Deadly Sanctuary (Kendall O'Dell Series #1)
Page 30
“In a minute. Right now I’m enjoying being up and outside again. I’m not a very good hospital patient, I’m afraid.”
I grinned. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
He returned my smile. “When I wasn’t drugged on pain killers, I read your articles. I guess I’m going to have to eat my words.” His eyes glinted with humor. “Not only are you anything but a delicate damsel, you’re also quite a cunning detective.”
“Thank you.”
His expression grew serious. “What’s going to happen to those girls?” He nodded toward Serenity House.
“It’s going to be an awful mess to untangle, if that’s even possible. Some couples paid for babies they’ll never get, and a few of the girls want their babies back. The problem is, the adoption records were lost in the flooded wash.”
“I told you Heisler was a slime.”
“He was more than that. He was a psychopath.”
He cleared his throat and shifted his weight. His discomfort was obvious. Clearly, he had something more to say.
I broke the silence. “So, how was Colorado?”
He faced me squarely. “Just so you’ll know, Lucy came along to buy another mare. She shared a room with Ronda, not me.”
It was hard to hide my elation.
He extended the package to me. “This is for you.”
Puzzled, I opened the bag and pulled out a cream-colored western hat. Running my hand over the smooth felt, I marveled, “It’s beautiful. But, you already gave me one the day…”
He placed one finger gently against my lips, silencing me. “Shhhh. This one didn’t belong to someone else. It’s a small thing for saving my life.”
I blurted out, “But, you saved mine first.”
“I think we’re even now in the rescue department, but it’s more than that. I feel like you saved me twice over.” His finger slid from my lips to caress my cheek. “I’ve been among the walking wounded for two years, carrying that load of guilt, thinking my mother was responsible for Stephanie’s death. You’ll never know what a relief it was to find out it was Claudia.”
“I think I have a pretty good idea.”
“Let me help you,” he said, positioning the hat on my head. “It looks good on you. Natural.”
“Thank you.”
“Kendall…”
My heartbeat quickened with wild anticipation. “Yes?”
“I heard about your job offer in Phoenix, and Ginger told me a national magazine is interested in you as well…so, I guess that means you’ll be leaving soon?”
I glanced at the full moon pushing its way over the mountain and took a deep breath of clear, desert air. “Well, it just so happens that a third option has presented itself.”
“And, what would that be?”
“Tugg just informed me that Thena Rodenborn has acquired the Sun and he’s decided to resign and do the traveling he’s always dreamed about. That leaves the position of editor open.”
“Interesting.”
“The other thing is that Tess Delgado has decided to move into one of those retirement properties, so…I’m thinking about making an offer on this place.”
“Is that so?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Does this mean you might consider staying on?”
“I’m giving it careful thought.”
He leaned closer, slipping his free arm around my waist. When his lips pressed against mine, gently this time, the stars seemed to explode and shower down from the sky.
Breathless, we pulled apart. He tipped the brim of his hat back from his face in that familiar, endearing gesture.
“Well, now, ma’am,” he said in his best western drawl, “you reckon there’s any way I could convince you to think about putting the O’Dell Ranch under the Starfire brand?”
I looked up at him, pushing back the brim of my hat. “Well, sir, I reckon you could try.”
SYLVIA NOBEL CURRENTLY RESIDES IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA WITH HER HUSBAND AND SIX CATS. SHE IS A MEMBER OF MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA.