Uncovered Read Online Free PDF

those secretive looks at him. Ash frowned. Something was…off…there, something he didn’t get.
    Was that attraction or dislike that kept her so focused on Tick?
    “He’d better be fine. I need him back on his game.” Stanton came to stand beside him. Madeline unfolded from her chair, and as Caitlin and Tick came in the back door, her voice carried in with them.
    “I think I’m going to head out as well.” That indefinable strain tightened her words. “Thanks for dinner.”
    “You don’t have to go yet.” Autry followed her sister into the room. “It feels like you just got here.”
    “It’s been a long day.” Irony laced Madeline’s voice. Tick looked up from placing the baby in his carrier. Palpable tension vibrated between them before he dropped his gaze.
    He hefted the infant seat. “Cait? You ready?”
    At her nod, they exited in a small flurry of thank-yous and good-nights. Autry turned to Madeline. “I wish you’d stay a little longer.”
    She shrugged into her jacket. “I have an early day tomorrow.”
    “I’ll walk out with you.” Ash pulled his keys from his pocket and leaned down to kiss Autry’s cheek. “Dinner was awesome.”
    Madeline eyed him, wariness coloring her features. “You don’t have to.”
    He put on an easy grin. “You’re not the only one with an early day ahead of you.”
    Outside, a hint of cool air kissed the unseasonable warmth. His truck waited beside her compact sedan and the gravel walk crunched under their feet as they walked toward the vehicles. She glanced back once at the house, a strange hurt flickering over her features before she straightened her shoulders to a near-impossible angle. Unhappiness hung around her like a pall, a loneliness that stopped him from cutting his losses, especially after everything Tick had said, and walking straight to his driver’s side door.
    He leaned against the truck’s hood while she unlocked her car. “What do you like to do during your free time?”
    With the door partially open, she froze and confusion glinted in her hazel gaze before disappearing beneath shuttered contempt. “You don’t give up, do you?”
    “What are you so afraid of?” He spread his elbows to a more comfortable position.
    She slammed the door and came to stand before him. Outrage rolled off her in waves. “I’m not afraid of anything. I’ve told you I’m not interested and you won’t back off. End of story.”
    Bravado. Lots of ballsy bravado that still didn’t quite cover the soul-deep isolation that shrouded her and called to him. Pushing wouldn’t work with her, though. “If that’s the way you want it.”
    “It is.” Her chin lifted to a challenging angle, daring him to dispute her statement.
    “Good night, then.” He inclined his head and stepped away from the truck. She backed up, stumbling a bit in her haste. He didn’t reach to steady her, but let her regain her footing alone. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Madeline.”
    She snorted. “Sure it was.”
    He lifted a hand and strode around to the driver’s side. The old Ford rumbled to life, reliable as ever, and while the cold-natured engine warmed, he patted the gas pedal a couple of times. His wrist draped over the wheel, he watched in the rearview as Madeline reversed hard and flew down the drive. He shook his head and reached for the gearshift.
    Confident and breezy, then prickly and wary. Obsessed? Lonely and afraid of connecting.
    Like he could walk away from that puzzle without a second thought.
    ***
    “You didn’t tell me Autry’s sister was your new investigator.” Caitlin shifted her fingers over Lee’s soft hair. His eyes drooped sleepily, mouth relaxing, and Caitlin eased him away from her breast and slid her chemise strap into place before lifting him to her shoulder and rubbing his back.
    “Mmpf.” Clad in a pair of navy sleep pants, Tick sprawled on their bed, face turned into his pillow. “Been trying to forget.”
    Lee burped softly against her