Free Body of Evidence by Lenora Worth Page A

church. That is, when she’s not hanging around the campfire waiting for the next drug runner to appear.”
    He sniffed at the muffins and picked one up. “I get the picture. I might have to question her, but I promise I won’t frisk her.”
    Waiting for her to smile, he motioned toward the old percolator he’d found in the tiny efficiency kitchen. “I found the supplies and food staples you left—thanks for that. It looks like mud, but I made coffee. Want some?”
    She shook her head. “I just drank my quota for the day. I didn’t sleep very well.” Her look indicated his presence and the problems with her gator pond were thereasons. But she reached for a muffin. “Do you ever get tired of tracking down criminals?”
    Anderson poured himself a cup of the rich brew then sat down across from her. “I get physically tired and I get aggravated as all get-out, but no, I don’t get tired of bringing criminals to justice. It’s my life.”
    She let that soak in. “Well, you’ll never run out of them, that’s for sure.”
    Anderson bit into the juicy muffin. “Hmm. That is good. I think I need to meet Miss Ethel.”
    Jennifer finally laughed and ate her own muffin. “She’ll fall for you right away. She might be old and a widow but she likes to flirt.” She leaned close. “Especially with a tall, handsome Ranger.”
    Anderson leaned in, too, giving her a playful smile. “Is that how you see me?”
    She immediately stood up, her blush as pretty as a new blooming rose. “I’m not sure how I see you—except as someone who’s here to remind me I’m no longer safe in my own home. I gotta go call the electrician and make up some explanation as to why my circuit box got toasted. Just wanted to give you a muffin.”
    He noted the worry in her eyes, then grabbed another muffin, deciding he wouldn’t push the issue for now. “Thanks. I’ll be out to help with the rest of the morning feedings in a few minutes.”
    She backed toward the door, then glanced up at him. “So did you stay up all night filing your reports and running background checks on people? Or did you do the stakeout thing all night?”
    â€œHow do you know I was up last night?”
    She blushed again. He sure loved that sweet blush. “I told you…uh…I couldn’t sleep, so I roamed the house and saw your light on around midnight.”
    He didn’t tell her that he left the light on for a reason. “I spent most of the night out on my stakeout.”
    Her brows lifted at that. “And?”
    â€œNothing. All quiet for now.”
    â€œI kept waking up, thinking about someone deliberately cutting that fence and frying that circuit breaker. I don’t like feeling so vulnerable. It’s creepy.”
    It would be hard to sleep knowing everything you held dear was being threatened. “I’m doing everything I can to nip this in the bud, Jennifer. Just bear with me.”
    â€œEasy for you to say. It’s like waiting for a lion to pounce.”
    She had no idea her choice of words hit the nail on the head. “I won’t let any lions get you,” he said, allowing her a long look.
    She nodded on that. “I think I could handle a real lion better than a threat I can’t see.”
    â€œI hear you. Hey, about the construction crew coming in—let’s stick with the cover of me just being a new hire. We can’t be certain one of them isn’t involved in this mess.”
    â€œGreat. Now I have that angle to consider, too.”
    He followed her outside. It was turning out to be a nice fall day—crisp and cool with just a hint of winter in the wind.
    â€œThere’s always an angle to consider,” he said. Hecouldn’t tell her a lot about this case. But he could keep reminding her that she was in danger.
    She whirled to stare up at him.