Free Line of Fire by Jo Davis

ensemble, and she was ready to go for a walk.
    Not for the first time, she wished she had a dog to take along. They made good companions.
    Or a man.
    A gorgeous man with blond hair and blue eyes.
    “Argh!” Striding from the room, she grabbed her keys off the kitchen counter and left, locking the door behind her.
    Not being able to talk to Cori this week was frustrating. Happy as she was for her friend, she could use some advice. Female advice, preferably from someone who knew Tommy a little, which counted out Shane on both fronts. There were some things a woman didn’t want to get into with her brother, no matter how close their relationship. Besides, Shane didn’t need another reason to nose into her business more than he had lately.
    Shea started down the sidewalk to the scenic path surrounding the property. She wasn’t much for jogging, but she did enjoy a brisk walk. It helped clear the mind. Usually.
    Today her thoughts tumbled one after another, giving her no peace. Saturday’s wedding reception took center stage again, despite her repeated attempts to block it in the last few days. All she could see was Tommy’s hurt expression. Tommy, turning to leave her alone, staring after him, torn. The awful scene was on a loop, driving her insane.
    When you figure out that stingy, pencil-pushin’ sack of shit can’t give you what you need? Call me.
    Even if she did call, what would she say?
    Watching you walk away turned my whole world dull and colorless. I need you so much I can’t sleep. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted any man, and I’m scared to death.
    And then he’d want to know why.
    He’d be kind and understanding, she had no doubts whatsoever. He’d want to help her move on. What he wouldn’t understand is not being able to help when he was part of the problem. Indirectly, but still. She knew Tommy well enough by now to know he’d be hurt by her lack of trust. He’d take it personally.
    Hadn’t he already been hurt, though? He obviously felt rejected and was confused by her mixed signals.
    “You’re not any more confused than me, buddy.” She sighed, picking up the pace. The day was getting hot at barely eleven, sweat rolling down her back and between her breasts. She tried to concentrate on her surroundings, her tennis shoes slapping on the pavement, and conjured a song with a good beat to hum as she went. Next time she’d have to bring her MP3 player and earbuds.
    After making a circuit around the entire complex, she started for home. What next? Maybe a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey to completely negate the benefits of her walk. Or perhaps a drive to the Cumberland River, down to the dam. Her pantry was on the bare side, too. She could use a few groceries, but didn’t really feel like—
    Her thoughts ground to a halt. Across the parking lot, a familiar man walked from the breezeway leading to her apartment toward a dark blue Chevy truck. His head was down, one hand digging in his jeans pocket, pulling out a set of keys. As she hurried to close the distance, he unlocked the driver’s door, swung it open, and got in.
    “Tommy! Wait!”
    He hesitated. To her relief, one long leg appeared, followed by six feet of lean, luscious male. He leaned just inside his open door against the frame, tucking one thumb into the pocket of his jeans, and peered in her direction. His expression was unreadable, and that made her more nervous than if he’d been angry.
    Well, she’d wanted someone to talk to, and here he was, in the flesh. She just hadn’t expected the object of her angst to show up at her doorstep. She jogged over and stopped a few feet from him, giving him a smile she hoped didn’t betray her attack of nerves.
    “Hi there,” she said, breathless.
    “Hey. Came by to talk, but didn’t get an answer.”
    “Yeah, I was out for a walk. Been feeling cooped up, I guess.”
    He tilted his head, making no move toward her. “I’m surprised.”
    “Why?”
    “I’d have thought Mr.