Missing in Mudbug (Ghost-in-Law #5)(65)

“Is there a question in there?”

“No. Yes. Oh hell, I know Mildred and I have ribbed you some about him, but I want you to know, in all seriousness, that Colt is a good guy—one of the best. You could do a hell of a lot worse than hooking up with him. He’s direct, to the point of borderline rude at times, but I have a feeling you see that as a plus. He’s loyal and unless he ran wild in New Orleans, he’s not a player that I’m aware of.”

Jadyn’s lips quivered as she tried to hold in a smile. Her cousin was so far out of her element with this discussion, but so earnest about her beliefs that Jadyn was touched. The only person who’d ever shown an interest in her love life was her mother, but she was only concerned about finding Jadyn a rich husband who would set her up for life and produce beautiful grandchildren that she could be proud of.

“You’re laughing at me,” Maryse said, looking dismayed. “I knew I sucked at this.”

“No! I was just thinking about how you couldn’t pick two worse women to have this conversation if you tried.” She put her hand on Maryse’s shoulder. “The truth is, I’ve never had people who cared about me the way you and Mildred do. My family isn’t exactly traditional—or emotionally healthy, for that matter—but I’m just as rusty at this type of thing as you are.”

“If you’ve never had people care about you, then you’ve been hanging out with a bunch of douche bags. You’re great. Since you first arrived, you’ve taken everything in stride. My craziness, Mildred’s mothering, Helena. Need I say more?”

“Probably not after Helena.”

Maryse smiled. “Anyway, what I’m trying to say and haven’t done it very well is that I want you to stay in Mudbug. And if you’re going to stay, you might want a man. Colt is a good man to want.”

“I get that. But I’m not sure he feels the same way about me.”

“I think he does. He looks at you a certain way when you’re not watching. His expression is this mixture of confusion, excitement, and fear. I think he wants to make a move, but something is holding him back.”

A flash of their kiss in Bart’s camp ripped through Jadyn’s mind and a wave of heat ran through her.

“You’re blushing,” Maryse said, breaking into her thoughts. “Okay, fess up.”

“He sorta made a move when we were stranded in Bart’s camp…a kiss anyway, but one of those kind that make your toes curl. I think it would have gone further. At least, I don’t think I would have told him to stop.”

“Then what happened?”

“You and Luc showed up to rescue us.”

Maryse groaned. “The worst-timed rescue ever.”

Jadyn laughed. “It’s okay. While I would have appreciated the action at the time, I think it would have made things awkward working together if we’d continued without thinking it out.”

“I guess I can see that. Anyway, I won’t keep harping on it. Go ahead and make your call.”

Jadyn watched as Maryse skipped back down the hall, the ends of her bathrobe fluttering behind her. She couldn’t help but grin. Her cousin was one of the most interesting people she’d ever met—a strange blend of geeky scientist and youthful spirit.

She dialed Colt’s number and hoped he was feeling as energetic and creative as Maryse.

[page]###

Jadyn scanned the garage from the side door, making sure her and Colt’s hiding places provided them complete coverage from the entry. To her left, Maryse hurried down the ladder that led to the loft above the office. When she got about three feet from the ground, she pushed off the ladder and landed a foot from Jadyn and Colt.

“All set,” Maryse said.

“Uh-huh.” Colt looked her up and down. “Show me the hardware.”

Maryse frowned and pulled out her cell phone. “Phone and camera,” she said, pointing at the loft. “That’s it.”

Colt shook his head. “Don’t make me have Jadyn frisk you.”

Maryse sighed and pulled her nine millimeter from her jeans. “I only brought it to back you guys up. You should appreciate that.”

Colt raised one eyebrow. “I saw Frank hauling your china cabinet into his woodshop this afternoon. Let’s make a deal—I won’t ask you about the bullet holes in it, and you get your gun back when you leave.”

Maryse handed him the gun. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“I know exactly what I’m doing. I’m ensuring that you stay in that loft where you belong. I’m agreeing to this plan against my better judgment because I’m afraid you’d insinuate yourself into the situation anyway. By allowing you to participate, I maintain at least the illusion of control.”

Jadyn laughed. Colt definitely had her cousin pegged.

He tucked Maryse’s pistol in his waistband. “Okay. Tell me what you’re going to do.”

“I’m going to watch the back entrance,” Maryse said, “and wait for Pickett to enter. Then I turn on the camera.”

“Good. What else?”

“I don’t move the camera at any time.”

“And?”

She rolled her eyes. “I don’t move from my position.”

“Even if?”