Ride It Out by Cara McKenna

Author:Cara McKenna [McKenna, Cara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: InterMix
Published: 2017-09-18T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Nicki’s heart rose in her chest—a fluttering, foolish thing—as she spied Miah’s truck in the ranch’s front lot. He was often out and about around the range as part of his daily duties, but if that vehicle was parked at the house, the chances were good that so was he.

It was her break, and her patrol route had legitimately taken her out to this side of Fortuity. It wouldn’t be weird to stop by, right? Not too eager, she assured herself as she headed toward the porch steps. Not unless she’d read his signals way wrong last night, and she trusted she hadn’t.

She rang the bell, smoothed her uniform’s shirt behind her belt, ran her tongue over her teeth.

Footsteps.

Her heart raced, thump thump thump, then stumbled a beat when the door swung in and Miah’s mom appeared.

“Deputy, good afternoon. Come in.” Though her smile and voice were cordial, they were strained as well—she’d registered Nicki in the same second Nicki had registered her. Christine was expecting an update, a breakthrough, her hopes and worries charged in a flash.

Nicki stepped into the hall. She wouldn’t lead the woman on a moment longer than necessary. “Hi, Christine. No news, I’m afraid. Not about the case.”

“Oh.” The door shut with a soft huff. “That’s all right. I wasn’t really expecting any.”

Fuck, that about broke Nicki’s already mixed-up heart. “I just came by on my break—I was patrolling out along the highway. Thought I’d say hello.” To Miah. Though she was fond of Christine as well. It wasn’t a hardship to visit with her, even if it wasn’t exactly the secret makeout session she’d been gunning for.

“How have you been, Nicki? Oh, would you like a coffee? There’s a fresh pot just brewed, and I could stand a break myself.” Christine’s demeanor had changed, gone warm and nearly easy, if not for some vague, strange quality Nicki couldn’t place. Miah didn’t tell her we’re . . . No, doubtful. She was just being paranoid.

“I’d love a coffee. Thanks.” Nicki followed her into the sunny kitchen.

Christine plucked a mug from a cabinet. “Cream and two sugars.”

“How’d you guess?” Nicki joked. The number of coffees she’d drunk in this kitchen, the number of somber, sympathetic conversations, so maddeningly devoid of closure for this family . . .

Christine handed over the cup then fixed one for herself.

“Thank you. Is Miah around?” She sounded casual, she thought. Not suspicious at all. Probably. Hopefully.

Christine shook her head, taking a seat at the long table and blowing on her own steaming mug. “He took a half day. Some project or other.”

“Oh.”

“Good for him,” Christine added. “He’s been working the most ridiculous hours. I know I’m one to talk, but the boy needs sleep. And a social life,” she added, her smile a funny little thing that Nicki couldn’t quite ID.

Would a sex life suffice? Nicki took a seat on the opposite side of the table. “I saw his truck out front. I’d hoped I might catch you both,” she fibbed.

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