Southern Charm Read Online Free PDF Page B

was nothing relaxed in her posture. "I was with you through all that. I was a target of theirs, too. And even if I didn't see this man today all bruised and beaten up, I know the type of people we're talking about. Wealthy, powerful people who murder detectives and cast spells on their ghosts. People who have a long, nasty history in this town. So, if you don't want to risk getting any more contact with them, I completely understand."
    "Well, good," Max said, confused at why he thought he should be arguing with her. "We do need the money, though."
    "Then stay on the case. I'm going to support you either way. I'm just saying that I understand why you wouldn't want to deal with Hull again."
    Max wanted to scream. His chest felt constricted; his mouth dry. "I hate this."
    "Hull?"
    "Everything. I just want to be left alone, do my research, and enjoy our life together. But ever since we moved down here, we keep having stuff like this happen."
    "It wasn't any better in Michigan."
    "I know. It's just — I don't know. I don't know how to say any of this." He knew what he wanted to say — that she should stop working for him — but he couldn't do it. After she had set up this silly dinner for him, after she had offered her support, after she had done what little work he asked of her, how could he let her go?
    Taking his hand, Sandra led him into the living room. She sat him on the couch and nestled under his arm. She smelled wonderful — a natural smell as if the wind had brushed her with the trees' aroma, a smell as warm and secure as a thick blanket.
    If he quit the case, the other ghost cases would disappear. He wasn't faring any better with the living. His fledgling business would die. The burning red number on his computer confirmed that.
    Sandra stroked his arm and said, "You know the last time we went up against Hull things turned out okay."
    "Yeah, and we figured out back then that we can't keep running."
    "It's sure an easy habit to fall back into, though, right?"
    "You knew before I walked in here, didn't you?"
    "Knew what?"
    Max kissed the top of her head. "You knew I'd want to quit the job, and you knew that eventually, if I talked about it even a little bit, I'd talk myself right back into doing it. We need the money, we need the work, and we can't run away. You know me that well."
    "Maybe," she said with a toying chuckle.
    "Then tell me this much. Since I'm staying on in this mess, how am I going to solve it? Every aspect of it is nothing but tangles of questions."
    Sandra sat up, leaving her hand on his chest, and looked upon him with incredulous eyes. "You've drunk too much tonight, if you can't figure that part out."
    "What'd I say?"
    "Honey, tomorrow, you go hit the library. You do what you know best. Research. It doesn't matter which thread of this case you follow. Pick one and start working."
    Max nodded. She was right. He should've gone to the library from the first. Maybe it was the financial pressure or maybe the eagerness brought on by a new client, but he had jumped into the fray too fast. He needed to learn the background, research the names, know who these people actually were. Tomorrow, he would start this case over again.
    "You're a smart gal," he said and planted a strong kiss on her lips.
    "I know that, too," she said, returning the kiss.
    Despite the long day, the stress, and the alcohol, Max felt his body stirring at Sandra's touch. They spent a few minutes on the couch kissing like teenagers until finally she pulled back and said, "I've missed you."
    "Huh?"
    "That's the first time you've really kissed me like that in I don't know how long. This business has got you so worked up, you just haven't been, well, you."
    "I hadn't realized. Maybe I have been a bit distant. I sometimes feel crowded by Drummond and you in the office all the time. Not to say that —"
    "Don't over-think it, hon. Especially right now," she said and started kissing him again. Max didn't need any more motivation. They went to