Sun Kissed Read Online Free PDF Page A

far it’s almost touching your cheek.”
    He crossed his eyes, trying to assess the damage. Then he shrugged. “In my line of work, getting my nose busted every once in a while is par for the course. Another knot will add character.”
    Samantha was about to inquire about his profession, but his complete lack of concern about his appearance made her lose the thought. When her ex-husband had gotten a pimple, he’d fretted over it for days, afraid it might leave a scar. It was refreshing to meet a man outside her immediate family who didn’t obsess about his looks.
    There had to be something about this guy she didn’t like, she thought a little desperately. She had only to keep asking questions until she discovered what it was.
    “My name’s Samantha Harrigan,” she blurted.
    Mention of her last name rarely failed to weed out the jerks. Her father, Frank Harrigan, a self-made millionaire, was almost a legend in rodeo circles. Seven years ago Steve Fisher had been hugely impressed when he learned Samantha was Frank’s daughter. Unfortunately she’d been so young and gullible back then that she’d failed to notice the dollar signs flashing in his eyes when he’d professed his undying love for her.
    This man rolled her first name over his tongue as if savoring its flavor. Then he nodded. “Samantha. It suits you. I’m Tucker Coulter.”
    That was it? She’d expected more of a reaction, and stared at him, nonplussed. “Are you new to Crystal Falls?”
    “No, born and raised here. Why do you ask?”
    Samantha shifted her position, trying to regroup. Most rodeo enthusiasts knew the Harrigan name.
    The deputy returned to the car just then. After slipping behind the steering wheel, he slammed the driver’s door, started the engine, and turned up the air conditioner. “Sorry about the delay. It’s a wonder you didn’t suffocate in here.”
    As he nosed the vehicle through the throngs of milling people to reach the gravel road that led from the com pound to the highway, he grabbed the radio mike. There followed an exchange between him and a female dispatcher that was mostly a bunch of number codes Samantha couldn’t follow.
    “Ten-twenty means your location,” Tucker translated, as if sensing her confusion. “ETA means estimated time of arrival. Code four-A means no further assistance needed.”
    She sent him a wondering look. “And you know this because…?”
    “When I was a kid I wanted to be a cop, and memorized most of the codes.” He inclined his head at the deputy. “A possible ten-one-zero-two means possible cruelty to an animal. UTL means unable to locate. I’m assuming he means the horse.”
    Samantha frowned. “Have they even bothered to look?
    That poor animal has some pretty nasty cuts. He needs veterinary care ASAP.”
    Tucker’s eyes narrowed in thought. “The cuts were superficial. He’ll be fine on that count. I’m more worried about him being at large and possibly injuring himself—or someone else.” He returned his attention to the radio exchange and shook his head in disgust. “You didn’t hit the drunk first. Damn. What’s this guy been smoking?”
    “He’s just repeating what the witnesses told him.”
    “Right.” Not bothering to lower his voice, he added,
    “Pardon me for pointing it out, but a good cop should have enough common sense to sort through the malarkey. What woman in her right mind would push an abusive, angry drunk into a physical confrontation?”
    Samantha couldn’t argue the point.
    Hoping to calm him down, she said, “I’m amazed you can recall codes you memorized as a kid.”
    He shrugged. “I’ve always been good at remembering stuff.”
    As the county vehicle entered the stream of highway traffic and began picking up speed, Samantha’s thoughts circled back to this man’s total lack of reaction to her father’s name. Given his sharp memory, he would surely re member if he’d ever heard of Frank Harrigan.
    Curiosity piqued, she stared out the