She poked his ribs, making him grunt and laugh at the same time. “Maybe we should get some handcuffs. Being cuffed to me might keep you from running off to the Humdigger mine without me in the future.”
He had the grace to cringe. “I’m sorry, Slugger, but Butch told me only last night that he was available this morning.”
“And you couldn’t have mentioned it to me?”
“You were drinking.”
“I would have stopped had I been given the opportunity to join you guys.”
He looked off to the side, scowling. “Honestly, I didn’t want to take you up there.”
“Why not?”
“It’s too dangerous. Look what happened to Coop.”
She scoffed. “Coop’s injury had nothing to do with exploring the mine. That was a freak accident.” Although, judging from the number of scars on Coop’s torso, he seemed to attract such calamities.
“It could’ve been you who was shot if you’d been there with me.”
“Instead, it was just my Jeep.”
“Exactly. The Jeep’s replaceable. You’re not.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I can’t lose you.”
The intensity of his gaze warmed away the last of her chills. “Mac, I don’t want to lose you either, and you have bad luck in mines. Next time you go, take me along. Please. We’re in this together, remember?”
“Okay. When I go up there again, you’ll be right beside me. Dick Webber will appreciate you tagging along more than Coop, I’m sure.” He glanced at her mouth, leaning toward her. “But given the choice I’d rather leave you safe and naked in our bed.”
She pulled him closer. “By the way, who took off my clothes last night?”
His mouth curved upward. “They looked very restrictive and uncomfortable.”
“Even my underwear?”
“You know how elastic can bind. By the way, how’s your head feeling?”
“It and my heart are much better now that you’re back from that mine, safe and sound. Kiss me already, damn it.”
He did. She closed her eyes, sinking into the spell he wove around her, and slid her hands around his back.
When he pulled back, she sighed. “Did you come looking for me for some particular reason this afternoon, or were you just missing me?”
Mac leaned against the workbench and settled her between his long legs, his hands resting on her hips. “Actually, I need to talk to you about something.”
Footfalls sounded on the gravel outside.
“Claire?” Natalie called.
Claire peeked out the shed window. She could see her cousin standing next to the golf cart in the drive. “I’m in the shed with Mac,” she hollered.
Natalie paused outside the doors. “Are you decent?”
Claire rolled her eyes. “Yes.”
“For now,” Mac added with a wink.
“Good.” Natalie pushed open the door. “Because I need you to get your asses in that golf cart. We have a problem up at the house.”
“What now?” Claire folded the anonymous note and stuffed it back into the envelope to show the posse later. She grabbed the clamps that had spurred her journey to the tool shed and took Mac by the hand, following Natalie outside.
“Your sister is freaking out,” Natalie said, climbing behind the wheel of the golf cart. “Hurry up and get in.”
“Which sister?” Mac asked as Claire locked up behind them.
“My money is on Kate.” Claire shoved him into the passenger seat of the golf cart, squeezing onto his lap.
“Actually, it’s Ronnie.” Natalie hit the gas pedal. “She got a call from Mississippi.”
“Uh oh,” Mac said.
“Somebody stabbed her ex while he was working at the prison laundry, stuffed him into one of those industrial dryers, and turned it on. One of the other inmates found him. He heard the sound of Lyle banging around in there.”
Claire shuddered at the image that put in her head. “Holy hell. Is he dead?”
“Not yet.” Natalie glanced her way. “But the new year is just getting started.”
Chapter Twenty
Natalie hadn’t seen Coop all day. As a matter of fact, she’d pretty much avoided him, working on the back deck alone late into the afternoon so that she had an excuse for not checking on him before hurrying to The Shaft to help wait tables.
It wasn’t that she had trouble handling the sight of blood or playing nurse. Her avoidance issue had roots stretching much deeper—clear to her daft heart that couldn’t seem to stop pining over the damned man.
The last thing she needed right now was to get involved with a guy who risked getting shot for a living. Falling for a cop was a younger woman’s game. Natalie was too old to stomach the constant worries that came with his job. A daily diet of stress and ulcers held no appeal, even if it came with a sexy dessert like Coop.
Time and again as she leveled and secured the deck joists to the header board and piers, her logical brain presented various reasons why sticking with friendship when it came to Coop was the smart plan for her future.
Yet just the thought of him left her breathless with sweaty palms, which resulted in the drill slipping from her grip and landing on her own toes not once, but twice.
Gah! Why did he have to follow her to Arizona?
“Earth to Natalie.” Mac’s voice cut into her thoughts. “This is Houston calling. Come in, Natalie.” He set two bottles of Corona on her drink tray next to the three shots of tequila and a small bowl of lime wedges.
Natalie blinked back to Earth, taking stock of her order. “What about the cosmopolitan?”
“That was part of your last order, remember?”
“Oh, yeah.” She sighed. “I’m a little distracted tonight.”
One of Mac’s eyebrows lifted. “Have you talked to your distraction since he was patched up at the ER this morning?”
She shook her head. “Coop doesn’t like anyone fussing over him.” She knew that from a previous experience when he’d refused to go to the hospital for possible broken ribs, snarling at her when she’d tried to talk sense into him.
“Maybe he’ll stop by later.” Mac looked toward the main
