Free A Baby...Maybe? & How to Hunt a Husband by Bonnie Tucker Page B

instructions from Rosey that no one was to give out your name. Why is that?” He was smiling, but the grin was dead-on serious.
    Hmm, if he could find her without her name, then her mother and family could probably find her, too. If they knew where to start looking. That was a scary thought.
    â€œMaybe you’re a serial killer who hasn’t been caught yet. But they know you are, and if you killed me, then it would look bad for Pegleg. So, not only are they trying to protect me, they’re saving the name of their town.”
    â€œMe?” His voice practically squeaked. A sure sign of guilt in her book. “You can’t believe that.”
    â€œI don’t know. Are you going to kill me?” she asked.
    â€œWith kindness. Among other things.”
    Her eyes squinted at him. “A knife?”
    His mouth opened and no words came out. Finally he said, “You’re kidding, aren’t you?”
    â€œAbsolutely not,” she answered with great dignity. “I don’t know you.”
    â€œI could say the same for you.” He retorted. “How about this. Let’s start to get to know each other better. Hi,” he said. He leaned forward, his arm outstretched, his fingers only a foot away from the balcony. She held on to her sheet as best she could, leaning over the railing, reaching toward him, finally feeling her fingertips brush over his, and he captured her hand and held on. Air caught in her lungs and she couldn’t exhale. His touch did that to her.
    â€œWhat’s your name?” His voice husky. Sexy. Urging.
    â€œWhat’s yours?” she whispered back.
    He let go, leaned back again, his spine returning to its resting place against the trunk. “You go first.”
    She shook her head.
    His stare was turning her on. She almost didn’t recognize the feeling, it had been so long, but once she did, that got her even more excited. Moisture had already formed at the juncture between her legs, and now the unfulfilled ache deep in her belly made her want to cry out about the injustice of it all. That this man who she didn’t know, and would never see again after this week, would make her feel the way he made her feel.
    â€œSo, pretty lady, you won’t tell me your name. And I won’t tell you mine unless you go first. So we’re at an impasse.”
    â€œSeems that way.”
    â€œI can deal with that.” He looked at her, smiling. “Great-looking sheet. Love the way it fits you.”
    She softly laughed. “You don’t think the color is all wrong?”
    â€œWhite goes great with your hair. Nice hair, too.”
    She ran her fingers through the tangles. “Thanks,” she said. “I’m glad the tousled look appeals to you.”
    His gaze was downright sexy. “There’s a lot about you that appeals to me.”
    There, he did it again. How was she supposed to answer something like that? She wasn’t prepared for this smooth-talking cowboy with the glib tongue.
    â€œLet’s cut to the chase,” he said. “Are you married?”
    â€œAre you?”
    â€œCan you answer just one question with a simple yes or no? What’s the big deal here. First no name, and now marital status is—”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhat do you mean, no? No, you’re not married,or no, you can’t answer a simple question?” He nodded and didn’t look happy. “You must be married. Your husband doesn’t know you’re here and that’s why no one would tell me your name.”
    â€œI’m not married.”
    His face went from irate to nonchalant, which made her want to laugh, but she couldn’t. “I knew that.”
    â€œOf course you did.” He didn’t know anything. “Are you?”
    â€œMarried? No. No kids either. That I know about. Or that claim me.”
    â€œMe neither. But, maybe soon. I’m hopeful.”
    That look came across his face