Read Online In a Killer’s Sights by Sandra Robbins - Free Book Online Page B

could answer, the cook pushed the kitchen door open and stuck his head back in. “Let me know if you need seconds, but save some room. I have peach cobbler for dessert.”
    Gwen laughed as she picked up her fork and knife. “I can see I’m going to have to watch it while I’m here. I’m not used to eating like this, but I know the food will be too good for me to resist.”
    Shorty grinned and ducked back in the kitchen. She cut into her steak and put the first bite in her mouth. Her eyes closed, and she gave a groan of satisfaction. “Delicious. I haven’t had anything this good in a long time.”
    Dean looked up from cutting his own meat and smiled. “Really? You were always a good cook. What do folks up in New York eat?”
    She swallowed the food in her mouth and laughed as she cut into the steak again. “Macaroni and cheese is one of the favorites at my house.”
    The words were barely out of her mouth before she realized what she’d said. That was Maggie’s favorite dish, and she begged for it several times a week. Gwen’s hand froze on her knife, and she cast a wild-eyed look at Dean.
    A small frown wrinkled his forehead, and he studied her with interest. “Since when did you start eating macaroni and cheese? You never used to like it.”
    “Uh, I—I like quick and easy-to-fix dishes these days.” Her face grew warm, and she stuffed another bite into her mouth and chewed.
    Dean grinned briefly. “I can’t argue with that.”
    For the next few minutes they concentrated on their meal without speaking. By the time Gwen had cleaned her plate, her pulse had quit pounding at the thought of how close she’d come to revealing more than she should. She took a sip from her coffee cup and watched as Dean scraped up the last bite of his peach cobbler.
    She leaned back in her chair and sighed. “That was delicious. I haven’t had a meal like that in ages.”
    Before Dean could answer, Shorty walked out of the kitchen and stopped at their table. “I put a tray with a fresh pot of coffee and some cups on the front porch. It’s a nice night, and the sky is full of stars. Go out there and relax. It’s been a rough day.”
    “Let me help you,” Gwen said as she rose and started to stack the dishes.
    Shorty shook his head and took the plate she held from her hand. “I’ve got this. You go on and keep Dean company. I’ll clean up the kitchen. Then I’ll head out to the bunkhouse. I have to be up early to cook breakfast.”
    Dean pushed back from the table and stood. “Thanks, Shorty. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    “Good night, Shorty. It’s wonderful seeing you again,” Gwen said and turned toward the door.
    She was almost to it when she heard the cook’s voice. “It’s good seeing you, too, Miss Gwen. It just ain’t been the same around here since you quit coming. It’s good to have you back.”
    She felt her face grow warm, but didn’t turn and look at him as she headed out of the dining room, Dean right behind her. When she stepped onto the porch, she walked to the railing, braced her arms on it and stared up at the stars. Dean stopped beside her and directed his gaze to the sky also.
    “I’ve never seen the stars so bright,” she said. “They look like jewels twinkling in the sky.”
    His shoulder brushed hers as he leaned forward. “They’re always brighter here in the mountains. Since we’re not in town, they don’t have to compete with the streetlights and the harsh glare of all the neon signs. Then when the sky’s clear like tonight, it makes the heavens really light up.” He lifted his arm and pointed. “Look at the stars in the Big Dipper. We might not be able to see them if we were looking at them in a city.”
    His voice held a note of reverence, and it reminded her of the young man he’d been when they’d first met. He wasn’t jaded by his job then, and he had enjoyed living his life to the fullest.
    “You’re happy here, aren’t you, Dean?” she murmured.
    He nodded