Holiday Hideout by Lynette Eason Read Free Book Online Page B

she lifted her eyes to his, she gulped to find her lips only a fraction from his.
    Her heart thudded, her stomach flipped.
    And then he gently set her from him and looked over her shoulder toward the computer. “What are you working on?”
    Abby licked her lips, surprised at the disappointment racing through her. She’d wanted him to kiss her.
    Focusing on his question, she seriously thought about dumping the whole mess on him. And then forced herself to keep those words buried deep. He was a cop. And she wasn’t fond of cops right now. Even one she wanted to kiss. She liked Cal, trusted him to keep her safe. For now. But if he found out she was running from a cop…where would his loyalties fall, then?
    Instead of spilling her troubles, she said, “I was going on vacation, but I’m not one to leave work completely behind. I’m just working on some files that need updating.”
    She clicked the screen closed, her tongue burning with the lie. But it wasn’t completely a lie. They were files from work and some of them did need updating. But for some reason, she didn’t want to tell him exactly what she did for a living. That information might lead him to ask more questions, to dig deeper. And she wasn’t ready to venture into that territory right now.
    “Well, don’t let me interrupt.” His clean scent invaded her senses once again as he leaned in closer.
    Looking up at him, she felt dwarfed by his towering height. As though sensing her feelings, he backed up a step.
    “I have an extra laptop at home you can use if you need one throughout the day.”
    His generous offer surprised her. “That would be wonderful.” She paused and bit her lip.
    “What?” he asked reaching out his forefinger to release her bottom lip from her teeth.
    The zing up her spine held her motionless for a moment. Her lip burned from his touch. Swallowing, she asked, “Why are you doing this?”
    “Why not?”
    Abby gave a small laugh. “Come on, Cal, in this day and age, people just don’t help each other anymore. Not like this. Taking in a sick woman, letting me stay here, offering the use of a spare computer.” She frowned, truly puzzled. “How do you know I won’t rob you blind? Or worse?”
    Those cinnamon-colored eyes crinkled at the corners. “I don’t, which is why I’m keeping an eye on you.” The smile softened his words, but she could tell he was serious, too.
    And he should be, but Abby didn’t know whether to laugh or be mad. “So why not take me to the nearest hotel and be done with me?”
    He took his sweet time answering as he studied her. She shifted, uncomfortable with his probing stare. Then he smiled again, this time causing that dimple to wink at her. “Look, you were in bad shape and needed help. God seems to lead Mom to those people—or those people to Mom, however you want to look at it.” Pain took over the smile in his eyes. Grief flashed and she wondered at it. But instead of explaining his sorrow, he said, “The way I figure it, if God wants you here, who am I to turn you away?”
    “God?” She sighed. “What’s He got to do with anything?”
    Cal’s brows tightened over the bridge of his nose. “You don’t believe in God?”
    “Oh, I believe in Him. I just don’t know that I trust Him anymore.” She couldn’t keep the bitter words from spewing out. But she regretted them the moment they hit his ears. “I’m sorry. I guess God and I have some unresolved issues.”
    “Sounds like it.”
    In his eyes, she saw compassion, a warmth that floored her. No judgment, just concern. Who was this man? What made him tick? Why did she thrill at his nearness even as she threw up the barriers to keep him at arm’s length?
    Mainly because he was a cop, yes. But also because she felt almost guilty being attracted to him, which made no sense.
    But it didn’t matter.
    The bottom line was that she couldn’t confide in him. Cops protected each other—even when one of their own was in the wrong. At