Showoff

“Well, son, it’s like this…”

Miguel’s eyes narrowed tightly as he listened. When he hung up, he uttered one seemingly appropriate word, then headed straight for the bedroom to get dressed.

He had to find Bella. Now.

Bella sat on the soft, leaf-covered ground and leaned back against a tree stump. The cabin walls had closed in on her, and without a car, her only other escape was the forest.

With a sigh she closed her eyes and rested her head back against the tree stump. The late-morning air was warm, but not unbearable as it had been earlier in the week. The scent of dried leaves and pine surrounded her, carried on the soft breeze that lifted the ends of her hair.

She’d thought about giving up. Maybe asking the honeymoon couple or the father and son to give her a lift into town where she could wait until her car was repaired, then drive to the airport and take the first plane out. Lord knew it would be easier than dealing with Miguel. But then, walking back to Liverpool and become a slave for Bianca and her mum would be easier than dealing with Miguel.

But Bella knew she couldn’t leave, any more than she could give up. Agatha shouldn't be left off the hook, her career was too important to her. Bella had told her friend that she’d bring everything about Agatha, and she wouldn’t leave until every last card was played.

She’d hit a button with him last night. She’d gotten too close to the truth when she’d told him he was afraid he might come to care for Agatha. That’s why he’d lashed out at her as he had. A man like Miguel Rodriguez took pride in his independence and I-hunt-alone attitude. It took a lot of the sting out of the insult he’d tossed at her, but she’d be lying to say it didn’t still hurt.

She’d never been one to hold grudges or stay angry, but in Miguel’s case, Bella decided she would make an exception. She’d like nothing better than to shove him over a cliff. But maybe just a short one, instead of the deep canyon she’d visualized last night.

And it made her all the more angry that even after what he’d said to her, she still wanted his mouth on her mouth, still wanted his hands on her body.

Damn you, Miguel Rodriguez.

“There you are.”

Her eyes flew open at the deep sound of his voice so close to her. The man was quiet as a mouse—no, make that a snake, she amended. And how had he found her, anyway?

She felt a small amount of satisfaction that he looked ragged around the edges. His hair hadn’t been combed, his jeans and red flannel shirt were wrinkled, his eyes were bloodshot, and he hadn’t shaved.

And he still looked sexy as hell, blast it.

But strangely enough, he also looked angry.

“Where have you been?”

She blinked. “Excuse me?”

“It was a simple question.” Jamming his hands on his hips, he marched toward her. “Where have you been?”

Obviously in the Twilight Zone, she thought in amazement. What else could explain his bizarre behavior? “I fail to see how where I am or where I’ve been is any business of yours.”

“You’ve been gone for hours.” Frowning, he stood over her. “People get lost up here if they don’t stay on the paths. They didn’t find one guy named Wallace Walker for six months. All that was left of him were bones and a pair of sunglasses.”

“Interesting image.” If he was trying to scare her, it was working. “And how would you know I’ve been gone for hours?”

“Walt’s been trying to reach you. Look, Bella, we need to talk.” He held out a hand to help her up. “Let’s go back to the hotel.”

She ignored his hand. “Why has Walt been trying to reach me? Is my car ready? Oh, no.” She closed her eyes and moaned. “Please don’t tell me it’s not ready. It’s not, is it? Damn! I can’t—”

“Bella—”

“—be without a car—”

“Bella—”

“—until next week, I’ve got to-“Bella!”

He wrapped his hands around her shoulders and lifted her to her feet. Startled into silence, she stared at him. “What?”

“Somebody messed with your car.”

“Messed with my car? You mean it was vandalized at Walt’s shop?”

“Before you had it towed to Walt’s. He found evidence that your rear brakes were tampered with. That’s why they failed.”

It took a long moment for his words to sink in, and still she didn’t understand. Maybe she had hit him over the head too hard last night. She frowned, then laughed. “That’s ridiculous.”

“No more ridiculous than someone trying to break into your room last night.”

“You don’t know that.” Now he was really stretching it. “That could have been an animal.”

He let go of her arms, then reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a safety pin. “I found this on your porch this morning.”

She looked at the safety pin, then cocked an eyebrow at him. “And your point is what? That all burglars are prepared for emergency clothing repairs?”

“The end is sanded smooth, which makes it a tool for picking locks.” He slipped it back into his pocket. “I also found fresh bootprints that didn’t belong to you or me.”

The breeze picked up, scattering leaves at their feet. A slow chill slithered up her spine. “You’re making this up to scare me off.”

He shook his head. “You can call Walt and ask him yourself if you don’t believe me.”

She didn’t believe this, not any of it. It was insane. But she had locked her door last night, she was certain of it, and it had been unlocked when Miguel came in.

“What are you saying? That someone wants to hurt me? I don’t know anyone in Wolf River besides—” Her eyes widened suddenly as she stared at him. She put a hand to her throat, took a step backward.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Bella Trump—” he rolled his eyes “—it isn’t me.”

She released the breath she’d been holding, felt silly that she’d considered the possibility. “Well, you gotta admit. I have made you pretty mad.”

“Bella, as far as I’m concerned,” he said dryly, “you haven’t even come close to seeing mad, but you’ve definitely pushed the wrong button on someone.”

She thought about the cliff her car had almost gone over, the prowler at her cabin. That was one hell of a big button. But it just wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be.

“I don’t believe it.” She shook her head. “This is Wolf River. Why would anyone here go to such extremes to harm me?”

"Remember you have a scheming Stepmother and stepsister"