Lone Star Burn: Lone Star Escape (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read Online Free Page A

and springing a trap is the best chance to get them in custody and get this over with for her. It’s the only way she can truly move on. Also, I like it being quiet out here, I don’t need to spend my nights worrying that everything my dog barks at is someone who has finally found her. Or that when she gets that bed and breakfast rolling, that innocent people are going to be hurt when they try to get to her.”
“What do you get out of this Mr. Belmont?” The agent began to look at him suspiciously.
“Nothing, except maybe a chance with Mara, without the worry that someone is going to hurt her. You can tell just by looking at her that she’s a tightly spun coil. She’s ready to jump at the slightest noise. A scared little kitten. She has a chance at a new life thanks to you guys, I would assume, right?” The agent nodded in agreement. “Then let’s make sure she keeps that chance.”
     
    Agent Parker made some calls and sat down to plan out the details with Beau. They got the go ahead from the case agent in charge. Beau would get to keep the money they paid him for this job and he would help them spring a trap to get Ciminialli and Mannetti. By the time the agent left, it was dark out. Beau took Bear for a walk in his own yard and stood staring at the light coming from Mara’s kitchen. Without thinking, his feet shuffled forward, propelling him unconsciously to her door for the second time that day.

Chapter 3
     
    Mara danced around her kitchen. Swaying her hips to the latest country song on the radio, she felt a feeling she had never had before. The ability to actually enjoy cooking a meal, listening to music, it was things she had only seen on TV or in movies. But to actually be doing it was a whole other thing. She had made progress today. Grocery shopping was done, she drove around the tiny town of Fort Mavis and looked at everything. She spoke with the grocery owner about deliveries when she was open and the lovely older man was open to it. George said there was a teenager who made deliveries to the older people in town, so he could certainly add her onto his trips. She stopped at the farm supply store and bought a bunch of seeds, potting soil and other gardening needs. The lady there was helpful in telling her how to plant flowers and vegetables so that they grew proper. Her mind was reeling at all the ideas the woman had. A trellis with flowers growing up it for weddings. A bench near the pond, flowers everywhere. She even helped Mara learn what food grew easily in their area and what didn’t. The woman was Jennie Marshall. She had moved here after retiring from teaching in Dallas and spent her days gardening. Though Mara had to be careful about meeting new people, this woman was so kind and even offered to come help clean out the garden the next day. Mara couldn’t say no. It felt good to actually be able to make a friend as well.
     
    Stirring the sauce on the stove, she twirled happily, not having a care about the red liquid dripping onto her pajama top she had thrown back on. Feeling sweaty from unloading all her goodies, she wanted to eat dinner before heading off to shower and crawl into bed. As she spun around again, she shrieked. The open door on her kitchen patio was now full with a large man and hairy dog. The wooden spoon full of sauce splattered on her white kitchen floor.
“I’m so sorry ma’am. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just was about to knock.”
“What are you doing here again? I mean, I get it’s a small town and you are all friendly, but now you’re starting to creep me out, always showing up and what not.” She laughed nervously as she bent to pick up the spoon, wiping the spilt food with a towel from her shoulder.
“No ma’am, I know you said you were getting supplies. I just wanted to see if you had need of help unloading anything heavy. Just trying to be helpful is all. I didn’t mean to scare you again.” He took a step back and Mara felt bad for snapping at