Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Claire
Vance gave me a funny look when I hopped into his SUV. “Why did you come from the alley?”
“Long story,” I said, buckling my seat belt. “I just overheard a very interesting conversation between those three women and I didn’t want them to know I heard it. Even better, it’s all on video. Ben, my friend in the back, is going to email me a copy.”
He backed out of the parking space onto the road. “What did you hear?”
I gave him a quick rundown of their conversation.
“Hmmm,” he said, mulling it over. “So Serena thinks you’re having an affair with Sheriff McGrath, and apparently, it’s not the first time.”
“Apparently not.” I let out a loud groan. “I feel sorry for her, but I’m also furious she would even think that. Regardless of what he may have done in the past, I’m offended that anyone would think I’m capable of screwing up some other woman’s marriage.”
He glanced over. “Goes against your code, huh?”
“Absolutely.” I shook my head. “I’m live-and-let-live about a lot of things, but not that. I guess I’m old-fashioned, but I think marriage is sacred.”
“We have that in common.”
“Really?”
“You sound surprised,” he said, frowning.
“Not exactly,” I mused. “But you did flirt with Leslie Evans, and she’s married.”
“I didn’t flirt. I was charming,” he corrected.
“Charming serves me well in my profession. She interpreted it as flirting because that’s what she wanted to see.
I knew it and allowed it. But I didn’t say anything to her that I wouldn’t have said in front of her husband.
I would never actually flirt with a married woman. ”
“What if Leslie was single? Would you flirt with her then?”
“Maybe if I was single, too,” he admitted. “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t find her attractive in the least. But for the case? Sure.”
“Hmmm.” I frowned.
He eyed me. “But if she was single and I was with someone, I’d take a different approach.”
“Meaning?”
He shrugged. “I think it’s disrespectful to be so … charming … to other women if you’re in a committed relationship.”
I brightened. “I think so, too.”
“Well, there you have it.” He looked over and gave me a little smile. Not the charming smile he gave Darla and Leslie or even the easy grin he gave Pete. The one he gave me was almost tentative. Unsure. Hopeful.
It was a smile I’d never seen him give anyone else.
And I fell in love with it.
I looked away, focusing my eyes on the road in front of us.
My heart thumped in my chest as I tried to think of something insightful to say instead of blurting out my feelings like I was tempted to do.
I was only saved by the realization that we were pulling into the ranch.
I’d been so distracted by our talk that I hadn’t even noticed where he was driving.
He pulled into the parking spot in front of his cabin, got out, and headed toward the front door.
I hopped out, then froze. This was the cabin where I’d practically attacked him a couple of days ago, climbing into his lap and kissing him like I’d die if I didn’t.
The place where he slept and showered. The place where the tantalizing scent of his expensive cologne had lingered even when he’d left to get us food.
The place where we’d shared a bottle of scotch and I’d opened up my heart.
That was the problem with me. Unlike Beth and Cheyenne, who were slow, steady, and stable, my feelings always felt like a tornado ripping across the prairie.
And my feelings for Vance?
Those were an EF5. Stronger than anything I’d ever withstood. Strong enough to make me destroy everything I’d built in my life.
He stood at the door, waiting. Then a flash of realization washed over his face. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said, shaking his head. “I didn’t even think. We left your truck at the office. We can run back and get it.”
He moved back toward the vehicle, but I stopped him. “That’s okay,” I said. “We can get it later. But do you mind if I run home and change?
“Of course. I’ll make coffee while you’re gone,” he said, wiggling the dessert boxes. “We can fuel ourselves with sugar and caffeine, then dive into Katelyn’s cell phone.”
I gave him the most awkward wave ever, then started walking up the driveway, hoping a break and a cold shower would knock some sense into me.
Then I would go back inside that cabin, act like a freaking professional, and solve a murder.