Lawman's Perfect Surrender by Jennifer Morey Read Free Book Online

is different. You call living with a woman working?” Anna gave Gemma a close and deliberate inspection. “A pretty one, too.”
    “I’m not living with her. I’m staying with her for a while. For her protection. I’m a police officer.”
    “And a good one, too.”
    “Why did you come here? And tell me the truth.”
    Anna smiled and gave the air in front of her body a sweep with her hands. “I went for a jog. You know I always jog in the evening.”
    Ford chuckled, a deep, affectionate sound. “So, you decided to stop in for coffee? After a jog? ”
    “No harm in that.” Her eyes twinkled with delight.
    “You never drink coffee at night. Especially when you jog, Anna.”
    Anna laughed, the aged sound adorable. The love between them was obvious. She could do no wrong in Ford’s eyes. The woman had to be in her seventies and had the energy of a woman twenty years younger. Athletic and thin and nowhere near frail, she was an inspiration.
    “I came here to see her for myself.”
    The entire exchange touched Gemma, and also revealed a side to Ford she didn’t think emerged often. The soft light in his eyes, the soft light of love.
    “Anna…?” Ford warned in a teasing way.
    “Do you think I’d pass up a chance to meet your new girl? I knew you wouldn’t tell me about her and I couldn’t wait.”
    “She isn’t my girl.”
    “No, but you desperately need one.” She patted his muscular bicep.
    His affection disappeared behind a lowered brow and intensifying eyes. Even with the one person he loved like a mother, he still kept his boundaries firmly in place. Whatever haunted him, it was significant.
    “Why don’t you bring her by the house this weekend? I’ll make us something special for the Fourth of July. You can grill some ribs. Your favorite. I don’t feel like attending the fireworks this year. It’s changed so much…”
    “Anna…” Ford cautioned again. “I told you, I’m working.”
    “Oh, all right, then when you’re finished working, bring her by the house. When will that be? Is August enough lead time?”
    Ford sighed. “Anna…?”
    Lighthearted laughter answered him before she turned to Gemma. “Good to meet you, dear.”
    Gemma shook her hand, feeling the strength in it. With that, Anna headed for the door. But over her shoulder she called, “When your work is finished, you bring her to see me.”
    Ford gave her a salute with two fingers, and muttered to Gemma, “She doesn’t understand that when my work is finished, I won’t be staying with you anymore.”
    “No?”
    He turned a startled look to her. She was just as startled.
    “I heard that,” Lacy said as she approached, sparing Gemma further embarrassment.
    She couldn’t believe what she’d said. Of course, she didn’t want Ford to stay after his work was finished…after Jed was taken care of. It was just that Anna seemed so sure.
    Hooking her arm with Gemma’s, Lacy was about to take her toward the door when all three of them saw Anna pass outside the café window. She winked.
    “She may have a point,” Lacy said.
    “What point?” Gemma asked.
    “Are you two ready to go?” Ford stopped the banter irritably.
    “When I told her you were staying with Gemma her whole face lit up and she went into this long explanation about how she thought fate had finally stepped in to guide you.”
    “When did you tell her that?” Gemma asked while Ford’s mood darkened all over is face and body language.
    “This morning when she came in for coffee.”
    “That sounds like Anna,” Ford said, his mood boomeranging in a way that captivated Gemma.
    Lacy grinned her entertainment. “I told her about the day the two of you met. Imagine how intrigued she was.”
    Ford’s mood returned to annoyance. “No imagination necessary. Are you two ready to go now?”
    Gemma wasn’t. “What did you tell her?”
    “Exactly what I saw.” Her now mischievous grin left no doubt as to her meaning.
    She and Ford had noticed each other.