Free Greedy Bones by Carolyn Haines

hiking boots. The Colorado fashion statement caught the attention of every man and woman in the cafe. Bonnie made a beeline toward me.
    "Mind if I join you?" she asked.
    What could I say? "Have a seat." I focused on the eggs and grits.
    "Coleman says this is the best place to eat in the Southeast."
    "He would be right." I aimed at pleasant. Surely by now someone had told her Coleman and I had a history, but she could only goad me if I let her.
    "I'm glad I ran into you, Sarah Booth. I wanted to ask you something."
    I stopped eating and waited.
    "Word is that you broke things off with Coleman before you went out to L.A. Is that right?"
    "That's really not your concern." A curl of nausea started in my upper stomach.
    "I'm interested in him, and I wanted to be upfront about it. He told me he'd filed for divorce. He should be a free man in a matter of months."
    I considered my response as carefully as I could under the circumstances. "Coleman feels an obligation for Connie. Married or not, he's always going to care for her."
    "Not a problem for me." She waved at Millie as if she were in a fancy eatery ordering a minion around. "Coffee, and make it fresh." She dismissed Millie and zeroed in on me. "I gather that was a problem for you."
    "What is the point of this conversation?"
    "I like what I see when I look at the sheriff. I want him. But I don't like stepping on someone to get what I want. I'm asking because I want to be sure the field is clear."
    I had no intention of explaining my complicated relationship. "Good luck," I said.
    She nodded. "That's what I wanted to be sure of. I didn't want to move in on your territory."
    So she wasn't a poacher; she was still a barracuda. But Coleman was a grown man. "I have no claim on the sheriff."
    "I heard you were all hooked up with some handsomeHollywood guy and would be going back out there as soon as this illness is cleared up."
    "I haven't made any plans and don't intend to until Oscar is well."
    "Not my business." She held up a hand like some teenager.
    That really annoyed me. Bonnie Louise got under my skin. I sipped my coffee. The nausea I'd been battling surged forward, and I thought for a moment I might throw up. I looked down at her boots to see how much damage I might be able to inflict. The sensation passed, and I took a breath. "Are you planning a hiking expedition? I guess you've forgotten the Delta is flat."
    She laughed. "I remember the land and the soil you call 'gumbo.' Down in the bogs it used to pull my shoes right off my feet. I used to ride with Daddy on the combine and the cotton pickers. I loved that."
    For a split second the edge left her voice and I thought I heard true sadness. "Does your family still farm?" I asked.
    "No." She picked up the cup that Millie put in front of her. "Good and fresh," she said to no one in particular.
    My appetite had evaporated, and my stomach, while fine now, wasn't totally trustworthy. If the spastic gut didn't stop, I'd talk with Doc.
    "What made you go into research?" I asked.
    "I like science, and I like puzzles. Research has both. What made you decide to be a private investigator?"
    "I sort of stumbled into it." No point fibbing about that.
    "Well, stay out of this investigation, okay? Let me rephrase. Stay out of this investigation."
    "Let me rephrase for you, Ms. McRae. Oscar is a friend. I'll do what ever it takes to help him."
    "Get in my way, Sarah Booth, and I'll roll over you. I'm not some localite you can intimidate." Her face brightened and she began signaling.
    When I looked over my shoulder, I saw Coleman walk through the door and head toward our table.
    "Coleman, I hope this table is okay?" She looked around. "Sarah Booth was just leaving."
    "Sarah Booth," Coleman said. "How are you?"
    "Perfect. Any change in Gordon?" I asked.
    He took off his hat, revealing a fresh haircut. "They're all still holding their own. Doc figures that's not as dismal as it might sound. They could be going downhill."
    "Has he found the