Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch - B.J. Daniels [51]
"I figured it had to be something like that. Which only makes me more convinced Stacy was behind it—and she wasn't working alone. My guess is that Stacy got some man to help her. I don't know why or how they did it, but I'm going to find out." He let go of her wrist, the look in his eyes a painful reminder of the love they'd once shared. "I've never wanted anyone but you. And I'm going to prove it to you."
She stood just looking at him, afraid of what she might say at that moment. Even more afraid of what she might do. They were so close that she could smell the faint hint of his aftershave and the raw maleness of him. She wanted desperately to believe him.
Her gaze went to his lips. The memory of his mouth on hers was like a stabbing pain. All she wanted was for him to take her in his arms, to kiss her again, to make her forget everything that had happened.
He reached for her, his large palm cupping her cheek, as he pulled her to him. She felt her body start to lean toward him like metal to magnet and the next thing she knew their lips brushed, then locked.
She clutched the front of his jacket, balling up the fabric in her fists as his arms came around her. His tongue touched hers and desire shot through her. She moaned as he deepened the kiss, so lost in his mouth that she didn't even hear the first ring.
His cell phone rang again, shattering the silence, shattering the moment. She pulled back. He looked at her as if the last thing he wanted to be at that moment was marshal. The phone rang again. Slowly, he withdrew his arms and checked Caller ID.
"I have to take this," he said, sounding as disappointed as she felt.
She stepped away from him, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. What had she done? She shook her head at how easily she had weakened. What was wrong with her? How could she forget the pain Hud had caused her?
Did she really believe he'd been set up? That nothing had happened that night except someone trying to drive them apart?
"Sheriff's department business. Sorry," he said behind her.
She touched her tongue to her upper lip, then turned to face him and nodded. "I need to get home, too. Wouldn't want to miss the family meeting Jordan's scheduled at the ranch tonight."
Hud swore. "Be careful. I'll call you later. I don't want you staying at the ranch house, especially with Jordan there. He told me just a while ago that he doesn't remember Ginger Adams nor did he have any contact with her." Hud seemed to hesitate. "I have a witness who saw him fighting with her. It was clear they'd had some type of intimate relationship before that and that Ginger was trying to end it. Jordan broke her wrist. This was soon before her death."
Dana couldn't hide her shock.
"It was apparently an accident. Jordan shoved her, she fell and broke her wrist. The thing is, he lied about his relationship with her and my witness says he paid her to keep quiet about the incident." Hud cursed under his breath as he must have seen something in her expression. "You knew about Ginger and Jordan?"
"Dad told me, but years ago I'd seen Ginger and Jordan in the alley kissing."
Hud swore. "I know Jordan is your brother and even with you being on the outs with him right now, you'd still take up for him when push comes to shove. But, Dana, I'm afraid of what Jordan might be capable of when he doesn't get his way. Right now from what I can gather, what he wants more than anything is the Cardwell Ranch. And you're the only thing standing between him and the money from the sale. Watch your back."
Chapter Ten
Dana had stopped off to see Hilde on the way home, putting off the family meeting as long as possible—and trying to keep her mind off Hud and the kiss and everything he'd told her as well as the person she'd spotted across the street watching the shop. Watching her.
"Someone is trying to scare me," she told Hilde. "Or worse." She filled her in.
"I'm with Hud. You shouldn't be alone out there.