Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
“Why are you here?” Jane repeated softly. Being around him, knowing she couldn’t lean against him and wouldn’t feel him wrap his strong arms around her, was too painful.
“Someone sabotaged your car last month.” He drained half the contents of his glass. “The culprit is still out there, and I plan to find them.”
Oh yeah. Her car. The attempt to end her life. A mystery she preferred to forget. Who wanted to remember a near death experience? “I’ve already provided you with a formal statement and all the information at my disposal.”
“And we’ll be going over it again. Together. After we square away some personal business.”
Her brow wrinkled even as her heart leaped. “Personal business?”
“That’s right.” His gaze held hers as he drained the rest of his glass. Dang it. Why was even that so sexy? “I’d like to rent your guest room while I’m looking for a place to stay here in town,” he stated. “Before you say no, don’t. Hear my offer first.”
The moisture in her mouth dried. Conrad…living in her home… with her… maybe walking around after a shower with a towel cinched to his waist and water dripping from his hair…
Jane lost her breath. Um, where was I headed with that line of thought?
She swallowed, hard. “Go on. I’m listening.” No! Bad! Not what she’d meant to say.
“While I’m here,” he continued with a smooth tone, “I’ll demonstrate how to run a proper investigation… and I’ll pay attention when you explain how your way is better.”
She opened her mouth to protest. But then the last part of his offer sank in. She had found three murderers, thank you, proving her way of solving crime was far superior to his. This was her chance to tell him all about it. Talk about an incomparable temptation! Especially since she intended to hunt for great grandfather Benjamin’s gold. Conrad could help. Maybe. Sort of. But.
“We’ll be roommates.” Jane had never lived with a girlfriend, much less a former boyfriend. The thought of sharing her space…maybe kinda sorta wasn’t the absolute worst.
“It’ll only be for a few weeks. Possibly a few months.” He refilled his glass with a rock steady hand. “I’ll even help with chores.”
Okay, so, that sounded amazingly wonderful. Too good. Her shoulders rolled in. “Why don’t you stay in Atlanta?”
“I can’t run for sheriff of Aurelian Hills and not live here. With a retiring sheriff and three murders in as many months, the town needs someone with my experience. Plus, there’s no better place to raise my new fur-son.”
Well. Darn. She couldn’t argue with such bulletproof logic. There was no man more perfect for the job. And her hometown was an amazing place to raise fur-children, despite those murders. The rolling hills and lush trees couldn’t be beat. The sense of community provided endless comfort.
“We might not be dating,” he added, tilting his head and peering at her through the thick shield of his lashes, “but we can still be friends. Right?”
Friends. With Conrad. It wasn’t a horrendous idea. Though friends didn’t daydream about kissing each other, they still enjoyed each other’s company. Plus, it would be nice to learn the tricks of his trade. And to ensure he picked a good home. Also to inoculate herself against his rugged appeal. Seriously, how better to be un-charmed by someone than to live with them?
Was she reaching? She was reaching, wasn’t she?
But… Rolex could use a friend, too. He’d been so depressed lately. Ever since he’d lost his girlfriend, Cartier. Long story. And that wasn’t reaching; that was called being a good mom.
Super detective Conrad sensed her uncertainty and seized the opportunity to advance his cause. “Please Jane.”
Ugh. The word please on those soft, sweet lips. Look anywhere but at him. Her gaze fell onto the leather-bound book that once belonged to her distant relative. “Okay, here’s the deal. You can move in–” she began.
His eyes lit with triumph.
“–but I must warn you…”
“That you sleepwalk? Snore so loud you shake the walls? Bake cookies in the middle of the night? I’m hoping it’s the last, by the way.”
Jane chewed on the inside of her cheek. “I’ve recently come into possession of a very big clue that may lead to lost gold. You, of course, will help me find it in exchange for room and board. On top of everything else you’ve mentioned. And anything I think of later.”
A groan chased away his previous triumph. “Are we talking about the gold that has caused so much trouble for you already, bringing treasure hunters and their shovels out of the shadowy underground of Aurelian Hills? The very gold that has made three corpses out of perfectly alive people?”
She nodded. “We are.”
He scrubbed a hand down his face. “The very gold that, if found, will draw more and more people to your land? People who are willing to do anything to strike it rich?”