She shook her head. “Nope. I had a boyfriend who told me he loved me, but I couldn’t say it back. He was nice but I just didn’t feel it.”
He decided to have some fun with her. “You could have just said it anyway. I don’t think everyone expects it to be the truth.”
Her eyes almost bugged out of their sockets. “Are you joking? Tell a man I love him but not really mean it? That’s mean. Do you tell your women you love them?”
“No. Never.” Love wasn’t in his plans. “I told you I make that clear.”
“Even if they tell you?” she insisted.
Logan winced at a recent memory. He didn’t like hurting anyone’s feelings but he wouldn’t lie.
“Even if they tell me. But we’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you. You weren’t in love with him.”
“I should have been. He was perfect.”
She bit into her pizza and hummed in appreciation.
“Perfect? How was he perfect?”
Logan was well aware he was interrogating her but he liked her clear, direct answers. She was too naive to even lie. It was like spending time with someone on truth serum. If she wasn’t careful, she’d be crushed by the realities of life. It made him feel protective, wanting to shield her from the world.
“He was an artist of sorts. I’ve always dated that type. Actors, singers, writers. He understood my need to write at all hours of the day. He never pushed me when I was working on a book. He didn’t drag me out of the house when I’d rather be home. We ate a lot of take out and watched television. He read me his poetry and showed me his art. He did graphic design for an advertising firm.”
“He sounds like a deadly bore. No wonder you weren’t in love with him. No excitement.”
“I don’t need excitement,” she argued. “We were intellectual soul mates.”
Logan almost snorted up his pizza. “I wouldn’t know anything about that. I want passion and adrenaline. I want to feel something.” He’d made her uncomfortable. She was picking at the sausage on her pizza. Good. It appeared she needed to be moved out of her comfort zone. “You need to get your heart rate up. That would help you write about love. And sex.”
Her gaze lasered in on him, her eyes narrowing. He hid his chuckle as he realized he’d hit a nerve in the good girl. “I know all I need to know about sex, thank you very much.”
He looked at her a long time, letting her get fidgety. “Somehow I don’t believe that. Have you ever screamed so loud the windows shook? Have you made love so hard and fast the headboard put a dent in the wall?”
Her pretty cheeks were pink and she was eyeing him like he was slime. “That’s not real. That’s just in books and movies.”
“Honey,” he drawled. “That’s my specialty.”
* * * *
From what she’d heard he was perfectly serious. He probably could get her screaming but she wasn’t in the market for a man at the moment. She had too much on her mind, and besides she’d be leaving when they caught Bill Bryson’s murderer. Being one of a crowd wasn’t anything she aspired to.
“Yes, I’ve heard all about your reputation as the county stud.” She reached for another slice of pizza. “Your name is on every bathroom wall between here and Billings. That must be quite an honor.”
If she’d bothered him with her sarcastic tone, he didn’t blink an eye. He just took a long drink of his soda and then grabbed another piece of pizza.
“There’s nothing shameful about taking pleasure in life, good girl. I refuse to feel guilty for enjoying one of God’s gifts to mankind.”
She wasn’t fond of him calling her a good girl. That’s what the town thought of her and it was what she was, but she wasn’t sure it was what she wanted to be.
“Sex is a gift from God?” Her voice sounded slightly choked. He was sitting there so smug and arrogant. Cool as you please.
He arched an eyebrow and smiled. “Isn’t that what they mean when they talk about making a joyful noise unto the Lord?”
Heat suffused her skin. “I have no idea.”
A knock at the door came just in the nick of time. Logan scowled but strode from the kitchen. She could hear a woman’s voice, and something made her get up from her bar stool and peek around the corner. She knew better than to spy but Logan’s silence made her wonder if the lady caller was welcome.
Logan was standing in the foyer with a tight expression on his face and his arms crossed over his chest. The woman, a drop-dead gorgeous blonde with a figure to die for, appeared completely unaware of his negative body language. The blonde had a bottle of wine and a cajoling tone in her voice.
“I know you’ve had a rough few days,” she said. “I thought we could have a glass or two and listen to some music.”
And Ava was Mary, Queen of Scots.
Ava doubted the only thing this woman wanted to do was drink wine and hang out. The blonde’s eyes had a hungry quality that was clear even from six feet away. Ava turned to go back into the kitchen but she must have alerted Logan to her presence.
“Ava,” he called. “Come out and meet Christina.”
Why? Was he one of those guys who thought all females were friends simply because they all carried two X chromosomes?
She sighed and turned back, pasting on a smile. Holding out her hand, she tried not to stare. The woman was stunning to look at and obviously in love with Logan. Ava didn’t know much about interpersonal relationships but a person could spot this a mile away. What was also obvious was that Logan didn’t feel the same. To his credit, he was uncomfortable about it. Clearly he didn’t want to be alone with her.
“Hi. I’m Ava. It’s nice to meet you.”
Christina’s mouth drooped, but she shook Ava’s hand.
“Nice to meet you. Are you a…friend of Logan’s?”
Ava wasn’t sure how to answer that question. She really wasn’t. They were more acquaintances than anything else, but what she thought didn’t matter. Logan answered for her.
“Ava and I have known each other for years. She’s been living in Denver for awhile.”
“Portland,” Ava corrected. “I’ve been living in Portland, Oregon.”
Logan’s arm settled over her shoulders and she stiffened immediately. “I don’t know why I keep getting Denver and Portland confused. Glad she’s back though.”
Logan had a big smile on his face, and Ava wanted to stomp on his toes. He was using her, dammit. She hadn’t signed on for this.
“I came for my sister’s wedding. I’ll be leaving in a few weeks.”
Christina was looking back and forth between them and for good reason. Who was going to believe sexy as sin, bad boy Logan Wright was interested in a barely attractive, goody two-shoes like her?
No one.
His arm hugged her close and she could feel the warmth from his body. “I’m hoping I can convince her to stay a little longer.”
“Well, it’s been very nice to meet you.” Christina shoved the wine bottle at Logan, her smile shaky. “I guess I should be going.”
The pretty blonde almost tripped over her own feet getting back out the door and down the porch steps. Ava felt her heart squeeze with sympathy as the car started up and shot down the long dirt lane to the main road. Ava twisted away from Logan and gave him a scathing look.
“That poor girl is in love with you. I thought you made sure they knew the rules at the beginning of the game?”
A muscle ticked in Logan’s jaw. “I do.”
Ava snorted. “This one didn’t. I hope she doesn’t drive off a bridge or something. Do you do this to all the women you date?”
“I do not.” Logan leaned down and got nose to nose with her, causing her to take a step back. “Shit, Christina said she knew the score. She said she wanted casual and some fun. She changed the game on me. And no, I don’t feel good about this. Hell, I wish she’d find someone else to fall for. I’m not worth what she’s going through over me.”
That took the wind out of her sails.
“You were using me,” she accused, not ready to admit defeat yet.
Logan straightened up. “I was, and I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect her to show up here and I didn’t know what to do. I’ve tried making things plain without being hurtful.”
“I think you’re going to have to hurt her a little,” Ava admitted. “She’s still hopeful obviously. Aren’t you dating anyone?”
Logan’s lips twisted. “I know everyone thinks I’m ass deep in women but I do go through an occasional dry spell. And I don’t want to hurt her. She’s a nice woman.”
She had to give Logan credit. He seemed to be a genuinely nice guy.
“So you threw your arm around me?” she challenged.
A faint red stained his cheekbones. “I said I was sorry. I thought if she saw me with someone else, she’d give up and move on.”
“And I was handy?”
“Yes.” Logan sighed. “Are you going to take your foot off my nuts yet? I’ve apologized twice.”
He had and she should. He’d only been trying not to hurt the woman.
“Do you think it worked? She ran out of here pretty fast.”
“I hope so.” Logan shrugged. “I’d hate to have pissed you off for nothing.”
“I’m not mad. I just doubt she would be jealous of me. She’s beautiful.”
Logan stared at the doorway Christina had exited. “She is. But then all women are beautiful in their own way.”
He sounded like he really meant it.
“All women? Even old lady Cartwright? She’s about a hundred years old.”
He turned and smiled. “Even her. She has a wisdom about her. She showed me pictures from her youth once. Man, she was hot back in the day. She must have had every man in Corville panting after her.”
“Maybe you should have used her to make Christina jealous.”
“I think she’s already in a relationship with Malcolm Sweeney.”
“My pizza’s getting cold.” Ava turned on her heel and went back into the kitchen, sitting down at the island. For some reason, she felt uncomfortable talking with Logan about relationships.
He followed her and settled back into his chair, watching her closely. “So will you help me?”
“Help you with what?” she asked evasively.
He chuckled. “I’m not letting you off the hook, good girl. Help me discourage Christina. Be seen with me. Come out with me and some friends on Tuesday night. It will help both of us.”
She crossed her arms and shook her head. He was a smooth talker but she was wise to his game.
“How will this help both of us?”
“Christina will see me with another woman and you’ll get out of your ivory tower. It might help your writing.” He gave her a charming smile she was certain worked on women young and old. She felt her resolve starting to waver. It was tempting to give in. She was tired of her good girl image and being seen with Logan Wright was a sure way to destroy it. “I’m talking about going out on the town as friends. Have a few beers and some laughs. We’ll go to the roadhouse and dance.”
Oh hell no. Temptation withered and died there and then. He wanted her to be in a crowd of people. Those were situations she avoided like the plague. She had a small band of friends in Portland who enjoyed quiet evenings.
Boring evenings.
“I think I’ll pass. That sounds like Dante’s third circle of hell, honestly. I don’t like crowds.”
“I think you’ll go.” He grinned the patented Logan Wright smile.
“Why would I do that?” she asked, exasperated. Being around Logan was a little exhausting. He poked and prodded and asked way too many questions.
“Because you want to help me with this case so you can be a better writer.”
“You’re blackmailing me,” she said flatly.
“You blackmailed me,” he countered. “I let you help me with this case, and you let me help you learn how to wake the hell up, with the added bonus that Christina gets the gentle hint to move on. You’re walking through life half asleep, Ava. I don’t know why, but for some reason that bothers me.”
There was a teeny tiny part of her that knew he was right. A big part of her, however, didn’t like giving in too easily.
“I get to help you question people.”
“No way.” Logan shook his head. “No can do. You are an honorary deputy. Not a real one.”
“No questioning, no dancing. No deal.” She crossed her arms across her chest and tried to look tough.
“Your call.” He shrugged. “Looks like you won’t be helping me with this case at all.”
She grabbed his hand. “I thought we were negotiating.”
“What do you have that I need, good girl? I have all the resources I require to solve the case. What can you offer me to let you be part of the investigation?”
He looked like an immovable wall. An amused one. He had her over a barrel and he damn well knew it.
“You win. I’ll go. But I won’t have fun.”
Laughing, he shook his head. “I bet you will. You just need to relax a little. Have some fun.” He balled up his napkin and tossed it and the paper plate in the trash. “Are you done?”
She looked down at her plate and nodded. Just the thought of a loud night out with a bunch of people made her nauseous. She’d rather be looking at crime scene photos of dead bodies. “Yes. I’m full.”
“Good. Let’s get back to work then.” He threw away her trash and they went back to combing through statements. Each one gave them a clearer picture of the whereabouts of all the guests, but there was still a long way to go.
And Logan wasn’t going to take away her opportunity to help. She’d go dancing with him, discourage Christina, and he’d see what a stick in the mud she was. From then on, he’d give up on trying to get her to change.
Change sucked.
Chapter Five
Ava stood in the doorway of the Bryson house, hesitant to enter. The foyer and living room were packed with people and she didn’t like crowds. It wasn’t that she was shy. She could talk someone’s ear off on the right occasion. She simply didn’t like the closed in feeling of a room full of people. She was used to being alone most of the time and it suited her. She enjoyed the peace and quiet.
She looked right and left trying to find an alcove she could melt into and spied an unoccupied area behind a large wing back chair. She hurried toward it and tried to blend into the wallpaper, hoping to escape anyone’s notice.
It was amazing how quickly a funeral could be arranged. Saturday, Bill Bryson was a proud father watching his son get married. Monday afternoon, they’d lowered his casket into the ground and he was being toasted by his earthly friends.
The entire town appeared to be here, with even more people than the wedding. Ava had attended the service in the local church, but had skipped the graveside ritual, much to her parents’ chagrin. Her father especially had been disapproving, saying her absence would be noted.
How they would have been able to tell she wasn’t there in this mass of people was a complete mystery. The crowd of bodies ruled out being able to catalog each and every attendee. She’d paid her respects to the family at the church already so her appearance here was simply to appease her parents who had to live in this town after she left.
She’d thought she’d found a good hiding place but clearly she was mistaken. Her sister, Mary, was heading right for her and there was no time to duck down behind the chair.
“I’ve been looking for you.” Mary got right to the point.
“Why?” asked Ava. She couldn’t think of a single reason Mary would want to talk to her. They’d barely spoken since Saturday.
“You gave Sheriff Wright the guest list from the wedding.” Her sister looked less than happy, but that wasn’t all that unusual. Mary could be moody at times and the ruination of her wedding hadn’t helped her disposition. Her mother had been on the phone with Mary for two days trying to calm her down.
There was no point in p
retending. “Yes. Was it a secret? I’m helping Logan find your father-in-law’s killer. I thought you’d be happy about that. Don’t you want to bring him to justice?”
Her sister had the decency to blush slightly. “Of course, but Uncle George told them it couldn’t be retrieved. Then you produced it. It makes George look like a liar.”
“Isn’t he?” Ava challenged. “What made him say that to begin with?”
“I don’t know,” Mary admitted, looking uncomfortable. “I think he didn’t like the way Sheriff Wright was questioning everyone like they were suspects or something.”
“They are suspects,” Ava argued. “We all are. Everyone at the wedding had opportunity. Now we have to find out who would have had motive as well.”
“Are you really helping the sheriff? Mom said you were.” Mary frowned. “That seems strange.”
If her sister only knew.
“He’s very open-minded.” She couldn’t think of much else to say. Confiding in her sister was not a habit Ava indulged in. She certainly wasn’t going to tell her how she’d practically had to blackmail him into it. Or that he had blackmailed her as well.
Mary’s eyebrows went up. “Really? Well, I hope you don’t do anything stupid and get in his way.”
“I’ll try not to,” Ava answered dryly. Her sister thought she was an air-headed nitwit. Some things never changed. “Excuse me, but I think I need something to drink.”
Ava managed to dart away before Mary could reply or ask another question. Ending up in the dining room, Ava accepted a glass of wine from the bartender, sipping at the fruity liquid. She wasn’t much of a drinker but needed the fortification for some reason today. Now the only question left was how long she needed to stay here to be polite.
“Drinking before five?”
Logan’s deep, masculine voice in her ear jarred her out of her thoughts and she almost spilled her drink down the front of her staid black dress. She spun around and had to crane her neck to look up at him. He was easily over six feet tall and she was five-four in stocking feet. He was wearing another dark suit today but this one had a sedate navy tie instead of the bolo tie he’d worn on Saturday night. He looked every inch a Hollywood star instead of a small town sheriff. She could literally feel the gazes of several women on them at this very moment.
Cowboy Truth: Cowboy Justice Association #3 Page 4
