Free P.I. I Love You (Miss Demeanor Suspense Series Book 1) by Joanne Jaytanie

doesn’t. He does know that I went to Cellar Glen to visit their grandmother. By any chance, is there anyone you know who could get to Mrs. Darnell as soon as possible and keep an eye on her until she can be picked up?”
    “Today is your lucky day.” He winked at River. “He won’t do it for free.”
    “I didn’t expect he would. Blake will cover the expense. Just get him out there now.”
    “Let me go make a call,” Gage said.
    “While you do that, I’ll call Mrs. Darnell.”

    After his call, Gage went back into the living room carrying a cup of tea and handed it to River.
    “Thank you,” she said with a look of surprise. “What did your friend say?”
    “He’s on his way over right now. He’ll be knocking on her door in fifteen minutes, to introduce himself. Did you fill Mrs. Darnell in?”
    “I did. There’s a slight change. Tami’s mother explained everything to Tami. She happened to be visiting Mrs. Darnell when I phoned. Tami wants to come along, too.”
    He thought the plan through and must have frowned while doing so.
    “Problem?” she asked.
    “Not at all. Just want to keep the players straight. By the way, I’m staying right here in Seattle. I’ll be your driver and my friend can fly out and pick up Mrs. Darnell.”
    “I need to phone Blake and set up a meeting place in a couple hours. Would you mind being my chauffeur?”
    “I would be honored, under one condition.”
    “Geeze, again with the conditions . Have you always been this way?”
    “Actually no…not until the day when a sassy, pixie-like, vixen strutted into my office and challenged me at every turn.”
    She wrinkled her forehead and tilted her head from one side to the other. “Is there a compliment somewhere in there?” River asked.
    She looked up at him, her enchanting blue eyes filled with uncertainty. He couldn’t help himself. He took the cup from her and set it on the coffee table. He bent toward her, and touched her lips with his. River’s lips were even softer than the first time. She reached up with her uninjured arm and ran her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer to her. Tenderly he placed one hand on the unbruised side of her face and deepened the kiss. The taste of River Nightingale was intoxicating. He slid his hand down to her chin and cupped it. The thought of hurting her tugged at him, and summoning all his will-power he pulled back. River’s eyes fluttered open.
    “I think I like your condition .”
    “That had nothing to do with my condition—that was pure need,” Gage whispered, his lips mere inches from hers. He closed the distance again with a soft, quick kiss and then he stood up.
    “You need to rest. Call Blake, set up a meeting for seven tonight. Meet at a restaurant, someplace where we can talk without the chance of being overheard. After your call, turn off your phone and sleep.”

    ****

    “What’s he doing here?” Blake Baxter asked, as he stood looking at River and Gage sitting at the table. “And what the hell happened to you? I hope it wasn’t due to my case.” His anger seemed to abate.
    “Gage has agreed to work with me. Take a seat and I’ll explain,” River said.
    “Right. He’s done with my parent’s case. He claims it was my father’s fault.”
    River started to defend Gage, but before she could, he placed a hand on her knee and gave it a slight squeeze. She put her hand over his in an unspoken understanding, and he rotated his to lace his fingers through River’s.
    “You’ve every right to feel like you do, Blake. I came to the conclusion I did based on the data I had at the time. I did a thorough job with what I had to work with, and believed my conclusion correct. I’m not sorry for that,” Gage said. He watched as Blake bristled and continued on. “I am sorry for my incorrect conclusion. And for that, I sincerely apologize and hope you will allow me to set the record straight.”
    River and Gage waited while Blake digested the information. They