She sighed and looked at him kindly. “All I’m saying, Brody, is you keep talking about the monster inside you, but you’re thirty-three years old and that monster has never reared its head. I can’t ethically continue to take your money for a problem I don’t believe you have. You’re a good man, Brody. Go out and find your happiness.”
Minutes later Brody was back in his truck and headed to the café to pick up Mandy. This was the first time one of his sessions with Ellie had left him unsettled. They had come to an agreement that he wouldn’t see her once a week like he had been doing, but rather on an as-needed basis if he believed he was spiraling out of control. He just hadn’t been ready to stop seeing her altogether.
He parked and entered the café, the scents of Italy hitting his nose. They were running a spaghetti special tonight and the whole place smelled of garlic and onions and a rich tomato sauce.
He and Mandy had already talked about eating dinner in the café before heading to her place. Daisy led him to a booth and told him Mandy had one more table to finish up and then she’d be free to join him.
Mandy came out of the kitchen and his heart did an unexpected flip in his chest. He thought of what Ellie had said and told himself it was nothing but lust that moved him where Mandy was concerned. He loved her as a friend and he lusted for her as a man. Nothing more.
He watched her covetously as she strutted over to a booth where Butch Cooper and fellow ranch hand Luke Stillwell sat. Mandy gave them their tab, and Luke must have said something funny because she threw back her head and laughed.
Butch watched her intently. Butch...her previous boyfriend and a man Brody believed was still in love with her. Butch hadn’t even been on the radar as a suspect, but should he be?
Was it possible Butch had killed the man who verbally and emotionally abused the woman he loved? Had he gone after her with a knife just to frighten her and hoped that she would turn back to him in her time of fear and need?
Was Butch that devious?
Brody didn’t know if he was thinking crazy or not, but the direction of his thoughts caused his hands to clench and his stomach to tighten.
Had it been some sort of twisted jealousy that had led Butch to beat up Graham? Had anyone checked Butch’s alibis for the nights of the crimes?
The two men gave Mandy cash for the bill and then got up from the table. Brody watched them until they left the café, his thoughts still twisting and turning with supposition.
If he found out that Butch was behind the attacks, Brody didn’t know what he’d do. But it wouldn’t be good.
Ellie was wrong.
He had major anger issues that had been bred into him. That was what he worried about—his control snapping and becoming his father and hurting anyone he might love.
And this was why it was so important that he go through life alone.
Chapter 9
Mandy changed into her Mrs. Santa costume in the bathroom at her apartment, and even though she hadn’t minded working the kissing booth, she was a little bit glad tonight was the last night.
Brody had been unusually silent as they’d eaten dinner and a shadowed darkness had claimed his eyes once again. She’d asked him if something had happened during the day to upset him, but he’d replied that he was just tired.
A wave of guilt now worried through her. Of course he was tired. Not only was he working full days on the ranch whenever she was at the café, but then she’d been working him to death at the house with all the packing. He was sleeping on a sofa and keeping a watchful eye on her at almost all times. It was no wonder he was tired.
She should let him go. Send him back to his ranch and his own life. The very thought caused a wild sense of dread to fill her. Was it so wrong of her to want him here with her? Was it wrong of her to need him to protect her against whoever might try to do her harm? Was it selfish of her not wanting to tell him goodbye for so many reasons?
She left the bathroom and sat across the table from him. “We have about thirty minutes before we need to leave. Would you like a quick cup of coffee?”
“That sounds good,” he replied. “You sit tight and I’ll make it.” He jumped up and moved in front of the counter.
“Thanks. You know my feet always hurt after a long day at the café.”
“They’re going to hurt worse by the end of the night,” he replied and turned to the counter.
She watched him and wondered what it was about Brody Booth that made her want him more than she’d ever wanted a man in her entire life.
Most of the men she’d dated had been relatively uncomplicated. Brody was so much more complex and that intrigued her. She thought it might take years to unravel all the threads that made him the man he was. And the idea of having that kind of time with him excited her.
Moments later he was back at the table and they each had a cup of coffee before them. “Tell me about Butch Cooper,” he said.
She sat up straighter and eyed him in surprise. “What about him?”
“Did you know he’s still in love with you?”
She wrapped her fingers around her mug and frowned. “I knew when I broke up with him his feelings for me were much stronger than mine for him. That’s why I decided to end it. I didn’t want to lead him on when I knew he wasn’t the prince I was waiting for. Why? What does he have to do with anything?”
“I don’t know,” he replied.
She stared at him and a new rivulet of shock flowed through her. “Surely you don’t think Butch has anything to do with my father’s murder and everything else.”
“I’m just looking at this from all angles,” he replied.
“What possible angle could you be looking at that involves Butch being guilty of anything?”
“Maybe he killed a man who was mean to you.” He paused to take a sip of his coffee. “Maybe he thought if he isolated you, if he made you afraid, you’d run back to him.”
“That sounds like something ripped from a tabloid headline,” she scoffed.
“But it does happen. I’m not saying he’s guilty. All I’m saying is we can’t afford to overlook anyone.”
“What if it isn’t any of the suspects Dillon is looking at? What if it’s somebody not even on our radar?” She worked to keep her voice even, not showing the fear this whole conversation evoked in her.
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t intend to let anyone get close enough to hurt you.” Once again that fierce darkness filled his eyes, along with what appeared to be a raw hunger.
It was there only a moment and then gone, making her wonder if she’d imagined it.
He drained the last of his coffee and then stood, his face betraying no emotion. “It’s time to head into town and get you to the booth.”
She quickly finished the rest of her coffee. Together they grabbed their coats and walked down the stairs to the truck.
“I’m sorry if I upset you with the discussion about Butch,” he said when they were underway.
“You didn’t upset me. You surprised me. I guess I’m not as much of a devious thinker as you are.”
In the light of the dashboard his smile was beautiful. “I didn’t know I was devious until I met you.”
“Ha. So I bring out that quality in you?” she asked lightly.
“You bring out lots of qualities in me,” he replied, not taking his gaze off the road ahead.
“Like what?”
“I never wanted to get rid of my resting bitch face before I met you.”
She laughed, delighted by the sense of humor that shone from his eyes as he flashed her another quick grin. “What else?” she asked.
He looked back to the road. “You bring out the protective caveman in me.”
“I like the protective part, but I’m not so sure about the caveman thing,” she replied. “If you eve
r grab me by the hair and try to drag me anywhere, we’re going to have a problem.”
He laughed, that deep, wonderful rumble that made her want to fall into his arms. “I don’t see me doing anything like that soon.”
As always driving down Main Street into Bitterroot proper filled Mandy with a sense of pride and belonging. There were only two long blocks of businesses, but in those two blocks was a lot of heart.
There were no empty storefronts or going out of business signs. Instead there was a vibrancy to the town. They passed the busy mercantile store and Brody parked directly in front of the booth, where Janis Little, a bartender at the Watering Hole, was offering up kisses to passersby.
“I’ll see you later,” Mandy said and then got out of the truck and hurried around to the back of the booth to enter. The little heater couldn’t compete against the cold night air that blew through the wooden structure.
“Whew, I’m glad you’re here,” Janis said as she met Mandy in the back room. “The streets have been busy all day.”
“Everyone is scurrying around to finish up their last-minute Christmas shopping.” Mandy shrugged off her coat and hung it on the hook just inside the door. “Are you going home to relax or do you have to work at the Watering Hole?”
“Working,” Janis replied and pulled on her coat. “But at least I don’t have far to go home afterward.”
Mandy knew Janis lived in an apartment in the back of the popular bar. “And it’s a weeknight so the bar closes earlier.”
Janis flashed a smile. “Thank goodness for small favors, right? Cash box is on the shelf.” She gave Mandy a quick hug. “Merry Christmas and I’ll see you around.”
“Merry Christmas to you, too,” Mandy called after her as she exited the booth.
Janis was a couple of years older than Mandy. She was not only pretty but also nice. Mandy had spent some time visiting with Janis at the bar and she’d always admired Janis’s self-confidence and sense of humor. Having her as a best friend would be a lot less complicated than Brody, she thought as she moved to the front of the booth.
From this vantage point she could see him sitting tall behind the truck’s steering wheel. She waved at him and he returned the gesture.
His presence filled her not only with a sense of well-being but also with a sizzling excitement and anticipation.
She’d always been able to envision the future of owning her own restaurant. She’d toyed with a menu and experimented with food. She’d also been able to visualize being happy in the role of business owner. But no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t see the future where Brody was concerned.
She was in love with him. She believed he was the prince she’d been waiting for, but if he didn’t want her to be his princess, then she couldn’t see how they would continue a friendship for any length of time when this was all over.
Shoving these thoughts out of her mind, she pasted on a friendly smile as Dr. Dan Richards, the town vet, and his wife walked toward her. “Hey, Doc and Michelle,” she greeted them.
“Hello, Mandy,” Dan replied. “How are you doing?” His voice held a touch of sympathy.
“I’m getting by. How is business?” she asked.
“A little slow this time of year, but I’m looking for homes for a few cute puppies.”
Mandy held up her hand. “Don’t even tell me about them. I have too much on my hands right now to try to take care of anything.”
“Could you put the word out?” Michelle asked and handed her a five-dollar bill.
“Sure, I’d be glad to.” She took the bill Michelle proffered. “Do you want a kiss?”
Michelle laughed. “No, I think we can skip that part of this.”
“Thanks for the donation.”
She visited a moment longer with the two and then they continued on their way.
She was grateful that for the next hour she kept busy, talking to fellow townspeople and adding to the cash for the youth group. Occasionally she stepped into the back room to stand for a few minutes next to the heater. She noticed Brody starting his truck now and then and knew he was also seeking some warmth in the cold winter night.
A moan of dismay escaped her as she saw Zeke Osmond, Lloyd Green and Shep Harmon approaching. They all looked half-drunk, laughing and elbowing each other as if they were a bunch of teenagers. The muscles in her stomach knotted. This was the first time she’d have any interaction with Lloyd, another man her father had owed money to.
Before they reached the booth, Brody got out of his truck. He didn’t approach her or the booth. He merely leaned against the driver’s door with his arms crossed in front of his chest, a reassuring, totally hot presence.
“I see you’ve got your junkyard dog nearby,” Zeke said as they stepped up in front of her. The other two men guffawed as if he’d just spoken the world’s most humorous line. Mandy didn’t laugh. She couldn’t even work up a fake smile.
She’d never liked or dated any of the men who worked for Raymond Humes. She’d always found them rude and distasteful. She disliked them even more now that Brody had told her about how much trouble they all had caused over the years on the Holiday Ranch.
“I want one of those hot kisses of yours,” Zeke said as he pulled his wallet out of his pocket.
“I think I should get one for free since your daddy owed me money,” Lloyd added. Lloyd was an older man. Mandy would guess him to be in his late forties or early fifties. She’d never seen him when he didn’t look scruffy and tonight was no different. He was badly in need of a haircut and shave and his black coat was covered with hair and hay.
“I don’t give away any of my kisses for free,” she replied curtly.
“That’s not what I heard about you,” Zeke said, and once again they all laughed and nudged each other.
“Make your donation and move on,” she said, fighting against the old hurt of her blackened reputation.
She cast a quick glance at Brody. He immediately unfolded his arms and took a step forward. She shook her head to keep him in place. The last thing she wanted was for these creeps to provoke a street fight.
Zeke gave her a dollar and she leaned forward and quickly kissed his cheek. The other two didn’t offer up any money and she sighed in relief as they sauntered on down the sidewalk.
Once they were gone Brody walked over to her. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” she replied. “They’re just a whole lot of nastiness.”
“They work for a man who is worse than nasty. Raymond once tried to rape Cass when she was taking care of her sick, dying husband.” He grimaced as she gaped at him in shock. “I shouldn’t have told you that.”
“I won’t tell anyone,” she replied. “Do all the men at the ranch know about it?”
“No, I think I’m the only one Cassie told. If some of the others knew they’d kill Raymond without blinking an eye.”
“You said he tried to rape her, so I’m guessing he wasn’t successful?”
A small smile curved the corners of his mouth. “He was not only unsuccessful, but she delivered a snap of her bull whip on his bare ass that apparently scarred him for life.”
“Good for her,” she replied. “And don’t worry, I know how to keep secrets.” Their conversation was cut short as another couple approached.
Brody looked at his watch. “You have about a half hour left. I’ll be in the truck.”
Fifteen minutes later Butch showed up carrying a shopping bag in one hand. Mandy greeted him with a smile, but she remembered Brody’s crazy idea about the tall, handsome cowboy. Was it really so crazy? Was it possible Butch was capable of doing such things?
“Last-minute shopping?” she asked.
“Yeah. At least I didn’t wait until tomorrow night. On Christmas Eve the stores are packed with people who put off shopping
until the last minute.” His gaze was warm...too warm as it lingered on her. “If things had worked out between us I would be buying something special for you.”
“But things didn’t work out,” she replied firmly. “I hope you find the woman who will be your everything, Butch.”
“I thought I’d already found her,” he said. He shrugged and offered her a sad smile. “I just hope Brody is making you happy.”
“He is,” she replied even though that wasn’t exactly true. Butch didn’t have to know that what would really make her happy was if Brody would kiss her again. She wanted him to take her to bed and make love to her... That would make her beyond happy.
“I hear tonight is the last night for this particular money drive.” Butch pulled out his wallet and handed her a twenty-dollar bill. She leaned forward but he shook his head. “I’m good without the kiss.”
“Thanks, Butch. You know Seth appreciates every dollar. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas,” she said.
“Thanks, and the same to you. I’ll see you around.” He turned and walked back the way he had come.
She watched him, wondering how she had missed that he was apparently still crazy about her. How crazy was he? Crazy enough to slash her father’s throat? Devious enough to attack her and then beat up Graham?
She pushed away these troubling thoughts as the minutes wore on. Several other people stopped to donate and chat. At five minutes until nine she decided to shut down shop. The streets had emptied and she was more than ready to go home and get off her feet.
After waving to Brody, she pulled down the awning and secured it. She unplugged the Christmas lights and stepped into the back room.
She didn’t see him in the semidarkness. She had no warning at all. A body slammed into hers and gloved hands wrapped around her throat and squeezed so tightly she couldn’t scream... She couldn’t even make a sound.
She thrashed and kicked in an attempt to get him away and off her. Her fingers scrabbled at his gloved hands in an attempt to dislodge his hold from around her throat. Air...she needed air.
With no success, she tried to poke her fingers into the eyes that stared at her through the ski mask slits. She attempted to raise her knee up to hurt him, but he held her too tightly against him.
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