Peggy Dulle - Liza Wilcox 04 - Saddle Up by Peggy Dulle Read Free Book Online Page B

freeway through Tracy and only had one lane open. What have you got?”
    “Coke, root beer, Dr. Pepper, fresh squeezed orange juice, and Diet Coke.”
    Tom took a step back. “You’re kidding me?”
    “Nope. I went to the store since I knew you were coming.”
    “Wow, thanks. You make your tea and I’ll get my soda.”
    Tom opened the refrigerator and whistled.
    “What?” I said as I put a cup of water into the microwave.
    “You’ve got a full refrigerator. I’ve never seen anything but Diet Coke and take-out boxes here before.”
    I looked over his shoulder. He was right. It was full of fruits, vegetables, left over spaetzle, sauce, and the makings for waffles for tomorrow.
    “I told you I went to the store,” I said.
    “You made waffle batter?” he asked in amazement.
    “It’s left over. Jordan and I made waffles this morning before she left.” I stopped keeping track of the lies.
    “You have a waffle iron?” he asked.
    I had no idea, but if Dad was supposed to fix them in the morning, I must.
    “Of course.”
    “This is a whole new side of you, Liza Wilcox. Your sister is a great influence.”
    Had I just been insulted?
    Tom put his arms around me, pulled me close and kissed me again. Then he said, “Of course, I didn’t think there was anything wrong with the old Liza Wilcox.”
    “Nice save,” I told him.
    “I saw the look in your eye.”
    Tom pulled a Coke from the refrigerator and sat down at the kitchen table. I put a tea bag into my hot water, dunked it a few times and took it out. I normally like my tea very weak, but at close to midnight, I really didn’t need the caffeine.
    Tom glanced toward the cards on the table. “You and your sister played cards?”
    I nodded.
    “I didn’t know you liked to play cards,” he said.
    “We’ve only known each other for eight months. There are bound to be things about me you don’t know. I just learned on the cruise that you are obsessed with Karaoke, have a wonderful voice, and play golf.
    Tom smiled and said, “I can’t wait to learn all your little secrets.”
    I coughed, spitting tea on his shirt.
    He wiped the tea with his hand.
    “Sorry.” I jumped up, got a napkin, and handed it to him.
    “This has been some greeting. Your dog about took my head off and you’re spitting tea at me.”
    I leaned down, kissed him gently on the neck and said, “Come to bed and I’ll give you a proper welcome.”
    “Best idea you’ve had since I got here.”
    Tom picked up his duffle bag and we walked down the hall together. When we were passing Dad’s door, I said, “Let’s shut the door to keep Shelby out. I’m trying to train her to sleep on the living room couch and not on my bed.”
    “Why?” he asked.
    “She’s a bed hog,” I told him. It was the truth. Shelby tended to spread her entire body out when she slept. And training her to sleep on the living room couch, once in a while, was a good idea, even if I did just think of it. Dad would understand my intention and get out.
    I got in bed. Tom put his bag next to my dresser, removed his gun and went to set it on the dresser.
    “The lockbox is still under my bed.” I wanted his gun out of reach if he happened to hear Dad leave the house.
    He took out the box and put in both his guns. How did the daughter of an eco-terrorist end up being the fiancée of a cop? I wondered.
    Tom took off his shirt, exposing his firm muscles, rich lather of chest hair and several scars which I had never asked about. I preferred to speculate. The four inch abrasion on his shoulder – a shootout with a bank robber? The pockmark on his lower back – saving a child from a burning car? He folded the shirt and laid it on top of the dresser. I glanced over at the chair where I had thrown my clothes. Nobody said we were alike. Then he slid off his pants. I closed my eyes and sighed.
    “What’s the matter?” Tom looked around for some possible threat.
    “Nothing,” I laughed. “I just like to look at your