she wanted to make a quick spaghetti sauce or tacos.
Before she could make up her mind, she heard the front door open, then slam shut. She left the kitchen and walked into the living room to see Gina putting the chain lock on the door.
“Spaghetti or tacos?” she asked her pretty young roommate.
Gina whirled around to face Colette, her big blue eyes widened in panic. “You’ve got to hide me,” she exclaimed. She raced over to Colette and grabbed her hand. “You’ve got to tell him I don’t live here, that you don’t know who I am or where I live.” The words spilled out of her as she shot a backward glance to the front door.
“Slow down,” Colette replied with alarm. “What’s going on? Who are you hiding from?” Great. She knew Gina was too good to be true. Had Gina neglected to mention a crazed stalker ex-boyfriend?
“Tanner. He’s found me,” Gina cried, tears springing to her eyes.
“Who is Tanner?” Colette asked, worry sweeping through her as she saw Gina’s obvious anguish.
“My brother.” The tears oozed from her eyes and ran in twin rivulets down her cheeks. “I know why he’s here. He’s come to take me back to that stupid ranch. He’s so mean and hateful and he’s never going to let me grow up, never!”
Colette relaxed somewhat with the information that apparently the threat was from a brother, not a nutty stalker. “All you need to do is explain to him that you’re doing fine and don’t want to go back to the ranch,” she said gently.
Gina shook her head vehemently, her dark hair flying around her heart-shaped face. “You don’t understand about Tanner. He won’t listen to me…he never listens to me and Tanner always gets what he wants.” She released her hold on Colette’s hand and ran into her bedroom and slammed the door.
In the next instant a firm knock fell on the front door. Colette hesitated before answering, trying to assimilate what Gina had just told her. When Colette had taken Gina in, she’d known that this was Gina’s first foray into the world.
Gina had left her family home in western Kansas and had moved here to Kansas City to begin an independent life. So, big brother has come to the big city to check up on her, Colette thought.
All she had to do was assure big brother, Tanner Rothman, that Gina wasn’t being corrupted and was handling her new independence with maturity and good sense.
She unlocked her front door and pulled it open. All rational thought momentarily fled her brain as she eyed the tall, broad-shouldered cowboy with smoldering midnight-blue eyes.
He was clad in a pair of tight, faded jeans, a blue chambray shirt and boots. His hair was the same rich dark color as Gina’s, cut short and emphasizing bold, strong features. Gina hadn’t mentioned that her brother was a top quality hunk.
“Good evening,” he said, his voice low and pleasant. “My name is Tanner Rothman and I’m here to speak with my sister.”
He smiled, the pleasant gesture allowing Colette to relax somewhat. Gina had made him sound like a real ogre, but he appeared respectful and looked like a reasonable man—an incredibly handsome, reasonable man.
“Hi, I’m Colette Carson, Gina’s roommate. Please, come in.” She opened the door wider to allow him entry.
As he swept past her and into the living room, she caught his scent, a masculine fresh smell that was instantly pleasing.
“Please, have a seat.” She gestured toward the sofa.
“No, thanks,” he replied. “If I could just speak with Gina…” His dark blue eyes swept over her, then perused the surroundings, and Colette wondered if he was looking for something criminal or sinful, some ammunition he could use to get his sister to leave with him.
As Colette went to get Gina, she smiled to herself. He would be hard-pressed to find anything to use against Gina. The apartment was a reflection of Colette’s life—well organized, efficient and clean.
“Gina.” She knocked on the young woman’s bedroom door.
Gina cracked open the door and peered out at Colette. “Is he gone?” she asked.
“No, but he says he just wants to talk to you,” Colette replied.
“I don’t want to talk to him,” Gina exclaimed, keeping her voice low. “He’ll talk me into doing something I don’t want to do. He’ll win…he always wins.”
“Gina, how are you going to convince him that you’re ready to be out on your own if you hide in your bedroom like a child?”
Gina’s pretty features transformed into a thoughtful frown. “Okay,” she relented. “I’ll come out and talk to him, but only if you stay with me.”
It was Colette’s turn to frown. “I don’t think I should get involved in—”
“Please,” Gina begged. “You don’t have to say anything or do anything. Just sit next to me, and that will give me the strength not to let him talk me into anything I’ll regret later.”
“All right,” Colette relented.
Together the two women went back into the living room where Tanner Rothman stood at the eighth-floor window that offered a view of the skyscraper next door.
He turned as they entered the room, and again Colette was struck by how utterly handsome he was. His sensual lips curved up into another smile as he eyed his sister with obvious fondness. “Hello, Gina.”
Gina sank down on the sofa, and Colette sat next to her. “How did you find me, Tanner?” she asked.
“That’s not important right now,” he replied smoothly. “How are you? It’s been three weeks and you haven’t called or written or anything.”
Gina gazed at the wall to the left of Tanner. “I’ve been busy,” she replied.
“And I’ve been worried,” Tanner replied.
Colette wished she were anywhere but here. She felt like a fly on the wall who needed to fly into another room and leave these two people some privacy.
Gina flushed. “There’s nothing to worry about. As you can see I’m doing just fine.”
“I was wondering if I could take you out to dinner this evening.”
“I’m not hungry,” Gina replied with a touch of defiance.
Colette watched the brother and sister. The tension in the air was thick and palpable.
“It’s almost seven and I know you just got off work,” Tanner continued. “You have to be hungry. Come on, Gina, all I’m asking for is to take you out for a nice dinner.” His voice held a soft appeal.
Gina hesitated, her gaze going to Colette, who carefully kept her features schooled in total neutrality. Gina looked back at her brother. “Okay, I’ll have dinner with you, but only if Colette comes with us.”
Colette gasped in surprise. “Oh, I don’t think—”
“Fine,” Tanner replied, overriding the objection Colette was about to make. He moved away from the window and walked back to the front door.
“I saw what looked like a nice barbecue place on the next block while I was walking here. Why don’t we meet there in half an hour or so. That will give you ladies time to freshen up or whatever.”
Although Colette wanted to vehemently protest any arrangement that included her, before she had an opportunity Tanner was gone, leaving only a trace of his masculine cologne lingering in the air.
“Gina, I really think you and your brother should talk to each other without me,” Colette said. “I’ll just make myself a salad here. You meet him.”
“Colette, please come with me,” Gina replied, her big blue eyes begging