends. Just like you said.” She gripped the bottle a little too tightly. “We’ll see. Meanwhile, why don’t you tell me how you ended up in High Ridge, Texas. It’s not exactly the center of the universe.”
He lounged back into the couch again, balancing his beer bottle on his stomach. “Well, let’s see. Ten years in the Marines took a lot out of me. I wouldn’t change a day of it, but I reached a point where I couldn’t deal anymore with death and destruction.” His eyes took on a faraway look. “Too many good men died right next to me. I needed something for my own peace of mind.”
“But you knew about this place?”
“My aunt and uncle live here. Adele and Tate Bishop. They own that big Santa Gertrudis ranch west of town. I used to visit during the summers.” He drank the last of his beer. “The sheriff here was having some arthritis problems and wanted to retire. Tate suggested I might like to apply to the county commission for the job. Bought myself a few acres outside of town. A few horses. And here I am.”
Dana cocked a brow as she reached for his empty bottle, silently asking if he wanted another.
“One more. That’s my limit for tonight.” When she handed him a fresh one from the kitchen, he took a long swallow. “I actually have an associate’s degree in criminal justice. One of these days, I’d like to get my bachelor’s. I guess I should have started it before the roof fell in here.”
“You’ll find who did this. You don’t seem like the kind of person who’ll quit pushing until he has all the answers.”
“Right now, I feel like a person who’s in over his head.”
“The television reporter tonight said she was raped and sodomized.” Dana realized she was clenching the bottle again and forcibly relaxed her grip. Images smacked her of what the woman had gone through.
Cole made a face. “Television reporters. They’re like pimples popping up when you least need them. Yes. Raped and sodomized and tortured. Then tossed away like some piece of garbage. Makes me want to throttle whoever this is.”
Dana took a sip of her drink. “Her parents must be devastated.”
“Mrs. Pritchard’s in the hospital. She collapsed after I spoke with them yesterday. And her husband isn’t leaving her side. They’re an older couple. Leanne came along when they’d least expected to have kids. She was their world, a bright, sweet girl who was the light of their lives. I worry they might die of grief.”
“I’m sorry.” She shifted in her chair. “You said you came here to get away from the gore and mayhem for a few hours, and I’ve made you fall right back into it. Let’s change the subject.”
Dana was surprised at how easily she and Cole fell into a conversation. She’ d expected him to bombard her with questions, but maybe he was saving them. Cole was the last person in the world she expected to have things in common. But by the time ten o’clock rolled around, the hesitancy and stiffness between them had morphed into genuine liking. She even felt comfortable with him.
When she walked him to the door, they were close enough that if she stood on tiptoe, their lips would meet, but one kiss tonight from this man was enough. For now. He rested his hands on her shoulders and studied her eyes, as if he was trying to look inside her.
“Tonight has been really great,” he told her. “I needed this. Thank you.”
