Drake Sisters 04 - Dangerous Tides

know, jeans and a T-shirt."

    Hannah nearly tipped over her teacup. "You? A date?"

    "Hey, now," Libby cautioned with a small frown of reprimand, "that's not very nice. I do get asked out on dates."

    "Sorry. I know you get asked out, you just never go. Are you planning on washing your face or is your date the wild type?"

    Libby sank into a chair. "I have no idea how I got myself into this."

    "I'm guessing the brand new birthmark may have had something to do with it," Hannah ventured with a small grin. "You weren't rolling in the dirt with him, were you? And who is this man who managed to make you forget you’re Doctor Libby Drake, always prim and proper?"

    "I'm still prim and proper."

    "Well, the dirt doesn't go with that image and neither does the hickey."

    Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    "Birthmark," Libby corrected.

    "Neither does that very large and outstanding birthmark on your neck. Were you rolling in the dirt with him? Inquiring minds want to know."

    "Of course not." Libby couldn't control the blush that stole up her neck and flushed her cheeks a bright rose to match her nose. "Of course not," she repeated.

    Hannah shook her head, the platinum spiral curls swirling around her shoulders and down her back. "Oh, Libby. You're in real trouble with this one, aren't you? Who is he?"

    "I'm not saying." Libby kicked off her shoes and put her feet up on the small ottoman. "I don't even like him."

    "Oh dear, that's worse. He must kiss like a fiend. He's hot, isn't he?"

    "He's an arrogant, antisocial adrenaline junkie. With an extraordinary body." Libby scowled at her sister.
    "I meant brain."

    "Body, huh?"

    "Brain. I meant brain. He has a brain, although he doesn't use it half the time. And he lacks social skills like you wouldn't believe. If he'd just stay quiet we could have a wonderful relationship, but he insists on talking."

    "Bummer," Hannah said. "You still haven't told me his name."

    Libby rolled her eyes. "Tyson Derrick."

    Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    Hannah choked on her tea. "Oh my God. You've lost your mind, Libby. You know that, don't you? You can't go out with him. He's as socially inept as Jonas."

    "I know, I know." Libby covered her face with her hand and peeked out through her fingers. "I think my brain is still recovering from injuries."

    A shadow fell across them and they looked up to see Jonas Harrington filling the doorway with his broad shoulders. Hannah made a face and Libby put a hand over her neck to cover all evidence. "Jonas, how good of you to sneak in."

    "If I don't sneak, Hannah sends the dogs after me. I'm not socially inept, by the way. Many women find me appealing."

    Hannah managed to make a snort sound elegant. The sheriff glared at her. She smiled sweetly and took a sip of tea.

    "Is something wrong?" Libby asked.

    "I got a call from Elle. She was worried about you. Something about a mudslide. She asked me to check on you."

    "How strange that Elle felt it, too," Hannah said. "That's why I came home, Libby. For just a few moments, I felt something malevolent and then it was gone."

    "Elle used that word, too," Jonas said, "but mudslides aren't malevolent. Don't turn this into one of those weird things that seem to happen when you're all together. I don't want things coming out of the fog or shadows reaching for people behind their backs. Let's keep this simple."

    "I was alarmed, but I couldn't tell by what," Libby agreed.

    Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    Jonas crossed the room to crouch down in front of her. "You're covered in dirt. Something did happen, didn't it?" The teasing note disappeared from his voice.

    "No big deal. Elle is so connected to all of us that she can't help but worry. It was a minor accident.
    Remember the conversation about erosion on nearly all the cliff faces after that heavy rain? I was sitting near the cliff wall and there was a slide. A couple of big boulders must have dislodged and started it. The rocks smashed the chairs, but I'm fine, a little dirty, but no scratches."

    "But she has a new strawberry birthmark on her neck," Hannah contributed helpfully.

    Libby glared at her. "Treacherous woman! And I'm helping you talk without stammering, too. What's gotten into you?"

    "Why would Hannah be stammering?" Jonas asked.

    "Focus on the important things, mighty sheriff man," Hannah urged.