Read Online Falling Hard and Fast by Kylie Brant - Free Book Online Page B

“I’ve only been here days and already I feel I know you far too well.”
    Tanner chortled, and beckoned for a waitress. “Admit it, pal,” he said to Cage. “She’s too quick for us.” Looking at Zoey he asked, “I’ll bet your mama sleeps well at night, assured you’re more than a match for any man you happen to meet.”
    She looked at him silently for a moment, an unexpected spasm seizing her chest. Despite the years that had passed since her mother’s death, the sense of loss was never far away. It could sneak up sometimes—an emotional ambush. Aware that the two men were watching her closely, she deliberately smoothed her expression. “My mother died years ago. But I’m certain she’d be relieved to know that I can take care of myself.”
    Her recovery didn’t fool the two men. Tanner reached over awkwardly and patted her hand. “Aw, damn. We’re sure sorry about your loss. Cage here lost his mama less than a year ago, and his daddy the year before that. My own father dropped dead of a heart attack at his desk last January. We know what it is to grieve. I sure didn’t mean to bring up sad memories.”
    Because the look he threw in Cage’s direction was slightly panicked, Zoey loosened up enough to smile faintly. “The memories aren’t sad, it’s just the living without our loved ones that’s tough.”
    â€œThat’s a fact,” Cage responded. There was a trace of sorrow in his eyes and his voice was quiet.
    Becky Jane strolled up to their booth, putting an extra sway in her hips for the benefit of the two men. “What can I get for you?”
    â€œNothing for me,” Zoey replied. “Just the check.”
    Becky obligingly pulled the pad from her pocket and scribbled the price. When she ripped off the page and handed it to Zoey, Cage grabbed it.
    â€œI’ll take care of this.” He winked at Zoey. “I ate more of it than you did, anyway.”
    The tinge of sympathy she’d felt for him just a moment ago vanished. She shrugged, unwilling to get into a tussle over the bill. “That’s right, you did. Let me out, will you?” He obligingly slid from the booth.
    Tanner smiled charmingly. “Miss Prescott. It’s always a pleasure.”
    â€œIt is, indeed,” Cage murmured.
    With one last long look, she left the two men and walked out of the diner.
    The sun was shining brightly overhead. It was hot enough to wilt her a little, even walking the short distance to her car. Surely no one around here ever got used to this brutal heat. She felt as though she was dashing from one air-conditioned place to another.
    â€œYou’re that writer gal, ain’t ya?”
    Her attention focused on getting into her car as quickly as possible, she’d missed the figure lingering on the steps of the diner. A woman, she determined, although she was dressed in a man’s work shirt, heavy boots and jeans. Her hair was close-cropped and it was a sure guess that she didn’t frequent the Beauty Mark for occasional stylings. She looked as weathered and capable as the burly farmer in the diner. She came down the steps and crossed to Zoey with a quickness that was belied by her girth.
    â€œYes, I’m Zoey Prescott.”
    â€œFern Sykes.” Zoey’s hand was grabbed in a callusedpalm and shaken firmly. “I seen ya around the town. Heard you was interested in that murder we had.”
    â€œI had questions, yes.”
    The woman’s blue eyes, made brighter by the dark tan of her skin, fixed her with a direct look. “As you should have. So should everyone in this parish. Everyone with any sense, that is.”
    Her interest piqued, Zoey said, “The sheriff doesn’t seem to think there’s any reason for the people to get overly panicked.”
    The woman snorted. “He would if he knew what I know.”
    Intrigued, Zoey took a step