Read Online Beauty and the Brit by Lizbeth Selvig - Free Book Online

“Police are never good news.”
    The attitude saddened Rio. Bonnie had never had run-ins with police. Even so, the place she’d lived all her life had shown her that help only came when something awful happened.
    “I guess we’d better see what he wants,” David said. “No worries. I’m sure Rio’s right.”
    By the time they filed out the front door, the police officer, along with his gun, flashlight, and nightstick, stood frowning at the house.
    “Good morning, Officer.” David extended a hand. “You must be our new chief. We haven’t met yet. I’m David Pitts-Matherson.”
    “Tanner Hewett,” he replied crisply. “I replaced Chief Gunderson six weeks ago.”
    “And how is he doing?”
    Chief Hewett scowled a little impatiently. “I haven’t kept in touch with him, I’m afraid. I’m here on official business, Mr. Pitts-Matherson.”
    Without a blink at the curtness, David nodded. Bonnie stepped closer to Rio, and the fact that her sister still needed her calmed Rio’s rising nervousness.
    “What can I help you with, Chief?” David asked.
    “I’ve been in touch with the Minneapolis PD who alerted me to the presence of one Arionna Montoya and her sister, Bonnie Montoya.” Hewett’s eyes swung slowly to Rio. “Can I assume you are Miss Montoya?”
    She knew plenty of city cops, some wonderful and helpful, others suspicious and tough. This one’s tone raised the hairs on the back of her neck. “Yes, I’m Arionna. This is Bonnie.”
    “Ran into a little trouble in the city, I hear.”
    “My home was set on fire. In some places that would be considered more than a little.”
    She’d learned long ago that using sarcasm to a police officer was unwise no matter what. She walked the line now, but, to her shock, David offered a sidelong smile of support.
    “Have you come with news about the men involved in the fire?” he asked.
    “I’m afraid there’s been no sighting of the accused or Miss Montoya’s brother.”
    Rio gritted her teeth. “The guilty, do you mean?”
    “Miss Montoya, around here nobody is guilty until proven so. I came by to let you know we’re aware of the situation and of why you’re here.” He turned back to David. “You do fully understand what you’ve taken on?”
    “I understand my guests need a place to remain in safety until the men who started the fire in her home are caught.”
    “Miss Montoya, I’ve heard you were involved in a heated altercation with Mr. Black before the fire that may have contributed to him seeking revenge,” Chief Hewett said. “I hope you’ll work to keep your profile low here. Once we find these boys, there’ll be a lot of questions for you as well as for them.”
    She didn’t know how to respond. It sounded more like a threat than a promise of protection.
    “Like, why would we want to do anything else?” Bonnie stepped out of her shadow. “We don’t exactly want them to find us.”
    “Shhh, Bons, it’s fine,” Rio said.
    “We definitely don’t want them to find you first,” Chief Hewett agreed. “This is a quiet place, and I’ll be watching closely to make sure your big-city crime doesn’t find its way to Kennison Falls.”
    Rio’s mouth fell open.
    Her big-city crime? Damn it, she hadn’t even wanted to come here. Her neck hairs bristled again but a light touch on her arm startled her, and she looked into David’s composed features.
    “The town will remain quiet, Chief,” David said. “With your help, of course. Can I assume that if we have any problems we can come directly to you?”
    “Of course. But Miss Montoya, if you do hear from either Mr. Black or your brother, I expect you to contact my office immediately. We don’t want problems escalating.”
    “Of course.” Her mimicked retort came out more mockingly than she intended, and the chief’s eyes pierced her with distrust.
    He opened the door of his patrol car. David smiled pleasantly.
    “Thanks for your time, Chief Hewett,” he said. “I