Till I Kissed You Read Online Free PDF Page B

stuff.” She rolled up the window, and he was forced to step back.
    Her taillights disappeared. Maybe passing the budget would stop the trouble, maybe it wouldn’t. The truth was he was less concerned about the festivals and more concerned about her.

 
    Chapter Four
    Sawyer stepped into Rufus’s Meat and Three with a two-fold purpose. He wanted to have a word with Wayne, the parish sheriff, and ask him to feel out his Mississippi counterparts for news on Regan’s trespasser. If she had mentioned to law enforcement she suspected Sawyer, asking outright might distract from the real perpetrator. Gloria, the sheriff’s dispatcher, had let Sawyer know where to find the sheriff. While he was at it, he planned to pick up plates of fresh-smoked barbeque for Cade and Jeremy.
    Sure enough, the sheriff was at a side table sipping at a steaming Styrofoam cup of coffee with Sawyer’s uncle Del. The two of them appeared to be having a serious conversation.
    He took one step toward them when familiar feminine laughter caught his attention. Holding a brown paper bag, Regan emerged through the curtain separating the kitchen from the dining room. A grinning Rufus trailed her. A wary suspicion had him bypassing the sheriff.
    â€œHowdy there, Sawyer. What can I do you for? Your usual?” Rufus wiped his hands on a mostly white hand towel tucked into his apron string. His grin was guileless, the thin planes of his face crinkling with his usual good humor.
    â€œMake it three plates and teas to go, please.”
    Rufus disappeared behind the curtain. Regan had sidled away and was halfway to the door before Sawyer caught her. “What are you up to?”
    â€œAbsolutely nothing besides grabbing some barbeque to go.” She shook the bag and spoke in a singsongy, smiley voice.
    â€œYou’re lying.”
    â€œI happen to love Rufus’s barbeque, if you’ll remember.” Wariness replaced her faked innocence, and she quick-stepped out the door.
    He did remember. Remembered sharing more than one picnic with her on the riverbank. He glanced over at his uncle as he followed Regan. Delmar nodded at the sheriff but was watching Sawyer. Regan was halfway across River Street, heading to the walking bridge. Instead of her usual heels, she was wearing flat shoes and moving fast.
    â€œHold up, woman,” Sawyer called. She ignored him, and he jogged toward her, catching her at the midpoint, the water gurgling under them. “How’s your foot?”
    His question seemed to surprise her. “Still hurts a little, but it would be worse if you hadn’t gotten the thorn out.”
    â€œWhat were you and Rufus talking about? Does it involve the festivals?”
    She leaned back against the rail. “Not really.”
    He stepped forward to bracket her with his hands on the rail. He didn’t trust her not to run, and it was too hot to give chase. “You already went behind my back and hired my blood kin to help you. If you’re doing it again with Rufus, I’ll—”
    What would he do? Take her across his knee and spank her? An entirely inappropriate image flashed. What kind of panties did she have on? Had she graduated to sophisticated lace or were they the simple white cotton she’d worn in high school? He tried to distract himself from thinking about her underwear by staring at her chest. The fabric of her blouse was pulled taut. Her bra was definitely lace. He shook his head and stared down at the water. He could use a dip in the cool water.
    â€œI was asking him if he had an idea who might have been at Mother’s last night, if you must know. He tends to hear things.”
    He returned his attention to her. “When did you and Rufus get so chummy?”
    â€œIt’s not as if you have dibs on everyone in Cottonbloom, Louisiana, Sawyer. I happen to love the food. I’ve been going over there for years. Ever since—” She harrumphed.
    â€œIt was