Ransom by Terri Reed Read Free Book Online Page B

for her to evaluate Travis’s worth.
    Still, the man had knowingly committed more than one crime.
    Shaking her head with exasperation, Liz selected a long tunic sweater in green over fleece-lined stretch pants tucked inside her winter boots. She was braiding her hair when she heard voices outside her room door.
    Blake’s deep tone she recognized. Two others, one male and the other female, she didn’t recognize, but figured they were Drew and Samantha, whom Blake had mentioned last night.
    After securing her long braid with a rubber band, she opened the door and entered the living room. Blake had his back to her, blocking her view of the two people with him. But then he turned around and captured her whole focus.
    He’d changed into green cargo pants and a cream-colored cable knit sweater. He’d also taken the time to shave, which accentuated the planes and angles of his face. His dark hair was still damp. Liz liked the way the ends curled at his nape. Weariness rimmed his dark eyes. He gave her a quick once-over.
    She caught something akin to interest in his expression, which seemed to thaw the hard coldness of his eyes just a tad more. Her heart bumped against her breastbone as attraction zinged through her veins and made her knees weak. Her mouth went dry. Confusion swirled within her brain. She never went all mushy over a man. Only heartache lay in that direction.
    Watching her sister fall in love over and over again with various men through the years and then witnessing the emotional upheaval when the relationship ended had drilled home to Liz what she’d learned from watching her father after her mother’s death. Love equaled pain.
    Whether it was a bruised ego, as was often the case with Jillian, or a broken spirit like their father, giving one’s heart away meant losing a part of oneself.
    Liz had no intention of losing herself for anyone.
    â€œGood morning.” A hint of a smile touched his lips drawing her attention. He had such a nice-shaped mouth. She batted down that errant thought. “I hope you slept well.”
    She was surprised to realize she had. Knowing he was close had given her a sense of security. Physical security, that is. Certainly not emotional. If anything, he made her emotions more raw and tender. But he had protected her from danger, and she had no doubt he would again, if needed. That was his job. And he seemed to take his job ultraseriously.
    â€œYes, thank you.” She straightened her spine and leaned to the side to see around him. A tall, good-looking man and a pretty, blond-haired woman smiled at her. “Hello.”
    Blake stepped aside. “This is Royal Canadian Mounted Police Inspector Drew Kelly and FBI liaison Samantha Kelly.”
    She noted the wedding rings on their fingers. A married couple. That was unexpected. And yet comforting. Though she wasn’t sure why she felt comforted by the knowledge that these two were together. Maybe it had something to do with how pretty the petite woman was?
    Whoa, what did that matter? Liz wasn’t in competition for Blake’s attention. She wasn’t interested in him in that way.
    The woman thrust out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Miss Cantrell. You can call me Sami.”
    Sami’s bright blue eyes sparkled with curiosity. She wore gray wool pants and a charcoal-colored sweater that set off her creamy complexion. Her golden-blond hair was clipped back at her nape. She was a beautiful woman and made Liz feel dowdy in comparison. Self-consciously, Liz pushed the end of her braid off her shoulder so that it swung out of sight behind her.
    Liz shook the woman’s hand, liking her directness. “Likewise. And call me Liz, please.”
    â€œMiss Cantrell.” Drew extended his hand, as well. He was a big man with wide shoulders beneath a flannel shirt. His brown hair was shorn in a close crop and his hazel eyes regarded her with kindness and a tinge of sympathy.
    Liz shook the