Protected by the Texas Rancher by Karen Whiddon

Author:Karen Whiddon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-07-13T19:01:27+00:00

Chapter 9

When Emma finally emerged from her bedroom, after having applied a little makeup and putting on her favorite pair of jeans and boots, Trace had left. She had to admit she felt the tiniest bit of relief. She wasn’t entirely sure about this new relationship phase they’d evidently entered. Sex with no strings attached. It sounded like a recipe for disaster.

But the sex—oh the sex. She’d never experienced anything so intense, so fulfilling. Quite frankly, it scared the hell out of her. When she wasn’t craving it.

Shaking her head, she left the house, trying hard not to catch sight of Trace out near the barn or the fields. The second she stepped outside, she noticed Trace had pulled the bright blue Jeep up onto the driveway. Judging by the way the paint shone, it looked like he’d washed it for her.

Thinking back to her initial thought and what she’d almost accused him of, she blushed. Of course Trace hadn’t gotten the Jeep street legal simply because they’d made love—er, had sex. Though she’d only been staying with him a few weeks, she could tell he wasn’t that kind of guy.

Eyeing the Jeep, she pushed away a spat of nerves and climbed into the driver’s seat and put the key into the ignition. It had been several years since she’d driven, but she felt reasonably confident that she could still do it.

However, she took it slow as she drove down the ranch’s long drive, picking up speed after she’d turned onto the two-lane Farm to Market Road. By the time she made it to Getaway, she felt reasonably competent. She was even thinking of giving the Jeep a name.

First up, she visited the sheriff’s department. Rayna wasn’t in, but she’d left a box up front with Mary for Emma to pick up.

Once Emma had stowed that in the back seat of the Jeep, she drove to downtown Getaway and Serenity’s shop. She found a parking spot in front and took a moment to see if she could remember her parallel parking skills. To her surprise, she nailed it on the second try.

Hopping out of the Jeep, she locked it. Amazing how such a simple thing as driving and parking could make her feel as if she could do anything. Good, she thought wryly. She’d need that confidence to help her not only figure out who’d really murdered Jeremy, but to reestablish her horse training business and make a new life.

One thing at a time, she reminded herself. Then she squared her shoulders, lifted her chin and opened the door to Serenity’s shop.

Inside, the cloying scent of patchouli wafted in the air. Looking at the stacks of books, the displays of rocks and crystals, interspersed with gaudy floral arrangements, she saw that nothing had changed since the last time she’d visited.

“Emma? Emma McBride?” a cheery voice trilled. “I’ve been waiting for you to come see me.”

Emma turned, smiling as Serenity rushed over, a blur of bright colors and loud patterns, her numerous bracelets jangling as she enveloped Emma in a sandalwood-scented hug.

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