Lone Star Burn: Lone Star Escape (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read Online Free PDF Page B

find your food.” Hearing the word food, the dog bounded to her side, looking at her with his tongue hanging out.
“You’re too cute.” Mara couldn’t help but feel great about the day. She contemplated getting her own dog. She attributed the great sleep to the beast that had curled up beside her. Inhaling deeply, Mara enjoyed the morning smells. No pollution or garbage. Just clean, fresh air. It would be the perfect day to start her gardening.
     
    At Beau’s back door, she saw no one inside and there was no vehicle in the drive when she had walked over. Testing the knob, she found the kitchen entry unlocked. Apparently not only friendly, the small town residents were trusting as well. Bear pushed past her, knocking her legs sideways as he ran for the empty bowls on the floor. She laughed, looking at the poor starving sap. Taking pity, she found the food next to the bowls and poured him a bowl of kibble and filled his water from the sink. She looked around as the dog ate noisily. Feeling oddly curious, she took in the grand kitchen. Much like hers, it was large, with an island counter and stools. Pressing a hand against the coffee pot, she felt it was still warm, so she poured some into a mug drying in the sink. Mara shuffled over to the island, pulling herself up into the stool to wait for the dog to finish eating. No point taking food to her house when he could just eat here. As she placed the mug on the black and white marble counter, her wrist bumped the laptop that was on there. The screen came to life and she couldn’t resist a peek. Looking at what appeared before her, her face drained of color. She felt light headed and dizzy. Her own face stared back at her. Beneath it was the file on her past.
    Name: Julie Chaney
    DOB: 11/20/87
    From: New York City/Brooklyn
    It went on to show her police report and that she had disappeared from the hospital. With her hand shaking, she scrolled down further.
    Mr. Belmont,
    We have been told that you’re the best PI in the Dallas area. My client is seeking this woman and we have reasons to believe she is in Texas. She may be going under another name. She is in possession of a lot of money, stolen from my client. We just want to locate her so that we may send our accountant down to retrieve whatever is left of the money. You’ll be compensated with $100,000 up front and another $100,000 when she is located. We do not need you to approach her, just give us a location. You can meet out contact in Dallas on Friday at noon, the Café Lamont.
    We look forward to working with you.
     
    She felt sick to her stomach. Pushing away from the computer, she went to the sink and hurled up nothing but stomach acid and the one sip of coffee she had. Bear whimpered, moving to her side. She slid down the cupboards, wiping at her mouth. Tears fell from her eyes.
    He’s a PI and he already knows who I am. How long has he known? Since I first got here? The first day? When he was kissing me senseless last night? What am I going to do? The Feds will have to move me again already. This isn’t good. My bed and breakfast dream is over. Everything is done. I’m done.
    Thoughts swirled through her head. The dog curled up, placing his head in her lap. Without thinking, she curled her fingers in his fur. She couldn’t be mad at Bear, it wasn’t his fault.
    Is that where Beau had to go today? Dallas to collect his money for putting my life at risk?
     
    Quickly, Mara’s fear turned to anger. She jumped to her feet, startling the dog. Stalking to the counter, she slammed the computer shut and moved to the door.
“Come on Bear. Let’s do some gardening.” He just needed to locate her, so she would see what happened when he came back and if he was alone, she would confront him, with the pistol that the Fed’s have left her with for safety. She refused to run scared anymore. Finally, she had a life she could be proud of and there was no way that some sexy cowboy next door would ruin that. Back at