Chapter Two
Shades of Trouble
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Climbing back into my truck, I cranked up the air.
I had no idea how that girl could stand it, but she didn't even sweat!
Then again, I wasn't completely convinced she was real.
From the crystal-studded heels she wore while driving to the painted-on jeans, not to mention her perfect rose-colored lips - if I'd seen her in a picture, I'd swear it had been photoshopped.
She was not at all what I'd expected of Vera's granddaughter.
Violet Dawson was hot. Her waist was so small my hands could probably fit all the way around without trying, but she still had a nice pair of tits.
Oh yeah, I'd looked. Not even her billowy shirt could hide the tight curve of them - or her ass.
At least I had an advantage there. Seeing it peeking out of her trunk did make the view easy - and made sure I didn't get caught looking.
She was built like a pin-up girl, and twice as pretty.
Everything about her screamed big city, though.
Everyone in Cats Peak was allergic to change.
Conservative was the new modern out here and nothing about Violet was subtle.
Oh sure, we had our fair share of rebellious teens, but between the church groups and the social pressures, those kids either grew out of it or moved away.
Wouldn't take long before all three hundred people in town decided she was a pariah.
Not that I really understood it. No single thing about her was any different from the rest of the women I knew; she just happened to do it all better.
She was gorgeous in a way men liked and women hated.
Maybe that was the problem. Violet Dawson was nothing but walking temptation and damned if I wasn't tempted.
I had a real weakness for taking care of those delicate little girls, and this one was going to need my help.
When we reached the stop sign at the crossroad through town, she turned right and headed into the parking lot. There was no way to miss it. Cats Peak didn't have a whole city square. Everything in town was located in one little strip beside where the two main roads met up. This was it.
Without hesitation, her little white Audi stopped halfway between the repair shop and the grill.
I found a spot a bit closer to Mike's, well aware that the tire for her car wasn't light.
Granted, seeing her eyes drop to my arm was worth it, but before I turned off the truck, I glanced over in time to see her get out.
Damn, she looked good. She looked like sin incarnate. This town was really going to hate her.
It took one deep breath before I could safely get out of my truck without embarrassment.
While she headed inside, I grabbed the tire and carried it into the open garage door.
I knew where it went. There'd been many long nights spent leaning under a hood out here, sharing a beer.
Then I hurried back inside to make sure Mike didn't rip her off.
"What kinda tire you need?" Mike asked, leaning across the chest-high counter to leer at her.
Violet just smiled sweetly, but I saw her eyes narrow slightly.
"Isn't that your job? Do I get a discount if I do the work for you?
" She flipped open her massive purple wallet to reveal a tablet tucked inside.
"I'm not gonna be picky because I'm sure you don't have much in stock and I'd like to have it back by this afternoon. "
"Mike," I said.
The mechanic just lifted a hand, refusing to look away from the too-pretty girl before him. "Honey, might have to put on a pair. Not sure I have anything that'll match."
"Seventeen-inch, low profile," I said, moving to her side. "You've got plenty. It's eighty bucks, Violet. Don't let Mike jerk ya around."
The girl had the audacity to smirk at the man behind the counter. "You prefer credit or an out of town check?"
Mike just groaned and pushed the card reader toward her. "Fuck you, Luke."
"Keepin' ya honest. I'm taking Miss Dawson over to Bev's. Get the rim on by the time we're back. If you're too..." I made a point of looking around. "...Busy, I can put it back on her car."
"So can I," Violet said.
I leaned closer to her ear and dropped my voice. "Over my dead body."
"That," she replied, "can be arranged."
I laughed and stepped away, heading to the sink behind the counter.
The last thing I needed was brake dust all over my hands if I wanted to get close to her white shirt.
While Mike rang her up, I scrubbed up to my elbows.
By the time her receipt was printed, I was back at her side, steering her out with a hand on her back.
She didn't seem to even notice, letting me lead her next door like it was her idea all along.
Reaching out for the glass door to Bev's, I said, "Hope you're not a vegetarian."
The little bells tied to the push-rail tinkled as it opened, and everyone inside turned to look. Beside me, Violet just kept going. Her heels clicked on the tile like a snare drum, sparkling in the overhead lights. She didn't even bother to turn as she answered.
"I like meat just fine. Don't worry, cowboy - Vera didn't pass that on."
I couldn't help it. The laugh just fell out.
From the little bob of her head, I knew that was exactly what she'd intended.
Unfortunately, it made us the center of attention.
I wasn't sure how I felt about that, but seeing Paul Simmons on the far side of the room, I had a feeling I shouldn't like it.
"So," I said, stepping to the counter. "Bev makes some amazing burgers, but breakfast is her specialty, and dinner's all country."
Violet bit her lip, watching me intently. "In other words, the rest isn't worth eating?"
"Never said that."
"Gotcha." Then she turned to Mandy, the girl behind the counter. "Cheeseburger, no mayo, extra tomatoes, and whatever he's having."
I ordered a variation of the same and reached for my back pocket, but the city girl was too fast. Before I could work it out of my jeans, she had her card out and swiped, smiling sweetly for the receipt. I just sighed and accepted my defeat, snagging the pair of paper cups for our drinks.
"Least ya didn't order a salad," I said, handing her a cup.
She shrugged and pressed it beneath the dispenser for flavored water. Inwardly I groaned, aware that she was just a bit too quiet. There was no way my bad joke had pissed her off. Had it?
"Violet?"
The tip of her tongue darted between her lips to moisten them. "I happen to like salads."
"Not here, ya wouldn't." There, that was safe enough. "Pretty sure it's full of something that'd kill ya. I dunno, like botulism."
"Uh huh."
"Serious," I insisted, leading her to a booth by the windows. "Happen to know lettuce isn't supposed to be brown."
"That's just gross."
I nodded, reclaiming my rank of savior. "Kinda my point."
Then our food arrived. The little plastic baskets were a staple in Bev's Grill.
Unfortunately, before the waitress could even make it back behind the counter, Paul Simmons decided it was a good time to greet the new girl.
He paused at the end of our table and leaned over, forgetting all the manners his mother must have taught him.
"Hey, Luke. You get the bins refilled for the cows down on Robertson Road?"
Great. Violet'd be real impressed now, hearing that I was the damned cow feeder. Exactly what a girl like her was looking for in a man. "Yes, sir. Finished up a bit ago and was headed back when I rescued Miss Dawson here from the side of the road."
Mr. Simmons turned his gaze on her. "I see. Going to be staying long, Miss Dawson?"
She leaned back and shoved a fry between her heavily painted lips. "That's the plan. Not that it's really any business of yours."
His eyes narrowed. "Offer still stands."
"Offer's a piece of shit," she shot back. "I assure you, if I decide to sell Southwind, I'll have my agent contact you."
"No need to lose fifteen percent with an agent." Mr. Simmons gave her a sleazy smile, probably unaware of how disturbing he looked. "I'd be more than happy to work with you."
She reached for another fry. "Still not selling, and you're ruining my appetite."
"How about the back pasture? I just need a few more acres, what with the droughts and all."
"No." She tried to turn her attention back to me, but Paul Simmons wasn't ready to quit.
He leaned closer, hovering right over her meal. "County Assessor comes out in a month. Be a shame if someone told him there's no agriculture being produced over there. How high you think your taxes'll jump, girl?"
With those long, blue nails, she pushed right into the middle of his chest, guiding him back.
I could see the dents she left in the cotton of his shirt.
It took everything I had not to chuckle.
Maybe I needed to rethink my first impression of her.
This dainty little city girl wasn't bothered in the least by Mr. Simmons' threats.
"I think my recent inheritance of the land, Gran's eighteen months of hospitalization, and all those extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration when we take this to court.
" She smiled at him like she honestly wasn't worried.
For a moment, I even thought her kindness was real, but the ice in her eyes gave it away.
"Now didn't your mother ever teach you that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar? "
When she flicked a hand to dismiss him, I damn near lost it. From the look on Mr. Simmons' face, that was not at all what he'd expected. Unfortunately, he wasn't quite finished.
"Let me be blunt, Violet. This is the best offer you're going to get. Take it, or things are going to get real ugly. There's a lot of things I'm sure you'd hate to get out."
She just shrugged. "If you mean that Vera's buried beside the woman who should have been her wife? Please, make sure everyone knows."