Read Online Own the Night by Debbi Rawlins - Free Book Online

something in your stomach. I’ll even get you that whiskey I promised.” He reached into his breast pocket, pulled out a small notebook, tore off a page and gave it to her with a pen. “Call directory assistance, get the numbers you need. Make your calls.”
    “What about picking up some toiletries?”
    “Eat first.”
    Alana gave orders; she rarely took them. His bossiness was enough to put the bone back in her spine. “I don’t like my eggs scrambled.”
    Noah had already started for the kitchen. He slowly turned to meet her gaze. “Alana?”
    “What?”
    “You’re welcome,” he said, and winked.

5
    N OAH PULLED A COUPLE T- SHIRTS out of his dresser drawer. The white one was still in the package, and the black long-sleeve he’d worn once, but it was freshly laundered. He figured he’d let her decide if she wanted to wear either one to sleep in or while she was hanging around the house.
    It was only six-fifty, but Abe’s Variety had closed early this evening because Abe had to drive to Billings to pick up more Halloween decorations. Fall and winter retail hours were always hit-and-miss in Blackfoot Falls. The Watering Hole and Marge’s Diner were the only establishments anyone could count on being open past dark.
    “Knock knock.”
    He looked up.
    Alana stood at his open bedroom door. Or rather, she was lounging against the door frame, her head tilted at a fetching angle, her hair tousled around her face. He’d be willing to swear on a stack of Bibles he hadn’t meant to get her tipsy. But with so little food in her belly, he supposed he should’ve put the bottle away after her second glass of whiskey.
    “It’s for you,” she said, holding out his cell phone, and then primly covered a yawn.
    He promptly crossed the room to take the device. The ring must’ve woken her. She’d been nodding off when he left her on the couch. “Sheriff Calder.” He went back for the T-shirts and handed them to her. “Yeah, Roy. She’s staying with me.”
    Noah took in her confused frown as she shook out the black shirt, and she looked so cute with her nose wrinkled that he momentarily lost track of the conversation. When the deputy asked him what the hell was going on, he said, “Let me get back to you, and let Cole know I’ll call him later.”
    “What’s this?” she asked, her brown eyes sleepy and unfocused.
    He slipped the cell phone into his breast pocket. “Something to sleep in until we get to the store tomorrow.”
    “I thought we were going today.”
    “It’s too late. They’re closed.”
    She studied her watch. “Oh my, it’s almost eight. I must’ve fallen asleep.”
    “Only for a few minutes. We’re on mountain time here, which is seven.” Interesting that her watch wasn’t set on East Coast or Montana time. Either one could’ve supported her story that she was a tourist who’d flown in earlier today.
    “Oh, I turned it back when I arrived here. I don’t know why I set it on Central Time.” She slipped the gold watch off her slim wrist and squinted at the face as she fumbled with trying to change the time.
    “Here.” He took the Rolex from her, gauged the heaviness in his hand. Solid gold; the trademark crown was in the right spot; the second hand didn’t hesitate. It was the real thing, and set an hour ahead. He changed the time and returned the watch to her.
    “Thank you.” She smiled groggily and pressed the black shirt to her cheek. “It’s soft. Are these yours?”
    The innocent gesture of her rubbing her cheek against the cotton did something funny to the inside of his chest. Maybe because with her guard down and the sleepiness in her eyes she seemed different, softer, sexier. It had nothing to do with the way her blouse gaped, allowing him a glimpse of pink lace and pale skin. Sure, he’d looked, by accident and only for a second.
    “Yeah, the white one is brand-new,” he said unnecessarily, indicating the package. “The other is freshly laundered.” He moved