Hidden in the Shadows Read Online Free

with each other. You hide it pretty well, but I think there’s something there. On both sides.”
    Maria stopped in her tracks, utterly shocked.
    He stopped, too, and turned to look at her. “I won’t keep ragging on you about this, but I want to say one more thing. I know what it’s like to feel something for someone and be afraid to act on it because you think you won’t fit into their life. I damned near lost Beth because of that kind of fear. I’m not suggesting you and Wyatt go get married, or even just hop in the sack for a few nights, but don’t you think you owe it to yourself to find out what’s there?”
    With a quick shake of her head, Maria started walking again. Once they reached the building, she used her keycard to open the door and held it open for Ethan.
    “Will you think about what I said?”
    She gave a short nod. “I will.” She knew she would probably think about little else in the foreseeable future.
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
    Two hours after he’d talked to Ethan, Wyatt returned to the courthouse. Since he was in town, he figured he would pick up a couple files he’d left in his office before heading home. His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten. Stopping by central dispatch, he greeted Carrie.
    “Hey, Sheriff. How’s Robbie?”
    “He’s okay. They released him a little while ago, and he’s on his way home. Everything finally quiet down?”
    She made a so-so motion with her hand. “As quiet as it can be on a Friday night.”
    “I guess that’s all a person can hope for, then. I’m going to grab a few things from my office and head home, myself. I’ll hopefully see you Monday and not before.”
    Carrie laughed. “You and Maria. The two of you need some hobbies.”
    Wyatt felt his heart jump. “What do you mean, Maria? Is she still here?”
    “Yep. Came in with Ethan a couple of hours ago.”
    “Well, that’s remedied easily enough.” With a wave, he headed upstairs to the newly renovated administrative offices. Sure enough, a warm light shone out into the darkened hall from inside Maria’s office. Careful to make noise as he walked so he wouldn’t startle her, he headed in that direction. When he stopped in her doorway, she looked up.
    “What do you think you’re doing?” He adopted a stern look and crossed his arms. When she just sat back and mirrored his pose, eyebrow arched, he struggled to keep his mouth straight.
    “Catching up on paperwork. What are you doing here?”
    With a sigh, he moved to stand behind the guest chair across from her, and rested his hands on its back. “Picking up some files to take home, so I can catch up on paperwork. How are you planning on getting home?”
    “That’s a good question.” She stood and pressed her hands to her lower back with a small wince. “Since you brought me to this party, do you think maybe you could convey me to my condo on your way home?”
    Lips quirking, Wyatt sketched a half-bow. “Your carriage awaits, madam. Grab your stuff. Have you eaten?” When she locked the office door, the sudden darkness in the hall took on an intimacy he wasn’t quite prepared for. His heart rate picked up as he escorted her down the hall, guided by the penlight on her keychain.
    “I had a candy bar a little while ago. You?”
    “A few gallons of bad coffee, but no food. Tell you what. I owe you dinner, if you’re interested.”
    Wyatt couldn’t read the look she sent him. “You don’t owe me dinner. And what about your paperwork?”
    “It’ll wait, and yes, I do owe you dinner.”
    Maria stopped on the stairs, her head tipped to the side as she studied him. “Hmmm, okay. In that case, I’d like lobster, caviar, and champagne.” When he stared at her in astonishment, her laughter rang out, echoing back up through the staircase. “I’m teasing. How about waffles and hash browns at the Breakfast Hut? They’re open twenty-four-seven.”
    “This late, that’s probably the best I can do,”