Read Online Texas Takedown by Barb Han - Free Book Online Page A

ranch-style house.
    â€œWe’ll slip in through the back,” he said. “Keep the lights off so we don’t give anything away.”
    Samantha kept close even though he’d released her hand. She missed his warmth as soon as they disconnected.
    They crept in through the back door.
    The outdoor light permeated the large windows in the living room. With open blinds, she could see well enough not to walk into furniture. A few children’s books along with several toys were on the sofa. Most everything else had a place and the room was in order, reminding her that Dylan was ex-military.
    The place was full of simple, comfortable-looking furniture. A few framed snapshots of Dylan and Maribel had been placed on the fireplace mantel. Others were on side tables.
    â€œMake yourself at home,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “Shower’s down the hall. There’s a night-light always on in there and that should provide enough light for you to see. Fresh linens are in the closet. You need something to wear?”
    She didn’t want to ask why he would have women’s clothes available, but the idea of a shower was too good to pass up. “I could stand to clean up. Fresh clothes would be nice.”
    â€œGo ahead. I’ll put something on the counter.” He paused a beat. “I’m sorry about earlier. I got heated and I shouldn’t have—”
    â€œYou don’t have to apologize. Under the circumstances, I thought you were pretty restrained, actually.” She knew Dylan well enough to realize he wouldn’t hurt her no matter how angry he was. Just like in high school, he needed space to think. The long drive home had most likely been what he’d needed to get his bearings again after the devastating news about Maribel.
    â€œThere’s where you’re wrong. I do have to say I’m sorry. I’m trying to be a better man since becoming a father.”
    â€œI hear what you’re saying, Dylan. But I know you. You always were a good person even when you got in trouble before. I never doubted you for a second.” She walked straight up to him, pressed up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
    He stood there for a second looking dumbfounded.
    â€œDon’t look so surprised. It’s not as if I haven’t known you since we were eleven years old.” With that, Samantha walked out of the room, down the hall and into the bathroom.
    She slipped out of her road-weary clothes and into the warm water.
    Looking around at the couple of rubber toys and the princess bubble-bath bottle, Samantha figured this had to be Maribel’s bathroom. Icy tendrils closed and squeezed around Samantha’s heart, and her knees buckled. She caught herself with a hand on the wall and then said a silent prayer that Maribel would return home safely, just as Shane had. Any other outcome was unthinkable.
    The shower rejuvenated her stiff muscles. She toweled off and picked up the clothes on the sink, a pair of boxers and a T-shirt. Definitely not women’s wear. Why did that fact spread a glimmer of light into her heavy heart?
    She put on the clothes, cinching the waist of the boxer shorts with a butterfly hair clip she found in the drawer.
    No matter what else happened, Samantha was determined to help get Maribel back.
    By the time she emerged from the bathroom, smells from the other room said there was food working in the kitchen. Her stomach growled in spite of the fact she couldn’t imagine eating under the circumstances. It was impossible to think about doing anything normal while Dylan’s daughter was missing.
    Samantha made her way into the kitchen.
    Dylan turned as she stepped into the room, stopped and stared. Moonlight streamed in from the window, casting dark shadows across his face.
    â€œWhat?” She glanced down at her outfit self-consciously.
    â€œFeel better?” His voice was low, gravelly.
    â€œMuch. Why? Do I look