Chapter Twenty-One

As Raine soaked her aching body in a tub of hot frothy bubbles, over a thousand miles and a snow blizzard separating them, Addison lounged on his bunk, sipping on a steaming cup of coffee and munching on an ice cream cone while watching the evening news on the flat screen television in his cell. As a matter of fact he’d paid, or rather dear old dad had, to have several televisions installed throughout the jail. Of course, it’d been done anonymously as a donation.

The reporter on the screen was bundled up, battling high winds and snow, and prattling on about the blizzard attacking the Midwest and the resulting accidents. The current footage showed an accident that had happened on some snow-covered Interstate and the reporter was interviewing several witnesses.

“If that man hadn’t done what he did there’s no telling how many people could have been hurt, maybe even killed. And it’s a wonder those two weren’t killed.”

A cameraman panned the surrounding area and what Addison saw commanded his full attention and made the blood boil through his veins. He increased the volume. He couldn’t believe his eyes—or his luck for there in another man’s arms stood his wife. Make that ex-wife. As of yesterday, they were no longer married but as far as he was concerned she’d always be his wife. Till death do them part, they’d vowed in front of God and the minister. And that’s exactly how it was going to stay.

So that’s where the conniving bitch had scurried off to all those weeks ago, he thought with a sneer. No wonder she couldn’t be found, she was hiding from him. It’d seemed as though she’d disappeared into thin air. Well surprise, surprise. She’d just been royally busted. And thanks to the media it wouldn’t take much to track her down. She might have succeeded in getting him locked up but the joke was on her. She’d counted on him being locked away for years and years. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Lady Luck was performing her magic and he’d be walking free a hell of a lot sooner than he’d agreed to in his plea bargain. But that was his little secret and when he was released he was going to tear up her cozy little love nest.

It was time to set the wheels of his plan in motion and revenge was going to taste oh so sweet. Tossing the cone in the trash, he called to the guard on duty. “Sonny?”

“Yeah man, what cha’ need?” A tall, skinny man with a blond flat-top appeared in the doorway, munching on an ice cream cone, too.

“I need your phone.”

“Sure thing,” he extracted it from his uniform shirt pocket, handed it to Addison and walked away.

Addison always used the cellphone from whoever was on duty. Though traceable, it couldn’t be proved he’d made the calls. A couple of minutes later he was deep in conversation with his father getting the telephone number of the private investigator he used. His next call was to Robert Ford, Private Investigator. Addison explained in precise detail everything he wanted pertaining to his ex-wife.

“I want everything, location, pictures, and anything you come across even if you think it’s irrelevant. I want you to stick like glue to her. Find out what her habits are, who she sees, where she shops, where she gets her pedicures. Just make sure she doesn’t realize she’s being tailed.”

While listening, Robert Ford berated himself for not letting the voicemail pick up the message. Not recognizing the number, he’d answered it and now had agreed to work for the demented man. The guy was twisted; there was no two ways about it. He held his ex-wife solely responsible for all his problems and ultimate downfall, and was hell-bent on making her pay. The wife had been right to flee the crazy man and divorce him. Unfortunately, fate was working against her and he’d found her. Now he wanted her head delivered to him on a silver platter.

A brief pang of guilt rippled through him. Had he not needed the money so direly he’d have refused but he owed some dangerous people lots of money and preferred keeping both kneecaps intact. Ignoring his conscious, he wrote down the information Addison gave him.

“I’ve made the first part easy for you. All you have to do now is catch a plane to St. Louis, rent a car and get directions to where that accident happened. Do whatever it takes to track her down and get whatever you can then report back to me. And don’t worry about your fee and expenses. Just contact my dad. He’s expecting your call. He’s handling the finances right now.”

“Right,” Ford agreed with trepidation. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I have something. Don’t get upset if it takes a while.”

Addison grunted, “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere for a while.” Then he flipped the phone closed. The evilness on his handsome face made him look entirely like the devil as he hissed. “Oh, you little bitch, you’re going to pay for putting me here. By the time I’m finished you’ll wish you’d died in that wreck.”

Another surge of excitement raced through him as he fondled the vial of white powder in his pocket. There was something to celebrate and he had just the thing. Thanks to the many people in his back pocket he could do anything he wanted, get anything he wanted, except his freedom and that was in the works.

A smirk touched his mouth. What were they thinking locking him up in some po-dunk jail? Even he was honest enough to admit that rightfully, he should have been sent to one of the state prisons for what he’d done but his plea concession had included being able to serve his sentence elsewhere. Told their intentions, he’d thought his attorneys were whistling in the dark. And learning Raine’s attorney, that bastard Gordon Hanson, had agreed, albeit with vehement protests, you could have knocked him over with a feather.

They should’ve known better, he thought smugly, everyone had a price and once behind bars it hadn’t taken long to slick up the country-bumpkin jailers. A promised job to be a guard at one of the sites was all it took, and the sheriff was none the wiser. He was proud of his ability to lure people into his spidery web of deceit then use them to further his ambitions. But the investigator made him leery. He’d immediately picked up on his qualms so once his usefulness was over he’d just have to disappear. He could ill afford anyone knowing he’d had anything to do with what was going to happen to Raine. The guy’s demise was a minor detail he’d work out later. If nothing else there was bound to be a river to dump a body in.

Stretching out on the bunk, he continued thinking. If his plan worked, the bitch would be out of the way and he and Katy would be embarking on a new life, in a new country, with new identities. Nothing could stop him! He had the ways and the means—even in this place, to get anything he wanted including the little bottle of white powder in his pocket. Yes indeed! Tonight was turning out to be his lucky night. He was getting to do one of the things he enjoyed immensely and the icing on the cake was seeing his beautiful ex-wife on television. Too bad that crash hadn’t done the job for him, but now he’d have the satisfaction of doing it himself. Patience was all he needed. He’d bide his time, use it wisely perfecting his plan to catch his unsuspecting wife totally by surprise then she’d get her comeuppance.

Not once in the four days following the accident did Jess venture outside. Between his aching head and throbbing shoulder, he hated moving. The least movement made his head feel like it would shatter into a million pieces. His shoulder remained snuggly in its sling, especially after he’d made the mistake of going without the pain meds and sling, only to find he could barely move it the next day, so he’d consigned himself to staying flat on his back with the remote and pain medication close by. And thanks to concerned neighbors, anything needing doing was taken care of.

Seeing the news, they’d all come to check on him as soon as he’d turned on the lights. He had good neighbors and appreciated their care and concern. Numerous times in the past two years he’d come to their aid, now they were returning the favor . . . “That’s what neighbors do, son,” his neighbor across the road stalwartly informed him around the toothpick he worried between his lips.

Cooper had been in the middle of working another accident in the southern part of the county when he’d learned of the crash. The minute he was free he’d called. “I hear you tried bluffing your way through an accident.”

“Ha! Ha! Very funny, unfortunately the bluff won but give me a couple of days and I’ll be good as new, and no, don’t you and Belle come out here. I have everything I need.” He should have saved his breath; they’d showed up bearing care packages the next morning.

And Cora traipsed through the snowdrifts to check on him. After that first trip she shoveled a path and brought Katy along. And bless her heart, she’d even made sure he had a double stash of chocolate bars. And thanks to Cora, he was able to keep tabs on Raine.

“Like you, she’s taking it easy. Those ribs have been through the mill over the last few months, but she’s stubborn, she’ll tough it out, though I threatened to padlock her in her bedroom if she didn’t do as I said,” Cora chuckled, remembering Raine’s mutinous glare. “She reminds me of someone else just as hard-headed,” and gave him a pointed look, “and in case that knock on the head addled your brain, I’m talking about you.” Childishly, he’d stuck his tongue out at her. And that was something Raine had done a lot of, too.

Flexing his shoulder, it only hurt a little this morning and the jackhammer inside his head had eased to a dull thud. Cabin fever was setting in and feeling better, he was desperate to get out. Plus, he had a list of things a mile long that needed doing. Topping it was checking out his truck to see how totally toasted it was and while there he’d get Katy’s dollhouse. Then he’d see what Raine wanted to do with it.

Laid up, he’d done a lot of thinking about their situation. He tried convincing himself that fear made him kiss her after the accident. But that wasn’t true. Fool-hardy, he’d tumbled hard, in over his head in love with her. Now the million-dollar question was what to do about it.

Until Raine, he’d always vowed to never, ever, get involved with another man’s wife and that vow wasn’t making the situation any easier. Hell! Nothing about them was easy and just because he owned up to loving her didn’t alter the facts. Plain and simple she was married; still in love with her husband. There was no room for him. That fact was seared painfully into his heart with a red-hot poker. Wanting her like no other woman, he dreamed of her, yearned, and burned for her. He wanted her in his bed, but more than that he wanted to build a life with her as his wife, the mother of his children, sharing the good times and the bad. That’s what he selfishly wanted but it would never come true and every time he looked at that gold band on her left hand it slammed home the hopelessness. He’d never make her choose between them. Finally, Jess made the only decision he could live with. From here on out the only contact would be strictly as landlord and tenant. Surely, he could do that until she left?

Shrugging on the fleece-lined coat, his shoulder pinged but it wasn’t too bad. Outside, he breathed the crisp fresh air. Exhaling, it seemed all the heaviness inside blew away and his head and heart were at peace that he’d made the right decision. At least that’s what he had to keep telling himself.

Hearing a car, Raine glanced out the window in time to see Jess drive slowly down the snowy driveway in his old truck. Alone for the first time since the accident, the cozy silence of the cabin was wonderful. Cora, the huddler, had taken Katy and gone to visit Inez. All of them were suffering cabin fever but wisely she’d opted to stay home.

Pouring a cup of coffee, she settled in the recliner, her thoughts on Jess. The man had her twisted in so many knots he confused her with his many moods. Like his actions after he finally made it out of the truck after the crash, instead of climbing into the ambulance he’d made a beeline straight for her, kissing her like it was the last one they’d ever share on this earth. So . . . was it only a frightened reaction that caused him to kiss her that way? No, it wasn’t. There’d been more in his eyes than mere concern, but just before leaving the hospital he’d turned stone-faced and remote then he’d rushed from the cabin like his pants were on fire. It’d have served him right if he’d slipped and slid all the way down the hill on his gorgeous backside. It might have knocked some sense into him; obviously, his brain had taken a vacation.

Aggravated that her feelings ran up and down like a yoyo on a string, she got up and briskly mixed up cornbread batter, taking her frustrations out on it and wondering how much more she could take from him.

It was late afternoon before Jess returned from town. Not quite up to par yet, he was worn out and the jack-hammer in his head had picked up the pace. As soon as he got inside he’d take something for it. The news wasn’t good about his truck. The insurance company had totaled it out. It was sad, like losing an old friend. In the short time he’d had it he’d come to love that truck as much as he did the old one. There’s just a special bond a man makes with his truck. Parking inside the barn, he slowly trudged up the path to Raine’s cabin. Frowning, he wondered when he’d started thinking of it as hers. Reaching it, he saw the SUV gone. Was anyone home? He knocked and waited, figuring he’d have to come back later to see what she wanted done with the dollhouse. Right now, he needed a couple of pain pills and a lie-down.

Raine was attempting a bit of work when she thought she heard a knock at the door. Before today she hadn’t even picked up a pencil. Approaching the door, she saw a large shadowy figure and instantly the hair on her neck rose. Addison! The blood drained from her body leaving her weak. Had he somehow escaped and tracked her down? Then she got control of herself. Don’t be ridiculous. Addison’s locked up tight behind iron bars. If he was loose Gordon would have called, especially since he’d seen her on the news and called to check on her.

Tip-toeing closer, relief washed over her in buckets seeing the familiar broad shoulders and handsome face. It definitely wasn’t Addison. The alarm long gone, giddiness gave her a head rush. Jeez! Get a grip. You’re not some love-struck teenager with a crush on the star quarterback. Still, she smoothed her hair, pinched her cheeks then looked down at her red socks. Those snowmen gracing each toe were certainly attention getting. Oh well, if he wouldn’t look her in the face maybe he’d like her snazzy socks. She opened the door.

Jess was about to leave when the door opened and there she stood gazing at him with those intense blue eyes and so damned gorgeous with that peaches and cream complexion and shining cascade of blond hair. A feral look entered his dark eyes as hungering need started burning inside of him. His gaze swept over her from the top of her gleaming golden hair to the tips of her snowman covered toes. Seeing her festive footwear, his lips twitched in a grin. She couldn’t possibly know how sexy she looked in those well-worn jeans, faded and soft after so many washings. A red sweatshirt, a colorful picture of Santa Claus on it, met her thighs midway. And she looked so damned young he got a reality check. She looked like a dewy-fresh teenager and all his nearly forty-one years dumped down his throat at one time. He’d been out of his mind to even think of pursuing a long-term relationship with her. Seeing her like this bolstered his resolve to keep away from her. He was too old for her. Or maybe she was too young for him. After all, he preferred women nearer his age and knowing the score—no ties, no commitments, when it was over it was over.

Taking a step back, he reminded himself that, most importantly, any woman he took out had to be single—he’d always prided himself on that rule and for a while he’d ignored it. Years ago he’d made a promise that no matter how strong the attraction, he was staying away from married women. Getting entangled with one had been a sure-fire way to send his military career down the tubes. It happened all too often. They couldn’t restrain themselves until either the woman or man was free and eventually the spouse found out and trouble started. He’d wanted no part of it then, and definitely not now. His lips thinned as he zeroed in on the ring still on her finger. Thank God he’d come to his senses before crossing that line and spent the rest of his years living with self-loathing. A man had to have self-respect if he wanted it from others.

The war of emotions on his face baffled her. For a moment, she’d have sworn he was happy to see her, but now? Not so much. Now he looked grouchy and unapproachable as an old bear disturbed during his hibernation, and a grouchy old bear with a black eye at that. Fine! She could be just as snarky even as she yearned to throw herself in his arms. However, she refrained. If she touched him he was liable to hip-toss her into a snow bank.

“Did you need something?” Her features remained neutral, her voice haughty. One dainty brow lifted inquiringly. Leaning against the door, she crossed her arms beneath her breasts, stretching the material across them.

“I didn’t think anyone was home.” He was trying not to stare at her chest.

“Well, that’s what you get for thinking, isn’t it?” she said waspishly.

Irritated, he hit out, “Yeah, I guess so. That’s why I try to think before I act, do something stupid and end up regretting it. Anyway, what do you want to do with Katy’s dollhouse? I picked it up when I went to check out the truck.” His tone was colder than the snow on the ground. Her jaw visibly clenched. Good! If he pissed her off enough, it might keep her away from him.

So, the blooming idiot put her in the ‘something stupid’ category. Who did he think he was, riding up here on his high horse? She wasn’t some dark-headed bimbo to fall down at his sexy feet. Not hardly. He could take his attitudes, and the bimbo, and jump off a bridge and she knew just the one. She’d been doing just fine before this contrary man—she’d do just fine without him. That conviction set her back ram-rod straight. Her flashing eyes brimmed with new determination. She saw him shiver but she’d be damned if she’d invite him in. He could freeze to the snow covered ground first.

“I’ll keep it here. We’ll work on it after Katy goes to bed.” She looked around but didn’t see the large box. “Where is it?”

“In the truck, I left it there until I talked to you.”

“I’ll bring it up here. I’ve imposed enough as it is.”

Anger washed through him that she coldly shut him out. His blood pressure rose as the pounding in his head increased. Damn it to hell, what did she expect from him? He took a calming breath. “Look, leave it with me just in case the little minx gets nosy. I can put it together for you. Besides, those ribs must be pretty sore. I’ve had a few cracked ones and I remember how bad it hurt just to breathe let alone do anything physical.” He just couldn’t stop his blathering mouth and he wanted to yank the offer back.

The offer ticked her off even more. There was no second-guessing him and she let him know it. “Just who the hell do you think you are?” She lit into him. “You change attitudes so fast I can hardly keep up with you! First you seem glad to see me then the next minute you’re scowling like some cranky old bear. Now you’re offering to put a dollhouse together!” God! She wanted to shake him, or knock that gigantic chip off his shoulder. Actually, doing both sounded pretty damn good. “Well don’t do me any favors!” She yelled loud enough to cause an avalanche. “I’ll carry it up here myself! I don’t want your help!” The door slammed shut but less than thirty seconds later it opened again and she marched out wearing coat and boots. Ignoring him, she headed down the hill at a brisk pace to the barn.

Jess clenched his fists to keep from slamming them into the wall in frustration. This woman was driving him nuts! Why couldn’t she just graciously accept the offer? The answer was clear—she was as stubborn and full of pride as he was. They were like two peas in a pod.

Raine skidded down the path, nearly losing her footage several times. Stubborn woman, he’d bet the farm her ribs were killing her, served her right for being so hard-headed. He opened his mouth to tell her so then snapped it shut, knowing it’d only provoke her to go faster. She was mad and that was a good thing. It’d be easier to keep her at arm’s length until they left. Three more months, he sighed, three more months of cold showers and long frustrating nights with little sleep. Somehow he’d get through it come hell or high water and if it meant using Belle again, he’d do it. Belle could exact her revenge later.

He thought of the jeweler’s box on top of the dresser. Talk about thoughtless mistakes; that had to be the worst one he’d ever made. But it could easily be rectified. The next trip into the city he’d return the rings and get his money back. Stupidly, he’d also bought a wedding band for himself. Still, the thought of returning them didn’t make the pain any less. He trailed behind her at a much slower pace.

By the time Jess reached the barn she’d wrestled the box out of the bed of the truck. “I’ll get it up the hill, even if it means dragging it through the snow,” she vowed doggedly.

Aggravated, Jess shook his head. It pounded harder. The hard-headed woman would drive him to drink before he was rid of her. Yet admiration filled him. Stubborn and gutsy, she’d carry the box herself before asking him for help. And if those grooves etched deep around her mouth were anything to go by, she was hurting something fierce.

“Give me the damn thing before you hurt yourself even worse!” he snapped, yanking it from her arms and ignoring her breathless protests. He really didn’t want to pack it all the way up the hill but knowing her, for spite she’d tell him to take it there. The pounding in his head grew harder by the second and he was positive it was more tension than the knock he’d received. At the open doorway, he demanded over his shoulder. “Are you sure you want it up at your house?”

Hidden in the shadowy darkness of the barn, Raine leaned against the pickup’s tailgate, massaging her lower back and berating herself for biting the hand offering help.

She was being stubborn, she conceded while eyeing the large box hefted on his shoulder then his face. It was white beneath his tan. Now she felt petty for being so childish. After all, he’d been injured in the accident, too.

“Fine,” she relented and he turned away, grinning triumphantly, not daring to turn around lest she see it and change her mind. This round was his. Better make the best of it. He took a couple of steps. “Keep it at your place but I’m helping put it together.” He hesitated, mid-stride before continuing toward his house.

The hesitation spoke volumes and a big fissure split her heart wide open. He didn’t want her—he wanted the beautiful brunette. Had he turned around right then he’d have seen the devastation on her face. But he didn’t and she quickly blanked it, refusing to give him the satisfaction of knowing he hurt her. Loving Jess, she realized, was as dangerous to her health as Addison was. Addison had tried breaking her body. Jess had the power to inflict the worst kind of damage—tearing her heart to pieces. Maybe it was time to consider leaving sooner than March. After Christmas, they’d head back to Phoenix. Staying near him no longer seemed a good idea and with Addison behind bars it was safe to return.

The sound of the door slamming echoed up to her and it felt as though it’d slammed on her heart. Tears burned her eyes as she trudged back up the stone path. She had some serious thinking to do.

From the window Jess watched her wipe at her eyes on the sleeve of her coat. She wasn’t the only one who felt like crying. His heart screamed to go tell her everything was a ruse but his head wouldn’t let him, and the battle was killing him. Leaving the window, he put the dollhouse in his office. Had he been fully on his mark instead of preoccupied, he’d have checked the surveillance screens. As it was he missed the lone figure hastily retreating into the snowy woods behind the barn. Returning to the living room, he stoked the banked embers in the fireplace, adding a couple of pieces of wood to it. Grabbing a bottle of beer from the fridge, he dropped into the recliner and stared into the yellow flames, soon lost in thoughts of what to do. There were no easy answers.

Neither was aware of the man hiding near the barn or that he’d taken pictures of them. Ignoring his misgivings, Robert Ford had wasted no time. Once the St. Louis airport re-opened after the blizzard he’d caught the first available flight out of Phoenix. On arrival he’d rented a four-wheel drive jeep, bought a map and set out for the town mentioned in the news reports. Once there, he’d found a hotel to settle in and began searching for Andrews’ ex-wife. Under the pretext of an interview, he sought Jess, not Raine. A few well-placed questions had produced excellent results. People, he’d learned early in his career, always liked to talk, especially about heroic incidents involving one of their own. With the help of those unsuspecting souls, it hadn’t taken long to narrow his search to the Harper place.

Watching the big man head toward the larger cabin, he’d hoped the Andrews woman would follow but she hadn’t. Instead, she’d headed up the path to another cabin. Disappointed he hadn’t gotten anything useful right off the bat, for the time being he was calling it quits. He wasn’t prepared to spend hours on end in the frigid temperature. Wet, cold, and hungry, he was going back to the hotel for a while. Later, after dark, and better prepared, he’d return and watch some more.

He slipped stealthily through the woods to the jeep hidden further up the road. All he needed was for some local yokel to spot the unfamiliar vehicle and get suspicious. That would bring the cops calling and he sure as hell didn’t need that trouble. He’d hate to explain he was sneaking around trespassing on the big man’s property to get dirt on Andrews’ wife. Plus, the guy looked big enough to mop the floor with him and not even breathe hard. Extreme caution was called for. This was definitely not the easiest job he’d ever done but that rich snake Andrews was paying him tons of money to do it.

That evening Cora studied a withdrawn Raine as she sat at the table coloring with Katy. The girl looked sad, like she’d lost her best friend. Something or someone, probably that handsome scoundrel, was the cause and she really wanted to give him a piece of her mind.

Conscious of Cora’s concern, any second Raine expected the grilling to begin, but it didn’t. After dinner she’d tell Cora of her decision. After all, she played a big part in them.

When Katy was asleep she told Cora, “Jess has the dollhouse. He’s keeping it so she won’t see it but I’ll help put it together.”

“That’s a good idea,” Cora agreed before saying, “now tell me what’s bothering you. Something’s going on.”

“There is. I think we should return to Phoenix after the holidays are over.” Staring into the flames burning in the fireplace, she didn’t see Cora’s frown.

“But I thought we were here until the end of March. You’ve paid Jess through until then and after that we were going to find a permanent place around here,” Cora protested.

Raine shrugged her shoulders evasively. “I know but things have changed and I’m thinking we’re better off going home.” Keeping her face averted, she daren’t look at Cora. If she did, everything bottled up inside would come tumbling out. “With Addison in jail, there’s nothing to keep us here.”

“Did you and Jess have a disagreement?” Cora flat out asked.

Leave it to Cora to figure it out on the first try. “No . . .” she hedged, “I wouldn’t exactly call it a disagreement.”

“Then what would you call it to cause this complete change of heart?” Cora wasn’t sure who she wanted to shake more—Raine or Jess. Darn! She couldn’t do either since they were both banged up from the accident.

“I just think it’s for the best if we let Jess have his cabin back. Like I said, Addison’s safely locked up. There’s no need to run and hide anymore.” Even to her ears the excuses sounded lame.

And Cora wasn’t having any of it. “Are you turning chicken? Are you letting him run you off?” The question brought Raine up short, her eyes full of guilt. From her reaction that’s exactly what she’d been planning. “Raine Andrews, I never thought I’d see you turn tail and run from him. Fight, yes. But run? Never! And you can fool yourself, but not me, not one bit. I know how you feel about the man. You love him.”

Raine threw her hands up in surrender. “All right, yes I do. But it’s not me, it’s him. Granted, at first we made it clear neither one of us wanted to get involved. I didn’t because I was still married. Not because I still loved Addison. That died a long time ago. It was because I respected my marriage vows. I know that sounds hokey but that’s just me. I let Addison take away a big portion of me by staying and putting up with everything he did to me. The one thing I refuse to let him take away is that.”

“Have you told Jess you’re divorced?” Cora asked.

She shook her head, “I tried but he’s built this wall around himself and won’t let me in. I know he wants me . . . well you know,” and she actually blushed, “but I want more than that. I don’t want just an affair. I want it all with him, the ring, the white picket fence, lots of babies.”

“But honey men can be so darned hard-headed, pig-headed, whatever you want to call them. Sometimes you’ve got to hit them over the head to get their attention.” She sat down in the rocking chair. “Oh, I don’t mean literally, although I’ve known a few that deserved a good smack up-side the head. I’ve an idea. Why don’t you mosey down there, tell him you want to work on the dollhouse tonight? It’ll get your foot in the door.” A bright twinkle of devilment sparkled in her eyes. “I’m thinking it’s time for round one in this boxing match and my money’s on you.” Cora knew what she’d use to knock that hot hunk of a man upside the head with. Women had so many hidden weapons to knock even the largest man off his feet.

“You like stirring the pot, don’t you?” Blushing, Raine knew exactly what Cora had in mind. “If I go down there he might just chase me off with a shotgun! And don’t forget, he’s got a girlfriend. ”

“Girlfriend, schmirl-friend, she doesn’t mean a thing. And he won’t run you off, not if he’s the smart man I think he is. Besides, you’ve got the same means, same weapons, to get the drop on him as she does. You just have to storm the enemy camp, take him by surprise, take him your prisoner. Shoot, I bet he’ll even tie the bindings himself. There’s no way you or anyone else is going to convince me he’s not in love with you.”

“Yeah, well if he is he’s got a funny way of showing it but okay, I’ll do things your way but if you hear me screeching for dear life you’d better be holding that door open for me.”

“Trust me. That man will be eating right out of the palm of your hand before the evening is over, especially when you tell him you’re divorced.” Cora gave a dreamy sigh. “I just love happy endings.”

“You’re a dyed-in-the-wool romantic.” She teased, lighthearted for the first time in days. Maybe Cora had the right idea that it was high-time she made him listen to her. Then if she didn’t get the right response she’d know leaving was the right decision.

“That I am,” Cora said, “always have been, always will be. I believe in happy endings, honey. The road may be full of pot holes, but it’s worth it when you reach the end. Now you go pay that stubborn hunk a visit. And don’t hurry back,” she ordered, a gleam in her eye. “Take as long as you want. Katy and I will be just fine. Go on,” she urged when Raine hesitated.