Hatfield and McCoy Read Online Free Page A

child’s parents are waiting at their home.”
    Good Lord, he was wasting time here, McCoy realized unhappily. Damn.
    Swallow that temper, he warned himself, and swallow the past. It had all been so long ago now. So long. Still, it was hard.
    Hard when he knew his psychic was the soft and delicate blonde in the outer office. That dear, sweet young woman with the angelic face …
    And whiplash tongue.
    And wretched driving skills, to boot.
    â€œMcCoy, I swear to you,” Petty said, “the orders did come straight from the top—”
    â€œYes, yes, fine. Riker is right. Let’s get moving. Take me out to meet Miss What’s-her-name.”
    Petty, who had started to lead the way out of his office, paused suddenly and swung back. And despite the circumstances, he was grinning.
    â€œIt’s Hatfield.”
    â€œPardon?” McCoy said.
    â€œHer name.” Petty’s rheumy blue gaze surveyed him with a certain amusement. “Darned if I didn’t just realize it all myself. Hatfield. Her name is Julie Hatfield. Hell, McCoy, this isn’t your feud. The Hatfields and McCoys have been at it for decades, eh?”
    Hatfield. Her name was Hatfield.
    Hell, after everything else today, it just figured.
    He crunched his jaw into the most affable grin he could manage. Only his eyes were steam.
    â€œExcuse me, Petty.”
    He brushed past the old chief, letting the glasspaned door slam behind him as he strode quickly through the outer office.
    She saw him coming. She stood quickly.
    She was something. Petite, blond … cute. No, actually, she was beautiful. Her features were so fine, so perfectly chiseled. She was elegant. Even in jeans and a light knit sweater. And sneakers. There was still something elegant about her.
    And those eyes of hers. Almost golden. With such a wicked, wicked gleam.
    Two could play … And two could feud.
    She was smiling. A smile plastered into place, of course.
    His own grin could have been rubber.
    â€œWell, well, so we meet again,” he said softly.
    Don’t you dare think that you’ve won anything! he warned in silence, offering her his hand. She accepted it. His fingers curled over hers.
    â€œYes, so we meet again,” she told him politely.
    And somehow, he sensed her silent reply.
    I did win the first battle, McCoy!
    His fingers tightened around hers. They were both still smiling.
    And old Petty was beaming away, thinking that his team was together at last.
    Subtly, McCoy pulled her a shade closer. His words were light. In jest. “So it’s to be Hatfield versus McCoy, eh?” he murmured.
    Her lashes, luxurious, long and honey dark, swept her cheeks. And her gaze was regal and sweet when her eyes met his again. All innocence.
    â€œOh, no, sir. It’s to be Hatfield and McCoy, I believe.”
    Hatfield and McCoy …
    His grin was suddenly real.
    It just wasn’t meant to be.

Chapter 2
    T hey left the station together, and as soon as they were outside, he headed toward his car. She quickly stated that she didn’t mind driving, but the force of his stride had her at the passenger door to his car before she could even complete the words. There was an incredibly firm touch to his hands as he—courteously?—helped her into the car, and an unshakable firmness to his quick, curt words. “I’ll drive.”
    If he wanted an obedient silence from her, he wasn’t going to get it. He might think she was a quack, but she’d come up against the attitude before. He might be as aggressive as a tiger when he chose, but she knew how to fight back.
    Politely.
    â€œDo you know where the house is?” she asked.
    â€œI have the address, yes, thank you.”
    â€œBut do you know where the house is? The streets around here curve.”
    He glanced her way with his teeth nearly bared. “I know where I’m going!”
    She simply wasn’t going to be intimidated.
    This was a matter of