Love Inspired Suspense April 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Laura Scott (free e reader .TXT) 📕

sleeves rolled up and a pair of worn jeans that fit in all the perfect places, helping him rake leaves. He could imagine them falling into those piles of leaves... He shook out of the thought and mentally rapped himself upside the head.

She didn’t want you. Didn’t want anyone, and she clearly doesn’t want anyone now or she’d be with someone, and it wouldn’t be you.

The tractor to take them to the apple-picking spot rumbled to a stop, but they remained locked in on one another, the air thickening between them and longing nipping at their heels. It was all there in the connection.

Someone cleared their throat, forcing him to avert his attention and let the moment go.

“It’s a kid-friendly atmosphere, y’all.” The redhead snickered and recognition dawned.

“Daisy Miller?”

“It’s March now. I married Joey March.”

Joey March was one of Chance Leeway’s alibis for the night Jared died.

“Hey, Georgia,” Daisy drawled as they scrambled into the trailer and chose two hay bales near the tailgate. Daisy, her two friends and their cluster of kids were closer to the tractor.

Georgia exchanged pleasantries with their old classmate. Daisy hadn’t dated Joey in high school—that would have been social suicide, being from a rival team.

“I saw Chance earlier today. Joey and him still run around?” Colt asked.

“Some. Joey stays busy at the lumberyard, but we don’t miss a game.”

“Rootin’ for Tigers or Cougars? Traitor,” he joked.

“Well, Tigers, of course. Unless we play the Cougars, and then I secretly root for them. But don’t go tellin’ anyone I said that.” The ladies with her giggled, and one of them reprimanded her youngest from hanging over the wagon.

“Go to my grave.”

“Joey said you was looking into Jared’s death. One of your people called him about an interview, and he talked to Chance earlier today.” She glanced at Georgia. “Rumor has it you’re Christi Cold—lady doin’ those cold case podcasts. Is it true the killer heard about what happened and tried to kill you?”

Georgia’s body tensed, and she rubbed her lips together. “It’s true.”

Daisy pointed to Colt. “So you came to her rescue,” she said with a sugary smile and innuendo in her eye.

“I’m here to do my job, Daisy. That’s all.” The last thing he needed was to leave Magnolia with rumors afloat about some nonexistent love affair between him and Georgia. Small towns talked. Didn’t have to be true.

Georgia bristled.

Daisy smirked and wrangled one of her kiddos from climbing on the remaining hay bales. As they approached the orchard, Daisy leaned in, all teasing gone. “Chance would never have hurt Jared. He was mouthy and you know that. Don’t let old rival feelings sway your good common sense, Colt.” The wagon came to a stop, and she ushered her two kids into the orchard.

Was that what the town thought? That Colt was leading the investigation with hard feelings over facts and evidence? “I would never do that,” he insisted and helped Georgia off the wagon. The driver handed out lightweight wooden buckets with handles for apple picking.

Georgia took two and handed one to Colt. “Daisy’s always been a fan of the rumor mill. Don’t let her get to you. No one with any sense believes you’re using the case to settle an old football score.” She reached up and lightly touched his cheek. “Let’s pick apples and pretend we didn’t see her. Or we could look at the insight she gave us.”

“I like all the above aversions.” And the way she touched him. But he could do without the way it shifted and moved him inside.

Georgia suddenly removed her hand and balled it by her side. “Daisy tipped us off by telling us that Chance immediately called Joey after the interview. Probably to remind him of his alibi and to talk about the case. Now, all of a sudden, they turn it on you and not them. You’ve come to throw around your professional weight and settle an old score. Innocent, sane people do not start rumors like that. Disgruntled people, or people with secrets, make up trash.” She gave him a knowing look and plucked an apple.

“Georgia, you really did miss your calling.” He picked an apple and bit into it. The fresh, sweet taste covered his tongue, and the day started to look up. “Let’s ferret this secret out and put an end to rumors.”

“McCoy, I like that idea.”

And put an end to the attacks on her life. That went without saying.

Colt turned as the wind blew a chill across his neck. Or was it the sensation in his gut that warned him they weren’t alone?

Georgia had filled a bucket’s worth of apples. She’d be making pies, plural, along with every other apple recipe known to man, but what tasted the sweetest was the feeling of freedom in today. She strolled through the trees, smelling the fruity scent of apples and fall with Colt a foot away. In the last hour, he’d become distracted and received several phone calls, but when Georgia had asked him if he was ready to go back, he’d declined.

Guess he needed the fresh air and change of scenery as much as she did. Sometimes a new atmosphere gave a new perspective. For this moment, life felt safe and enjoyable.

Colt’s presence beside her gave her a boost of confidence and a flutter in her belly—which didn’t belong—but the flutter in itself felt good. She glanced up at him as he plucked an apple. Even his pleasing scent was more masculine than she remembered. About an hour ago, he’d almost kissed her. His eyes had revealed his intent.

And even knowing it would be disastrous, she would have let him.

It wasn’t his rugged appeal or masculine physique. It wasn’t the fact she’d been lonely for years and had resigned herself to it. It wasn’t even the hyperawareness of a man she was attracted to bringing out some kind of hormone. No, these stupid, useless feelings had cropped up in the way Colt confidently and quietly led her to safe places,