Attracted to Fire Read Online Free PDF Page A

definitely be comic relief. If they didn’t kill each other first.
    Ash’s eyes narrowed. “You’re telling me I have to eat this gut-burning sandwich or wait until tonight?”
    â€œThe other agents devoured my original recipe. Asked for seconds. You’re outnumbered.”
    â€œThen they have cast-iron stomachs. I’d like a normal sandwich.”
    â€œFix it yourself. I’m a class-A cook, not short-order.”
    â€œThen someone needs to give you a few lessons. Last night we had chicken tortilla soup that rivaled the Alamo massacre. This morning it was jalapeños and eggs with some white, gritty oatmeal loaded with these green things. Now this. Can’t you cook like a regular person?”
    Ouch. He might get decked for that remark.
    â€œI’m a highly desired chef. Probably paid more than you.” She saluted him and leaned against the doorjamb.
    â€œYour conduct is going into my report.” He set his plate on the table. “As well as your dress.”
    Pepper glanced at her attire. “I’m not wearing a dress. I’m in comfortable clothing that allows me to do my job.”
    His demeanor suggested he might be losing control, and his eyes shot fire. “I don’t appreciate your condescending mannerisms.”
    â€œTsk. Tsk. Do you always throw temper tantrums when you don’t get your way?”
    â€œI suppose you have a sister named Cinnamon and a brother Herb.”
    Pepper moistened her ruby-red lips. “How immature, Special Agent in Charge Zinders. But you tell me, A2Z. You read the background check.”
    â€œI had that coming.” He anchored his hands on his hips. “So let’s call a truce. I’m hungry and in a bad mood. We’re adults here.”
    â€œOh, really? You insult me, make demands, and now you want a truce?” She narrowed her eyes. “You gonna pull a gun on me?”
    Ash’s face flashed as red as a neon sign. “Why waste the bullet?”
    He’d lost it for sure.
    Pepper spit a few expletives. “I’m going outside to the stables, where the air’s fresh. I prefer the company of horses.” She slammed the door behind her.
    â€œShovel some for me, would you, Pepper, honey?”
    Those two were a stitch. If Scottard Burnette hadn’t recommended Pepper, she’d be in the ranks of the unemployed. Highly paid chef or not.
    Ash gripped the back of his chair, as though trying to figure out his next move. He hesitated, then followed Pepper’s footsteps down the hallway to the kitchen. The back door creaked open and closed.
    Meghan stifled a laugh and inched his way.
    â€œThere’s a snake out here.” Ash’s voice rose from the outside.
    She rushed through the kitchen to the back porch, envisioning a six-foot rattler coiled and ready to strike.
    Standing on the sidewalk leading to the stables, Pepper peered at him. “That’s a king snake, Special Agent in Charge Zinders. Sometimes we call them chicken snakes. You’d better watch out. They eat rodents.”
    Meghan hurried back to the operation room and slid into her chair. Biting her lip to again keep from laughing, she heard him enter the house. A few moments later, Ash entered the study with a plate full of chips and salsa, a banana, and two cookies.
    She studied his plate. “Watch the red stuff, sir. It’s hot enough to open your sinuses.”

    Ash studied the satellite imagery of the Dancin’ Dust Ranch, looking for ways someone could access the property. If Lindsay had been placed here simply as one more effort to rehabilitate her, he wouldn’t take all these precautions. But the threats on her life kept him wary. And no one got hurt on his watch.
    The latest from DC said the man threatening Lindsay had been linked to a drug dealer working out of Colombia, and she owed him $10,000. A nice chunk of change. Did she think her father’s position bought her clout with