Free Cooper’s Redemption (Crimson Romance) by D'Ann Lindun

glared at him. “That’s a funny statement coming from you. Considering what you did to old man Harper. Thanks to you, he’s resting in peace.”
    “I’m not arguing with you,” Cooper warned. “Lay off Elizabeth.”
    “Oh, I’ll lay her, all right.” Rufus leered at Elizabeth and licked his bottom lip.
    Before she could open her mouth, Cooper moved so fast it looked almost casual. He leaned across the table and punched Rufus in the mouth. Blood spurted out of his split lip. He covered his lower face with his hands as his eyes went deadly.
    “You’ll wish you’d never done that.”
    Cooper stared at his opponent with cold eyes. “Don’t threaten me, or talk to that way to Miss Adams again. You’ll wish you were never born.”
    Wide-eyed, Elizabeth could only close her mouth with a snap. She hadn’t expected Cooper to react like that. Harsh words, she’d anticipated. Maybe a threat or two, but never had she expected him to strike out like a wounded animal. Movie heroes didn’t have a thing on him. Maybe Cooper watched old spaghetti westerns, too.
    The men with cue sticks circled the table.
    “Don’t,” Cooper warned them still staring at Rufus.
    With a glance at their wounded boss, the three men backed away. Esperanza rushed up, a damp towel in her hands. She handed it to Rufus. “I thought you would’ve learned to control your temper by now. But you haven’t changed. Get out, Cooper. Just leave before I call the sheriff.”
    Without a backward glance, Cooper picked up his Stetson and walked toward the door.
    Elizabeth leaped up and followed him, jerking on her coat as she went.
    “Hey! You didn’t pay your ticket,” Esperanza called after them.

Chapter 6
    A gust of wind hit Elizabeth square in the face as she dashed behind Cooper. Icy snowflakes whipped into her eyes, temporarily blinding her. Blinking rapidly, she saw at least an inch of powder had already accumulated, and the blizzard didn’t look like it was going to let up anytime soon. She came up short when she bumped into Cooper’s back. “Oops.”
    He turned around. “Go home, Elizabeth. What Esperanza said is true. I’m too quick with my fists. My temper can be deadly.”
    “That man got exactly what he had coming.” As the words flew out of her mouth, Elizabeth couldn’t believe she said them. She was totally anti-violence. She’d even marched with a peace group in college. If Cooper hadn’t struck Rufus, she might have done it herself.
    “Stay out of this mess before you get hurt.”
    Elizabeth still shook from the encounter inside. “I can’t. Not until I find my mom. But I do think I’ve had enough fun for one day. I’m going home.”
    “Best plan I’ve heard all night.” Cooper ushered her to the SUV and waited until she unlocked the door and climbed inside. “I’ll follow you.”
    After she fastened her seatbelt and started the engine, Cooper went to his old truck and climbed in. He flashed his headlights at her and she pulled out on the deserted street with him right behind. The few overhead lights lit up the heavy snowflakes like millions of floating angels. They created an eerie, yet beautiful sight. Her mother would love them. Elizabeth’s throat grew so tight she couldn’t swallow.
    Not another car was on the road, for which she was grateful. The pavement had grown slick, and it took all her concentration to keep the SUV on course. When she’d made the decision to come to Salt Lick, Elizabeth had picked out the most up-to-date vehicle the car dealer had on his lot. With a flick of her finger, she switched on her four-wheel-drive.
    Glancing in the rearview mirror, she saw Cooper followed her at a safe distance, his headlights twin beacons in a sea of snow. His presence reassured her. Why she was so trusting of a man she barely knew? Maybe because he’d saved her behind more than once.
    Elizabeth turned off Main Street to Highway 191, a two-lane road which led straight to her place. Nothing moved but the