Humidity Rising (Romantic Suspense) Read Online Free PDF

could love another.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Janie was a precious child, at least that’s the way Wes thought of her. Of course, her Aunt Kristi was much more to his liking, if he were to be totally honest. But they were a package deal, and he liked the thought of an instant family.
    Better slow down, cowboy , he thought. This was only their second dinner date, even if it was at a fast food burger place, and they had a long way to go before thinking like that. He couldn’t help it. There was something about Kristi that made him think there was such a thing as a love that could last until the end of eternity.
    “What are you thinking?” Kristi’s voice cut through his reverie.
    He smiled. “About how much I enjoy spending time with you.”
    The palest shade of rose began to creep into her face. “Better watch out, Mr. Chandler. If you keep talking like that, I may be forced to kiss you in front of my niece.”
    “That would be fine with me.” He waggled his eyebrows.
    With that, she brought her fingertips to her lips, tilted them toward Wes, and blew lightly on them.
    He threw his hand up and snagged the invisible kiss and brought it to his lips, as if savoring a warm, sticky cinnamon bun.
    “Will that do?”
    “For now.” He chuckled and when Kristi joined in, he felt like a kite soaring in the breeze five hundred feet high.
    “So, are there any exes in your past I should be worried about?” He’d intended the question to come out in a joking way, but the sour apple look on her face told him something went terribly askew. “I’m sorry,” he added quickly. “Guess that wasn’t a good thing to ask.”
    She gazed into his eyes. “No, it’s okay. It just reminded me of this morning, that’s all.” A tiny smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “But to answer the question, I’ve been lucky that the two guys I’ve ever had any kind of relationship with were secure enough with themselves to accept the separation.”
    He thought about this and beamed a sunny smile at her. “Well, that’s good to know.” After a moment, he added, “So, you think Liza has some kind of insecurity issues?”
    “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a psychiatric nurse but I’ve had a little training in the area so I can recognize the signs. It’s obvious that something is going on with her. With what you told me about how she insists on having control, coupled with the actions she’s recently displayed, my best guess is that she has some type of insecurity issue—maybe even more than one or two.”
    “In other words, she’s crazy and should be in the nut house. Is that what you mean, doc?” A mischievous grin appeared on his face as he winked at her.
    “I didn’t say that. And don’t call me ‘doc’, I’m a nurse.” Her tone was playful. “However, I will say that she should get some professional help.”
    He sighed, seeming to deflate like a beach ball with a leak. “Yeah. I don’t know how many times I thought the same thing. Now, I wish there was something I could’ve done to help her.”
    “Nope! Don’t go there.” Her expression was firm. “None of this was your fault. Even if you’d tried to get her to go to counseling, it only would’ve worked if she’d wanted it.”
    “I guess you’re right.”
    “Of course I am. I’m a woman, aren’t I?”
    His laugh was like the roaring of a lion. “I’m smart enough not to argue with you on that.”
    They shared a chuckle as they finished their meal. Moments later, they got up from the booth, brought the empty wrappers to the trash can, and headed out the door.
    Halfway to his car, Liza appeared in front of them as if she’d found a teleportation device and zeroed in on their location. There was a gun in her hand, and she waved it at all three of them.
    “So. This is how it’s gonna be, huh?” Her words were riddled with venom.
    Kristi grabbed Janie and held her close as she instinctively stepped back.
    “Liza, put the gun down. Now.” Wes knew his