Free Bones Of Contention: The McKinnon Legends - The American Men Book 3 by Ranay James Page B

take care of herself.
    “I clean up pretty good,” he teased. “Who knows, you might actually like having me hanging around.”
    She was sure he did clean up nicely and probably would like having him around. Probably, she would like it too much.
    She held back her smile. “Nice try, but no thank you, Sheriff McKinnon. I think it is best you leave.” Her remark hung heavy between them.
    He stood there staring at her trying to figure out how to talk her out of this date. He figured anymore arguing would only push her further into the arms of this stranger who showed up out of the blue.
    “All right. I’ll not stay where I’m not wanted, but heed my advice, Dr. Gillman: Be careful and do not take anything for granted. Understand? Here is my direct cell number. Call if you need anything. Would it be too much to ask you to call me once your safely home and tucked in for the night?”
    He did not move until she nodded her head in agreement. Turning, he left the porch and went back to his truck. He was angry at himself for handling her and the situation so poorly. He should have just remained in the shadows and let her live her life blissfully ignorant of the fact he was shadowing her every move.
    She watched as he drove away wondering why he even cared. More to the point, why did she?
     

Chapter 11
    Jamie pulled into the parking lot of the upscale restaurant. Taking a deep breath and gathering her strength, she opened the door to her SUV. It had been months since she had accepted any kind of invitation to go out, and she had never really been good at the games people played in the rituals of courtship. She was nervous, wiping her palms on the hem of her dress.
    Damn Josh’s hide, she cursed under her breath. She was perfectly comfortable with her decision to meet Trey until he showed up in her driveway. Now, as she walked across the parking lot, she was having second thoughts about several things as her eyes darted around surveying the lot.
    She breathed a sigh of relief as she entered the safety of the restaurant.
    Trey was waiting for her at the bar.
    “Sorry I’m late,” she apologized, mentally blaming Josh for her tardiness. “I had a brush with the law.”
    “Not to worry, all is forgiven. Besides, I have always loved seeing a fashionably late entrance. It gives me the opportunity to fully appreciate the scenery. You look fantastic,” he said kissing her on the cheek. “I have a table already waiting.”
    The hostess politely asked them to follow her to a beautifully set table for two along the outside wall. She could see their reflection in the glass as they made their way to the table. He was a very handsome man, but she found herself comparing him to Josh. That was a comparison that came out of nowhere, she thought, pushing Josh out of her thoughts. It was not fair to her date on several levels.
    Holding out her chair, she sat thanking him as he handed her wrap to the hostess to take to the coatroom.
    “So,” she started after the waiter took their order, “tell me about yourself.”
    Most men, she found, were well versed in talking about themselves. It made dating easier when she did not have to carry the conversation. Inevitably, when the conversation turned to her and her work, she could usually tell the moment the date was officially over. However, considering she was plastered all over the news recently, the way she made her living was not exactly a secret to him.
    She found him to be a very interesting man, having lived and traveled all over the world, first in the armed service and then as a buyer for a New York arts and antiquities dealer. He was engaging, enjoyable company. The evening flew by much more quickly than she would have ever hoped.
    Josh watched her from across the road. He had settled into the parking lot of the movie theater across the street from where she had spent the evening dining. Having her out and alone with a stranger might not be something he could control, but he could,