Free Honey Kisses (Romance on the Ranch Series #2) by Verna Clay Page A

the mouth for even
suggesting it. And, for your information, she's strictly my house manager,
nothing more."
    Alligator lifted an eyebrow, but didn't reply.
    * * *
    Ann did everything in her power to make
Alligator's visit enjoyable. For a week she endured his questions that on the
surface seemed casual, but appeared to be fishing for information.
    She had no idea what was going on with the man
and often saw Jackson giving him an irritated look. When Jackson drove him to catch
his hopper flight the Saturday after he'd arrived, she breathed a sigh of
relief. The man had her walking on eggshells.
     

Chapter 11:  Bad Man
     
    Ann loaded groceries into her car at Biggie Bag-n-Save
Big Mart. She had just set the last sack in the backseat when a car pulled into
the parking space beside her. The expensive black Mercedes with super dark tinted
windows made her uneasy. She reached to shut the back door on her car's
driver's side and heard a window on the sleek car roll down.
    "Hello, Mrs. Hackstetter."
    She whirled around.
    The greeting had been spoken by a pockmarked, silver-haired
man in the backseat wearing glasses as dark as the tinted windows. Ann could
see her reflection in the lenses. She was so stunned she just stared at him like
a simpleton before gasping, "How do you know my name?" She reached
for her door handle, ready to jump in her car and make a hasty retreat.
    "I'm not going to harm you. I just want to
talk to you."
    Ann glanced toward the entrance to the market
wishing she'd parked closer. "I don't know you. What could you want to
talk to me about?" Icy foreboding traveled up her spine.
    "Your dead husband."
    She gasped. "Wh-why?"
    "He died owing me money."
    "I-I can't help you. I don't have any
money."
    "Maybe you don't, but you know some very rich people. I've had you under surveillance."
    "I don't know anyone." She edged closer
to her door.
    "Before you make a hasty exit, I suggest
you consider the welfare of your son and new daughter-in-law."
    A trembling began in Ann's body and fear froze
her to the spot.
    The man in the black business suit and dark
glasses continued, "Your husband borrowed 25 G's from me, and when I don't
get paid back on time, the amount doubles. Since he defaulted—death doesn't
count—looks like you owe me 50 G's. It took awhile to catch up with you, but
rest assured, I'm not leaving until I get my money."
    Ann tasted bile at the back of her throat.
    "Now, Mrs. Hackstetter, just to make sure
you follow through and pay me back, I'm gonna show you a picture of what will
happen to Jacob and Julie if you don't have my money in one week." The
horrid man lifted a photo.
    Ann's stomach wretched and she grabbed her mouth
to keep from throwing up. The man slowly lowered the picture. A slight smile
creased his face. "I thought that would get your attention. Now, listen
close. I'm going to hand you a piece of paper with a bank account number. If
the money isn't transferred into that account by…" he looked at his watch,
"…two o'clock in exactly one week, be prepared to experience some very
unhappy events as far as your loved ones are concerned. And if you go to the
police, I will know, because I have eyes everywhere. A peep out of you
and what you saw in that picture will look like child's play. And being out of
town won't save them." He lifted a gloved hand holding a folded slip of
paper.
    When Ann didn't move, he said menacingly,
"Take it, Mrs. Hackstetter."
    Concentrating all of her willpower on making her
hand move, she slowly reached toward the open window. The wicked man's hand
darted out and shoved the paper into hers. His final words before the window
ascended were, "It's been a pleasure doing business with you. After I
receive the money, you'll receive a text message that says, 'paid in full'.
That's your receipt. I am not a pleasant man, but I do keep my word. You will
never hear from me again after your husband's debt is paid."
    The Mercedes smoothly pulled from its spot and exited
the