Eye of the Storm by Renee Simons Read Free Book Online Page A

stand, he's so full of bitterness, there's no room for anything else."
    Katti's dark eyes held an expression of sadness but Zan resisted the temptation to delve. They paid the check and walked back to the sheriff's office.
    They said goodbye at the door. "Next time you're in town let me know," Katti said. "We can have lunch again, if you want." She gave Zan another shy look as if not quite sure how she would receive the invitation.
    "I'd like that. I don't have any friends out here."
    Katti touched her arm lightly. "You do, now." She smiled and went back to work. Zan went to the car and started back to the reservation.

     

    *****

     
    She enjoyed the heat and the rush of dry wind around the open cab of the MG. The afternoon sun heated the air, creating shimmering waves that straddled the asphalt roadway like a shiny inland sea. For such days was the low-slung convertible made.
    She remembered Deputy Winter's warning and looked at the speedometer. The flat, open countryside through which the highway ran had deceived her into thinking she drove slower than she actually did. She eased up on the gas pedal. In the distance, a man walked along the side of the road. She steered away from the shoulder and hugged the broken white line dividing the east and westbound lanes.
    As she approached him, she recognized the unusual height, the broad shoulders straining at the confines of a sweat-dampened work shirt, the strong, muscular back that tapered to a narrow waist and the powerful legs encased in worn blue jeans. With a grin, she admired the way his firm buttocks filled those jeans, rolling with masculine grace as he took each long step. When her imagination led her to wonder how they would feel beneath her hands she laughed aloud. She'd begun this mission hating the man, but somehow, he'd brought her back to life.
    She pulled in a yard ahead of Stormwalker and waited for him to come abreast of her car. "Want a lift?" she asked.
    "Thanks." He spoke without any enthusiasm.
    "Would you rather walk?"
    "Not now that you stopped."
    He folded his long frame into the seat beside her, giving the vehicle the dimensions of a kiddie car. For the first time, she realized the MG just might be inadequate.
    "What are you doing here?"
    "Walking."
    "Coming from town?"
    "Yup."
    "Please spare me that laconic Indian unkcé , Stormwalker." She glanced at him long enough to see a tiny smile turn up one corner of his mouth.
    "Where'd you learn that nasty word?"
    "Mac. He said I should use it any time I thought you were snowing me. What were you doing in town?"
    "Had to see Kenny Becker."
    "You could have ridden with me. Next time ask."
    "I prefer to handle things on my own."
    "Too macho to ask for help?"
    "Being on my own for a change seemed like too good an idea." He shifted his body to find a fraction more leg room and to consider for a moment that her remark had been a little too close to the truth for his comfort. "I'm trying to enjoy my freedom while I've still got it."
    "Well, I can certainly understand that, but hitching a ride doesn't require a major commitment."
    Stormwalker watched as she stared at the road ahead. The tip of her tongue flicked across her bottom lip, leaving a glistening film that enhanced her mouth's soft fullness. He felt something stir deep within him as he considered how her mouth would feel beneath his. His gaze wandered over her face.
    She wore no makeup, and didn't appear to need any. The sun had left her skin with a gentle tan; her cheeks glowed with good health. She'd tied her hair back from her face with a brightly colored scarf, exposing her graceful neck. Her hands looked strong and capable on the wheel, her arms just muscular enough to evoke an image of power without detracting from her femininity.
    She raised a hand to her cheek. "Is my face dirty?"
    The gesture allowed him to see long, slender fingers tapering to oval nails unadorned by polish. Womanly without frills, he thought.
    He shook his head. "No. I was just