AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She snorted and pointed to her shoulder-length, red hair swaying around her chin. “They’d spot me in a second with this mop of red hair.”
Moe’s eyes narrowed. “You’re right. It is sexy and unique. I suppose a PI would have to blend into the background.”
“Red hair is never sexy.” She held up a finger. “Last chance.”
“You’re wrong. Your red hair is off-the-scale-sexy. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not.” He tapped a finger to his chin. “The pressure is on. I have to get it right this time or lose you forever.”
“You can’t lose what you don’t have.” She tipped her chin. “You don’t have me.”
“No.” He grinned. “But I have your attention.”
“Not for long.”
“One more guess,” he begged, “and I’ll leave you alone.”
Bea drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Okay. One more.”
He thought hard. What would a sassy, petite, gorgeous redhead do for a day job? The wattage of her genuine smile lit the room. When she’d spoken of a child dying, the shadows beneath her eyes and that haunted look had pulled at Moe’s heart. She’d experienced loss. Of a child?
“You’re kind, caring and help people in need.” He slapped his hand on the table. “That’s it. You’re a saint or a nun.”
Bea choked on a laugh. “You’re so far off. But that one was worth the chuckle.”
“You’re not a nun?” Moe wiped his hand across his forehead. “Whew. Thank goodness, because I was having very unsaintly thoughts about your sexy red hair.”
She shook her head slowly. “Does this technique ever work for you?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Technique?”
Her lips pressed together. “This pickup line of ‘guess your occupation?’”
“You tell me,” he said with a wink.
“Sorry. You’d have been better off just asking me out.”
“Alas, I’m only here for an undisclosed amount of time that could end at any minute.”
“Sounds very clandestine.” Bea shook her head. “I have some cleaning to do before I leave. It was nice talking to you. Too bad you’re not in town for longer. I could have used a friend.”
“So, you’re not from Bozeman either?”
She shook her head. “I’ve only been here for a couple of weeks.”
“Where are you from?”
Her lips tightened.
“Bea!” a deep, male voice called out from the swinging door to the kitchen.
“Coming,” Bea responded. “Gotta go. Nice talking to you. Have a happy life.” She spun and hurried toward the man wearing a white apron and holding a mop in one hand.
Bea paused on the way past the bar to set the pot of coffee on a heating element. Then she hurried toward the man in the apron, grabbed the mop handle and darted around the big guy into the kitchen.
A stab of guilt gnawed at Moe’s gut. He’d kept her talking when she was supposed to be working. He hoped he hadn’t gotten her into too much trouble.
He sipped the coffee, liking how it warmed his throat and insides. He’d need the caffeine for the flight to Denver. Thankfully, it wasn’t a very long flight. He glanced at this watch. It was getting late. At any moment, he expected the call telling him to go to the hospital to collect his biological cargo.
He downed another swallow of the hot coffee, scorching his tongue and throat. Moe set the cup aside, his thoughts on Bea.
