Witness Protection: Hide and Seek by Ursula Dukes Read Free Book Online Page A

heal her grief-stricken heart.

 
 
    He was so close that she could feel the heat coming from his
body. It surrounded her with a smothering attraction. It stirred her in such a
way that it made her blush of embarrassment, but most of all, guilt.

 
 
    She placed her hands upon his chest and gently pushed him
back a few steps.

 
    “Would you mind if we caught up a little later? I need to
speak to Hank and Donna and I don’t want to ruin the party.” She grinned
nervously.

 
    Before he could utter another word, Madison casually eased
out from under his penetrating gaze and walked towards the other side of the
room.

 
    “It’s my party,” he mumbled and headed back to his table.

 
 
                                                               ****

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Madison felt Cole’s eyes on her the entire night. She really
wasn’t expecting to see him again. And yet, there he was, standing only a few
feet away from her. She felt a twinge of jealously when a woman sat herself down
in his lap, but took notice of how quickly he removed her.
      And speaking of
women, where was his wife? She’d noticed that Deputy Faith’s spouse was nowhere
in sight either. If she had been, she was sure that Faith would have introduced
her. Perhaps the party was an impromptu one and there hadn’t been enough time
to invite the spouses.  
    But Hank had told her that the party had been planned.
Surely, spouses were invited. Maybe neither one wanted to bring their
significant other to such a soiree.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    “So you’re going to check out of the hotel and come stay
with us right?”
    “I don’t want to be a bother Hank and besides, I like the
Madison Hotel.” She grinned.
    “I’m sure you do, but you’ll like the Morrison hotel even
better. It’s comfortable, cozy, has a swimming pool and it’s a hell of a lot
cheaper than the Madison. Oh and did I mention that we’re not taking no for an
answer?” Hank smiled and put his arm around her.
    “Plus, I could use your help. Hank and I are having a party
at the house tomorrow.”
      “I’m gone for a few
years and you guys turn into a couple of party animals. I love it.” Madison
chuckled.

 
    “Well it isn’t every day that a couple gets to celebrate
their 40th wedding anniversary.” Donna smiled innocently.

 
    “Of course it is. I am so sorry, I completely forgot. That’s
right, 40 years! That is one amazing feat. Congratulations!” She hugged them
both.

 
    “Thank you, so does that mean you’ll stay with us?”

 
    “Of course I will. I’d be happy to help.”

 
    “Good, now we’ve got some things to take care of before the
party winds down. So just sit here and relax.”

 
    After Hank and Donna excused themselves, Madison sat back
and began to absorb everything that had happened so far.
    She learned from Hank, that Cole was the one leaving the
marshal services. He’d been divorced for almost 8 months and was heading to
Summerbridge, West Virginia. He’d been hired on as sergeant of the small town's
police department.

 
    She stole a glance at him as he said goodbye to some of his
colleagues.

 
    It’s probably for the
best ; she tried reassuring herself. I've
got no business caring about Cole, or where he goes. She silently scolded
herself for thinking about him in that way, again.

 
 
 
                                                                                                         
    ****
     

 
 
 
 
    “Madison West in the flesh and a widow, none the less.”
Deputy Faith and Cole were sitting at the bar now.

 
    “And?” Cole swallowed down his drink.

 
    Faith shook his head. “Yes, it’s unfortunate that her
husband is gone, but you cannot sit there and tell me that you aren’t the