Summer's Desire by Kathleen Ball Read Free Book Online

receiving end of any smiles from her, but at
least she had stopped scowling at him.
    Watching her last night with Mark, Luke and John had
been enlightening. She soothed their worries and their guilt. She gave them the
tender care they’d been missing since their parents died. He wasn’t sure what
to do. It was unimaginable she was capable of being an accomplice in a robbery,
let alone murder, but according to Beverly, a lot of people believed her guilty.
What about the guy who did rob and beat them? Where was he? He couldn’t
remember if Beverly had shared that little tidbit with him.
    “Tell me your favorite foods, Matt.” Again, she had a
great big smile for Matt.
    “My favorite is homemade mac and cheese. I also like
baked ham and sweet potatoes. I like eggs with bacon. And—”
    “I think she gets the idea.” Holden chuckled. His
phone rang. He was needed in the office. “Summer, I’m going to leave you some
money so you can get groceries. Don’t worry about the boys. I’ll have John stay
with Matt while Mark and Luke get some work done.”
    Doubt and something he couldn’t decipher were in her
eyes. “It’ll be fine.” He handed her two one hundred dollar bills and laughed when
her eyes widened and eyebrows rose. “What? We eat a lot.”
    She nodded. He could sense her reluctance but didn't
have time to dwell on it. Someone with a sick dog was at the clinic.
    Even during the drive he still couldn’t get her out
of his mind. In the short time he’d spent with her he’d come to admire her. The
kindness she showed his brothers was beyond her job description. Even if she
couldn’t stand him, he liked her well enough. Maybe more than just well enough.
When he parked, he said a quick prayer of thankfulness that Beverly Rain wasn’t
waiting for him. He rushed into the office and was instantly in Vet mode.
    The little Chihuahua, named Tiny, required surgery on
its knee cap. Mindy Sue certainly impressed him as she helped him and her pink
hair was so outrageous today, he smiled.
    It warmed his insides when he later reassured Mrs.
Beasley, Tiny’s thankful owner. She bubbled over with
gratitude, then grabbed his cheeks and kissed him on the lips. Holden wanted to
gag but he was a professional. As soon as she left Mindy Sue broke out in
laughter and handed him a bottle of mouthwash she kept in her desk drawer. He
grabbed the bottle and headed into the bathroom to rinse his mouth.
    “Doc, come quick,” Mindy Sue called seconds later.
    Holden quickly dried his hands and raced to the
waiting room. The sheriff stood in the middle of the room with his feet planted
shoulder width apart. Beady brown eyes stared him down. He hoped it wasn’t his
brothers.
    “Sheriff, what a nice surprise.”
    “Brown, Sheriff Brown and this is not a social
visit.” He took off his cap and scratched his head. He wore a military style
crew cut. “Do you know Summer Louise Fitzgerald?”
    “Yes, what’s this all about?”
    “She claimsyou
gave her two, one hundred dollar bills but I think the money is from the recent
robbery she is suspected to be involved in. I’ve been biding my time waiting
for her to make a mistake.” He held up the two one hundred dollar bills.
    Holden’s jaw dropped. “Her claimis the truth. I gave her the money to buy groceries with. Where is
she?”
    The sheriff’s eyes narrowed. “She wouldn’t be doing
anything illegal to earn this money would she?”
    Holden’s body stiffened as he clenched his hands.
“No. She works for me, end of story. I’d like my money back and I demand to
know where Summer is.”
    The disappointment on the sheriff’s face amazed
Holden. “She’s in a cell.”
    “What?” The urge to punch first and talk later was
strong. He grabbed his Stetson and locked gazes with Mindy Sue “Call if you
need me. I might as well find out where the local jail is.” Wide eyed, Mindy
Sue nodded.
    Holden didn’t talk to the sheriff the whole way to
the jail. He just stalked