Silent Vows by Catherine Bybee Read Free Book Online Page B

made myself clear?”
    He studied his hand. “Yeah, well, excuse me for having a hard time believing a woman who has made an art-form out of lying since I met her. Now that my face is associated with yours, and those antiques, you’ll have to forgive me for being concerned about my reputation, not to mention my freedom.”
    “If you’re that concerned, why help me? Is there some law, Officer Blakely, forcing you to assist me?
    Forgive me for not knowing.” Two could play at sarcasm, and his was making her angry. “Poor little Scottish me, doesn’t quite know all of your American laws.” She placed both hands on her hips, her hair fell to her waist.
    People gathered around and watched their exchange. Todd tilted his head at a man he noticed leering. He grabbed her elbow once again.
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    Catherine Bybee

    Instinctively, Myra clasped his hand and willed more fire into her spark, forcing him to let her go.
    He jumped back this time, waving his tingling hand. “How the hell did you do that?”
    “Just one of my many secrets, Officer Blakely.
    Now if you would be so kind as to take me back to your home so I may retrieve my belongings, I’ll be getting out of your life.”
    “Fine!” He reached for her again, but stopped when her eyes warned him not to touch her. Instead, he opened the car door and waited for her to sit before slamming it shut behind her.

    ****
He drove in circles. Had in fact passed the same In and Out Burger three times before he stopped the car. “What are we doing here?” Myra asked.
    “Eating.” He got out of the car and waited for her to follow. When she didn’t, he jerked open her door. “Coming?”
    “Nay.”
    “Get out of the car, Myra.”
    “Nay.”
    “Dammit, woman, you are driving me to drink.”
    He reached down to pull her out.
    “Don’t you touch me.” Her voice was ice. “I’m not accustomed to being man-handled, and I don’t want to hurt you.”
    “Ha! You hurt me? I don’t think so.”
    She pushed the car door wider, and stepped up beside him. “Try me. Try me and let’s-just-see-how-far-you-get.” With each word, she tapped his chest giving him a little jolt.
    His face sobered. As did his mood.
    “I see I’ve made my point.” Myra shut the car door, and stormed toward the restaurant.
    “Where are you going?”
    “To eat. Fending off unwanted hands takes a bit 46

    Silent Vows

    of energy, and since you caused it, you can pay.” She marched into the red and white checkered building, leaving a stunned Officer Blakely behind.

    He ordered for them both, then took pity on her when she tried to make the soda come out of the machine. Once seated, Myra watched everyone but him. When the food arrived at the table, she stared at it. It wasn’t until he started eating that Myra followed his lead.
    With the first bite of a double cheeseburger with all the trimmings, her eyes closed.
    A small part of him wanted to remain angry with her. Yet, when she sat across from him looking like she could spark fire out of her eyes one minute then completely enthralled with her meal the next, he all but melted.
    The dimple on the right side of her cheek peeked out. He hadn’t seen that since the first day he had met her, and made a mental note to try and cause it to happen more often.
    “So, how do you do that?”
    “Do what?” She picked up a French fry, popped it in her mouth.
    “You know,” he pointed a finger at her, made a tapping gesture and added, “that shocking thing?”
    “Oh, that.”
    “Yeah, that.”
    “I picked it up when I was a child.” She sipped her soda and wiggled her nose. “How did you learn to be so untrusting?”
    “I picked it up when I became a cop.”
    “I tell you what.” She wiped her face and put the napkin back in her lap. “No more lies. If you ask something I can’t answer, I’ll tell you so.”
    “You mean won’t tell me.”
    “Okay, won’t tell you. I have my reasons, Todd, 47

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    and they are bigger than