Free High-Caliber Holiday by Susan Sleeman Page A

bask in her radiating warmth, he needed to get moving on finding her stalker. But he could ease into the topic and not totally annihilate her good mood.
    â€œDoes the smile mean your presentation went well, or you’re happy to see me?”
    â€œBoth, actually,” she said, then looked down.
    Wow. He didn’t expect her to admit she was glad to see him. “Can we go somewhere private to talk about this morning’s event?”
    Her smile vanished.
    Nice one. Way to sugarcoat that and ease into the topic of the stalker.
    â€œMy cubicle is right this way.” Her shoulders back, she led him through the back door. She stopped to pick up her briefcase and tote bag sitting just inside the door. “Thanks again for loaning me your truck. I got here just in time to drop my bags on the floor and run into the presentation.”
    â€œYou’re welcome,” he said, but didn’t attempt to take her bags this time.
    They moved down a hallway to an area filled with cubicles and the chatter of busy workers. She entered a messy break room where she grabbed a bottle of thick liquid from the refrigerator. He assumed she planned to drink the orange gunk, but the color turned his stomach.
    â€œI usually have one of these for energy in the morning, but with my meeting I didn’t get a chance.” She held it up. “It’s a veggie/berry drink that I make. Would you like one?”
    He mocked a shudder.
    â€œAh, not into healthy eating, huh?” She shook the bottle.
    â€œGive me a big cheeseburger, a plate of fries, maybe some onion rings and an ice-cold root beer, and I’m set. Well, maybe add some deep-fried cheese curds into the mix, too.”
    She looked up laughing. “Are you serious about the curds?
    â€œA Midwest thing. Born and raised in Minnesota.”
    She poured the drink into a glass and the liquid reminded him of sewage sludge. “I thought I heard that accent in your voice.”
    â€œOh, ya, sure and you betcha.” He mocked his Norwegian ancestry.
    She grinned as she held up the glass. “You sure you don’t want one?”
    â€œI’ll pass.”
    â€œYou don’t know what you’re missing. It’s a blend of tomato, broccoli, apple and carrots. A perfect energy drink.”
    He tried not to grimace but didn’t manage it. “I’ll take your word for it.”
    â€œCoward.” She laughed. “There’s a water cooler in the corner if you’d like some water.”
    â€œI’m good,” he said.
    She shifted the straps for her bags on her shoulder, headed for the door and started chugging the drink the way a person stranded in a desert might gulp down water. This behavior seemed so out of character for her usual genteel manners.
    She’d finished the entire drink by the time they reached her cubicle. She came to a sudden stop. Brady couldn’t react fast enough to keep from bumping into her. He shot an arm around her waist to stop her from taking a nosedive. He expected her to push free, but she clamped a hand over her mouth and pointed at the desk.
    Brady followed the direction of her finger and found three red roses and another picture lying on her pristine desk.
    â€œNot again.” Brady’s arm instinctively tightened around her.
    She tried to swivel free but he was holding her too tightly. He relaxed his grip just enough to allow her turn, but he couldn’t make himself release her.
    â€œWho could be doing this?” She lifted her stricken gaze to his.
    â€œDon’t worry. We’ll find out,” he said, but he had no reason at this point to believe they would.
    â€œI’m so thankful for your help.” A tremulous smile found her lips.
    Hoping to put her at ease, he smiled back at her.
    She suddenly seemed to notice he was holding her, and she pushed against his chest to free herself. The warmth of her touch sent his senses firing and his pulse racing. He didn’t