Ring of Fire (34 page)

“That's not a question,” he noted.

“A guy like you, if you'd been in Caribou Crossing long, I'd have known.” The words themselves were neutral, but the way she said them wasn't. She was flirting and making no bones about it.

He laughed. “You're not shy, are you?”

“Not for a single day of my life. Seems to me it's a waste of time.”

The humor faded from his face, leaving him looking older. “Since you don't like wasting your time, I should tell you that I'm not, you know, looking to date.”

Her eyes widened with surprise. Well, that certainly told her where she stood. Except that she could have sworn he was attracted to her. “Married?” she guessed. “Or involved?”

He shook his head. “And don't want to be.”

What a waste. The hottest guy she'd met in forever, and he was turning her down. Looked like she'd be spending the night with her computer and a bunch of sperm donor profiles after all. “I should pay my bill.”

“Sure. Let me see if I can find it on the computer.” He jiggled the mouse, clicked some keys, and asked, “Last name?”

“Scott.”

A moment later, he said, “Got it.” Another click, and a printer hummed to life. He took the page and handed it over. “Look about right?”

She leaned over the invoice and curls tumbled into her face. Her hair, thick and wavy down past her shoulders, was getting unruly again. Shoving it back with an impatient, “Pfft,” she muttered to herself, “I've got to call Brooke and make a hair appointment.” She scrutinized the bill and then took a credit card from her wallet. “This looks fine.”

Mo didn't seem to notice the card. He was staring at her face. “Brooke?” His voice croaked. “Brooke, uh, Brannon?”

She nodded. “Do you know her?”

“Do you?” he countered.

Frowning in puzzlement, she said, “She's a good friend as well as being my hairstylist. How do you know her?”

“I, uh . . .” He finally took the credit card she'd been holding out, and ran it through Hank's machine, taking more time than the task required. And not answering her question.

Weird.

Mo handed the card and two copies of the receipt to her. “Sign this one, please. So, do you know her son, too? Evan?”

“Sure.” She signed the merchant copy and handed it back. “He manages my money.” When her parents had been killed in a bus crash during a holiday in Austria, she'd been shattered, but had found herself quite well off, financially. Still in her teens, she'd not only inherited the family home but also her parents' fair-sized investment portfolio and the proceeds of their life insurance policies. When Evan Kincaid had opened his business in Caribou Crossing a few years back, Maribeth had transferred her portfolio to him, and he'd done exceedingly well for her. “Why are you asking about Brooke and Evan?”

Mo's handsome face was marred by a frown and he didn't answer for a minute or two. Then he said, “I wonder if I could talk to you.”

“I thought we
were
talking.” This guy might be gorgeous and sexy, but he was getting annoying.

“Sorry. I mean about, uh, something private.”

“Something that involves Brooke and Evan?”

He nodded.

“I guess so,” she said slowly. “But this is all very mysterious.”

“I'm sorry. Let me buy you a drink and I'll explain.”

This man, a stranger to town, didn't want to date her, but he wanted to buy her a drink and talk about two of her friends.

Well, there was only one way to find out what was going on.

Award-winning, internationally bestselling author Susan Fox (who also writes as Savanna Fox and Susan Lyons) is a Pacific Northwester with homes in Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia. She has degrees in law and psychology, and has had a variety of careers, including perennial student, computer consultant, and legal editor. Fiction writer is by far her favorite, giving her an outlet to demonstrate her belief in the power of love, friendship, and a sense of humor. Visit her Web site at
www.susanfox.ca
.

 

For Evan Kincaid, the best thing about his dusty hometown was watching it fade into the distance. Jessica Bly was the only one who didn't treat him like an outsider, and their friendship ended with one mind-blowing night of young passion. Now they've both got the lives they planned—Evan in New York, Jess with her beloved horses in Caribou Crossing. But business has brought Evan back to Jess's Crazy Horse ranch on a mission that could destroy whatever's left of her trust.

 

Ten years ago, Jess wanted one perfect night to remember Evan by. What she got was a broken heart and a secret that's kept them strangers ever since. The boy she knew was sexy and sweet; the man he's become leaves her breathless. And no matter how much she tells herself that country girl and city boy don't belong together, in her heart she wants to believe his home has been right here all along . . .

 

Also features the full-length prequel novella “Caribou Crossing.”

 

Brooke Kincaid knows second chances don't come cheap. She's spent five years repairing past mistakes and making her life in Caribou Crossing steady and predictable. But now a stranger's Harley has shattered her fence and her peace of mind in one swoop. Because Brooke is drawn to everything about wounded undercover cop Jake Brannon . . .

 

By rights, Brooke should curse Jake for complicating her life. Instead she's offered him a place to heal and a cover story as he searches for a wanted man. Jake knows she's vulnerable, but she's also strong, kind, and hotter than hellfire. It's a combination that could make even a die-hard loner long to put up his boots and put down roots at last, and show her just how good a second chance can get . . .

 

Dave Cousins, owner of the Wild Rose Inn, is known throughout Caribou Crossing as the nicest—and loneliest—guy in town. He's had his heart broken more than once, and he's determined not to let it happen again. So it's no wonder he's wary when a free-spirited drifter leaves him longing for more than just a steamy fling . . .

 

Like the wild goose tattooed on her shoulder, Cassidy Esperanza goes wherever the wind takes her. For her, a new day means a fresh start. And yet something about her days in Caribou Crossing—and nights with its handsome hotel owner—makes her think about staying a while. But when life takes an unexpected turn, her first instinct is to take flight once more. Is Dave strong enough to help them both face their fears, come to terms with the past, and believe that sometimes love truly can last a lifetime?

 

Also features the full-length novella
“Stand by Your Man.”

 

Since the death of her husband three years ago, young widow Sally Ryland has kept to herself and focused on her struggling business, Ryland Riding. Folks assume she's still grieving, because Sally has never shared the truth about her abusive marriage, or the trust issues that remain. But when a sexy rodeo rider from her past turns up for a visit, he's a reminder of the feisty woman she once was—and maybe still could be . . .

 

Ben Traynor was always attracted to Sally, but he didn't move fast enough. Now what Sally needs is patience and gentleness. With an injury keeping him from his next rodeo, Ben has the perfect excuse to stick around and help with her chores—and her healing. And as Sally finds the courage to face her demons and open her heart again, she'll have to decide if what she has with Ben is more than safety, gratitude, and short-term passion, but a forever love . . .

ZEBRA BOOKS are published by

 

Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018

 

Copyright © 2016 by Susan Lyons

 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

 

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If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the Publisher and neither the Author nor the Publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

 

 

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ISBN-13: 978-1-4201-4026-2
ISBN-10: 1-4201-4026-4

ISBN: 978-1-4201-4026-2