Free Exception to the Rule by Doranna Durgin Page B

Something hesitated between them, and she didn’t understand it or want it. If Rio noticed, he didn’t acknowledge it with anything other than the slight tilt of his head, a hint of puzzlement. “Stonner is the guy’s last name, I gather. He does this often enough so they’ve coined a watchword for him.”
    “Wonderful. I’m honored.” She eyed him, top to bottom, and didn’t pretend to hide it. “Is this where you say ‘We’ve got to stop meeting like this’?”
    He didn’t flinch before her gaze—and he didn’t pretend he didn’t notice it. He smiled ever so slightly.
    Don’t do that.
    “Coincidence is a fascinating thing, isn’t it?” he said. And then, before she could find a response that fit her cover, he said, “You’re angry. You’re not scared or upset or shaking…you’re angry. You were angry at the market, too.”
    She didn’t have to ask him which market, though she found his forthright observation disconcerting. Almost as disconcerting as the fact that even though she couldn’t turn on the survival instinct that would allow her to better assess him, he seemed to read herquite well. She worked hard to stuff her lingering anger away and admitted, “I don’t like it when jerks mess with my day.”
    “Missy the cashier seems to think you’ve got reason for that.”
    Still disarmingly forthright…but bless him, offering the perfect opportunity to slide back into cover.
    Besides, he hadn’t said it with disbelief or with challenge in his voice. He’d said it as if he believed it. Bless you, Missy, and your talkative mouth, too .
    “I’ve got plenty of reason,” she said, keeping her voice low. It made her sound less certain. “And I’ve got plenty of reason, too, for those self-defense classes I took, and for any chip I might be packing around.”
    As it happened, all true.
    “I’m sorry,” he said simply. And, turning to go, added, “And thank you again for your help earlier. I understand now why you didn’t question our situation. Then you might have to answer our questions, I suppose.”
    “Something like that.” Or maybe I just already knew what I needed to . She crossed her arms and waited, and he gave her a nod that stopped just short of turning into a bow, heading back for the store with a casually confident stride.
    Damn if he hadn’t done it again. Turned himself real. I’m sorry . So simple. So…genuine. “Dammit,” Kimmer cursed out loud, her fingers tightening around her upper arms until it hurt. She watched him longer than she should have, and then she spun on her heel and returned to the ragged little car.
    After all, she had his cousin to stake out.
     

    Keep your focus .
    It’s not about Rio Carlsen. It’s not about being back in western Pennsylvania. It’s about national security and one woman’s safety.
    Kimmer took a deep breath and reoriented herself behind the wheel of the Taurus.
    The main drag of Mill Springs ended not far from the Giant Eagle, although Kimmer had seen several main side streets that bore checking. More of a chance to spread her story, a chance to absorb the layout of the town and its likely bolt holes. She had a sloppy handful of brochures from the various stores she’d visited, especially the outdoor outfitter store and the Giant Eagle; before she went to Angelina’s, she’d study both the brochures and her afternoon’s photos. Aside from protecting Carolyne where she was, Kimmer wanted to know the best direction in which to run if the worst should happen.
    Not that she’d let it.
    She turned the car around and headed back to the motel. The evening’s microwave dinner had probably thawed by now, sitting in the back of the station wagon in the late-afternoon sun, although the outdoor temperatures had been crisp enough to warrant the worn hooded sweatshirt she’d pulled on over her lightweight cotton sweater before heading out from the motel. She’d chosen it for Bonnie Miller before she’d known Bonnie’s makeup