Read Online Colton's Christmas Baby by Karen Whiddon - Free Book Online

missed while incarcerated, the taste of a good brew ranked right up there.
    Both men ordered cheeseburgers, the Corner Bar’s specialty, and another delicacy Damien had missed while locked up.
    Would he ever stop thinking of things in that way? How everything related to the wasted years? As he did every day, he vowed to try. More than anything, he wanted to feel like a regular cattle rancher again. Unfortunately, he had begun to realize he’d have to leave Honey Creek to be able to do so.
    â€œI haven’t found out anything else about Mark Walsh’s death,” Wes said, assuming that’s why Damien had asked to meet him. “The investigation is still ongoing. The FBI people have been a lot of help, but we still don’t have anything new.”
    â€œI didn’t think so.” Absurdly uncomfortable, Damien dragged his hand through his longish brown hair, so different from Wes’s closely shaven head, and sighed. Then he straightened his shoulders and transformed himself into the supremely self-confident, don’t-mess-with-me Damien he embodied to confront difficult situations. “I need your help in another matter.”
    â€œShoot. Does this have anything to do with you disappearing a couple of times a month?” Clearly intrigued, Wes leaned forward. “What’s up?”
    â€œI disappear every so often because I’m not a monk or a priest. Celibacy just isn’t my thing,” Damien drawled. “I went fifteen years without. After being locked up, I thought I was used to it, but I can’t do it. So I drive up to Bozeman, sometimes Billings.”
    Wes sat back, shaking his head. “You haven’t met anyone local yet?”
    Trying not to think of Eve, Damien looked his brotherright in the eye. “You know as well as I do that every single woman in Honey Creek runs the other way when she sees me coming.”
    â€œHave you even tried?”
    â€œTried? Hell, I’ve spent so many nights sitting around this bar and a couple of others, that I’ve lost count. I can’t even get a woman to dance with me, never mind take me home.” Other than Eve Kelley, he thought silently. This was something he wanted to keep to himself for now.
    â€œI think that might be your own fault.” Now Wes pinned Damien with a stare. “I’ve heard you drink yourself blind, act surly and mean and scare away anyone—man or woman—from even talking to you.”
    Stung, Damien grimaced. “Where’d you hear that from? Your girlfriend?”
    â€œFiancée. And no, Lily hasn’t been spying on you. A couple of my deputies have seen you.”
    Frustration nearly made Damien scowl. Instead, he used his poker face, knowing if he wanted Wes’s help, he had to play nice. “Bottom line. When I need a woman, I head out of town. It’s a long drive to Billings and I’m getting tired of it.”
    â€œOnce or twice a month. Man.” Wes whistled. “That’s so—”
    â€œI know. Cut the sympathy. You’ve got a woman.”
    Wes spread his hands. “What can I do?”
    â€œCome on, you’re in law enforcement. You’ve seen the seedier side of life. You know how back in high school there were girls who were…”
    â€œFast?”
    â€œExactly.” He shifted his weight. “I’ve been away for fifteen years while you’ve been here. You know everyone. Surely you can point me in the right direction.”
    To Damien’s chagrin and frustration, this time Wes laughed out loud.
    â€œWhat’s so funny?”
    Wes stopped laughing long enough to answer. “You’re really serious.”
    â€œWouldn’t you be, if our positions were reversed?”
    â€œMaybe,” Wes allowed.
    â€œMaybe? Come on, tell the truth.”
    â€œLook.” All trace of amusement vanished from Wes’s face. “You just need to make friends with someone here in town.