Read Online Logan's Bride by Elizabeth August - Free Book Online Page B

gardens.
    Stepping outside into the scented air, Katrina experienced a giddiness like the one she’d felt the very first time a boy had held her hand. Refusing to believe it had anything to do with the man beside her, she told herself it was the spring weather and the romantic effect of being in a garden. She tried not to think of her companion, but instead found herself recalling his bared chest. Attempting to divert her mind from the sturdy look of him, she recalled the bullet hole. Before she could stop herself, she heard herself asking, “How did you get shot?”
    â€œBank robber. Had two hidden guns. I hadn’t counted on that.”
    Surprised he’d answered, her curiosity took control. “And the knife wound in the back?”
    Boyd realized he’d been enjoying strolling hand in hand with her. Abruptly, he released his hold. “I trusted the wrong person.”
    The giddiness vanished. His body language and the tone of his voice was like a slap in the face, letting her know once again she was currently top on his list of people he didn’t trust.
    â€œWhich way to the rose garden?” he asked.
    â€œThis way.” Walking alongside of him, Katrina faced the truth. She’d never gain the full trust of the law officers she worked with.
    â€œI don’t like this.” Boyd broke the silence between them. “There’s too much large foliage.”
    Katrina nodded her agreement. Glancing at the denim shoulder bag she was carrying, she made sure the zipper was open giving her easy access to the weapon inside.
    â€œYou look like a strong young man,” an elderly woman seated on a bench a couple of feet ahead of them called out in a voice that crackled with age. “Give an old lady a hand. I can sit myself down, but getting up is near impossible.”
    The woman’s shoulders were stooped and both of her hands were resting on the top of her cane as if it was the only thing keeping her the least bit erect. Her makeup was heavy in the style of years past with bright red circles of rouge on the cheeks and vivid red lipstick put on beyond the true shape of the lips. She wore thick glasses with round gold frames and her hair was a mass of gray curls. Her dress was matronly, made of material with a flowery design and the collar was lace. The sleeves were long and what was visible of her legs was covered with heavy support stockings. Her breasts and hips were ample. Her shoes were sturdy.
    Katrina studied her narrowly. There was nothing about the woman that resembled Leona Serrenito. Her aunt, as Katrina remembered her, was slender and stylish, dressing in the latest fashions. Her hair might be gray at the roots, but she’d become a blonde in her twenties and Katrina knew she’d die a blonde. And, Leona had always taken good care of herself. She’d been forty-nine when Katrina last saw her but she’d looked closer to thirty-five.
    Just an old lady asking for help, she decided. But as Boyd complied, she saw the ring. It was a four-carat diamond with a large sapphire on either side and it was her aunt’s pride and joy.
    â€œWhy don’t we help you back to your car,” she said, quickly approaching and placing a hand under the woman’s elbow
    â€œNow that would be kind of you.” The woman accepted the offer with a grateful smile. She looked up at Boyd. “And you, young man, can carry my knitting bag.”
    Boyd scowled. They didn’t have time to play nursemaid. He wanted to case the rose garden and the rest of the place. Over the top of the woman’s head, he gave Katrina an impatient look.
    She gave him an equally impatient glance. “Sometimes you find what you’re looking for in the least likely places.”
    Boyd looked harder at the old woman. Was this really Leona Serrenito? If it was, she was an expert at disguise. He’d spent an hour going through photos of her but he’d have never spotted her on his