Read Online Slow Hand by Victoria Vane - Free Book Online Page B

still does. Am I irrational? Have you ever experienced that?”
    A muscle worked in his jaw. “Yes. I know how it feels to lose someone when there were important things that shoulda been said.”
    â€œI feel so lost, like a whole hunk of my life wasn’t really what I thought it was. Do you know what I mean?”
    â€œYeah.” He nodded slowly. “I know exactly what you mean.”
    â€œHow did you deal with it?” she asked.
    â€œNot very well, I’m afraid.” His expression went grim, color flushed his high cheekbones. But he didn’t elaborate. “Are you ready to leave now? Not that I’m trying to rush you or anything.”
    â€œYou’re not rushing me, and yes, I’m ready.”
    â€œThen, c’mon. Let’s get you outta here.”
    With a steadying arm about her waist, he guided her out of the morgue. Once outside, Nikki dragged in a great cleansing lungful of fresh air. And then another in an effort to purge the scent of death. Nikki wasn’t even aware of the tears streaming down her face until he brushed a thumb over her cheek.
    â€œAre you OK?” he asked.
    â€œYes. No. I don’t know. I thought seeing him would give me closure, but it hasn’t. I only feel worse.” She couldn’t keep the quaver from her voice. “You were right, Wade. I wasn’t prepared.”
    â€œNo one is.” He fished a handkerchief out of his pocket.
    â€œI didn’t know anyone still carried handkerchiefs.” She accepted it and blew her nose.
    â€œThey come in useful at times. Most of the ranch hands carry them. It’s not uncommon to need a makeshift bandage when mending barbed-wire fences.”
    â€œDo you really do that?” she asked. “Mend fences?”
    â€œYeah. I still do my share of ranch work,” he said.
    â€œOn top of lawyering?”
    â€œThere’s many folks in these parts who wear two hats. Partly because it’s so hard to make a living ranching full time.”
    â€œSo why don’t they do something else?” she asked.
    â€œBecause this is Montana and people here are proud of their heritage—often to the point of stupidity.”
    â€œYour brother?” she suggested.
    â€œYeah. My brother. It’s what I have to talk to him about and it’s not gonna be pretty.”
    â€œI shouldn’t be there then. It’ll be awkward.”
    â€œIt’ll be fine. If it gets too nasty, we’ll take it outside.”
    â€œSurely, you don’t mean that literally .”
    â€œWon’t be the first time my brother and I settled a matter with our fists.” He shrugged. “I figure it won’t be the last.”
    â€œBut that’s ridiculous! You can’t resolve issues like that with violence!”
    â€œSure we can.” He laughed. “Men aren’t like women, Nikki. We don’t think and feel the same way you do. Sometimes things between us are best settled by forceful means. It’s ugly as hell, but when it’s over, it’s over.”
    â€œSo what happens now?” she asked. “About my father I mean.”
    â€œYou can’t do anything until you have a certified death certificate.”
    â€œWhich I can’t get until I have my license.”
    â€œExactly. Once that happens you can dispose of the remains and then start settling the estate.”
    â€œ Dispose of the remains? ” she repeated with a frown. “That’s my father.”
    Wade flushed. “I’m sorry. That was mighty insensitive of me. I guess I’m just a bit hardened to this process after so long. It’s a hazard of the job when you handle probate.”
    â€œApology accepted,” she replied.
    He steered her toward the parked truck.
    â€œHow does probate work?” she asked. “I don’t know anything about it.”
    â€œIt’s mostly a bunch of paperwork,” he replied. “Your first priority