Undercover Love (The Women of Manatee Bay, Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

cold blood. Justice wasn’t so easy.
    “I’d like to know who his supplier is.” C’mon, Charlie, tell me what you know .
    Not that he thought Charlie was involved, but he had a duty to explore every lead, a duty to search for the truth and to defend his hometown from evil.
    But Charlie only rolled his shoulders before moving past Grant to open the door. The guy didn’t possess the drive to track down criminals, but he had the instincts to smell them. He stared mournfully out the street. “Guess I’m going home to a cold bed tonight.”
    “She might come back.” Grant clapped the older man on the shoulder and slid past him out the door. “I’ll be in this afternoon to relieve you.”
    Grant felt a momentary surge of pride on his way out. At least he didn’t have to worry about some girl being The One. But then Rachel’s face flashed in his mind. Her pale skin, the way her cheeks colored from translucence to blush in a second. Her eyes, greener than any Floridian summer lawn.
    He might be in bigger trouble than he’d thought. Just because she piqued his interest shouldn’t mean anything. But he had an uneasy feeling it did.
    Opening his truck door cracked the stillness of early morning. He slid in and shut the door behind him. He’d go home, get a nap before his shift tonight and think on how he’d like his future to pan out.
    And how to keep nosy Rachel McCormick out of it.

CHAPTER FOUR
    Ripples of light flashed on the river, like sapphires catching the sun and winking at Rachel. That was a stone she hadn’t added to her collection yet. Maybe a birthday present to herself…
    She crossed her arms and glanced around the deserted headsprings. Crystalline waters surged upward from several large springs hidden beneath the sandy bottom of the Manatee River. The springs formed the beginning of the river, called the headwaters, and the surrounding lush foliage and year-round seventy degree water temperatures drew tourists every summer.
    On weekends this area would be crowded, teeming with scantily dressed teens and relaxed parents. The man-made park would be filled with the heady scents of grilled burgers and burning charcoal. But today water drifted quietly against the grassy banks. A bird screeched somewhere, then quieted. The sudden silence made Rachel squirm.
    She stepped back, bringing herself closer to the shadowed trees and away from the edge of the water. She didn’t see Mrs. Owens anywhere. Her watch read 4:40. Ten minutes past meeting time.
    She fingered the key in her hand, then slid it into her pocket where proof rested on both flash drives. If Mrs. Owens didn't keep their appointment, she could come to the office later and pick up the pictures of the mayor’s infidelity along with her house key. The other flash drive was for Rachel, but she hoped Mrs. Owens might be able to help her crack the encryption if she thought it confirmed more philandering.
    Rachel wasn't positive about what she’d copied on the second flash drive but a hunch told her the files proved more than just adultery.
    No matter what, the sleaze would finally get what was coming to him, even if punishment only meant his name plastered on the news.
    She glanced at her diamond encrusted watch, a fancy gift from a grateful client. 4:45. She couldn’t wait any longer for Mrs. Owens, despite the deep nagging to find out what hid behind the mayor’s encrypted files. She had to bundle up paperwork on a different case and get it ready to mail out before the post office closed. Clients often liked hard copies of her findings.
    Pivoting, she left her spot beneath the trees. Her sandals clicked against the cobblestone path, echoing the briskness of her walk. Clouds drifted in front of the sun. With the river behind her and the trees in front, she suddenly felt hemmed in.
    And scared. The scent of danger rode on the breeze that curled through her hair.
    She stopped and rubbed at the goose bumps on her arms. Leaves fluttered, scraping against