“Attack you?” Kenny asked in shock.
Kenny flicked her hood in annoyance. “Why the hell are you wearing all black and using a flashlight inside of the office?”
She grabbed his hand to move it away from her sweatshirt, and when their fingers touched, he felt the electricity. She obviously felt the attraction, too, because her eyes widened. She released his hand and looked toward Wyatt. Great, now she wasn’t even looking at him.
“Calm down, Kenny, and let’s hear her story,” Wyatt stated, looking amused.
“Who are you?” she asked with attitude and the niftiest accent that told him she had to be from the Northeast or somewhere far the hell away from Texas.
“I’m the sheriff, young lady, and I expect you to answer my questions, or I’ll be forced to put you in jail for the night.”
“And charge me with what?”
“How about breaking and entering, burglary, resisting arrest, or—” Before Kenny could continue, Wyatt was interrupting.
“What’s your name, honey?” Wyatt asked.
“Lena.”
“Lena what?”
Kenny raised his eyebrows at her, waiting to find out a name so he could run her through the system.
“Don’t make matters worse, sweetheart. Just tell me your name.”
“Lena Spright.”
“Tell me what is going on, Lena Spright.”
“I’m new to town. The Joneses, Doc and Abigail, offered me the job in Doc’s office and said I could stay here until I get my own place.”
“You’ve been sleeping here?” Kenny asked in a huff.
“I’ve been sleeping here for a week.”
“I don’t believe this. Where are you from? How do my parents know you?” he asked as he gave her a long look. Sure she was fucking gorgeous and his dick was hard as a rock after her gentle touch to his hand, but he would be damned if some conniving thief was going to take advantage of his parents’ big hearts. They should know better than to allow a complete stranger into the office and to stay there. Were they nuts?
“Honey, explain the situation to us so we understand. You’re telling me that the Joneses know that you’re staying here in the office?”
“Yes. They offered for me to stay on their ranch, but I don’t kn
ow them. I just met them a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been working here all week and hoping to get a job at the restaurant, too, so that I can pay them back.”
“Where’s your family, honey?” Wyatt asked, and Kenny could see the fear in Lena’s eyes and the sadness.
She swallowed hard and raised her chin.
“I don’t have a family, Sheriff.”
Kenny felt the punch to his gut. She was homeless or an orphan. No, she couldn’t be an orphan. She was young but maybe eighteen or so.
“You’re sweating, sweetie. Don’t be nervous. If your story is true, then we’ll check it out and let you go back inside,” Wyatt stated calmly.
“I’m not nervous. I just don’t like being manhandled,” she stated toward Kenny. He was shocked by her attitude, and he still wasn’t sure if he trusted her.
“I’m sorry, but do you mind if I take off this sweatshirt out here? It is so hot. Inside the office the air-conditioning was stuck on and when I tried to turn it off, I did something that made it even colder in there. I was freezing.” Kenny knew that the old air-conditioning unit was broken. His father had that problem for years. Maybe she was telling the truth after all. He suddenly wanted to know everything about her. As she took off her hooded sweatshirt, he felt his whole body react. She was only wearing a black tank top. It was tight and only fell to her belly button. Her breasts were large, the cleavage deep, and the rest of her very muscular. The sweatpants hung off her hips, showing the top of boxers and a tiny bit of a very small tattoo hidden below.
She cleared her throat, and he felt his cheeks warm, and then Wyatt chuckled.