Tortoise Tango

by Mary Wine

  Little Red had over ten.

  Goddamn it! Grabbing the sheets off the tray, Joe began to discover just where Amber Talisman had begun to go wrong in her life.

  Chapter Three

  Amber stared at her cell phone for an entire five minutes before picking it up. Her mother’s number glared at her from the digital face of the small piece of technology. The phone would ring, then her voice mail would pick up and exactly thirty seconds later, her mother would redial and the phone began ringing again.

  Jabbing the send button, Amber set her teeth together as her mother’s sunny voice filled her ear.

  “Amber Star, just how are you?”

  “Hello, Mother. I’m fine, thank you.” Amber clamped her teeth together as she listened to her mother’s laughter.

  “So, when should I expect you home, dear?”

  “I am home and, thank God, everything is just fine.”

  “Amber Star, don’t you dare use that word with me!” Her mother wasn’t happy any longer. Frustration was clearly expressed through her voice. “Come home and stop being so stubborn!”

  “Have a nice day, Mom, and remember, I’m just fine!” Snapping her phone shut, Amber indulged in a moment of self-pity. Actually, all things considered, she was owed an entire hour of self-pity. But she really didn’t have time for it right now.

  “Do you make a habit of lying to your mother?”

  “Jesus!”

  Joe considered his newest resident as she rounded on him like a small tornado. That red hair of hers swung out and around her face as she faced off with him.

  “Why do you keep sneaking up on me?”

  Folding his arms over his chest, Joe cocked his head to look down on her. “When are you going to pay attention to what’s going on around you?” Amber glared at him as he stood in her front yard. He’d left the mirrored sunglasses off for a change and she stared at the black eyes that were currently inspecting her. His patrol car was parked just ten feet behind him making it rather stupid of her to have not heard the engine.

  “I was a little busy. Sorry.”

  “Um-hmmm, I guess I can understand that.”

  The man stopped watching her and began to slowly circle her house. Or, Amber should say, the man was walking around what was left of her house. Her three-room house was now a huge tangled mess of splintered wood and broken glass.

  “You have insurance?”

  “Of course!”

  “Consider yourself lucky. There are a few people discovering that insurance sure would come in handy right now.” Joe finished his assessment and turned back towards Little Red. The house was a total loss. If she could salvage the kitchen flatware, she’d be lucky. But Joe found Amber remarkably calm for such a moment. The blue eyes weren’t bright with tears and she stood looking over the mess with a rather calm acceptance reflected on her face.

  “Well, I don’t think my insurance company is going to feel so lucky when they get the news that my house is a pile of splinters.”

  “I’m surprised you have an insurance company.”

  Oh…Amber knew that tone. There was no mistaking it. The lawman had been checking up on her. “Insurance is required when you are in escrow and I really don’t see just what businesses it is of yours anyway.”

  “Lady, your track record reads better than a checkout-stand novel. I can guess just exactly why your mother was asking you to come home.”

  “Oh, my mother wants me home all right, but I’m a little past the nest stage.” But under her rules, and that wasn’t likely to happen while Amber drew breath! The sheriff aimed hard black eyes at her again but Amber shook it off. There just wasn’t any easy way to explain that your own, dear sweet mother was a witch. Most people just simply didn’t have it in them to believe such a thing. Much less that a mother would cast something like a curse on her own offspring.

  “It’s not exactly a crime for a mother to be inviting her daughter home.”

  “That depends on the fine print.” The man crossed his arms back over his chest in response. His arms bulged as he did it and Amber looked back over the demolished mess of her house. She wasn’t crawling home just because a house was leveled. She hadn’t even moved in yet anyway.

  “I’ll just have to find another place to live.”

  “I’ve got a guesthouse.” Damn! Joe could have bitten his tongue off for letting those words slip out. The last thing he needed was this woman anywhere near him. Bad luck followed her like a trained pony. He had ten pages of car accidents, landslides, an earthquake and too many other catastrophes to name.

  Little Red wasn’t impressed anyway. She tossed a “get real” look at him before stomping away to her car. Watching her lean into the vehicle, Joe took a moment to admire her bottom again. Her stubborn streak rubbed at his anger as he stood looking at her and that car. There were long scratches on the door from her recent slide down an interstate hillside. Her house was a pile of scrap wood and she was being picky about his guesthouse?

  “All right by me. But this isn’t the only house that’s been demolished. I’ll have a new tenant in that guesthouse before nightfall.” Joe slid his glasses back into place before giving her another long look with the mirrored finish to hide it. “But I thought you might like to consider that pet of yours. It’s going to get cold tonight.”

  Flamingo? Oh…the man fought dirty! But he was right. Amber might not mind camping in her car for the sake of her pride. But tortoises didn’t have pride, did they?

  “How much is the rent?”

  * * * * *

  “Now don’t look at me like that. Mama’s found you a nice yard, hasn’t she?” Flamingo gave another groan before the tortoise lumbered away and began eating the shrubbery that surrounded Amber’s newest home.

  Sheriff Lott’s guesthouse was literally charming. It was also tiny. But it was just too cute for words and Amber loved it! Flamingo didn’t seem too thrilled, but the tortoise would settle in.

  The best part of the whole thing was the fact that the guesthouse sat almost half a mile from the sheriff’s house. It wasn’t so much a guesthouse as a mother-in-law house. That suited Amber just fine. It really wasn’t anything personal but the sheriff just seemed to laugh at her a little too much. Add to that, the fact that he managed to show up at all of the wrong times lately… Well, he had solved the problem of just where Amber would be living.

  So, for the next hour, she would be duty-bound to think good thoughts about the man. Tilting her head to the side, Amber considered Flamingo. Sheriff Lott had the best set of shoulders she’d seen in true living color.

  Except that she’d hadn’t really seen those shoulders in the flesh yet. Not that she was considering seeing the man without his shirt on, but there wasn’t anything wrong with a little mental curiosity…

  Oh, right.

  Turning back towards her front door, Amber sent it closed with a shove. Maybe she did owe the man an hour of good thoughts, but her imagination didn’t need to get so completely involved.

  So, instead she’d go shopping! At the moment, the house was empty except for a cot that she’d had packed in her car. Considering the sleeping bag that had served as her bed for the past two weeks, Amber headed for the kitchen and her purse.

  She was going shopping! Maybe she wouldn’t have her insurance check for another week but that was why God had made credit cards.

  * * * * *

  “I quit.”

  The white enamel of Ken’s teeth flashed through his lips before he answered. “You can’t quit, it’s against the rules of the bet. Uncle Tim was clear, loser is badge-boy for the two-year term.” Ken tossed a handful of peanuts into his mouth and crushed them with a few strong motions of his jaw. “But you could always cry ‘Uncle’. And welsh on the bet.”

  “Not in this lifetime.” Joe glared at his sibling before making a grab for the peanut dish that had sat on his mother’s coffee table for as long as he could remember. Ken tried to defend his claim on the bowl but came up too slo
w.

  “Glad to hear it, Sheriff Lott. Nice badge, brother.”

  Joe dropped the snack dish and folded his fingers into a fist. There were just some things that adulthood couldn’t change. Siblings, little brothers to be exact, would always need a good solid, right cross every now and again. It was an older brother’s duty.

  “Josiah Lott, you come in here and lend me a hand.” Another thing time couldn’t seem to touch was the way a mother could snap her child to attention despite the fact that he towered over her by eight inches. “Come on with you, leave your little brother alone.”

  Ken’s face turned into a sharp frown. “Mom, we’re the same size.”

  Deborah Lott leaned her head around the doorjamb and smiled at her sons. Sending her eldest a wink she went back to her kitchen as she sang out some country and western song about it wouldn’t matter when he was eighty because he was always going to be her baby boy.

  Leaning up against the kitchen counter, Joe eyed his mother. It absolutely amazed him, the complete control she managed to wield over her family. There was an infinite amount of strength compressed into her five and a half foot frame. Despite the gray that streaked her hair, she was the heart of the family. Sunday afternoon just wouldn’t feel right if he wasn’t spending it in his mom’s kitchen.

  “So, young man, tell your mother all about the nice girl you met this week.”

  Joe choked on the iced tea he’d tipped back. His mom immediately turned that knowing gleam of hers at him. “Don’t know who you’ve been talking with, but I’m not remembering any girl that I met.”

  His mother turned away from the range and pegged him with her mother’s eyes. “You don’t need to imply that I’m some sort of busybody. Really, Bonnie Samson told me you lent out the cottage.”

  Little Red’s face sprang up in his head in full color. So did the fact that he still thought she had one hell of a great backside. His mother continued to inspect his face with her razor-sharp eyes.

  “Nothing personal, just business, Mom.”

  “What are you trying to pull over my eyes? Business? The property’s been paid in full for ten years! You don’t need a tenant.”

  “Especially this one.” The words slipped out before Joe clamped his lips together. His mother gave a small huff before turning back to her culinary masterpiece.

  “Then why on earth did you let someone move into the place?”

  “Her house was totaled by Ruth and I felt sorry for her.”

  His mother lifted a lid and considered her work before slipping him a smile over her shoulder. “You’re a fine man, Josiah. If I do say so myself.”

  Yeah. But he was sure a stupid one from time to time. Having Little Red bunking right down the road was setting his nerves on edge. He’d spent the last week working enough overtime to choke the image of her bottom out of his head.

  So far, his strategy wasn’t working too effectively.

  The woman was just…well…sexy. To put it bluntly, she wiggled in all the places that made him sweat. Joe shifted as his jeans became uncomfortable. Little Red seemed to have found a quick start button on his sex drive. Thinking about her raised his flagpole now. Catching sight of her made his cock twitch.

  But she had the temperament of a badger and the luck of the damned. Staying far away from Little Red was the wisest choice of action. His cock demanded the opposite as Joe shifted again and tried to resist the need to pull on the front of his pants in his mother’s kitchen.

  “You did remember to pull out the box of records from the bedroom closet?”

  “Damn it!”

  “Josiah! It’s the Lord’s day!” His mother propped a hand onto her hip and glared at him. “It’s not all that big of a deal. Just give the girl a call and go and get the boxes. Painless as could be.”

  As painless as a root canal. His mom smiled as she considered the matter settled and turned back to her cooking. Joe let his eyes close in a moment of pure agony. It was a good thing they were going to services tonight. He was going to need the blessing to counterbalance his tenant’s bad karma.

  * * * * *

  “It’s absolutely perfect!” Amber considered her bed and smiled. All right, there wasn’t a single other thing in the bedroom but the bed. Well, her bed was a work of artistic perfection. A feminine delight. Overindulgent to the extreme but hey, you only get to live once.

  Besides, since she was renting, she’d have to contain her decorating ambitions. Amber loved to paint. Or wallpaper. In fact, her favorite Saturday morning necessity was making a trip to the local Home Depot.

  Amber loved that store!

  She turned away from the creamy, enameled walls of the bedroom as disappointment crushed her imagination. No possibilities here. But her bed was still perfection.

  Queen-sized, quilt top with extra padding and just the most glorious comforter set she’d ever seen. Lavender and gold with lots of cream lace. Amber had bought every matching pillow they made and it was certainly worth the dent it made in her bank account.

  The doorbell chimed for attention. Amber frowned but wandered into her tiny living room anyway. The deliverymen must have forgotten to get her signature or something. Her mattress set had only been dropped off in the last hour. The plastic packing material was still wadded up next to the door. Cutting the stuff up into small enough pieces to fit into her recycle bin was going to be a chore.

  The bell rang again and Amber reached for the doorknob. Maybe she could sweet-talk the guys into taking the pile with them.

  “Good evening.” Little Red shrieked again. The front door slammed shut before she’d even finished her yelling. Joe let the door close. He’d like to plant his boot in the way again but he needed to stay on the woman’s good side. At least long enough for him to get his mom’s records.

  The doorbell buzzed for attention again. Amber glared at the oak panel in front of her and groaned. She couldn’t leave the man standing on her front porch. Pulling the door open she pinned a smile on her face.

  “Good evening, Sheriff Lott.” Amber felt her cheeks color with embarrassment. Being reduced to a shrieking female every time her landlord met her was really the pits. Considering the man in front of her, Amber took a closer look. Joe looked like he was on the way to jury duty. There was a resigned look sitting on his face as he stood watching her with his midnight eyes.

  Amber felt her lips turn up into a smile. Somehow the idea that he was there, when he didn’t want to be made it all so very amusing.

  “What can I do for you?”

  “My mother stored some boxes in the back closet.”

  “Oh, well, come in, I guess.” It was a confusing invitation to issue. Amber considered Joe another second before she moved out of the doorway. Her amusement had suddenly vanished. Having the man inside the house was rather crowding. As small as the cottage was, it seemed to emphasize how big he was. There was a rush of sensation that moved over her skin as she considered his frame. The few men she knew just didn’t make her feel small.

  Joe did. She noticed things about him that she’d never really seen on other men. Her skin tingled as she actually caught and noticed what he smelled like. It was a warm scent that made her nipples tighten as that tingle zipped along her limbs and into her belly.

  “What in blazes is that?”

  Amber propped her hands onto her hips. “It’s called a bed. All the civilized humans sleep in them these days.”

  Joe cocked his head around and let his teeth show. “There’s so much estrogen leaking from that pile of satin and lace, I think you need to post a warning sign.”

  To hell with what her nipples thought! The man was a pig! “Excuse me, but I certainly don’t need your approval on how my bedroom looks.”

  Joe looked over the lavender and green fluff again before looking back at Amber. Her face was flushed with anger and her body taut with it. Her nipples were hard little points that raised the fabric of her dress. The afternoon sun cut through her dress, displaying her body and ev
ery curve she had. His cock hardened instantly as he lingered over the curve of her hips.

  “I didn’t invite you in here, but I’ll be delighted to toss you out!” Amber stretched her arm out and pointed at the door. Joe watched her breasts gently sway as she moved, and felt his mouth go dry. She stamped her foot and repeated her gesture. Arousal snaked up his spine as Joe considered Miss Amber Talisman. The woman was full of sass and it was giving him a hard-on from hell.

  “So, what’s wrong with me?” Joe watched her eyes widen at his question. The little blue orbs fluttered over his shoulders before she pushed her lips into a pout.

  “What?” Amber glared at the man and stamped her foot again. Of all the nerve! She wanted him out! Now! His face was turned up in that half grin again as his eyes were sliding down her body. The smile on his face became infinitely deeper when he got back to looking at her face. Heat exploded in her face again. He was looking her over. Of all the barbaric things to do! Sure, she had looked at his shoulders but that was just because he insisted on showing off by carrying Flamingo. That didn’t give him the right to look at her nipples. His eyes dropped to the little telltale bumps showing through her dress and his lips pressed into a tight line. Amber felt her breath lodge in her throat as she watched the flare of desire brighten his eyes. Her nipples really liked the idea she saw crossing his face.

  “You dog! Get out!”

  Joe laughed. It was a low rumble that made her pick up one foot to move away from him before she thought about it. His dark eyes instantly caught the motion and Amber sent her foot back into the floor before she retreated. She wanted him gone—in fact, she needed him to go but she absolutely was not going to tuck tail and run. Her entire body was hot and every time his eyes moved down it she felt like his hands were there instead. Amber couldn’t let that happen. Her heart tripled its pace as the very idea crossed her mind.

  “You’ve probably got the right idea.”

  Amber sucked in a deep breath and felt her heart rate slowing down. Relief raced along her body just a second before she was hauled up against the solid form of Joe’s body.