Ellie was waiting when he walked back into the kitchen, her dark copper curls loose around her shoulders the way he liked. She looked pretty as a picture in her pale blue cashmere sweater, ankle-length tweed wool skirt, and knee-high, mid-heeled boots. He managed not to suggest they skip church altogether, that he strip off her clothes, and have his way with her right there in the kitchen.

“You look real pretty, darlin’.” He walked over and drew her close, captured those soft lips in a kiss. “You smell pretty, too. Like wildflowers in the spring.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. He wasn’t the type for hearts and flowers. A little embarrassed, his next words came out husky. “You ready?”

Ellie just nodded. “I’m not sure this is a good idea, the two of us being seen together.”

“We’re working to find a killer. So what if they think you’re my woman? They won’t really be surprised. They’ve been speculating since the day you arrived.”

“True. Small towns are notorious for gossip.”

“Besides, lots of local folks will be there. Might learn something useful about the murder.”

Ellie cocked a brow. “Which murder? Heather’s or Frank’s?”

Kade scoffed. “Both.” He led Ellie outside but didn’t stop at the big Ford dually parked behind the house.

“Where are we going?”

“We’re taking my car instead of the truck. I don’t drive it often enough. Church is a good excuse.” While Ellie waited, Kade went to the west end of the barn and pushed a code into the keypad, unlocking a garage door that rolled up to reveal a year-old, diamond-white Mercedes S550 with saddle-brown leather interior.

He didn’t drive the car much, mostly when he went to Denver or spent the night in one of the fancy hotels in Vail. He’d never spent much money on himself, but the car was a temptation he couldn’t resist. Once in a while, it did a man good to indulge himself.

He drove the Mercedes up beside Ellie and left the powerful engine running as he got out, went around, and opened the passenger door. The astonished look on her face was worth the extra trouble it had taken to fetch the car.

“I can’t believe you own a Mercedes-Benz.” She ran a hand over the burlwood dash as she slid into the deep leather seat.

“I bought it in a moment of insanity,” he said as he slid back in behind the wheel. “Grace said I worked too hard. She kept saying I should do something special for myself, said I deserved it. A couple days later, I saw this in the window of a showroom in Denver. I took it for a test drive and bought it on the spot.” He put the Mercedes in gear. “I hardly ever use it. I probably ought to sell it, but—”