Free Winter's Secret by Lyn Cote Page A

her chin. "Veda McCracken, you're just jealous because even if you walked down Main Street stark naked, no man would look at you twice—"
     
    Veda's face turned red. "If Bruno knew what kind of woman you really are, would he want you?"
     
    "I know what kind of woman Ma is and yes, I would," Bruno replied quietly. "Why don't you turn around and walk out that door? No one here is interested in anything you have to say, Veda."
     
    With the sheriff, Bruno, and Ma staring her down, Veda humphed, turned, and walked toward the front. Wendy kept her eyes down until the door closed behind the ill-tempered woman.
     
    "Good morning, Wendy, Sheriff." Bruno greeted them as though he hadn't even seen Veda. "As you can see, Doc just took my cast off! So Ma and I came to celebrate with a sticky roll and a good cup of coffee!"
     
    Wendy smiled. "Wonderful!" She stood up and hugged Ma. She whispered into Ma's ear, "I'm so glad to see you looking so well. You had me scared."
     
    Ma hugged her back and whispered, "And I'm glad to see you sitting with a handsome man."
     
    Grimacing, Wendy shook her head. She'd have to set sweet but talkative Ginger straight before shed spread the gossip of Wendy being interested Rodd countywide.
     
    Veda's attack proved Wendy would have to keep her distance from the sheriff—or Veda would aim her harassment toward Rodd as well as Wendy. Veda knew no shame or kindness.
     
    Grinning, Ginger came over and cleaned off the table while Rodd helped Wendy on with her parka. He insisted on paying the check. As he walked Wendy out, everyone turned to watch them go.
     
    Beside her Blazer, she glanced up at the long lean man gazing down at her. She cleared her tight throat. "You look like you have something on your mind."
     
    "Are you a mind reader too?" He grinned.
     
    She shook her head, unable to look away. "I won't badger you, but remember, I'll do anything I can to help you stop these burglaries."
     
    He opened her door for her. "When's your next day off?"
     
    Sliding past him and trying not to touch him, she got in, then glanced up. He looked like his question wasn't an idle one. "Day after tomorrow."
     
    "Keep it open—please?" He leaned closer. "I have something to think over. You might be able to help me out." He paused, leaving only inches between them.
     
    "Fine." Finally, she eased the door shut, forcing herself to break away. But she couldn't stop herself from watching him walk toward Cram's newspaper office.
     
    Sheriff Rodd Durand was tall, handsome, and smart. But would he succeed? Some matters only God could handle. Did the sheriff realize that?
     
     
    Two days later, Rodd walked into Harlan's kitchen. He smiled at Wendy sitting at the table. Morning sunshine glinted in her gold brown hair, and her kind face lifted in welcome. How could he tell her that her smile boosted his spirits? He couldn't, so he smiled in return, hoping she understood.
     
    Grinning as though reading Rodd's thoughts, Harlan stood up, his sheltie Lady at his side, wagging her tail. "Morning, Rodd. Hear you're going on a snowmobile shopping trip to Duluth."
     
    "Yes. Thanks for letting us meet here." Suddenly restless, Rodd reached for Wendy's parka, which hung on the back of a kitchen chair, and held it open for her. Now that he was here he wanted them to be off. This was just the first step in his next move against the Weasel. And he wanted Wendy alone for the day. He had a lot of questions and she'd have the answers he needed.
     
    Turning her back to him, she slipped her arms into the sleeves. "Has it started snowing again?"
     
    Intensely aware of her, Rodd covered this by glancing out the window. Snow was the furthest thing from his mind. "Frankly, it's snowed so much already this year I just expected it to snow today."
     
    Harlan nodded toward the muted TV in the corner. "You're right. We've only had one snowless day since late October, but a front is moving in from the west."
     
    "A front moves in from