Brash Read Online Free Page B

move.
    Oh, Dad,
she thought with deep sadness. Her dear, sweet, amazing father, who had taken on the role of both parents, pushed her to follow her dreams of working with animals—even when her grades had started slipping after the accident. When she’d barely wanted to get out of bed in the morning. He’d been her biggest supporter, her champion—even her shoulder to cry on when one charming college loser after another had broken her heart.
    He knows something about Cass Cavanaugh’s murder.
    Her heart bled at the thought, at the realization. She’d gone over and over what he’d said this morning. What he’d implied. She knew in her gut her father hadn’t hurt the Cavanaugh girl, but maybe . . .
Oh God, could he have helped Palmer cover it up?
Disappointment swirled inside her. Howcould he? Why would he? Because of friendship? Or had Palmer threatened him? So many questions she wanted answered. But one thing was sure: she wasn’t about to let him go to jail. Christ, he was already in a jail of sorts. She had to protect him, clear his name. She wasn’t altogether sure that teaming up with Cole Cavanaugh was the answer. In fact, it could be a complete nightmare. But she wanted to know what the fighter knew, wanted to keep him close as he gained information—maybe even lead him off track if fingers started to point in the direction of her father.
    The cat was weaving in and out of the hydrangeas now. Making his way toward the steps. Grace’s breath caught in her throat. So close. If she could just lean in another—
    Suddenly, the bottlebrush tail disappeared as large, skilled, tattooed hands scooped him up as if he were nothing fiercer than a stuffed animal.
    â€œLose something, Doc?” came the throaty sound of Cole Cavanaugh’s voice.
    Grace’s heart stuttered inside her chest as she looked up. Where the hell had he come from? Her head swiveled right, took in the truck at the curb and the open gate. How hadn’t she heard him drive up? Park? Open and close his door? Had she been that lost in thought?
    She glanced back to him. Dressed in blue jeans, polished black cowboy boots, and a white T-shirt, Cole Cavanaugh was every bit as tall, imposing, andfiercely rugged as his brothers—with one stunning difference: thickly muscled arms covered in vibrant ink. Grace’s eyes moved down one of those arms to the huge black-and-orange tom tucked into the man’s side.
    â€œHow did you do that?” she asked, finding her voice. She wasn’t sure where it had disappeared to while she was staring at his forearm and the incredible artwork rendered there—a snake with a skull for a face.
    â€œDo what?” he asked.
    Realizing she was still in a crouched position, she quickly stood and gestured to the tom.
    He snorted. “Pick up a little kitty cat?”
    She bristled at his arrogance. If she was admitting the truth—only to herself, of course—Cole Cavanaugh was one of the sexiest men she’d ever met. But his overconfidence brought her right back to college. To those boys she’d found irresistible. No more. Not ever again. She was all about stable now. And nice, and part of the community. Like Reverend McCarron. Wayne.
    She needed to remember that. Just Wayne.
    â€œI’ve been trying to catch him for two weeks,” she informed Cole, brushing dirt from her jeans.
    â€œThat sucks,” he said before opening his arms and letting the cat go.
    Momentarily stunned, Grace watched the tom drop to his paws. “Wait— Don’t—” Then it took off down the path. “Dammit!” She pushed past Coleand ran after it. When she reached the bottom of the driveway, she stopped and stared out into the blackness. Unbelievable. She scrubbed a hand over her face. He was gone. Shocked and pissed, she whirled around. “Why the hell did you do that?” she yelled. “What is your problem,