Read Online Like Lightning by Charlene Sands - Free Book Online Page A

“Here,” he said, approaching her. “Fair is fair.” He dabbed at her face, taking care to dry her cheeks, mouth and chin. Then he sent a searing look down past her shoulders. “If you toss off your blouse, I’ll do your chest,” he offered softly. “Just like you did mine.”
    Fleeting forbidden thoughts of Trey patting her naked body dry flashed in her head and she realized she’d never had a better offer in her life. She grabbed the towel out of his hands, “Not a chance, cowboy.”
    Trey threw his head back and laughed even more, stepping back and away from her.
    â€œWell, what have we here?” Monty Walker asked, catching the two of them red-handed. Guilt washed over Maddie in waves. She glanced at the floor. “Hi there, Monty.”
    Trey still had laughter in his voice when he volunteered, “Maddie was teaching me the finer points of plumbing.”
    Monty glanced from Trey to Maddie. “That so?” Then he added, “Well, somebody’s got to.” He winked at Maddie. “The man’s an expert horseman, but doesn’t know diddly about fixing a leak.”
    Trey stood next to Monty, putting an arm around his shoulder. “At least I know which way is…off.”
    â€œOh, that. I was just funning with you.”
    Trey’s expression went bleak the second he realized what the older man had done.
    Maddie giggled again.
    â€œThe woman loves to laugh at me,” Trey said to Monty. “But I’ll get back at her when I cook dinner tonight.”
    â€œOh,” Maddie said, realizing she’d forgotten to tell Trey she wouldn’t be home tonight. “Guess I’m getting off easy then. I won’t be home for dinner.”
    Trey nodded. “A late-night house call?”
    Maddie shook her head. “Not tonight. I have a date.”

Five
    T rey sat in a booth at the Hungry Wrangler Café with his uncle Monty and his cousin, Jack. He and Jack were about the same age and had been more like brothers than cousins while growing up. Trey pushed around his food on the plate, while the other two ate with gusto.
    â€œAin’t you hungry, boy?” Uncle Monty asked, eyeing Trey’s half-eaten steak. The retired sheriff of Hope Wells pulled no punches. He spoke his mind. Most of the time, Trey enjoyed his uncle’s antics, but tonight he wasn’t in the mood. Common courtesy and a true measure of gratefulness had Trey offering to treat his uncle to dinner. He’d worked most of the morning and half the afternoon fixing that doggone leak.
    â€œHave at it,” he said, sliding the plate his way. “Guess I’m not that hungry after all.”
    Jack glanced up from his meal and cast him an inquisitive look. “You sick or something?”
    Jack Walker wore his uniform proudly. He’d just been reelected as sheriff of Hope Wells. First Monty, then Jack—between the two they had five decades of law enforcement under their belts.
    â€œNo, I’m not sick, just not very hungry.” He sipped his iced tea.
    Uncle Monty grunted as he stabbed at Trey’s steak. “The man’s lovesick, if you ask me.”
    Jack’s brows rose, his expression none too subtle. “That pretty little Dr. Maddie getting under your skin?”
    Uncle Monty didn’t give him time to answer. He chimed in, “Under his skin? The boy wants her under his sheets . Should have seen his face when she told him she had a date tonight.”
    â€œTurned green, did he?” Jack jested.
    Trey slammed down his glass. They were having too much fun at his expense. “Enough!”
    Monty and Jack looked at one another then burst out laughing. Trey waited until their laughter died down. “You through now?”
    Both men nodded. “Good, because I’ll say this only once. Nothing’s going on between Maddie and me. We made a business deal and we’re sticking to it.”
    Uncle