Free Gotcha! by Christie Craig Page A

that missed exam for a teacher who swore he wouldn’t give retests, an escaped prisoner threatening to rape her, the realization that she still had a weak spot for a pair of wide shoulders and a sexy grin. Throw in PMS, and the world wasn’t ready for her.
    “You’ve got one minute. Then I’m coming in,” Baldwin yelled.
    She glared at the door. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
    If the world wasn’t ready for her, Jake Baldwin sure as hell wasn’t.

C HAPTER S IX
    Billy woke up as Andy trotted through the living room to let the dog out. Though the boy never glanced over, Billy pulled the sheet across Ellie, who slept beside him on the lopsided sofa.
    He remembered the fear he’d felt at seeing the blue van stop in front of the trailer last night, but then Ellie had crawled out. She’d explained how she’d loaned her car to someone else and was now using their van. Then she’d told him about finding that cop, Jake Baldwin, at Mace’s house. She’d parked down the street and waited for the guy to leave, and when he didn’t, she’d peeked in the windows only to find the two sitting on the sofa together.
    “I think I was wrong about him,” Ellie had said. “I don’t think he’s working with David. He even left me messages saying he wanted to help.”
    Billy still didn’t like it. He had to know Mace was safe.
    Andy walked back inside, his dog trotting behind him, and both disappeared back into the one and only bedroom.
    Ellie’s backside brushed up against Billy’s crotch. He hardened. Last night she’d told him she was willing, if he wanted. God, he wanted, and having her soft body next to him had been a torment. But taking her for the first time on a broken sofa, with no privacy and garbage all over the place, didn’t feel right, so he’d kissed her and insisted they wait until they were alone. And while he’d never share this with his sister, he bet Mace would say he’d done the right thing. He liked thinking Mace would be proud of him.
    Ellie rolled over. “Morning,” she said in her cartoonish voice.
    He kissed her nose. He bet people teased her about her voice. Not around him they wouldn’t. If people couldn’t look past her voice and see her beauty, then they were stupid. And he didn’t mean her beauty on the outside. In a lot of ways, Ellie reminded Billy of Mace. Like Macy, Ellie loved with all her heart. She loved him that way, and she’d been totally devoted to her grandma, who’d raised her. Ellie even got a job at the nursing home so she could keep an eye on her granny. The woman had died, but Ellie hadn’t left her other patients, even though she could make more money waitressing.
    In the letters, she’d written all about the people she cared for. Some of their stories were funny. Some were sad, about how no one ever visited. Ellie did things for those patients—things like cutting out pictures from magazines to hang by their beds. Sometimes she’d sneak candy or cigarettes to those who could have them.
    Ellie rose up and eyed the trailer in daylight. She frowned. “He really lives by himself?”
    Billy sat up, pushed his gun under the sofa with his foot. “Sad, isn’t it?”
    “Yeah.” She yawned and covered her mouth.
    Billy studied her face without makeup. He knew she liked wearing it, but she didn’t need any. She had beautiful skin. He didn’t know how old she was—probably a year or so older than him? He didn’t care.
    Her green eyes met his. “What are we doing today?” Concern tightened her voice.
    “I’ve got to find a way to talk to Mace. To make sure she’s okay.” Billy had heard on the radio that Hal was alive. Brandon hadn’t been so lucky. Billy remembered leaning over him and yelling, Where are they going? Tell me! The address the dying inmate had given was his only lead, so he hoped like hell it was correct.
    Billy shuddered. The memory of Brandon lying helpless on the ground was horrible. He wasn’t sure if he was the one who’d shot