Smoky Mountain Investigation by Annslee Urban

and realized that food needed to be thrown away.” Thankfully, they’d stopped for takeout on the way.
    “Not a problem.” Kylie smiled weakly and sank onto one of the chairs. A lock of rain-drizzled hair dangled across her cheek and her eyes looked weary.
    Nick dropped the bag of burgers on the table. He flexed his fingers and prayed she’d brush the wisp aside before he gave in to his urge and did it himself. Keep your head straight, he ordered himself, then breathed relief when Kylie looped the stray curl behind her ear.
    “Can I get you anything to drink?” Nick wrestled off his jacket and hung it on the hook by the door.
    “No, thanks. This water is fine.” She sipped from the straw in her paper cup.
    Nick tore open the bag and pulled out the contents. He held up three burgers and a large pack of fries. “A feast meant for a king...and queen.” He grinned.
    She chuckled and took one of the burgers. “Thanks.”
    Kylie bowed her head in a moment of silence. “Lord, bless this food to our body. In Your blessed name, Amen.”
    “And watch over Kylie and keep her safe,” Nick added. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d said a prayer. But if ever there was a need, this was the time.
    Eyes as green as precious emeralds met his, bumping his pulse up a notch. “Thank you, Nick.”
    “You’re welcome.” Nick dropped his gaze and bit into a fry. “Just wanted to add my two cents, in case He was listening.”
    “Well, He’s always listening. But I’m not thanking you just for the prayer. I’d like to thank you for everything. You know you don’t have to do this.”
    “Do what?” He wiped French-fry salt off his fingers.
    A gentle smile lifted the corner of her lips. “Get involved in this mayhem.”
    “Too late.” He grinned. “Besides, that’s what friends are for.” The moment the word friend popped out, Nick wished it back. Even after all this time, friend didn’t seem appropriate. And by the grimace on Kylie’s face, she agreed.
    “If this guy happens to be Conrad’s killer, I want to be in the mix and help bring that creep down,” he amended. On the tail end of that thought he added, “And of course, help ensure your safety.”
    Nick clamped his mouth shut. He was beginning to sound like some wannabe superhero instead of Kylie’s old boyfriend who cared about her safety.
    After a moment, her expression relaxed and she nodded. “Thank you, it is good to have friends.”
    And a fine friend he’d been. He’d been out of her life for years. Plenty of times he’d almost caved in and contacted her. Fortunately, logic had overridden impulse. The top secret missions and foreign-defense operations kept him out of touch for months on end. And there was no guarantee where he’d end up next.
    Even if they had rekindled their relationship, he couldn’t have expected her to put her life on hold, only to worry about where he was or what he was involved in. Or worse, wonder if he would make it home.
    Too many of his comrades didn’t return, and out of those who did, many ended up divorced. A lose-lose situation, he’d decided.
    He took a swig of his drink to cover his sigh.
    Besides, he would never have gotten Kylie out of Asheville. And the thought of coming back to make a home and a life here had made his skin crawl.
    Nope, better he never made the call. Besides, they had too much history and hurt between them.
    Still, her sweet spirit and beauty tugged at his heart, which made being around her that much harder. He had no intention of staying in town long-term and his future plans were as unpredictable as an ice storm in July.
    She deserved better. Much more than he could offer.
    * * *
    Later that same evening, Kylie curled beneath the down comforter in Steven’s guest room as raindrops tinked against the window and gusts of wind moaned a lazy serenade. A perfect backdrop for a good night’s sleep, had her mind not been racing, consumed by the hows and the whys of the case. A futile