Free Hold on to Me by Linda Winfree Page A

not get further entangled in the Calvert family. “I don’t—”
    “You’ll love it. Come on. Say yes. Besides, a little church never hurt anyone. Not that I know of, anyway.”
    Caitlin stared at her a moment. If she didn’t give in, Tori wouldn’t allow her a moment’s peace. Besides, if she was lucky, she’d be back in Virginia by Sunday. “Okay, fine. I’ll go. Now, tell me about Amy Gillabeaux.”
    Tori rested her chin on her hand, sadness invading her eyes. “The gossips like to paint her as a wild child, but she wasn’t, not really. She liked to party and she liked attention, but she was a good person. She was doing well in school after the fiasco of her first semester, majoring in social work, and I think she genuinely enjoyed her volunteer duties at the center.”
    “What did she do there?”
    “We have support groups for young women who’ve experienced domestic violence in dating situations, who’ve suffered date rape, any number of things. Amy organized and worked with several of those, and she helped coordinate our self-defense courses.”
    “Did she have a boyfriend?”
    Tori sipped her tea. “Amy had lots of boyfriends. She liked uniforms, and she liked older men.”
    “You’re the second person to tell me she liked older men. What kind of uniforms?”
    “Cops. Marines—Albany has a major supply of those. Air Force boys from Valdosta.”
    “But you don’t know of any guy in particular she was interested in? Someone who visited her at the center?”
    “She was interested in lots of guys, Cait. Lord, she even made a play for Tick. She was very miffed that he wasn’t interested.”
    Caitlin speared a cucumber slice with her fork. “So I’ve heard.”
    “I think Amy saw him as a challenge.” Tori waved her fork toward the door. “Speak of the devil. I forgot it was the civic club’s monthly lunch meeting.”
    Anticipation slid over Caitlin even before she cast a casual glance over her shoulder. Tick stood by the door to the meeting room, talking to a group of men, including Mark Cook, Stanton Reed and Jeff Schaefer. He grimaced and punctuated his words with his hands. Caitlin watched his mouth move and turned away before he caught her ogling him.
    “Oh my Lord.” Her voice gleeful, Tori stared at Caitlin. “I knew it! You’ve got the hots for him.”
    “I do not have the hots for your brother.” Caitlin creased her napkin into a neat rectangle and laid it beside her plate. For telling that whopper, she would need to be in church Sunday.
    “Sure. And Chandler County is a cultural Mecca. This is wonderful! I wish you could see the way you just looked at him.”
    “Tori. Stop.” She wasn’t letting this go further. “I’m not saying he’s not an attractive man. We’re old friends and we’re working together. But that’s all.”
    “Sure. Deny it all you want.” Tori nodded, a knowing smile curving her mouth. “You’d be perfect for each other. He needs someone who won’t let him be in charge all the time, someone a little strong willed. And I think you need someone to take care of you, even if it’s only every once in a while.”
    “You’re deluded.” Caitlin’s laugh sounded shaky to her own ears. She picked up her notebook from the table and dropped a tip beside her nearly full plate. “Thank you for the information on Amy.”
    Tori’s wave was dismissive. “Anything I can do to help. Just be forewarned—Tick’s my mother’s favorite, and she likes big weddings.”
    “Would you stop?” Caitlin pushed a hefty dose of irritation into her voice, and after a long searching look, Tori shrugged.
    They walked out, squinting at the bright sunlight. Wishing for her sunglasses, Caitlin shielded her eyes from the glare. “Could you drop me by the sheriff’s office? I need to interview Amy’s roommate and my car is there—”
    “Ready to go, Agent Falconetti?” Schaefer asked as he joined them. Even in the wilting heat, he maintained a crisp professional