Connor's Gamble Read Online Free Page B

interest was palpably obvious to Connor, from his posture, his quick smiles at her answers.  Understandable.  His ex-wife was a beautiful, sensuous woman, but this jerk didn’t need to make his interest so obvious.  Her dark chestnut hair with hints of red was pulled back from her face; tendrils of curls worked loose to frame her high cheekbones.  Whiskey-brown eyes held a hint of sadness.  She addressed the detective, her arms crossed beneath her breasts, as she stood next to the open doorway of what he knew was his grandmother's room.
    Every instinct demanded he go to her, hold her, force the other male away from her in a clear show of dominance and possession.  Only he didn't possess her.  Never had, never would.  Instead they'd been a team, equal partners in everything until one stupid night he couldn't even remember.
    “Connor?”  Gladys remained by his side, peering down the hall.  He'd been so absorbed in the detective talking to Alyssa he'd forgotten she was there.
    “Sorry, Gladys.  Can I help with you anything?”
    “No, son, not me.”  She jerked her head toward Alyssa.
    “She's gonna need you when this spectacle is over.  You gonna be there for her?”
    Connor glanced down at Gladys's fiery curls, her head barely reaching the middle of his chest.  He fought the urge to pat her on top of her head, instead settling for a nod.
    “Yes, ma'am.  I'll always be there for her, whether she needs me or not.”
    “Good to know, son.  Good to know.”
    Gladys walked away, past the detective and Alyssa without a sideways glance, disappearing through an open doorway at the end of the hall.  Connor kept his eyes glued to the two.  Watched as Alyssa threaded a weary hand through her curls.  Her gestures spoke volumes.
    Connor's breaking point reached, he stomped down the concrete pathway, reaching the pair easily with just a few strides of his long legs.  Standing behind his ex-wife, he placed both hands on her shoulders, pulling her back to rest against his chest.  Wonder of wonders, not only did she not fight him, she leaned into him, absorbing some of the strength he willingly offered.
    “Detective, these folks have had a traumatic morning.  Some of them are still rattled from the bus accident yesterday afternoon.  Can we leave the questioning until later, when everybody's had a chance to settle down and rest?  Nobody's going anywhere; we're waiting on the replacement bus anyway.”
    The cop closed his notebook with a snap, shoving it back into his pocket.  He gave that I'm-your-best-pal grin again, phony and insincere, and Connor really wanted to swipe it off his face.
    “Okay, I think we've got enough information for now.”  Turning to Alyssa, he offered his hand, clasping hers in both of his when she reached forward.
    “Ms. Scott, if you think of anything else or need anything, anything at all, you call me.”  He pulled a business card out and handed it to Alyssa.  With a nod to Connor, he strolled toward his car, where his partner stood waiting.
    “You okay, hon?”  Connor spun her around, staring down into her face, attempting to read her.  Her eyes closed, she nodded her head once, firmed her shoulders, and inhaled a deep breath.  Before his eyes, she changed from a tired, frightened woman to her taking-care-of-business-let's-get-this-handled persona she did so well.
    “Okay, everybody, back to your rooms.  Everything is being handled.  There's really nothing we can do now, so try to get some rest.  You’ve got the rest of the day, since we’re waiting for a new bus.  I'll be by to check on you later, and you all have my cell phone number if you need me.”
    Connor helped her usher some of the older folks back to their rooms, assisting some who were a bit unsteady on their feet.  It was definitely going to be a long and stressful day.  Another full day's delay on this road trip from hell.  These were retired folks, not old fogies and while they might be a little