“Whatever. You like her, but if she likes you, she won’t get in the way of your job. You know that,” Vince said, angling his head to better see Zena. “She’s caught the scent.”
Quint nodded. “Yeah. When Zena’s tail wags like that, she’s on to something. I’ve never met a woman who’s okay with me leaving at any time and jumping into a fire.”
“Maybe you have now,” Vince said, turning the collar of his flannel coat up to cover his neck.
“It’s too early to even think like that,” Quint admitted. “I just met the woman.”
Vince snorted. “Yet we know exactly who we’re talking about.” He clapped Quint on the shoulder. “You could always come work for us. We’d even make you a partner.” Vince and a couple other brothers owned and ran an outfitting company for fishing, rafting, hunting, and guiding.
Quint grinned. “Maybe someday when I’m old and decrepit like you, I will want to run guides on the river.”
“I’m three years older than you, jackass,” Vince returned.
Zena barked once.
Quint immediately strode through the heavy snow and between trees until finding his dog lying down by the tree. “Where is it?” he asked.
She dug furiously in the snow and flipped over a shotgun shell.
“Good girl,” he said, letting his voice rise so she knew he was happy. “Now find the wad. Go get it, girl.”
She jumped up and started searching for the wad, which was released when a shotgun shell was fired. Then she flopped down.
He kicked through snow to reach her, seeing the wad stuck in the snow. “Good girl.” He grabbed the throw toy off his belt and threw it for her.
She barked happily and ran for it, snatching the red triangle from the snow and bounding back toward him. They played fetch for about thirty minutes, and then he took her back to the truck to get warm and eat some grub.
Vince took the leash off his puppy. “Since Zena is taking a break, go get lost in the woods, would you? I want to see if she can find you.”
“Sure.” Quint’s phone buzzed and he lifted it to his ear. “Albertini.”
“Hey, it’s Anna. We have a problem,” his cousin said. “Any chance you can provide an alibi for Heather last night around midnight?”
Quint frowned. “I believe I was getting shot at during that time frame. Why does she need an alibi?”
He listened to the story and then slowly clenched his hand into a fist. “I think I should go have a talk with this asshole. He’s staying at the Molly?”
“Don’t even think it,” Anna snapped. “I have it under control for now, but I do need you to get charming with the clerk at the motel. It’s Diane Lewiston, and she’s still mad at your brother for breaking up with her in high school, but I need you to go interview her and see if you can get any clue about who the vandal really was that night. Okay?”
He’d much rather go punch this Jack guy in the face. “I’ll see what I can do.” He clicked off to see his brother watching him carefully. “What?”
“You’re way too invested in too short of a time, brother,” Vince said calmly.
That was the damn truth. “I have to go.”
Vince nodded. “It’s not like the Albertinis are known for taking it slow, I guess. Never thought you’d dive head first into anything except a fire.”
“I’m not diving into anything,” Quint said, opening his door and tossing the toy inside. “I’m just helping out a friend.”
Vince’s laughter was familiar…and unrelenting.
Heather tried to school her expression into one of boredom, but her ears were tingling with heat, and her lungs kept compressing.
Anna returned to the conference room after having made a phone call outside and took a seat next to her. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure this out. I have a copy of the video and a couple of my friends are out and about trying to see what really happened that night. Let’s deal with this today.”
Jack sauntered into the room, his gaze instantly seeking Heather. “I hope we can reach a resolution here.” He pulled out a chair on the opposite side of the table and looked at Anna. “If you don’t mind, we’d like privacy.”
“I do mind,” Anna said, sounding official even though she was in jeans and a sweater. “I’m Heather’s attorney, and I’m staying right here.”
The sheriff gave them all a look that was a clear warning. “If there’s trouble, I have no problem tossing all of you in a cell. Don’t give me trouble.” He shut the door as he left.
“I like him,” Heather mused.
Anna nodded. “Yeah, he’s pretty great.” Her gaze didn’t leave Jack’s face. “In fact, he really doesn’t like people messing with townspeople, and especially women. Oh, he’s a softie, and it’s probably old-fashioned, but he’s very protective. You don’t want to cross him, Jack.”
Jack slowly turned his attention from Heather to Anna. “I’m not afraid of the sheriff.”
“Then you’re a dumbass,” Anna said easily. “Even so, you should be afraid of me. I have no problem suing you for harassment on Heather’s behalf, and I have connections to find any phone records you’ve left. Even those from a burner.”
Heather wasn’t certain that was possible, but Anna sure sounded confident. Maybe she was correct, or perhaps she was a great bluffer. Either way, it was nice to have her as a friend. “Did you really set all of this up, Jack?” she asked.
He sighed. “Are you having a breakdown? If so, I can get you help.”
She shook her head. How could he look so concerned and genuine? Either a random woman on crutches damaged his car, or he set the whole thing up. Logically, he had to have set the entire situation up. “Listen. It’s pretty much ridiculous to think that another woman on crutches wanted to harm you. Since I didn’t do anything to your car, the only possible conclusion is that you hired some lady to do that. Why in the world would you do such a thing?” she asked, her ankle aching.
“You know I didn’t do anything like that,” he said, his voice almost gentle. “I think we just need a little time away. If you would just agree to spend a weekend with me in my cabin in Bozeman, then I’d drop these charges. It’s a small thing to ask.”
Before Heather could answer, Anna held up a hand. “Wait a minute,” Anna said. “Just so I have this right. All Heather has to do is spend a weekend in Bozeman with you, and you’ll drop everything?”
“Yes,” Jack said.
Heather rounded on Anna. “You can’t think this is a good idea.”
“Nope,” Anna said, reaching for a legal tablet on the table. “I’m just documenting that Jack here just committed extortion. Perfectly, actually.” She lifted her gaze to a camera in the far corner. “On digital, no less.” She settled back and crossed her legs, looking pretty damn happy. “Sometimes it’s nice when things work out without my falling out of trees, you know?”
Jack looked at Anna like she was nuts, although he had gone a little pale. “I don’t like being threatened.”
“Who does, really?” Anna asked with a slight shrug. “Back to business. Who is the woman in the video, Jack?”
He crossed his arms. “I think it’s obvious that Heather is in the video.”
“Nope,” Anna said. “Let’s go back a bit. Why are you in Silverville staying at the Molly Motel?”
Jack lowered his chin and looked like a charging bull. “I came to Silverville to visit Heather after I learned that her grandmother died, and last night when we talked on the phone, she seemed sad and lost. I don’t understand it, but Heather took that frustration out on my vehicle. It’s heartbreaking, really.”
Heather reared up. “So you admit we talked on the phone last night, Mr. Unknown Caller?” Yes! He’d admitted it on camera, too. Her nose itched, but since she now knew she was on camera, she so was not going to scratch it. It itched right inside, too. She cleared her throat and tried to ignore the discomfort.
Anna twirled her pen around on the paper. “Why are you using a burner phone
? That’s odd behavior.”
“I lost my phone,” he said, visibly calming himself. “Since I own a business, I had to quickly grab a disposable phone before driving here when Heather told me she needed help.”
“I most certainly did not,” Heather protested.
Anna cleared her throat. “What kind of business?”
“It’s a restaurant,” he said. “I own a chain of them.”
“You’d think you could get a woman without stalking one,” Anna mused thoughtfully.
Heather coughed to cover a chuckle. It was nice having a smart aleck for a lawyer.
Red slashed into Jack’s handsome face. Or what Heather had once considered handsome. These days she liked a more rough and rugged look, for sure. “I’d watch the slanderous tone,” Jack grunted.
“It’s only slander if it isn’t true,” Anna said cheerfully.
The door opened, and the sheriff poked his head inside. “Have you folks handled this?”
Anna tilted her head.
“It doesn’t look like it,” Jack muttered.
Anna sighed. “All right. Sheriff? We’re going to need a copy of the video from this meeting, and my client would like to press charges against Jack for extortion.” She clicked her pen closed. “Or blackmail. No, it’s extortion. Attempted, anyway.”
The sheriff sighed. “Maybe you all could drop all charges against each other so I can go back to hunting down meth heads and poachers?”
Heather stared right at Jack. “I’m in, if you are. We dismiss all complaints and say goodbye forever?” Yeah, she had him with the extortion claim. Darn, but Anna was a good lawyer. “It’s your choice, Jack.”
He pressed his lips together until they turned white. “I’ll think about it.”
Anna stood and handed over the crutches. “We’ll give you twenty-four hours. Come on, Heather. We still have lunch to eat, right?”
Chapter 10
Darkness had fallen along with more snow as Quint strode up Heather’s freshly shoveled walkway with Zena on his heels. He kicked a couple of ice chunks off the steps and then knocked on the door.
Anna opened it, munching on a piece of chicken. “Hey.”
“Hey. Nice job with the walkway,” he said, shrugging off his coat to hang in the alcove.
“Not my first snowstorm,” she agreed, turning toward the living room.
Heather sat on the older sofa with her leg elevated on a pillow perched on the coffee table. “It was nice of you to do that, Anna.” Then she reached out her arms as Zena jumped onto the sofa.
“Down, Zena,” Quint barked.
Zena dropped her butt to the floor.
Heather’s bottom lip popped out just enough to be freaking adorable. “She can come up here.”
“No. She can’t,” Quint said as gently as he could. He had to keep the canine disciplined in order for her to do the job she needed to do.
“Are you hungry?” Anna asked.
Quint couldn’t get rid of the itch between his shoulder blades. “No, but thanks. I’ve interviewed everyone even remotely located around the motel, and nobody has a clue who the vandal was last night. According to the clerk, Jack arrived by himself and hasn’t been seen with a woman.”
Heather sat straighter, her legs encased in yoga pants and a light pink sweatshirt covering her ample chest. She kind of matched the Christmas tree, but Quint knew better than to say that. “You’ve been working on my case?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t get any results.” He dropped into the matching chair by the fireplace.
Anna finished her chicken and walked toward her boots by the door. “We’ll see what we can discover tomorrow. If nothing else, I made sure Jack knew that if he didn’t withdraw his complaint, we’d file a report against him for extortion.”
Heather rubbed her nose. “Isn’t that extortion?”
Anna grinned. “Sure, but it’s all in how you word it, and I didn’t word it like he did. Dumbass.” Her eyes sparkled. “I’ll talk to you both tomorrow. My Nana O’Shea is waiting for me. Night.” She disappeared into the snowy night.
Quint studied the quiet woman on the sofa. “How dangerous is this guy?”
“I’m not sure. He never seemed dangerous before, but it’s weird that he followed me to Silverville and then set up that weird attack on his car. It had to be him, right?” She shifted her leg to the side and winced.
“Yeah,” Quint murmured. “I think I should go talk to him.”
One of her light eyebrows lifted in a way that made her look like a sexy librarian. “Why? You gonna beat him up?”
“If I have to,” he acknowledged.
She grinned. “Don’t be silly. You being charged with a battery is probably a bad idea. I can handle Jack—especially with my lawyer’s help. Anna is really good.”
“She’s very good, but she has to get back to work, and somebody needs to talk to this Jack.” Apparently that was Quint, and he was more than ready to have a word or two. “Come on, Zena.” He stood and snapped his fingers at his dog.
“Hey.” Heather struggled to stand and hopped toward him on one foot. “I said no.”
He cocked his head and fought the urge to help her since her face was flushed and her pretty lips pursed. How mad was she? “I understand, but I don’t think this guy is getting the message.”
She hopped right up to him. “I’m not looking for a protector, Quintino.”
“That’s unfortunate, because it seems like you need one.” He gave in and grasped her upper arms to help her keep balanced.
She glared, and then those light emerald eyes dropped their focus to his mouth.
Oh, shit. Heat ran through him, pooling low in his groin. This close, her intriguing scent of apple cider washed over him. “Heather.”
“What?” She moved closer and tilted her head, studying his eyes.
“Have you been drinking?” His voice lowered a couple of octaves to a hoarse tenor.
Her smile was slow and way too dangerous. “Just one glass of wine, country boy. I know what I’m doing.”
What the hell was she doing? He kept his hold gentle. “Want to explain?”
“Sure.” She grasped his flanks and dug her fingers into his ribs. “I had an epiphany earlier today. You know? A climax?”
Oh sweet lord. She was messing with him on purpose. “I know what an epiphany is, darlin’.”
“That’s good.” She settled even closer, keeping her injured ankle lifted. “Life is short and unexpected. I’ve chosen wrong before, and I’m not looking for forever.” She caressed around to his abs and up his chest. “I like you.”
His zipper cut into his cock. “I like you, too.” His mind reeled and he tried to find some sense of logic. Any sense of logic. “I thought we agreed this was a bad idea.”
“The mere idea that we had to find an agreement shows that there’s something here to explore,” she whispered, leaning up to kiss beneath his jaw. The feeling shot right to his groin, and his heartbeat started thundering against his breastbone. “Unless you don’t want me.”
Desire tightened every muscle in his body. “You know I want you.” It was impossible not to want her.
She lifted her hands to his shoulders. “All right, then.” With that statement, she jumped from one foot.
Heather had a second to question her sanity before Quint caught her in the air and took her mouth. Hard. She’d thought about him all day and couldn’t get rid of the thought that he’d carried her down a mountain. He was strong and sweet and nicely over-protective.
Oh, she knew he didn’t want anything serious right now, and that was fine.
Right now, she just wanted him. So she kissed him back, knowing he’d keep her from falling.
He released her mouth, and his eyes had darkened. “Is this because you’re scared? I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I promise.”
“I’m not scared,” she whispered against his mouth. She wasn’t. Jack was a jerk and apparently a manipulative jackass, but
she wasn’t frightened of him. He’d pretty much backed down after Anna threatened him, and soon he’d have to leave town and go back to work. “This is about you and me. No pressure.”
“No pressure.” Quint kissed her again, his hands holding her aloft by the butt, his chest firm against her front. He turned and carried her toward her bedroom, and his tongue swept inside her mouth to take. He tasted like flavored coffee and mint, and she wanted more.
A lot more.
“Careful of your ankle.” He set her on the bed and gently lifted her shirt over her head. “I’ve wanted to do that since I first saw you on the mountain.” His large hands dropped to her full breasts.
Heat lashed through her, and she swayed toward him.
“Are you sure?” he rumbled, dropping to his knees in front of her.
“Yes,” she whispered, tangling her fingers in his thick hair. “Definitely sure.”
His smile was a little wicked and a lot heated. “All right.” With a flick of his fingers, the front clasp of her bra sprang open. The sound he made was one she’d remember for the rest of her life. Male and hungry. He smelled like the forest, fir and pine, and the wild. His mouth found her breast, and she gasped.
So good and so fast.
“Careful now,” he said against her, his thumbs tucking into her yoga pants. “Watch your ankle.” Then he slowly, tortuously, drew the yoga pants off, his fingers infinitely gentle near her damaged ankle and cast. “If anything starts to hurt, you tell me.” He leaned down and kissed her knee.
At the moment, she had all sorts of aches.
So she grasped his hair and tugged him closer, her mouth seeking his.
He let her kiss him and slowly took over, lifting her up farther on the bed. She yanked on his shirt and forced him to duck his head to let her throw the material out of the way. Then she finally felt that amazing chest. Skin on skin this time. Hard muscle, smooth lines, powerful strength. Yeah. She sighed. Then she leaned up to kiss him again.
His talented fingers tangled in the hair at her nape, and he pulled her head back. “Sweetheart? Here, I’m in charge.” Then he kissed her again, going deep and destroying any argument, even if she’d been able to find one.
Holiday Rescue: An Albertini Family Romance Page 7