Read Online Dangerous Disguise by Marie Ferrarella - Free Book Online

to keep it fully stocked with all the ingredients they used. Shipments came in daily. The excess was stored down here. This was also the area where the auxiliary freezer was kept.
    He definitely heard Maren’s voice. Jared all but crept the rest of the way until he was within range of the wire-encased area.
    Maren was inside the large room, checking off a list she was holding in her hand. Oblivious to his presence, she was chanting something under her breath as she scanned the long printout she held.
    “Okay, canned peaches, canned peaches, canned peaches,” she repeated as she ran her finger down the list. “Ah, here, canned peaches.” Pausing, she leaned a section of the list against a box and wrote in what she said out loud, “Twenty cans.”
    “Need help?”
    Maren caught herself before she gasped. As it was, the sound of his voice, seemingly coming out of nowhere when she thought she was alone, had almost made her jump out of her skin. She whirled around toward the source.
    He moved closer, hooking his fingers into the wire mesh that separated her from him. Guilt nibbled at him, although he liked the wide-eyed look on her face. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
    Her back was immediately up. “You didn’t.” Flustered, she tried to compose herself. “I mean—” And then her eyes narrowed. Why was she on the defensive? He was the intruder. “What are you doing snooping around down here?”
    His grin was swift, taking no prisoners as it swept through her, searing all the way down to her bones. “I wasn’t snooping. I forgot something in my locker.” He jerked a thumb in the opposite direction.
    She couldn’t get herself to relax. He’d really frightened her. “And what? You lost your way?”
    “No, I heard you talking.” He didn’t bother trying to hide his amusement, but it wasn’t at her expense. “Do you always talk to yourself?”
    She raised her chin again. She didn’t like being caught unaware this way.
    “Sometimes. When I’m alone.” Because she felt a little foolish, she redirected the emphasis on the conversation. “I’m doing the inventory.”
    He nodded toward the list in her hand. “You know, they have computer software that probably does that in half the time.”
    “I know, but there are times I like the feel of a pen and paper in my hand.” The smile on her lips was just a little disparaging. “I guess I just like the hands-on approach.”
    So did he, Jared thought, but right now, the phrase was taking on a whole different meaning for him.

Chapter 5
    I t took him a moment to get his thoughts under control. “So, do you want any help?”
    She didn’t exactly welcome his offer with open arms. She wasn’t cold, but the natural warmth he’d seen was in abeyance.
    “Don’t you have somewhere to be?” The suggestion to get lost was barely veiled.
    Jared shook his head slowly, as if giving the matter some thought. This was the only place he was supposed to be, until the case either broke or was disproved.
    “Can’t think of any place.” But he knew better than to push. “I’ll go if I make you feel uncomfortable.” He began to leave, then turned to look at her. “Although I don’t think you should be here alone.”
    She didn’t want him thinking that she reacted to him one way or another, even though having him around made her feel restless. As if she was waiting for something to happen.
    “You don’t make me feel uncomfortable.” She raised her chin. “And I can take care of myself.” Liar. You certainly made a mess of your life by hooking up with Kirk. That’s not taking care of yourself.
    He pointed out the obvious. “I caught you by surprise.”
    “All right, you want to help? Help,” she ordered, opening up the gate that led into the storeroom. He walked in. Swaggered in was more like it, Maren thought. The man moved as if he owned the place, not like he was anyone’s assistant.
    Maren scanned the list she was holding to see what was next.