by Cora Seton
He didn’t like the idea that Lacey would be interrogated again. He wanted to be here for her, but there was no way Sean would allow that and still give him information. “What about the construction company. If you’re talking dollars, they had the most to gain.”
“But a campfire? And none of them worked here on the weekend.”
“And what a great way to hide the purpose of the fire. What I get stuck on is that you said someone had to let the fire burn unattended for a long while.”
Sean nodded. “Yeah, I can see these college kids building one then leaving and not bothering to put it out. Still, I have to cover every possible avenue. At least we now know what the thefts have been about and can stop it.” A gleam came into Sean’s eyes and he relaxed back against his chair. “I’m thinking a major scare tactic is going to be needed to dissuade these frat boys.”
Cole grinned. Sean was one of the easiest going guys on the force, but he was hardnosed when it came to stupidity. “What did you have in mind and how can I help?”
Sean tapped the pen on his pad. “I’m thinking a safety inspection on their frat house with a number of ‘arrests’ and a night in jail could work.”
“Count me in.”
“Good. But how much can I count on you with this fire investigation?”
That was a good question. “You can count on me to be truthful.”
Sean stared at him a long time, before he nodded. “Good enough.”
“I’m going to head out now. I have a horse in poor condition.” Cole stood. “But I’m coming back this evening, so I’ll keep my ear to the ground.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it. On your way out, send Kendra in.”
Cole gave Sean a quick nod and strode down the hall to the lobby. He told Kendra Sean wanted her then he looked for Lacey. She wasn’t behind the desk, so he forced himself to leave. There was a good chance she was in back with the cook, making sure everything was ready for the coming day. She’d always been able to organize.
Setting his hat on his head, he walked outside as Billy pulled up, his smile wide. “Hey, cowboy, need a lift?”
“Perfect timing.” He climbed in the golf cart.
Billy’s hair was still wet and he smelled of cologne. It was hard to believe he was the same man passed out in the horse stall a couple days ago.
“Did you hears about all the ruckus?” Billy set the cart in motion, taking them down the road to the bridge.
“I did.” He doubted Billy actually heard anything last night.
“Sure’s nice having security here again. Makes it easier to sleeps at night.”
Somehow, he doubted Billy had a hard time sleeping. “I think Detective Anderson will be putting a stop to any more vandalism by this particular crowd.”
They rumbled across the bridge as Billy shook his head. “College kids. Never did understands what good all that schoolin’ does ’em.”
Cole swallowed a laugh, not willing to insult the old man. He was harmless and just trying to do his job between his drinks. Kendra was a much more patient boss than he could ever be. “Do you always work so early in the morning?”
Billy smacked the steering wheel. “You betcha. These nudists loves the sun so they gets here early, but that’s okay, ’cause I gets off as soon as the sun goes down behind this ridge.”
The cart crested the ravine ledge and Billy drove around the barrier. As they approached the garage, Cole noticed a small black pile against the north wall.
“Okay, here’s you go. I gots to go gets Hunter now. He be movin’ his stuff into Wade’s old casita today.”
Cole was glad the security guard would be settling in. It made the place safer for Lacey. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Anytimes.”
He shook his head as he watched Billy drive around the barrier and back over the ravine’s edge. With characters like Billy and Adriana and even Kendra herself, Poker Flat had to be one of the strangest places in the whole country.
About to enter the garage, he changed his mind and walked to the north end of the steel structure where he’d noticed the black spot. Looking around the corner, he tensed. Not twenty feet away was what looked like a burned-out campfire. He walked to it and kicked the leftover debris. It was definitely a few days old. Fuck. It could have started a wildfire that would have traveled miles in this terrain.
Now this was something Sean should know about and it definitely had nothing to do with Lacey. Pulling out his phone, he strode to his truck.
“Hello, Sean? There’s something up here by the guest garage that you should see.”
Chapter Eight
‡
Lacey looked at the clock for the fifth time in the last ten minutes. Frustrated with how slow time was moving, she pushed her chair away from the computer and stood.
“Something wrong, honey?”
Not aware anyone had approached the front desk, it took her a minute to compose herself before walking forward to respond to Ginger, Kendra’s dear friend. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
The older woman with bright, naturally orange hair smiled widely. She and her husband had been the reason Kendra had built Poker Flat in the first place. The last thing Lacey wanted to do was keep her waiting.
“Don’t you worry none, sweetie. I imagine you were off daydreaming about that hunky cowboy in blue jeans I saw walking down the back hall yesterday.”
Her cheeks warmed. Ginger had hit the spot. “To be truthful, I was daydreaming a little.” She smiled wanly, not particularly happy about how anxious she was to have Cole coming for dinner. He was her weakness and despite eight years of separation, her heart was busy knocking down the hard-fought walls she’d constructed around it as it clamored to reach Cole.
“I don’t blame you one bit.” The woman chuckled. “I swear if he looked at me like he looked at you this morning, I’d have to think twice before turning back to Buddy.”
Lacey shook her head. “Now, Ginger, I know for a fact nothing could take you away from your husband. You two were made for each other.”
“And how do you know you two weren’t made for each other as well?” Ginger smirked.
If she and Cole had been made for each other, would he have been so quick to abandon her? “I don’t think so. We have a history and he’s the one who ended it. I don’t think I can trust him again.”
“Did the bastard sleep around on you?”
It took Lacey a minute to register the older woman’s words. “No! Cole would never be unfaithful.”
“Well, if he didn’t cheat on you, because I say once a cheater, always a cheater, then he deserves a second chance, right?”
She wanted to give him another chance. She really did, but she was so afraid of being hurt again and never being able to recover. She hadn’t dated more than six years after him. If they tried again and he betrayed her… Her stomach tightened painfully at the thought.
Ginger reached across the counter and grasped her hand. “Sweetie, I’m not telling you what to do. Just giving you an outsider’s perspective. It seems to me that Kendra built this place especially for second chances, but if you can’t offer that, you don’t have to. You do what’s right for you.”
She stared at the woman with teary eyes and nodded. “Thank you.” Maybe Ginger was right. Maybe Cole did deserve a second chance. It wasn’t like she was perfect either.
Ginger released her hand. “I’m happy to help.”
Lacey wiped her eyes and smiled. “Now what can I do for you? You probably didn’t come over here to advise me on my love life.”
“No, I didn’t know my expert advice would be needed.” Ginger winked. “I came over here because Buddy was wondering if you had a volleyball net for the pool. He noticed the poles and hooks, but didn’t know where to find it.”
“Of course. The last one broke, but a new one came in yesterday. I haven’t had a chance to unpack it yet. I’ll be happy to bring it out for you.”
“Lovely. Thank you, sweetie.
I can see why Kendra depends so much on you. You are one efficient lady.”
Ginger sauntered out the lobby doors and Lacey mused. The freckles on the woman’s face and chest were all over her body and she could have cared less. That’s what she liked about Poker Flat, everyone was welcome…everyone but thieves and arsonists.
Detective Anderson had not only asked her about the fire at Poker Flat, but also the one in Orson. Cole must have told him about it. She wanted to resent him, but that was just who he was. He always did what he was supposed to do, tell the truth, admit guilt, obey his parents, wear a condom.
She heated as a memory came with her last thought. They had unexpectedly been left alone together on her eighteenth birthday. Her mom ran out because she forgot birthday candles and needed to pick up a friend. Cole had immediately taken advantage of the situation, but hadn’t brought a condom because he thought they’d be surrounded by twenty people all afternoon.
That was the first time he’d made her come with his tongue. She never forgot the excitement and titillating experience of sitting on the couch, her skirt up, her panties down and his tongue working her clit while his finger pumped into her with her mother and guests due to arrive within minutes.
Gosh, just the memory of that episode had her folds growing moist. They finished as her mother’s car pulled into the driveway and he’d tried to kiss her. She’d turned her head and quickly dressed. He called her a scaredy cat for that move, but she’d been so sure her mom would be able to tell she’d just had an amazing orgasm, she was as nervous as a rabbit in a rattler’s den.
If only Cole knew her like she had known him. If he did, he would have never believed she set the fire in Orson. But now he believed she hadn’t set the fire at Poker Flat. Something changed. Could it be he finally realized she’d been innocent all along? If so, it opened up so many possibilities for them, throwing her back to a time when he loved her so much, he couldn’t wait to have her to himself and unwrap her from her clothes. He’d loved her sexy lingerie and an image of his hard-on at seeing her in it had her body tingling.
Clasping her hands in front of her, she walked to the back room. She wasn’t hungry, but chocolate had a certain soothing effect on her libido and memories of Cole certainly revved that up. Unwrapping a candy bar, she took a bite and glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.
She threw the candy wrapper in the trash and spotted the box with the volleyball net. Oh sugar, she forgot about getting that out to Buddy. Quickly, she pulled a box cutter out of a drawer and sliced through the package. In no time, she had the net out and left the office. She collided with Adriana as she entered the lobby.
“Hey, try to focus on where you’re going, honey.” Adriana carried a six pack of specialty beer.
“Sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.”
Adriana placed her hands on her hips, the six pack tipping dangerously. “Thinking about that cowboy I saw you with this morning?”
She shrugged. Better not to say anything.
“Look, that man is hotter than the inside of a car with black interior at midday on July fourth in Phoenix, but that doesn’t mean he’s right for you. Kendra told me he’s the one who broke your heart but then I see you in his arms. What’s with that?”
She looked away. It had been so easy to lean on Cole. “I was scared. He came to make sure I was safe.” She returned her gaze to Adriana. “I can’t just turn off the feelings I have for him.” Why did she keep trying to explain how she felt when she didn’t know herself?
“Listen, honey, here’s my advice. Your body misses him. Take him to your place, fuck his brains out and then cut him loose. If you can’t, then it’s time to make him toe the line and I’d be happy to help you.”
Lacey widened her eyes, caught speechless for a moment, then something about Adriana’s smirk had sirens sounding in her head. She squinted her eyes at the bartender. “Don’t you dare.”
Adriana raised her sculpted eyebrows and bare shoulders. “What? All I said was that I would help.”
She pointed her finger at her friend. “I know how you set up that strip poker game with Wade and Kendra. I don’t need your kind of help, thank you.”
“Oh, come on girl. I could tie him up in a chair in your pretty little casita and you could have your way with him. After all, I hear cowboys like rope.” She winked before turning toward the bar.
“What?”
Adriana sauntered away. “No worries, hon. I’ll be sure to strip him first.”
Lacey leaned back against the wall as the image of Cole tied naked to a chair appeared before her. The erotic vision had need coursing through her so hard her knees grew weak.
Anxiously, she fanned herself as she scowled at the large gathering room where Adriana disappeared. That woman needed to fall in love and see exactly how hard it could be. Even at the thought, Lacey relented. She hoped someday someone could make Adriana happy. There was a heart of gold beneath all that sex appeal, but it would take a tough hombre to run the gauntlet she’d put up around it.
Was that what she’d done? Made the path to her heart so complicated nothing Cole did would solve the maze she’d created? She wasn’t like Adriana who enjoyed her one-night sex adventures. Lacey wanted a home with a man who believed in her. Maybe, down the road, even some children. Cole would make a great father. His integrity was impeccable, even if she’d ended up on the other side of it.
She glanced at the clock in the main gathering area. Maybe he wouldn’t come.
Maybe Angel was worse off than he thought. An innocent horse being abused broke her heart. That Cole cared enough to make a place for such animals made the walls around her heart fall a little more. His parents had to have been furious. They were so proud of their horses’ lineage. She could see them refusing to help him. He’d stood up to them for his horses. Why couldn’t he have done the same for her?
Because he didn’t want a relationship with an arsonist. It all came down to that. But would Cole want to try again if he still believed she’d started the Orson fire? He must have had a change of heart. That had to be why he kept trying to start their relationship again. Hope rekindled in her chest, burning any remaining defenses she had.
She pushed away from the wall, a new excitement bubbling inside. She hurried through the gathering room, the indoor bar, and outside to the pool area. Scanning the nudists lounging about, she spotted Buddy. He always wore a baseball cap because he was balding and didn’t want to burn. The rest of him had a dark tan, like his wife.
Refusing to look toward the bar where she was sure Adriana would be smiling and winking at her, she brought the net over. “Here you go.”
Buddy looked up from his book. “Ah Lacey, I knew we could count on you. Do you want to join us?”
She waved her finger at him. “Now you know I can’t do that. I’m on the clock. All employees must be clothed while working.”
He glanced over at his wife, who wore a look of “I told you so.”
“I guess I lost that bet. Ginger said you wouldn’t because you follow the rules, always.”
She smiled at Ginger before nodding to Buddy. “That’s right, and don’t you forget it.”
Buddy laughed and she turned away to return to the front desk. She waved at a few of the guests and answered one person’s question, then entered the indoor bar. She stopped short.
Cole stood there, hat in hand, wearing a blue collared shirt, black hat, blue jeans and brown cowboy boots. The man in a t-shirt was a tease, but dressed up, he made her belly do somersaults.
“Hi, Lacey. Ready for dinner?”
She would prefer to go straight to dessert and simply have him, but that was out of the question. Adriana’s suggestion flitted across her mind before she shook her head. “Wow, you look nice.” She glanced down at her long beige skirt and yellow flowered top and felt downright dowdy. “I didn’t know we were dressing up.” She smirked. “Usually people don’t wear clothes to dinner here.”
He stepped closer, his
woodsy scent flooding her with memories. “Where do you look?”
“What do you mean?” He glanced over her head and she turned. “You mean with the guests?”
“Yeah.”
She turned back, ready to give him a set down, but he appeared honestly curious. She calmed down her immediate defense. “I look them in the eyes like I do with everyone. At first it was strange, everyone walking around naked, but now…” She shrugged. “I don’t really notice anymore. It becomes the norm.”
“I admit if you walked around naked, your eyes wouldn’t be the only thing I’d look at.”
Her body heated as his gaze focused on her.
“Do you still wear sexy lingerie beneath your clothes?” He blatantly stared at her chest and her nipples responded.
“Cole Hatcher, stop that.”
His gaze moved to her eyes and he winked. “Are you hungry?”
The double entendre was not lost on her. The man was laying on the charm and she may be weakening, but she could set him back with the rest of them. “Yes, I am and I know for a fact Selma made her double cheese beef quesadillas today. They smell wonderful.”
Cole’s look of disappointment was perfect. She congratulated herself on keeping control of their conversation, and relationship, such as it was.
“Actually, I brought pizza.”
She looked around but didn’t see any. “You did?”
He motioned with his hat. “When you weren’t at the front desk, I went into the back room, but I left it there when I couldn’t find you. It’s sausage and extra cheese.”
“That’s my favorite.”
“I know.” His smile faded. “I thought we could take it back to your casita. That way you wouldn’t have to worry about the rest of the staff watching us have dinner.”
She grimaced. “Yes, my new family can be a bit nosy.”
“It would give us more privacy.”
“Good point. No need for anyone to listen to our conversation.”
