Caught by Surprise by Deborah Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

is.”
    “No. Oh, no,” she said quickly, raising both hands in a gesture of defense. “I’d rather have a permanent skylight than—”
    A whistle pierced the air. They both turned toward the wide hallway of the farm’s main bam. Millie watched dolefully as Brig ambled toward her, a pitchfork balancedon one shoulder, a plastic cup in one hand. His white pants were so sweaty that they clung to his thighs in an intriguing way. The white T-shirt he wore was molded to his damp chest, outlining solid muscles and wide shoulders. His wavy hair was ruffled.
    I know my control’s shaky, Millie thought raggedly, because this is the first time I’ve hyperventilated at the sight of a man who’s been cleaning stalls all day. She concentrated on breathing and squinted at him warily.
    “I’m takin’ my water break, John,” Brig told the stable manager cheerfully. “If that’s okay with you, mate.”
    “Sure.”
    “G’day, Deputy. Come by to check me out?” His eyes roamed approvingly over her pink T-shirt, cutoff jeans, and jogging shoes, and he whistled under his breath. “I
like
your new uniform.”
    “I’m off work today. I live near this farm.”
    “And a tree fell on her roof,” John interjected.
    Brig arched one brow and gave her a mischievous look. “Practicin’ karate on it, were you?”
    “It’s a very old oak and it has a root disease. I’d been planning to have it cut down, but I obviously waited too long.”
    “And she needs a handyman to help her move it,” John added. “You’re almost done here for the day. It’s okay with me if you want to go with Millie.”
    “No!” she said. “I’ll call a tree service.”
    “Melisande, I’ll cost you a lot less than a tree service,” Brig said innocently. “Don’t you want to let a humble prisoner pay off some of his debt to society?”
    “You couldn’t get a tree service to send anyone out this afternoon,” John said. “And you need to get some kind of cover over the hole in your roof. What if it rains tonight?”
    Millie looked up at billowy white clouds in a blue sky. “Unlikely.” She sighed. “But possible.” She hesitated, then put reluctance aside and muttered, “I’ll call Raybo and ask him what he thinks.”
    “About the weather?” Brig asked coyly.
    “About me hiring you to work on my roof.”
    “How much will you pay me, love?”
    “It’s the same deal no matter who you work for.”
    “But this is special. I might have to do things I wouldn’t do for anyone else.”
    “Wrestle an oak tree?” Millie glanced at John and found him grinning widely. Suddenly she realized that anyone with eyes could see what was going on between her and Brig. She stiffened and frowned. “Can I use your phone, John?”
    “Go right ahead, Millie. There’s one inside the barn entrance. Left side.”
    “I’ll be waitin’ in the car, Melisande,” Brig added.
    “Melisande?” John echoed in an incredulous voice. Then he laughed heartily. “She’s not a fancy
Melisande
, boy. She’s little ol’ Millie, the toughest female this side of the Mississippi.”
    Millie felt color rising in her cheeks. It didn’t matter that Brig gave her an apologetic look as she marched past him toward the barn. He was in deep trouble.
    “Look, sweetheart, I don’t know sign language, and I’ve taken a likin’ to the sound of your voice.”
    Millie cut the Buick’s engine and shoved her door open before she glared at him. “This is my home,” she said sharply, and swept her hand toward a whitewashed cottage surrounded by colorful flower gardens and huge trees. One of the trees hugged the back corner of the gray-shingled roof. “That’s the tree. There’s a shed in the backyard where you’ll find tools and a ladder. I’m going inside to get my work gloves. I might have an extra pair that will fit your big hands, but if I don’t, I’ll enjoy watching you get blisters.”
    “Ow. That’s cold.” Brig stood, grasped the passenger door, and