Cain's Law (Cowboys on the Edge Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

tugged at his mouth, but he didn’t let it slide free. “I’ll show you the ladies’ room. A friend brought you a change of clothes. Shoes, too. You can get cleaned up.” Could his voice have been any rougher? The last thing he wanted to do was make her fear him.
    Pushing against the table, she stood and peered into the bag. “Nice. I hope they fit. Is your friend still here?” she asked. “I’d like to thank her.”
    “She’s gone on to the fire.”
    A light blush stole across her pale cheeks. “I don’t suppose things like this happen often here, huh?”
    “Fires happen all the time.”
    Her gaze narrowed just a tad. “I’ll bet arsons don’t.”
    “You’re right, there.”
    She tilted her head higher. “And when’s the last time someone tried to run you off the road?”
    One side of his mouth curved upward. “When I was sixteen and my girlfriend’s dad caught us making out in his barn.”
    She laughed, and her smile stretched her mouth, revealing pretty white teeth, the only flaw one tooth that wasn’t flush with the rest on the bottom row.
    He felt happier once he realized she wasn’t perfect. He waved a hand toward the door. “After you.”
    Carina stood in front of the mirror over the sink and turned to check out the fit of her new jeans from the rear. They were a little snug. She squatted and rocked side to side, then rose again. She didn’t want to look like a bimbo when she left the bathroom. The V-neck tee wasn’t tight, but she hadn’t wanted to wear the bra she’d worn for days, and the one the deputy’s girlfriend had brought was two cup-sizes too small.
    She’d used paper towels and hand soap to wash her body. The little travel-sized shampoo she’d found at the bottom of the bag was now empty, and her wet hair straggled around her head, but it was clean. And brushed. She wondered how often Deputy Whitfield called his friend to bring strange women these necessities.
    After tossing her old clothing in the trash and putting the rest of the items she’d used in the shopping bag, she ran out of excuses to keep hiding in the bathroom. Cain Whitfield had been kind, even if he was a little blunt, but he still intimidated her.
    Too tall, too good-looking, blonde and big-shouldered—with the chilliest blue gaze she’d ever seen. One hard glance from those laser-blue eyes, and she’d done exactly what she’d feared. She’d spilled everything. Including the cringe-worthy story of what Joey had done to her that night. How could she face the handsome deputy now?
    A light rap sounded on the door.
    She drew a deep breath. He wouldn’t wait forever. “Coming,” she called out. She looked like a drowned rat, but at least she didn’t look pathetic anymore. Too bad his girlfriend hadn’t included a little lipstick, too. Something to brighten her features. She needed a boost of confidence.
    Carina entered the hallway, and the deputy straightened away from the opposite wall, his gaze giving her a quick once-over. She couldn’t help wondering if he found her the least bit attractive. She’d always taken her beauty for granted—but she’d never been caught without her face done or her hair perfectly styled. At least, the clothing she now wore fit.
    “The shoes work for you?” he asked, his gaze traveling downward.
    She glanced down toward the canvas slip-ons that hadn’t shown much wear. “They’re fine. Not even snug in the toes.” She glanced upward, feeling shy. “Thanks.”
    His mouth tightened. “Save your thanks for the mayor.”
    Carina thinned her mouth, too. “Of course. And your girlfriend.”
    His eyebrows drew together. “Sheriff’s back.”
    She swallowed. “What happens now?”
    “Suppose it depends on what the fire chief told him.”
    Her mouth tightened. “I didn’t set that fire.”
    He waved a hand toward the front of the station. “After you.”
    Carina’s steps dragged. The sound of voices, several, echoed down the hallway. When she entered the larger