One Good Man by Alison Kent Read Free Book Online

the last ten years.
    He understood the lonesome appeal of the place; his cabin was similarly isolated. But he didn’t know if he and solitude got along well enough to spend their lives together. He wondered how Jamie did it. He was just about to ask her, when she scooted away.
    “I need to get back to work before Honoria and Roni send out a search party.” She swung one leg then the other over the bench and stood.
    Kell stood, too, hands at his hips. “Do you want me to make the arrangements?”
    The look she gave him was full of so much sadness his gut started second-guessing his years of experience.
    “How long will it take?” she asked, hitching her shoulder strap higher.
    “To set things up? I can do it this afternoon.”
    “And how soon would it happen?”
    “As soon as you want.” He couldn’t tell if she wanted to get it over with or put it off.
    “Tomorrow? Is that too soon?”
    Not if it was up to him. “Do you want me to have the team come here?”
    “No,” she hurried to say, shaking her head vehemently. “I don’t want anyone here to know I’m doing this. Or for anything about that night to touch my life here. At least no more than it already has.”
    He gave a single nod, one of agreement but also of sympathy. Her part was to be brave. His part was to make her bravery easier. “I can set up the session at the Ranger station in Midland.”
    “That’s fine.”
    He could tell she wanted to get away from this conversation. “I’ll get a room for the night and make the arrangements, then give you a call this evening. We can drive up together tomorrow, and I’ll bring you back when we’re done.”
    Finally, a smile found its way to her face. “There’s not much in the way of overnight accommodations in Weldon. You can try to get a room at the Cordoba Inn, though it’s usually booked solid through Labor Day by summer vacationers, as is Indian Lodge. There’s the hotel at the state park in Balmorhea, but same thing, especially with the spring-fed pool there, and it’s about thirty-five miles away anyway. Of course, there’s always my extra bedroom if nothing pans out.”
    He’d take it. “If I don’t have to drive half the day looking for a room, I’ll have more time to make sure we can do this tomorrow.”
    She considered him for a long moment, as if wondering for the same fiery reasons he was how truly wise her offer had been. But rather than take it back, she left it there, an opening, an offer, a heady invitation that ripened in the air simmering between them. “I can walk you over, or we can go back to the clinic for your SUV.”
    “Why don’t we do that,” he said, barely able to breathe. “I’ve got some files I’ll need anyway, and my laptop and fax machine.”
    “Have electronics, will travel?”
    “Not to worry,” he told her, smiling. “I still carry a gun.”

5
    B Y THE TIME J AMIE made it back to the office, the short clinic day was in full swing, and the hustle and bustle of colds and coughs and ear infections so crazy that she barely had time to think. Neither did she have time—nor opportunity—to tell the story of Kell’s visit to Roni and Honoria.
    She knew both of her coworkers were curious, but the women also respected Jamie’s privacy; they let her know with smiles and quick hugs that anytime she might need them, and for whatever reason, they were there.
    Once the noon hour arrived and the clinic’s doors were locked for the day, leaving the women the rest of the afternoon free for phone calls and paperwork while Dr. Griñon drove to Alpine to golf, Jamie quickly explained that she’d be taking Thursday and Friday as personal days. Both women were more than willing to pick up the slack while she was gone.
    She didn’t spell out what it was she would be doing, only that she had to go to Midland to do it. Assuring them she was not in any trouble and there was nothing for either of them to worry about, Jamie worked quietly until five, going through