The Prodigal's Return. Lynn Bulock

As in missing?” Tripp’s mind was spinning. What did this gorgeous woman have against him, and why was she so sure that he was responsible for her missing friend or relation?

      “Gone. As in missing.”

      She wasn’t tall enough to confront him effectively, but Tripp felt like backing up, anyway, as she came toward him. “And I know nobody took her legally, because the car keys were in my pocket the whole time.”

      “So do you need to report an abduction, Ms….” Tripp fished for a name.

      “Abduction? Of course not.” Her eyes narrowed and one perfect fingernail poked the middle of his chest. “You have no idea who I am, or what I’m talking about, do you.”

      She had him there. Tripp shook his head, hoping she’d move away from him. Just that tiny touch of one finger on his chest was having the strangest effect on him.

      “Should I know who you are?” There wasn’t anybody of celebrity status he hadn’t met in town. And nobody had any movie star relatives that he knew of.

      “Don’t you remember me from the wedding?”

      Tripp had attended only one wedding in recent memory, and it had been Hank’s. A vague thought was growing in the back of his mind, and it could only mean trouble. His memory of the wedding guests he’d been introduced to was spotty. He hadn’t stayed for the reception because he knew Hank would be happier if someone was minding business at the sheriff’s office. Besides, Tripp didn’t like wedding receptions that much, anyway. Too fussy and fancy and mostly feminine. It was beginning to dawn on Tripp that he probably should have gone to this wedding reception for a few moments.

      “Don’t tell me you’re—” he began, only to have the woman draw herself up to full height. Her glare answered his question before her words did.

      “I’m Laurel Collins Harrison. And I want Lurlene back in the next ten minutes or you have some real explaining to do, mister.” There was no mistaking her tone. It was a declaration of war.

      Now he knew he was in deep trouble.

      Chapter Three

      Her father didn’t usually hire idiots. He tended toward men who were made from the same mold he was: canny and circumspect. Surely Tripp Jordan must have struck Hank the same way—but he wasn’t doing much for Laurel. He looked like a grounded fish the way his mouth opened and shut while he tried to answer her. No, that mouth was much more attractive than a fish’s. But still, he just didn’t strike her as up to her father’s caliber.

      Someone had pointed him out briefly at the wedding, but she hadn’t gone over to say hello. Since he hadn’t bothered to come to the reception, she’d never had a conversation with him. And so far, this one wasn’t going all that well.

      “Laurel? As in Hank’s daughter? That’s the Collins part, right?”

      Maybe he really was dense as a doorknob. “Right. And the Harrison part is as in Sam. Which is where Lurlene comes in.”

      “I can’t answer for Lurlene, whoever she is. When I towed that car, it was empty. There was nobody named Lurlene in it. She must have gotten out to look for you before we got there. Or maybe she just doesn’t like officers of the law. Mr. Sam sure doesn’t.”

      She shook her head. “What have you been doing for the eight months since Daddy hired you? Don’t you know anybody around here yet?”

      He stood a little taller and puffed his chest out, to look threatening. It wasn’t working. She probably knew every trick in law enforcement, which meant there was little he could do to intimidate her.

      “I know plenty of people. Just not this Lurlene.”

      Verna coughed discreetly. “Lurlene is Mr. Sam’s old Cadillac, Tripp.”

      It was a comfort to Laurel to see relief in the man’s eyes. At least he really had been concerned when he thought he’d lost a person.

      As fast as the relief had come into his expression, it faded to be replaced by aggravation.

      “You really had me going, Mrs. Harrison. I thought Lurlene was a person. How am I supposed to know you’re talking about that rattletrap car?”

      Laurel tried not to roll her eyes. She was definitely picking up bad habits from Jeremy. “Go out on the street and ask any five people who live in Friedens. I’ll bet you any money you’d care to wager that four out of five can tell you who Lurlene is.”

      His brow knit. The expression didn’t do anything to make him look brighter. That was a shame. Laurel really wanted to give this man the benefit of the doubt. Her dad had said nice things about him. And Hank didn’t say nice things about too many people.

      Tripp seemed to relax a little, then shrugged. “Maybe they could. But I can tell you one thing about that car that nobody else can. I have every right to tow it, because I told Mr. Sam over a week ago that I didn’t want to see it illegally parked within the city limits. Not ever again. And look how much attention he paid to that.”

      “I don’t think you can legally take away an old man’s right to drive if he’s got a valid license.”

      “I never said I was taking away his right to drive. Just reminding him he doesn’t have a right to commit illegal acts, because nobody’s got that right. And that parking job was definitely an illegal act.” He looked stern.

      Now Laurel was the one who felt slightly foolish. “What if he wasn’t the one who parked it?”

      Tripp shook his head. “Don’t tell me you’re going to own up to this?”

      “Guilty. But am I going to have to go home and tell Mr. Sam that he let me have his car for half an hour, and I got her towed away?”

      “Maybe not. Do you have fifty dollars on you?”

      “Fifty dollars? That’s outrageous! Is the Gas ’n’ Go actually charging the city for towing now?”

      His double take was satisfying. “How do you know what the towing arrangement is? I thought you said you didn’t even live here.”

      “I may not live here, but I talk to my dad plenty. And Max has never charged the city for towing. Especially not for cars that live right here in Friedens. Lurlene is nearly a landmark. But we’ve had that discussion already and it didn’t impress you, did it.” This man got under her hide like a burr!

      “Still, I’m going to have to fine you.”

      Was she imagining things, or was there a sparkle in his eyes?

      “We can put it in the sheriff’s department’s retirement fund if you like, or give it to some kind of charity. And whether you tell Sam or not is up to you.”

      “I still say that’s outrageous. And now you’re probably going to tell me you don’t take credit cards.”

      His grin was positively feral. “You know so much about this department. Has Hank ever taken plastic for anything?”

      “Not even from bail bondsmen.” Laurel sighed. “At least tell me an out-of-state check is good. I have a valid California driver’s license to go with it.”

      “You better. I’d hate to cite you twice in one day.”

      The man was brighter than she’d thought. But he was definitely the most aggravating individual she’d met since coming home. Laurel wondered where her father’s head had been when he hired this one.

      Still, when Tripp wasn’t being absolutely aggravating, he was good looking. Of course, her father would never have noticed that. Laurel was surprised she noticed it herself. When was the last time a man had teased her senses the way Tripp did? Not in a very long while, that was for sure. She suspected she’d consider him somewhat less attractive once she wrote that check for towing. It was hard to flirt with a man while you paid him to return