Susan Andersen - Burning Up

G ABRIEL D ONOVAN KNEW Macy OJames was trouble the minute she rolled into town.

Hell, he knew it before she even hit the city limits. He and Johnny Angelini were sitting in Johnnys police cruiser out near the county line, shooting the bull and discussing ways to improve workplace efficiency, when he had his first Macy OJames sighting.

Not that he knew it was her at that moment. Despite old Sheriff Baxters objection to what he considered the newfangled notion of interdepartmental information sharing between Johnny, Sugarvilles sole deputy, and Gabe, the towns fire chief, the two men liked putting their heads together every now and then to talk out problems they felt had crossover potential. And that particular hot July afternoon, Gabe had just finished recounting why he thought Johnny should check out a ramshackle trailer out near Leavenston that he suspected might be a meth lab, when a candy-apple-red, drop-top Corvette roared by, trailing screaming rock and roll in its wake.

The two men exchanged a look. Not going that much above the limit, Gabe commented laconically.

True. Johnny nodded. Ten over hardly seems worth the time to write up a ticket.

That was my thought.

Still, Johnny said. Hot car, hotter driver, man. Blonde. Could be my future bride.

There is that, he agreed, although how his friend could state the drivers hair color, much less her hotness factor, from the one quick glimpse theyd gotten as shed blown past was beyond him. He didnt, however, doubt it was true. Johnny had eyes like a raptor when it came to the female portion of the human race.

The deputy scratched a thumbnail across his jaw. And it is a hot day. Be a real mess if Myerson chose now to let his cows cross the road.

Little car, big cattle, he granted.

My civic duty to do my job. Its not like they pay me the big bucks for sitting under the trees. So. He raised an eyebrow. You in?

Gabe considered. Common sense dictated he get out of the cruiser, get back in his rig and go about his business. He had no real reason or even desire to check out Johnnys future bride. Beyond the fact he was currently dating a nice woman, he was nowhere close to being the hound with the babes that Johnny was.

Not anymore.

On the other hand, it was pretty much the male code not to let your friends have too much fun if there was any chance you could throw a wrench in their good times. Spose I better, he said dryly. When she files the sexual harassment suit, shes gonna need a witness.

Grinning, the deputy started up the Ford Ranger. He eased the cruiser out from beneath a stand of Douglas firs and alders that had done a decent job of shielding their cars from passing traffic, bumped over the uneven turf and onto the highway, then hit the siren at the same time he punched the gas.

They caught up with the Corvette moments later and watched as it first slowed, then pulled to the side of the road. The blaring music cut off midnote.

Two suitcases sticking up from behind the car seats blocked the driver from view. But her door opened in the sudden silence and a long, bare leg appeared, a blue peep-toed, platform-soled, Cuban-heel-shod foot stretching for the ground.

You can wait here, Johnny said, reaching for the door handle. This is clearly a job for a trained professional.

Gabe snorted. Not a chance. What kind of bud would I be if I didnt have your back? Climbing from the cruiser, he looked at Johnny over its top. For all we know, the womans armed and dangerous.