Free Cowboy Who Came For Christmas (Harlequin Romance) by Lenora Worth Page A

driver’s side. “That window was shattered.”
    Adan glanced over and for the first time saw that she’d stuffed his old hunting jacket where the glass should be, probably to stay warm. Good thing he never cleaned out his truck or she could have frozen to death.
    Adan searched the vehicle but only found his duffel bag still intact in the small backseat. Grabbing it to take with him, he turned back to the girl. “Did you break into my vehicle?” he asked, his gaze pinning her to the spot.
    She shrugged and tugged her hood up on her head. “No. I guess somebody hit it with a rock or something.”
    “Are you telling the truth?” Adan asked, thinking he was getting mighty tired of having to ask that.
    “I didn’t break that window if that’s what you’re asking—again.”
    “What’s your name?” Adan asked, his tone less intimidating this time since this kid seemed to be streetwise and unyielding. Any other time, he’d have forced the truth out of her, but he had bigger fish to fry.
    “Melissa Curtis,” she said, stomping her feet against the bitter chill. “My grandma Bettye Scott lives on Crescent Mountain.”
    Well, now, that was a new twist. Adan couldn’t help but wonder if this mountain didn’t hold more secrets than the Pentagon. Before he could question the girl again, Sophia let out a gasp.
    “Bettye?” Sophia rushed toward the girl. “I know her. She’s a good friend of mine. She’s never mentioned a granddaughter.”
    “She doesn’t know she has one,” Melissa admitted. “Can I see her?”
    “Did you run away from home?” Adan asked, still not sure he could trust this girl. For all he knew, Joe Pritchard had set the girl up as a decoy. The more he thought about it, the more he had to wonder. “Who was this person you hitched a ride with?”
    “That’s none of your business,” the girl retorted, her hands crossing over her stomach. “I just want to see my granny.”
    Adan let out a long sigh. Just what he needed. Another noncommunicative, stubborn woman. “It is my business since you spent the night in my truck.”
    “I came to see my grandma,” she said, her chin jutting forward. “I just couldn’t go any further.”
    Adan could tell the girl was frightened and cold—and still way too evasive. He’d deal with how she got here later.
    “Did you see anybody else on this road last night? Or near my truck? Somebody took the time to let the air out of all of the tires.”
    The teenager gave him an incredulous look. “I told you, man, I had to walk up this stupid icy road in the dark. I didn’t see anyone and I didn’t notice anything wrong with the tires. I got inside this truck to keep from freezing to death.”
    “Let’s get her back to Bettye’s,” Sophia suggested, reaching an arm out toward the girl. “You can interrogate her there.”
    Adan frowned and stomped and after grabbing some of his supplies, he locked up what was left of his truck. “Nothing to be done with this for now. Let’s go then.”
    Sweet Melissa yanked away from Sophia. “Just tell me how to get there.”
    Adan shook his head. “That’s not how this works. How old are you?”
    “Old enough to get myself here,” she replied, her eyes blazing black. Her attitude was now wide-awake.
    Adan took her by the arm. “C’mon. We’ll take you to your grandmother—if she really is your grandmother. But you’d better show her some respect, you hear me?”
    “You can’t boss me around,” Melissa said on a snap.
    “Do you want me to do a search or send out a missing person bulletin on you?” Adan countered. “I can put you on a bus right back to where you came from.”
    The girl’s eyes glazed with shock and fear. “No, don’t do that. I’m sorry. I... I can’t go back to Hot Springs.”
    Adan started to speak, but Sophia gave him an imploring glance and shook her head.
    Adan wanted to protest but realized the girl was stuck here just like him. He’d get her story soon enough.
    For now,