Kelly said, eyeing the horse suspiciously as Ivy showed her how to get in the saddle. “What if it bites me?” “Horses don’t bite.” “I … do you know all horses?” Kelly narrowed her eyes, and Ivy had to suck her cheeks in to keep from laughing out loud...
Maddie said, surprising Nick as she moved to his side. “It’s cold when we’re away from the fire.” “I’ll keep you warm if you want to cuddle with me.” “I thought we would hold off on the cuddling until we get back to the cabin,” Maddie offered. “I’d ...
Jack hissed, reaching for Ivy’s ankle and trying to pull her back as she crawled up the hill. “I want to see what they’re doing,” Ivy said. “Come on. You can’t tell me you’re not dying to watch them when they think no one is looking.” “Ivy … .” &nbs...
Nina Jackson was matter-of-fact as she regarded Zander and Harper the next morning. “I know you charge a premium fee for fast jobs and I’m willing to pay it if you can get this ghost out of here today.”Zander and Harper exchanged a look.“You have to sign a contract before we do it,” Zander said. ...
Jake said, walking into James’ office Wednesday afternoon. “We should keep the police scanner on.” “Thanks for the weather update,” James replied dryly. “I think you missed your calling. You should’ve been one of those little weather bunnies on the evening news.” &nb...
James instructed, pointing toward a fire lane. Jake arched an eyebrow and ignored his boss’s order, instead opting for a spot five slots down. He killed the engine and pocketed the keys before climbing out of his truck. James was irked as they strod...
Mandy stared at the pile on her desk Tuesday morning and swallowed the petulant groan that threatened to erupt. She really was ready to leave this place. If she didn’t think it would be akin to stabbing Judge MacIntosh in the back, she would walk out now and never look back. &nb...
James asked an hour later, another gritty round behind them. He was famished and yet breakfast gladly took a backseat to Mandy’s robust urges. She was so happy and content he would forego food for the rest of his life if it meant she stayed this way. “I don’t know,” Mandy ...
A weekend spent curled up with Grady was exactly what she needed. She felt in sync with him again, and she had no idea how much she missed their easy camaraderie until she felt it slipping away. When Sophie walked into the kitchen to eat breakfast before work, she found Ja...
She knew he would be angry, but she was too antsy to remain at the office alone. Ivy was flabbergasted when she parked in the hospital’s small lot, her eyes widening as she took in the three news vans and bevy of reporters lined up outside the building. Someone erected a b...
Jared asked, keeping his arm around Harper’s waist as he regarded Josh. “Seriously, I was in a happy, happy place.” “I saw that,” Josh said. “I waited as long as I could. You guys appeared to be having a deep discussion. Then you swung her around like a high school jock ce...
Jake said, handing the printout to James. James scanned the document. “And these are known associates of Michael Sawyer?” Jake nodded. “How did we get them?” “Let’s just say we owe Maverick a new video...
Mandy said, leaning over to glance in the pot Mary rested in the middle of the table. “Is that chili?” “With homemade cornbread,” Mary replied, affectionately tousling Jake’s hair as she moved past him. “This was always Jake’s favorite meal when he came to visit. He’d shov...
Nick sat on the bed, a cowboy hat on his head, and waited for Maddie to walk out of the bathroom. When she’d first insisted they wear costumes to the festival’s final party, he’d balked. He never considered himself a costume guy. The look on her face when he turned her down, though, wasn’t someth...
Jack pinched the bridge of his nose to keep from shaking Ivy, frustration bubbling up as he internally warned himself that picking a fight – especially now, when Jordan was on his way – would be a bad idea. “After your house was broken into and you were thrown into a wall, you took it upon yourse...
She stopped at the security station, dropping her purse on the conveyer belt, and sipping from her coffee cup absentmindedly as she waited in line to walk through the metal detector. She was so lost in thought she didn’t notice one of the building’s security guards ambling...
James said the next morning, his grin triumphant as he watched Mandy shuffle from the kitchen table to the sink to dispose of her coffee mug. “Did something … happen … last night? Were you injured?” Mandy’s expression was rueful – and a bit amused – when she turned to face...
Sophie hissed, her brown eyes flashing. “That guy needs me to put my foot up his ass.” “You’re so mellow most of the time I forget who raised you,” Ally said, her own brown eyes wide as she surveyed Sophie’s flushed face. “You need to chill.” “I am ...
Christy asked, her shaky voice belying her nerves. “The power went out,” Marla replied, nonplussed. “Oh, really, I thought your mouth sucked up all the energy in the world and plunged us into a black hole,” Christy shot back. ...