Page 37 of Meant for Her

“Let me lock the door in case Ted decides he remembered another question.” Luke locked the front door and then looked out the window. “He’s driving away.” He turned around and headed back to the sofa. “Do you think he or the sheriff will return any time soon?”

How would he think she’d know? “I couldn’t say. You could probably go for a ride tomorrow, even if you were a human. It would be painful, but your wounds would have healed enough. Ryan, however, should stay out of sight.”

“He won’t like that.”

“No, he won’t. Speaking of Ryan, I’ll check on him.” Luke’s brows rose, and Malia chuckled. “I’m not going upstairs to jump his bones if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I am, in fact. How about you head on home, and I’ll give my brother the lowdown?”

“Sure.” She stepped closer, enjoying how his eyes turned golden when she closed the gap between them. Since she didn’t need a repeat performance of what happened the last time she and Luke were together, Malia leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Good acting job.”

She stepped back and grabbed her coat.

“Before you go, you said your family might have some idea who the rustlers might be?”

“I did say that, but it’s just a rumor. If my cousin finds out there is any truth to it, I’ll let you know.”

Luke shook his head. “You just don’t want Ryan and me to go off half-cocked and accuse these men of stealing our cattle.”

“That’s one reason. I also don’t want innocent people to be accused of a crime either.”

Luke looked toward the stairs. Ryan was coming down. “I trust I was too ill for the deputy to interview me?”

Malia shrugged. “Luke did an excellent job in giving Ted all of the information he needed.”

“Great. I’m having a beer. Anyone want to join me?” Ryan asked.

As much as Malia would have liked to stay, if she did, she might end up spending the night, and she had to be at work tomorrow. “Rain check?”

“Of course. Anytime,” Ryan said.

“No,” Luke said way too loudly. “You can’t come back here. I thought you understood that.”

“You’re right. So how about exchanging phone numbers so that if I hear anything, I can pass it along.”

Luke nodded. “Good idea.”

They pulled out their phones and gave each other their contact information.

“Maybe I can stop by your place after you get off work,” Ryan said.

She laughed. “For what purpose? Complain about your brother or get into my pants?”

She swore his face turned red. What she didn’t expect was for Luke to burst out laughing, and then to have the sound resonate deep within her.

“She told you.”

“Fine. You caught me. How about dinner then? Except it can’t be in Midvale. If we go someplace, like Wildwood, I doubt anyone will know who I am,” Ryan said.

“I have a better idea. How about I cook dinner tomorrow night?” She turned to Luke. “You are both invited. That way you can keep your brother under control.”

“Good idea. Where do you live?” Luke asked.

She gave them the address and then turned to Ryan. “You should let Luke drive. Why, you might ask? We don’t want anyone reporting to the sheriff that you were out and about.”

He saluted her. “Can do. What time do you get off work tomorrow?”

“Six. I’ll have to stop at the store first, so how about eight o’clock?”