Dangerous Secrets (Montana Men #6)(27)

She nodded her head, but still wouldn't relent. She wasn't sure what she was feeling, it was too foreign for her now.

"You won't give up this stubborn streak of yours and come to my place tonight, will you?"

She shook her head again. "No way."

"And you're going to stay here, aren't you?"

She laughed. "You really do know me well, don't you?"

He sighed and stood up straight. "You're going to be the death of me, Halley. I'll bring dinner tonight."

She blinked, startled by his announcement. "I won't be here."

He glared back down at her, getting angry now. Not coming to his place was one thing, but staying here, in a house that had been repeatedly invaded, was just asking for trouble. "You'd better be here. Or I'll come find you." With that, he kissed the top of her head and then hefted all of his equipment up. "What time are you coming back here?"

She thought about her rehearsal schedule for the afternoon. She would be finished by five o'clock and then it was an hour and a half drive back from Billings. "I should be finished for the day by six thirty," she told him. 

Mike watched her features and knew that there was a lot going on behind those pretty blue eyes. But he also knew that she wasn't going to share. Not yet anyway.

After another moment's pause, he nodded his head, still watching her, still trying to figure out what she was hiding. "Six thirty then. I'll bring dinner." God save him from stubborn, beautiful women!

He walked out of her cottage before she could argue with him this time. "But call me this afternoon. Don't forget," he admonished.

Halley didn't agree or disagree, thinking that was the safer route. She grabbed her own keys, bag, and purse, and followed Mike out of her house. Whistling to her dogs, she looked up at Bozo. "Keep the house safe, okay?" she asked of the fluffy feline. Bozo's only retort was a flick of her tail and a yawn, as if to say that she couldn't be bothered by mundane things like safety. Halley whistled to the dogs again, both of which were standing there by the kitchen, tongues still hanging out with excitement. "Come on, you silly boys." They both raced out the door, eager for another long run.

She opened her SUV and both jumped inside. She was just about to get in herself and drive away when a strong arm wrapped around her waist. Mike pulled her up against him and she held her breath, staring into those green eyes that made her whole body quiver, even after a full night of experiencing the most amazing pleasure in his arms. "What?"

He bent lower and kissed her gently. "Have a good day," he told her. After that, he got into his SUV and drove off down her driveway, turning right to head into town.

She was so stunned by that kiss, she wasn't sure what to do for a long moment. She just stood there, most likely looking silly as she watched him drive away.

When she realized she had a goofy grin on her face, she wiped it clear and jumped into her truck, irritated with him now. "I don't have time for silly expressions," she muttered to herself. Both Elf and Midget barked at her, their tongue hanging out the side of their mouths as they waited happily for her to drive to the barns where they could chase the cats, visit with their friends, and smell as many scents as they could. Life for a dog was so simple, she thought, scratching both of them behind their ears.





Chapter 8




Mike stared at the wall, his fingers gripping the phone in his hand. Taking three deep breaths, he forced his fingers to loosen before he crushed the phone. "What do you mean? She couldn't have left hours ago," Mike said into the phone, already standing up from his desk. "Joe, she can't … " he didn't continue, knowing that Halley didn't want others to know what was happening to her. He couldn't tell Joe that Halley shouldn't be roaming around town alone. He couldn't say anything! Damn it! She should be telling everyone!

And why was she out at her place alone?! He'd told her that he'd be there when she got home. Not hours after she arrived! She could be in danger and he was sitting here in the office running fingerprints!

"I have to go!" he said to his deputies as well as Joe. Ending the call, he hurried out of his office. "Keep running those prints and let me know if anything comes up," he called out as he rushed through the door. He was in his SUV and driving out of the parking lot a few moments later.

He thought about turning on his lights, but didn't want to alarm anyone. He had a gut feeling about this, and it wasn't good. Speeding down the street, he kept his eyes on the traffic, but he recognized everyone's car. It wasn't a big city so he knew all of the residents, anyone who might be visiting, even how long they would be in town. He loved this town and the residents were good people. Some were a bit quirky but that was good, in his mind. Added a bit of flavor to the community.