Cowboy's Chocolate Roses by Jess Buffett Page A

even thought about Josh dating someone else. Not that she’d blame him. They had barely met when she ran out on him. Sure, there had been a connection, but she had all but thrown that away the next morning. And Josh was a catch, no doubt about it. Though with her obvious snide and snark, Kelly didn’t seem like the type he’d go for. At least she hoped not, otherwise she needed to seriously re-evaluate how she saw herself.
    Trying to think of something to say, Josh saved her with his comment. "A group of us went out that night, Kelly. And I was waiting for Bri to get here before I said anything. At no point did we date, and I would appreciate it if you didn't allow my fiancée to believe I was unfaithful to her."
    His tone left no room for argument. Kelly bristled at being put in her place by Josh and glared in Bri's direction. Bri met the woman's fury head on, cocking an eyebrow in silent invitation. If Kelly had a problem, Bri would be more than happy to discuss it with her. Large men intimidated her, but women… Oh, hell no.
    Kelly shrugged. "Sorry. I didn't mean to imply anything. Of course Josh wouldn't cheat. He's not that kind of man. Listen, we're heading off now," indicating her table of friends," but we'll have to chat again soon, okay."
    Kelly breezed away and Bri frowned. The woman definitely put a damper on the evening.
    "How's about we get outta here, huh?" Josh suggested.
    "Yeah. I was getting tired anyhow," Bri whispered.
    *****
    Josh wanted to throttle Kelly for ruining a perfect night. Bri didn't say much after leaving the restaurant. Pulling into the gate and heading down the drive, Josh parked the truck and headed to the other side, opening the door for Bri. He noticed her pleasure when he did little things like that and he wanted to use anything he could to show Bri he deserved a chance.
    A gasp from Bri had Josh spinning around in her direction. Leaping up onto the veranda, he paused mid-step when he took in the sight before him. A doll lay in front of the door. Josh's stomach knotted when he took in the raven black hair and lavender dress the doll wore; so much like his lavender's. The porcelain doll would have been beautiful, if not for her eyes, or lack of in this case. Someone had removed them and poured what appeared to be red paint in the empty sockets, giving them a gruesome look. A note sat pinned to the dress: I told you they were mine.
    Bri stepped into his waiting embrace. "He's here. How did he find me already?"
    "We don't know that, honey." Even when he said the words, he suspected the same thing. But he couldn't quite work out how Timothy had found her. And how the hell had he made it here so soon? Too many questions and not enough answers made him nervous.
    "Let's get you inside. Don't touch anything. I'll call Noah."
    "Noah?" she asked in a distracted voice. Josh thought that maybe shock had set in.
    "You met him earlier today, the Sheriff, remember? He'll come straight away," he replied, not that she appeared to hear.
    His raven-haired beauty appeared too lost in thought and fear.
    He called Noah after settling her into his room, wanting her there because it sat toward the back of the house.
    Noah cursed up a storm when Josh informed him of what they had found.
    "Christ. The man couldn't move that quickly, Josh," Noah said.
    "Well, who else could it damn well be? She told me while he held her that he repeatedly said her eyes were for him. It can't be a coincidence," Josh pressed.
    "Look, I'll be over in twenty to get the doll. Just keep an eye on her." Noah sighed.
    "You don't need to tell me that," he bit out, hanging up the phone before he could say something he would regret.
    Twenty minutes later, Noah turned up just as he'd said. “Hey.”
    “Hey,” Josh greeted in return as they stared at one another for moment in silence. “I was an ass,” Josh finally admitted.
    Noah snorted, removing his hat and stepping through the doorway as Josh moved back. “Yeah, and I was a