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

closer to her and the door, hoping she’d get the hint and leave his bedroom.
    She stayed put, her head and shoulder supported by the door frame, and smiled dazedly. “You’re not just gorgeous, you can be very nice when you want to.”
    Noah exhaled sharply, gave her a small tap and pointed down the hall. “You still hungry? Marge’s will be open for another hour.”
    Straightening, Alana seemed to regain her senses. “No, the eggs and toast were perfect. What about you? Because we could go out if you want, or I could wait here....”
    “I’m good.” He herded her toward the living room, unsure why her standing at his bedroom door bothered him. Maybe because he never brought women home with him. Salina County seemed to shrink to the size of an acorn when it came to folks’ noses being everywhere, even behind closed doors.
    When he got the itch for some female companionship, he headed over to Twin Creek Crossing in the next county. Tanya, the afternoon waitress at Sully’s, was pretty and willing and never expected more than dinner, some conversation and a warm body.
    Alana stopped short and pointed. “That’s the bathroom.”
    He nodded. “The house is old so there’s only one.” It was also tiny and the turquoise walls damn near gave him a headache. How many times had he told himself he’d slap on a coat of neutral paint? “I laid out fresh towels for you.”
    “Thanks. I’d love a shower. Unless you need to…” She gestured awkwardly.
    “Go ahead.” He flipped the light switch on for her. “I meant to ask—do you have a problem with dogs?”
    “Me? No, I like dogs. As long as they don’t slobber all over me.”
    “Dax is out back. I bring him in at night.” Noah smiled as he walked off. “I’ll remind him not to slobber.”
    “Cute,” she said drily, and then closed the bathroom door.
    He waited until he heard the shower start, and then took out his cell phone. After a discussion with Roy about the investigation, and a warning to keep his mouth shut about Alana, Noah called Cole McAllister.
    “Figured I wouldn’t hear from you for a week,” Cole said by way of greeting.
    “I knew you’d give me shit.” Noah decided he was off duty, and grabbed a glass from the kitchen cupboard, along with the bottle of whiskey. “What did Roy tell you?”
    “You have a hostage situation.”
    “Yeah, me.” He poured himself two fingers worth, put the bottle away and headed for the back door, while Cole got in a couple digs. Noah supposed he deserved it, after all the crap he’d given Cole for hooking up with a Sundance guest two months ago and then chasing her all the way to California. “You done?”
    “Until I think of something else.” Cole chuckled. “What’s going on? Roy wasn’t making much sense.”
    Noah pushed open the screen door. Roy shouldn’t have said anything about county business, but he knew Cole and Jesse McAllister were like brothers to Noah, and Roy tended to be looser lipped around them. Still, they’d have to be careful about accusing Alana of anything.
    “What I tell you has to stay between you and me,” Noah said. “Of course you can say something to Jesse if the need arises, but nothing to Rachel.”
    “All right.”
    Dax had apparently heard his voice and came bounding out of the little house Noah had built for the border collie mix. “Easy, boy.” Noah almost lost his drink. “Wait a second,” he told Cole, and set the glass on the redwood picnic table he never used. “Sorry, I needed a free hand.” He made sure the bathroom light was still on before he explained the whole story to his friend.
    “It’s a hell of a coincidence, her showing up like that,” Cole said.
    “Yeah. And hard to believe nobody saw her luggage being lifted or that someone would be that bold.” Noah stroked Dax’s head. “I don’t know…I got a weird feeling about her.”
    “Gotta go with your gut.”
    “Yep, that’s what I’m doing. The thing is, I can’t have Rachel