Free The Guarded Widow by K M Gaffney Page A

her shaky legs still managed support her own weight, she stood ramrod straight. She’d rather be struck dead than let Gavin Rafferty ever know how much he’d just rattled her.
    “Thank you for bringing me home,” she told him, not allowing her voice to tremble.
    “Just go in the house,” he repeated, deliberately keeping his gaze fixed on the windshield. “I’ll take care of your car. You should have it back by tomorrow afternoon.”
    Sparing her an unfriendly glance, he reached over, pulled the door shut and took off down the drive way. Apparently, he couldn’t get away fast enough.
    Olivia shook her head, as if doing so could physically clear her jumbled mind. She turned around slowly, telling herself she needed to go into the house. She knew though, without a doubt, that she was going to have a very difficult time listening to Jeff Masters explain how to use the new security system. Her thoughts would once again be consumed by Officer Rafferty.
     
    Gavin went directly to the police station. Marching over to Ron Barton’s desk, he leaned forward, splaying his large hands upon the disorganized surface. His partner barely looked up from the report he was typing.
    “You seem pissed off,” Ron stated, nonchalantly.
    Gavin’s silence demanded a second, more thorough, inspection. His enraged expression stopped Ron’s typing altogether.
    “What happened, Rafferty?”
    Gavin swore under his breath. “Olivia Jones is what happened!”
    Extremely interested by his friend’s unusual response to a female, Ron kicked his feet up on his desk. The toothpick he’d been mindlessly gnawing on now being twirled, back and forth, between his thumb and his forefinger.
    “I just found her on the side of the road with two of her tires slashed,” Gavin gritted out from between his teeth.
    “No kidding? Does she have any idea who might have it in for her?” Barton asked.
    “No, she doesn’t have a clue.” Then, as means to alleviate his own concern, Gavin continued. “She had a security system installed today.”
    “Well, that’s certainly a step in the right direction,” Ron replied before adding, “She’s got to be feeling pretty shook up living out in those woods all by herself.”
    “Yeah,” Gavin mumbled. “That’s why she finally agreed to put in the security system I insisted on.”
    “You insisted on the system, huh?” Ron asked, pausing to study his friend. “You’re also visibly angry and upset.”
    He knew what the problem was, even if Gavin didn’t or wouldn’t admit it. Ron’s dark brown eyes gleamed mischievously as he slowly drawled, “Why Officer Rafferty, could it be that you care about Olivia Jones?”
    Gavin glowered at him before unleashing some of his pent up frustration.
    “Shut up, Barton! You know I care about all of the citizens in this community,” he barked. Then spun around and stalked right back out of the station.
    Ron sat at his desk, staring, as he watched his normally level headed partner stomp out the front door. Seconds later, he threw his head back and roared with laughter.
     
     
    He’d given her a five minute head start and by the time he’d discovered her along the dark forest road, a cop had already pulled over to help her. What freaking luck!
    “Olivia Jones is proving to be a very difficult obstacle,” he muttered as he tossed back another shot, intending to drown himself in a whiskey induced stupor. I need those damned insurance policies. I’m going to have to up the ante.
    Affectionately tracing the lip of his beloved shot glass with an index finger, a murderous smile suddenly erupted. I’m going to have to pay the pretty widow an unexpected visit at home; he decided and then toasted to Olivia Jones. With a final ceremonious shot, he sprawled flat on his back across the hotel bed and passed out cold.
     
     

Chapter Six
     
    Maddy arrived promptly at five o’clock. “I come bearing gifts,” she exclaimed gleefully as she burst through the front