“He said I still looked pretty. But that was before he got so mad. After that, he said I was still the same useless bitch I’d always been.”
“Nice guy,” Lissa said dryly.
“You think you can find him?” Colt asked her.
“I’ll find him.” She glanced at the broken lamp, thought of Ray’s violent temper, and hoped it was sooner rather than later.
“You find him, I’ll deal with him,” Colt said to her darkly. “When I’m finished, Ray Spearman won’t ever bother Julie again.”
One look into that steely blue eye and Lissa believed him. Unfortunately, as a former police officer, no way could she stand by and let this guy kill Ray. Though there was a very good chance that was exactly what Colt Wheeler had in mind.
CHAPTER THREE
COLT SAT ON the sofa in the living room while Julie and Lissa cleaned up in the kitchen, an excuse, he figured, for Julie to give her friend a rundown of who he was and what he was doing in Dallas.
He looked up as the front door opened and Julie’s two kids burst into the living room, home from their time with the neighbors.
“Colt!” Timmy was eleven, a good-looking boy with reddish-blond hair and a gangly frame he was just beginning to grow into. Colt rose as the kid grinned and ran toward him. “Wow, I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Hey, Tim.” Colt clamped a hand on the boy’s shoulder and they leaned in for a hug. “I swear you’ve grown six inches since I was here last year.”
“I wish. I can’t wait to be as tall as you.”
He smiled. “Be patient. Someday you will be.”
“I hope so. Mom said you quit the army.”
“That’s right. I needed a change. I’m headed back to Denver to try something new.” Something that would challenge him the way the rangers once had.
“Are you gonna stay in town for a while?”
“Maybe a day or two.”
“Cool. I got basketball practice so I gotta go. I’ll see you when I get home.” Timmy took off just as his sister walked in. Megan was a year older, a beautiful young girl with the same fair skin, delicate features, and auburn hair as her mother.
“Colt! Mom didn’t say you were coming.”
“I should have called. I was driving through on my way to Denver and decided to just drop by.”
“I’m really glad you did.” Megan leaned over and hugged him. She felt slender and fragile as he hugged her back, but according to her mom, she was tougher than she looked.
“Since you’re here, maybe you can come to my school play tomorrow night.”
He smiled, lifting the dark blond mustache at the corner of his mouth. “If I can, I will. But there may be something I have to do.” With any luck he’d be having a very long, very painful conversation with scumbag Raymond Spearman. “Either way, I know you’ll be great.”
Megan blushed. “Thanks. I’ve got to change. Me and my friend Marsha are going to the mall for a couple of hours.”
He arched an eyebrow. “What, no homework?”
Megan smiled. “Finished it in study hall.”
“Good for you.”
As Megan raced off down the hall to her bedroom, he noticed Lissa standing in the kitchen doorway. Just looking at her aroused him, had since she’d stepped into the living room, a big semiauto in her hands, pointed directly at him.
She was wearing a black tank top that curved over small, elegant breasts and black jeans that stretched like skin over the supple curves of her long legs. She was tall, built like a dancer, her muscles lean and strong. She was confident, even arrogant. He could feel it in every look she cast his way.
He wanted to taste that sassy mouth, wanted a lot more than that.
“You’re good with kids,” she said. “I wouldn’t have guessed.”
He just shrugged. He knew what people thought when they looked at him, knew the black patch was even more intimidating than the scar. “Looks can be deceiving.”
Lissa shook her head, moving the shiny blond cap of hair he itched to run his fingers through. “I don’t think so. I think you’re exactly the kind of man you look like.”
“That so? What kind is that?”
“Hard and edgy. The kind who’s used to having his own way. A man who doesn’t take no for an answer.”
“You could be right.” She was smart, too. She had him pegged just right. He wanted to do a more thorough examination of that graceful dancer’s body, but he kept his eyes on her face. “The question is, do you like that kind of man?”
Her mouth tightened. “Depends if he has obligations somewhere else.” She had pretty lips, soft and pink, lips a man could sink into. He didn’t have time to respond to her question before Julie walked into the living room.
“Marsha’s mom is picking Megan up and taking the girls to the mall. As soon as they’re gone, I need to take Timmy to basketball practice.”
“I’ve got to get back to the office,” Lissa said. “I have some calls I need to make. I’ll see if Dallas PD has anything on Spearman. If not, I’ve got a friend who can dig up info on just about anyone.”
“Sounds good,” Colt said. “I’ll ride with Julie, make sure Spearman isn’t out there somewhere waiting for her.”
Lissa nodded. “Good idea. I’ll see you back here tomorrow.”
“I’ll have supper ready about seven,” Julie said. “Why don’t you join us?”
Lissa glanced from Julie to Colt. “You sure you want company?”
He got it then. Lissa thought he’d stopped by for a little action with his dead friend’s wife. Just the idea pissed him off.
“I can call,” Lissa added. “Let you know what I find out.”
Julie smiled. “We’d love for you to join us, wouldn’t we, Colt? I’m making spaghetti. Come over a little early and we’ll have a glass of wine.”
“You should definitely join us,” Colt said, just to watch Lissa’s temper flare. “Three can be even more fun than
