Finding Forever (Smoky Mountain Lawmen Book 1) by Ashley Quinn Read Free Book Online

Still, in
the mood he’d been in, if Tristan had pressed the issue Ben would have
decked the younger man.
    Ben
pushed open the door that led to the arena and walked up to the corral fence. 
Gemma was on the far side of the arena leading a child with braces on her legs
around atop a gray horse.  He watched quietly, marveling at the ease with which
she put people.  The child astride the horse couldn’t be more than six, yet she
looked completely relaxed and happy as Gemma gave gentle guidance.  She was a
natural with kids; people in general, really.  He was still in awe of her after
watching her work with Caleb yesterday. 
    She
came around the end of the arena and up the side where he was standing.  He
knew the moment she became aware of him.  Her posture stiffened slightly and
her smile became a little strained.  He hated that he put her on the defensive,
but he had a feeling it had more to do with the attraction they felt for each
other than any animosity toward him.  She’d been nothing but polite to him. 
And he knew he certainly felt more defensive when she was around.  If he didn’t
raise the shields high and bolt them down they’d soon be finishing what they
started on the couch.
    Gemma
nodded at him as she passed, but didn’t stop.  Ben waited patiently as she
finished her session with the young rider and handed the child off to her
waiting mother.  Ben hopped the fence to help her as she began to lead the
horse back to its stall to be groomed and tucked in for the night.  They worked
in silence until the horse was taken care of.  Ben followed her back to her
office.
    She
was the first to break the silence.  “I’m assuming you’re here to interview the
staff?”
    He
nodded.  “Already done.  I don’t suppose you’ve noticed that green SUV Caleb
talked about have you?”
    She
shook her head.  “No.  I wracked my brain all evening until I fell asleep for
either the men or the car and I can’t remember seeing either before.  I’m
sorry.”
    Ben
sighed.  “I figured as much when you didn’t mention it.”
    Awkward
silence descended again.  Ben’s patience snapped.  This was ridiculous.  They
were staying in the same house and even if he checked into a hotel they’d still
be seeing each other frequently. 
    He
stepped forward until he was close enough to touch her.  “Listen, about the
other night.  I don’t know how we ended up the way we did, but it’s not a big
deal.  We just got caught off guard and we were still half asleep.”
    Keep
telling yourself that, Davidson.  Maybe you’ll eventually believe it.  
He couldn’t help but scoff at his own thoughts.  Still.  He had to try.
    She
wouldn’t look at him, but she nodded.  “Right.”
    He
ran a hand through his hair.  Time to try pretending they were past it. 
“Tristan got caught up in another case and said he’d grab a bite in town
tonight.  I’ve got a bunch of case files from the previous victims to go over
again.  How about we go grab some dinner before I closet myself away?” he
asked. 
    She
looked at him then.  After a moment she nodded. 
     

Chapter 5
     
    He’d
followed that damn FBI agent after the press conference.  He’d ended up at the
equestrian center where that woman he’d strung up in the woods took that son of
hers.  He watched as the agent finally exited the building with one of the
therapists, a hand resting on her back as he guided her to the car.  Agent
Davidson had certainly been in there long enough.  It had given him plenty of
time to think.  How the feds had gotten to the crime so quickly was beyond
him.  It usually took the FBI several days to get involved.  And he was in a
new state.  This shouldn’t even have been on the cops’ radar as a serial
killing. 
    Someone
must have flagged his M.O.
    Dammit! 
He couldn’t let anyone stop him.  Not until everyone got his message. 
    That
meant he needed to stop Agent Davidson.  Which wouldn’t be easy.  The man