by Donna Grant
By the time the knock on her door came, she was famished and in need of some time away from the computer screen. She pulled up one of her audiobooks and hit play as she settled in to enjoy her salad.
Her greatest joy—and something she and Macey had gotten from their mother—was romance novels. While her mother preferred historicals, Marlee loved them all. There wasn’t a sub-genre of romance that she didn’t devour. As she listened to the narrator, she allowed herself to fall into the world as she ate.
Finding time to read was difficult. And while she still loved books, when she was traveling, packing, following someone, or even digging into their lives, her audiobooks became a necessity. They were her escape, the things that got her through each day.
She listened far longer than she should have. When she glanced down at her salad, it was gone. She had become so engrossed in the story that she hadn’t realized she’d eaten the entire thing. Then she looked at the time and gasped.
“Dammit,” she said as she stopped the audiobook and jumped to her feet.
Marlee hurried to put on her boots before she grabbed her jacket, purse, and keys and ran out the door. It wasn’t until she was nearly at the massage place that she looked down and saw that she’d left her phone behind. There was no time to get it now. It’d have to wait until later.
She’d just put the car in park when it started to rain. Marlee grimaced as she got out and ran to the building, a shiver running through her. She preferred the moderate temperatures of California. While she had gotten used to hot and cold places, she didn’t particularly like them.
Marlee paused when the hairs on the back of her neck rose. She swallowed, the feeling that someone was watching her too strong to ignore. She glanced over her shoulder as she opened the door, but she didn’t see anyone. A receptionist greeted her when she walked into the building, and she smiled, though she kept glancing out the door to see if she could locate what had alarmed her.
She was filling out the paperwork for her visit when the door opened on the side of the room, and the massage therapist walked out with her client. They spoke briefly, and Marlee waited until the client made her way to the counter to pay before she glanced up. Her eyes landed on none other than Abby East.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” the woman behind the counter said, a wide smile on her lips.
Abby laughed and nodded enthusiastically. “It’s taken Brice and Naomi so long, but they finally have a child. We spent yesterday with them.”
“It’s all anyone can talk about around town. What did they name the baby?”
Abby beamed with pride. “Nathanial, but they’re calling him Nate.”
The worker cooed. “That’s adorable. Don’t forget to remind Naomi that she still needs to take time for herself. She shouldn’t pass up her monthly massages.”
“Trust me, we’re all reminding her of that. She’s just so taken with Nate that it might be a while before she gets back to normal. Brice, too, for that matter.” Abby shook her head, her brunette locks secured in a ponytail. “Although, I can freely admit that Nate stole my heart the moment I saw him. He’s adorable.”
The worker handed Abby the receipt to sign. “How are your three liking their cousin?”
“Wynter and Brody couldn’t care less. But Hope is utterly enthralled. She cried when we left yesterday.”
Marlee finished her paperwork and rose to hand it to another worker. By the time she answered all the questions posed to her, Abby was gone. They brought Marlee to a waiting room with soothing music that was likely supposed to relax her. Instead, her mind was focused on her current job. If she were just anyone, she’d probably think like everyone else and be happy for Naomi and Brice. But Marlee knew the ugly side of adoptions.
There was no way she would be able to relax enough for a massage. She had a list of things she needed to look into. She got to her feet just as a tattooed man with a long beard and perfectly coiffed hair called her name. Since she was the only person in the waiting room, she couldn’t ignore him.
“That’s me,” she said.
He held out his hand. “I’m Chris. I’ll be your therapist today. Tell me what you’d like to work on.”
She shook his hand. “I’ve got some pretty bad knots in my neck and shoulders.”
Chris led her into a room. “I can definitely take care of that. I’ll let you get undressed, and I’ll be back in a moment.”
Even as Marlee removed her clothes and got on the heated bed and beneath the sheet, she wondered if she was wasting her money on the massage right now since she was too wrapped up in the case. At least that was her thought until Chris began to work out the knots. It wasn’t long before her mind quieted, and she was able to relax.
In a blink, the massage was over. Marlee actually groaned when Chris said that the time was up. She needed another few hours at least. After Chris left, she dressed and then met him in the hall where he handed her a cup of water.
“You weren’t kidding,” he told her. “I’m surprised you can move at all. Your muscles are locked.”
She twisted her lips. “It’s something I deal with daily.”
“You shouldn’t let that happen. I suggest you return in two weeks.”
“Thanks. I’ll see,” she said with a smile before he led her out to pay.
As she stood in the same spot that Abby East had, Marlee’s mind went right back to the case. She got the attention of the worker who had checked Abby out. “This might seem rude, but I overheard the conversation you were having with the lady before I went back for my massage. She’s Abby East, right?”
The woman looked suddenly leery. “Yes.”
Marlee grinned. “I thought so. I’ve not met her yet, but I knew about Naomi and Brice bringing home their new baby. I was supposed to go to the party, but I had to work, and I didn’t want to just walk up to her.”
“Oh, you should have,” the worker said, now relaxed after seemingly coming to believe Marlee’s lie. “Abby is the sweetest woman I know. And her husband?” The woman fanned herself. “He’s to die for.”
Marlee had seen a photo of Clayton East. He certainly was handsome. “I know.”
“Y’all can have Clayton,” another woman said, this one younger as she came around the corner. “Personally, I’d take Cooper.”
Since Marlee knew everyone associated with Brice and Naomi, she immediately knew that the woman was speaking about Cooper Owens. Who, if Marlee were looking to hook up with anyone, would be who she chose. There was something about his eyes and that heart-stopping smile.
“Do you know Cooper?” the younger woman asked.
Marlee just smiled. “Doesn’t everyone?”
She finished paying and walked out of the building to find that the rain had stopped for the moment, and the temperatures had dropped even more. This time, nothing made her think that someone was watching her, so she chalked it up to being hyper-sensitive before. She shivered and jumped into her car to start the engine. On the way back to the motel, she pulled into a nearby gas station to fill up. She wasn’t on empty, but she never knew if she would need to drive a long distance at a moment’s notice, so she always kept the tank filled.
Before opening the door, Marlee tugged on her coat and reached for her wallet. She shoved the hair that the wind kept blowing into her eyes out of her face and got the gas going. Most people ignored others filling up near them, but not Marlee. She always listened in because you never knew what kind of gossip you could pick up.
“You’re new.”
The male voice took her by surprise. She turned to find herself staring into faded blue eyes and a face weathered by age and the sun. White hair poked out from beneath the cowboy hat situated atop the man’s head. He looked her up and down.
Marlee gave him a nod. “I am.”
“It’s your hair.”
She quirked a brow. “I’m sorry?”
“There ain’t too many natural redheads in this town.”
Marlee s
miled and turned back to the pump, but it was obvious the man wasn’t going anywhere. She sighed and turned back to him. “You know everyone in the area?”
“Of course,” he stated as if she had asked if the sky were blue. “I’ve lived here my entire life. The young’uns always move away, but eventually, they make their way back. It’s rare for someone like you to come here. What are you after?”
No one had ever put it quite so plainly before. Marlee leaned her hip against the car. “Why do you think I’m after something?”
“Like I said, we don’t get those like you here.”
“I feel as if I should be offended.”
“Mac doesn’t mean anything by it,” said a deep voice from behind her. The sound made her stomach do somersaults as if butterflies had taken up residence there. She didn’t move because she couldn’t.
The old man, Mac, ran a hand over his whiskered jaw and looked over her shoulder. “Wondered how long it’d take you to get over here.”
“I think just in time,” the man behind her said with a chuckle.
Mac tipped his hat to her and walked away. Marlee wasn’t sure what was wrong with her. She was used to dealing with all sorts of people. It began when she was still a cop, and that training had come in handy more times than she wanted to admit, both then and since.
But no one had ever affected her in such a way.
“Ma’am? You okay?”
She nodded and pushed away from her car. The pump had finished, which gave her something to do. She pulled out the nozzle and replaced it on the hook. As she turned to put the cap back on her gas tank, she saw that a large hand was already doing it.
Her gaze traveled up the arm encased in a dark brown coat. Slowly, her eyes moved to his neck and then landed on his face. She knew him instantly. How many times had she stared at his deep green eyes in the photographs she had? His black Stetson hat was pulled low, but she still caught sight of the dark brown locks that were a tad long—though she preferred it that way.
He had a shadow of a beard on his handsome face, as though he hadn’t shaved that morning. It accentuated his amazing jaw. She found it sexy as hell, which only irritated her more. Then she made the mistake of looking at his lips. They were wide and on the fuller side. And as she stared, they curved into a grin.
“I’m Cooper Owens,” he said and stuck out his hand.
Marlee glanced down at the hand and blinked. It took her a second to reach for the proffered palm. The moment his long, lean fingers wrapped around hers, something warm and electric rushed through her. Her eyes snapped to his, and by the small frown on his brow, it seemed he’d felt it, as well. Marlee wanted to yank her hand from his hold, but she couldn’t seem to make her body obey.
Cooper tilted his head to the side, concern in his eyes. “Did Mac say something rude?”
“No,” Marlee croaked. She shook her head while clearing her throat. “No, no. Everything is fine.”
“You had me concerned for a bit.” He smiled again.
Damn him. Didn’t he know what that did to her?
“I don’t suppose I could get your name, could I?”
The last time Marlee had acted so stupidly was in junior high when she tried to talk to a boy she liked. It had been a disaster. One she had worked hard to never repeat. And yet, here she was, doing it again.
“Marlee Frampton,” she told him.
“Nice to meet you, Marlee.”
She was drowning in his green eyes as his thumb rubbed gently across her hand. Marlee knew she should get away from him immediately. Whatever was going on with her spelled trouble. She knew it, but it did no good.
“It’s nice to meet you, too.”
Chapter 5
My God, she was stunning.
That thought kept going through Cooper’s head as he held her hand. Her auburn curls danced in the wind while her eyes, the color of bourbon, watched him. She had a delicate face that made a man think she needed saving. But one look in her eyes and a person immediately saw the steel within her.
That didn’t make him like her any less. In fact, it made him more interested. That, along with whatever it was he’d felt when they first touched, had him slack-jawed. His first impression of Marlee Frampton was that everything was there for someone to see—if they only looked.
And he was certainly looking.
“What brings you to our fair town?”
Her gaze slid away as she pulled her hand from his. “Business.”
“Here?” he asked. There wasn’t much going on in the area that didn’t revolve around ranches. While he imagined that Marlee could fit in anywhere, he didn’t peg her for a rancher. “You in the ranching business?”
She swallowed. “No.”
No further explanation came, which meant she didn’t want to discuss it. Cooper couldn’t blame her. He was a stranger asking probing questions. “I hope to see you around again.”
The smile she shot him didn’t quite reach her eyes. She turned and walked around to the driver’s side of her car before getting in and starting the engine. Cooper remained where he was as she drove off. A dozen questions rushed through his mind that he wished he would’ve asked her, but he’d been too blinded by her beauty.
“Well, son, I think you need to brush up on your wooing skills,” Mac said as he came to stand beside him.
Cooper couldn’t disagree. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so drawn to a woman before.”
“Hmm. Those are the ones you’ve got to look out for.”
He turned his head to look into Mac’s faded blue eyes. “Why do you say that? Seems it’d be the type you’d want to find.”
“Pfft,” Mac said and waved aside Cooper’s words. “You’ve obviously never fallen hard for a woman and not had her return that affection.”
“I’ve had my heart broken before.”
“Not like what I’m talking about. Just watchin’ you told me you’re half in love with her already, and you just met. She’s the kind who’ll destroy your heart, son. Trust me.”
Cooper glanced down the road to where Marlee had disappeared. “Or, she could be my soul mate.”
“There’s that chance, I suppose. I took that gamble once, and it didn’t turn out so well for me.”
“That was her loss.”
Mac smiled, showing several missing teeth. “Exactly. I would’ve loved her like no other.” The smile died then. “What I’m tryin’ to say is that you can’t make someone love you. Just be careful.”
Cooper waited until Mac was in his old Ford pickup and driving away before he made his way back to his truck and climbed inside. He started the engine and debated if he should go in the direction Marlee had headed to find her. But what would he say? She’d likely think him a stalker. He needed to come up with another plan.
Cooper blew out a breath and turned in the opposite direction. He finished his errands and found himself headed toward the police station. The officer at the front gave him a wave and a nod as Cooper rounded the desk and waited to be buzzed in. Once he passed the locked door, he made his way to the chief of police. The office door was open as Ryan Wells read over something.
Cooper knocked on the frame. “Hey.”
Ryan’s head snapped up. “Hey. I wasn’t expecting you today.”
“Surprise visit.” He walked into the office and sat in one of the chairs.
Ryan sat back so his chair leaned back some. He quirked a brow. “What’s on your mind?”
A woman, but Cooper didn’t want to tell him that. He and Ryan were friends, and he wasn’t going to abuse that friendship by asking Ryan to look into Marlee. “Just finishing up some errands.”
“You’re still bored.”
Cooper shrugged. “I’m happy helping out on the side for you and the department.”
“My dad would say you’re rudderless, that you’re going in whatever direction the wind blows you.”
“He wouldn’t be wrong.” Cooper laughed softly. “I’ve got this feeling that there
is something out there I’m supposed to do. I’ve just not found it yet.”
Ryan twisted his lips. “You’d make a great cop. I’ve told you that before. I saw your and Jace’s skills when you aided Danny and Skylar last year. I’d hire you in a heartbeat.”
“I appreciate it. I like helping out when I can, but I don’t believe being a police officer is my destiny. I know that makes it sound like I don’t want to work, but I do.”
“You might not have a regular job, but you work harder than most people I know.” Ryan sat up. “Now, how about you tell me the real reason you’re here.”
“I just wanted to talk.”
“We’ve known each other long enough that I can tell you not to bullshit me. Spit it out, Coop.”
Cooper rubbed his palms down his thighs. “I don’t want you to do anything. Maybe I just want to talk.”
“All right. Talk,” Ryan urged.
That’s all it took for Cooper to tell the chief about Marlee Frampton. The more Cooper talked about her, the more he wanted to see her again.
The more he craved her.
“I think you should ask her out, man,” Ryan said with a shake of his head. “You’ve got it bad.”
Cooper grinned. “Yeah.”
“What the hell are you doing here talking to me? Get your ass out there and find her,” Ryan said, a smile on his face.
Cooper jumped to his feet. “I think I will.”
Chapter 6
Marlee shut the motel room door behind her and leaned back against it. She closed her eyes and pressed the backs of her hands against her enflamed cheeks.
“Holy shit,” she murmured.
She’d shot the pictures of Cooper herself. She’d seen him alone and with his friends, but nothing, absolutely nothing had prepared her for an up-close and personal meeting. Charming didn’t even begin to describe him. He was … she sighed and banged her head against the door.