Free The Sheriff's Secret Wife by Christyne Butler Page A

was a home.

The realization hit her full force, knocking the breath from her lungs. Gage had built a place where he and his wife— a real wife —would raise children, celebrate holidays, have family and friends over for birthday parties and cookouts and—

"Look, the only furniture in the house, besides out here, is in my bedroom, so you're going—what's wrong?"

His voice cut through her thoughts. Determined to shut down the whirlwind in her mind and not think about anything but Jack, she avoided his gaze and headed for the door next to the fireplace.

"Nothing. Bathroom's this way?"

"Straight through the bedroom. You've got fifteen minutes."

The quiet emphasis of his words stopped her. "Or what?"

"My shower is big. Big enough for two."
     

Chapter Five
    R acy disappeared into his bedroom with all the dignity she could muster, considering the condition of her hair and clothes. Moments later, Gage heard the faint sound of running water. He instantly thought back to that morning in Vegas when he'd stood outside another door and imagined her standing beneath a hot spray of water.

Only this time, they were in his house. And she was in his shower.

He backed away from the bedroom door and headed for the stairs to the lower level of the house. He did a quick check of the rooms, came back upstairs and reset the security system at the front door. He then stored his weapon in a concealed but accessible location in the living room.

When he heard the water shut off he looked at his watch. Twenty-five minutes. Refusing to consider if she'd stayed in the shower longer on purpose, he waited another ten minutes, making sure nothing but silence came from behind the closed door.

His own shower was quick, his eyes straying to the curves beneath the blankets on his bed as he grabbed her soiled clothes on the way out. In the laundry room, he shoved her clothes into the washing machine. Then something pink, a scrap of lace and string at his feet, caught his eye.

Racy's underwear.

It only took a second before he realized the panties were the same pair he'd seen hanging from that hideous trophy the morning they'd woken up married in Vegas. The memories returned and his lower half snapped to attention like a raw recruit. He tossed the panties into the machine, went into his living room and sank into the soft leather cushions of his couch.

Damn, it had been one hell of a day.

He propped his bare feet on the table, stared into the orange and yellow flames of the fire and let his mind wander back to the night's events.

After Racy's show on the bar he'd gone downstairs, keeping to the outer edges of the crowd. From the shadows of a booth he'd kept an eye on both Racy and his sister while quieting the rumble in his belly with a supersize burger and fries.

Landon Cartwright had walked by and stopped to introduce his brother, in town for Landon and Maggie's upcoming wedding. Gage had been suspicious of Cartwright when he'd come to town six months ago, but he'd proved to be a good man and Gage now considered him a friend. He recognized Landon's brother as the cowboy Racy had picked to enjoy her special drink. He'd returned Chase Cartwright's firm handshake, refusing to acknowledge the relief he felt that this guy would soon head back to Texas.

And while he still didn't understand Gina's desire to work at The Blue Creek, he'd sure as hell pissed her off by showing up tonight. That's okay, he was pissed, too. At himself because foremost in his mind was another woman and the fact that he was still married to her, when he should be focused on his family.

"Isn't that a kick in the head?" He said to the dancing flames. "Married to a woman who can't stand the sight of you?"

Gage's eyes burned with fatigue, but sleep wouldn't come. The jumbled thoughts in his head wouldn't allow it.

Hell, who was he kidding? His houseguest wouldn't allow it.

The moment Racy had fallen asleep after they'd left the veterinary clinic, he'd headed to his house.