Woeful Pines Read online

  Emily turned around unexpectedly and caught her staring. Jenna felt heat crawl up her chest, but didn’t look away. Emily’s eyes sought the ground and even in the darkness, Jenna could see she had embarrassed her.

  For all Jenna’s supposed professional decorum, Emily was the first to recover. She raised her eyes shyly and held out a hand. “We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Emily Bannon.”

  Jenna took the offered hand, absorbing the heat and softness of her skin. “Sheriff Jenna Yang.”

  “So you said,” Emily responded with a cheeky grin. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Um, yes.”

  Jenna felt like a stuttering boob and quickly turned back to her car. She opened the door and Emily leaped easily into the passenger seat. Jenna almost swallowed her tongue. The woman was athletic. After closing the door, she walked around to get in on the driver’s side. She took the hat off and remembered to shake off the excess water before she stowed it behind the seat. She heard Emily gasp and looked around quickly.

  “What?”

  “You have beautiful hair. It’s like a raven’s wing.”

  She didn’t quite know how to respond to a compliment from a woman she’d just been ogling so she settled for safe. “Thanks.”

  Jenna grabbed the mic and let Robbie know she was driving into Grays Landing before she went off shift. Then she pulled back onto Preston Highway, headed north. “Uh, it’s only a couple of miles.”

  In the course of her daily responsibilities, Jenna spoke with many people. She just couldn’t imagine why she was so nervous around Emily. She was probably just tired after such a long day.

  EMILY CONCEALED HER smile in the darkness. She was flattered by how flummoxed the sheriff was. She’d caught Yang staring at her butt when she turned around from retrieving her belongings and couldn’t help notice the heat in her gaze. Sheriff Yang was gorgeous and Emily wouldn’t mind spending some time with her before she left the next morning. She hadn’t any misgivings about having a one-night stand with an intriguing woman. It was just sex and Emily preferred to avoid commitments. There was little chance of that though. It was the middle of the night and Sheriff Yang was about to drop her off at a hotel. A second later, Emily’s dilemma resolved itself when her stomach growled quite loudly.

  Jenna grinned and glanced at her before turning back to the road. “Sounds like you’d better feed that beast.”

  “Sorry. I’ve been hiking at Pine Mountain and haven’t had a decent meal in over a week. I’ll get something out of the vending machines when we get to the hotel.”

  “There might be a problem with that.”

  “How so?”

  “Well, the Bayside is more of a motel really. I don’t know if they have vending machines, much less if they work.”

  “Oh.” Emily frowned in disappointment. “That’s too bad.”

  Jenna glanced over again. “If you’re up for it, there’s an all-night café just at the outskirts of town. Frank’s has the best apple pie around.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff, but you don’t have to do that. I already have you running around in the middle of the night rescuing a stranded motorist. I’m sure you’d like to go home and get some sleep.”

  Although Emily had instantly been attracted, Jenna looked tired and she felt concerned for her safety. She didn’t want Jenna to fall asleep at the wheel while driving home.

  “It’s no problem,” Jenna repeated her words from earlier and Emily wondered where her bravado came from, but was distracted from the thought when she continued. “I’m used to being up at all hours and I could use something to eat myself.”

  Emily shivered lightly and pictured the officer indulging in something much more intimate than apple pie.

  “You all right, Miss Bannon?”

  “Yes. Frank’s sounds wonderful, and if we’re going to share breakfast at two in the morning, I think you should call me Emily.”

  Jenna smiled and Emily caught the flash of strong, white teeth. “Then it’s Jenna to you.”

  “By the way, how am I going to get back to my car? There aren’t any cabs around here, are there?”

  “That would be a no, but I could always pick you up in the morning and give you a lift. Since I like to drive around the county at the start of my shift, I can go right by the old garage easily enough.”

  The offer didn’t strike her as something a normal stranger would do and Emily thought the good sheriff might be flirting a little. She could do that. “Do you always offer such personal service?”

  Jenna glanced at her and enunciated very clearly, “No.”

  Did it just get hotter? Minutes later, they pulled into a large parking lot filled with nothing but semis. It was too early in the morning for many locals.

  “This place looks busy.”

  “It’s not as crowded as you’d think.” Jenna got out of the truck and slammed the door before walking around to the passenger side. Emily was already standing and closed the door as she approached. “A lot of the truck drivers just pull over to sleep. It’s safer than parking on the side of the highway.”

  Emily raised an eyebrow. “You mean like I was doing?”

  “No,” Jenna laughed. “You were smart enough to pull into a place where you might expect people to be. Also, you weren’t parked on the shoulder where someone could hit you.”

  They walked inside and Emily inhaled the scents of greasy fries and coffee. They were the familiar smells of any nameless café in any part of America.

  Jenna led her to the back and they slid into a red plastic booth. Emily realized Jenna had been right. There were only a few scattered men inside the diner. Most of them sat alone or at the bar with vacant stools between them to mark their limited territory. They leaned over cups of strong, black coffee and stared into the inky darkness.

  “Hey Sheriff, how you doing?”

  A waitress with blonde hair piled on top of her head and too-red lipstick offered Jenna a more than friendly smile. Emily felt her hackles rise and then realized she was being silly. She barely knew these people.

  “I’m doing great, Cheryl. How are the kids?”

  Cheryl gave a long-suffering sigh. “Bobby’s got another cold. I swear that kid stays sick. What can I get ya?”

  Jenna ordered a black coffee and Emily asked for a Pepsi, eternally grateful when Cheryl gave them a few minutes alone to look at the menu. She felt the heat of Jenna’s knees brush against hers and suddenly wasn’t very hungry.

  “You said you recommend the apple pie?”

  “That’s right.”

  Apparently, Jenna hadn’t caught on to the husky tone in Emily’s voice. Maybe the contact below the table’s edge was incidental. Emily decided to find out.

  “Would that be with ice cream or whipped cream?”

  There was just enough innuendo to make Jenna inhale sharply and then their eyes met. Jenna’s brown eyes darkened and she answered quietly. “I guess that depends on what you’re in the mood for.”

  “And if I wanted it hot and creamy? Could I get that instead?”

  Jenna’s eyes widened, but she responded quickly. “Oh yes, definitely that.”

  “Maybe we should eat something more filling first.”

  “To keep our strength up?”

  “Exactly what I had in mind.”

  “Good idea.”

  Emily realized she was coming on to a virtual stranger and it felt wonderful. Jenna’s exotic good looks captivated her. What was the harm in having a little fling before she got back to work? This was her vacation, or at least that was what everyone was supposed to think.

  Cheryl came back and Emily barely heard Jenna order two super breakfast specials. As soon as they were alone she asked, “Yang? Is that Chinese?”

  “Very good. Most people would assume it was Japanese.”

  “I’m not most people.”

  Jenna’s lingering gaze felt like a caress. “No. You most definitely are not.”

  Emily wanted to jump on her. She wanted to press Jenna down onto the red seats and feel their bodies mashed together. Conversely, she could picture Jenna on top of her, their skin pressing close and warm. She wanted to come with Jenna’s fingers deep inside her.

  “How did you wind up in Grays Landing?” Emily asked shakily, focusing on the fact that they were in a public place.

  “I inherited my dad’s house when he passed away.”

  Jenna’s breathy tone told Emily she felt just as deeply affected by her proximity and she reveled in it. “Somehow I think there’s more to the story.”

  “Later. Right now it’s all I can do to complete a sentence.”

  Emily laughed a little shakily. “I know what you mean, but don’t worry. As soon as we get out of here I’ll make it up to you.”

  “Oh, really? What did you have in mind?”

  “At the moment all I can think of is having my tongue inside you, licking you until you come all over me.”

  Jenna’s jaw clenched for a moment and she seemed to be holding her breath. Finally, she exhaled loudly. “Jesus, Emily! You keep talking like that and we’re not going to make it out of the parking lot.”

  “Hold on to that idea, sweetheart. Here comes Cheryl with our food.”

  Chapter Three

  JENNA SLID BEHIND the Jeep’s wheel and glanced over at Emily next to her. Breakfast had been a blur and she hardly recalled eating, but she did know neither of them had ordered the apple pie. She barely noticed that it was still raining. The fire in Emily’s eyes was keeping her mind in a haze, but Jenna clearly understood what each of them wanted next. They were both hot and ready. Jenna took a deep breath and set the ball in motion.

  “You might be more comfortable staying with me than at the motel. After all, it is a strange town and I’d hate to think of you all alone, surrounded by people you don’t know.”

  Emily flashed a smile. “Do you use that line on all the unattached women passing through here?”

  “No, never used it before. Is it working?”

  “Oh yeah. Let’s get out of here.”

  Jenna threw the vehicle into reverse and backed out of the parking space. She pulled up to the blacktop and out from under the café lights. She had just stopped to check for cross traffic when Emily slid over and pressed against her side. Emily slid a hand under Jenna’s hair and massaged the back of her head, making Jenna look down at her. The promise in the blue eyes stole her breath and she was unable to resist. She kissed Emily hard, inflamed when she felt Emily’s soft lips part and her tongue invade her mouth. Jenna pulled away with a groan when Emily’s strong fingers pinched her nipple.

  “We’ll be there in just a few minutes.”

  “You’d better hurry or I’m going to go off without you.”

  Jenna stifled another groan and clenched her jaw so hard it ached. She pulled out onto the roadway and headed back the way they had come before.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I live out near Woeful Pines.”

  “Oh.”

  She didn’t say anything more and Jenna didn’t think Emily really cared where they were headed as long as it contained privacy and a nice, cozy bed. Jenna stayed keyed up with Emily’s hand between her legs. She scratched her nails up the seam of Jenna’s trousers and swirled over the liquid heat she found.

  “You keep that up and you’re going to make me crash.”

  “I’m not even touching you.”

  It was a lie because Emily’s breasts were against Jenna’s arms and the tips of her fingers pressed against a pulsing clit. Jenna twitched and stifled a groan. She was relieved when Emily eased up just a little.

  Apparently, she wanted Jenna hot, not sated, by the time they arrived.

  “Hurry,” Emily encouraged, her voice husky with promise.

  A few moments later, they pulled onto a familiar gravel road called Horse Fly Hollow. Relief washed over Jenna. She didn’t know how much longer she could hold out. A farmhouse came into view, lit by a single porch light. Jenna was almost lightheaded when she pulled into the driveway and keyed a garage opener. The aluminum door was only halfway up when her radio sputtered to life and Robbie’s worried voice intruded through the haze of lust.

  “Sheriff Yang, respond.”

  Jenna choked off a growl of frustration and reached for the mic. She had to lean over Emily’s arm to do so and her slacks tightened across her distended flesh.

  “Go ahead, Robbie.”

  “I hate to keep you from going off shift, Sheriff, but Mrs. Freeman just called. She said her nephew was coming down from Canada to visit and was supposed to be there yesterday. He never showed up and she’s worried something happened to him.”

  Jenna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She already knew what came next and cast an apologetic look toward Emily before she addressed the dispatcher. “So why didn’t she call it in yesterday?”

  “I don’t know, Sheriff. You want I should call her back and ask, or have Deputy Brown swing by?”

  Jenna cringed internally. Clayton Brown was a deputy that preferred the night shift, mainly so he wouldn’t have to do anything but park on a back road and talk to his girlfriend on the cell phone all night. There weren’t many of those roads with decent reception, but she was sure Brown knew all of them. If this had been a large city, he never would have passed any kind of police academy, but they didn’t have anything like that out here.

  Deputy Brown was worthless, in her opinion, not like any real deputy Jenna had ever known. If something really had happened to Lois Freeman’s nephew, Brown wouldn’t have any idea what to do. Chances were likely that he’d miss the signs entirely.

  “No.” Jenna realized she sounded cranky and tried to be a little more professional. “I’ll take care of it. Let her know I’m on my way. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

  “Understood, Sheriff.”

  Jenna drove out of the storm and into the lit garage. Her hand trembled slightly as she shut off the engine. She took a calming breath before she glanced over at Emily. She had expected her companion to be frustrated, but found instead a wry grin and dancing blue eyes. As she watched, Emily tucked a lock of dark hair behind her ear.

  “Look at it this way: I have time to clean up before you get back.”

  Unaccountably relieved that Emily wasn’t irritated, Jenna smiled. “Sounds like a plan. Let me get you situated before I have to leave.”

  As she got out of the pickup, Emily hoisted her backpack off the floorboard from between her feet and exited the other side. Jenna was acutely aware of Emily following her into the house through the connecting garage door. Seconds before, she hadn’t been able to think beyond her own libido, but now Jenna had other concerns. Was the house clean enough for company? Would Emily notice any lingering traces of breakfast in the air? Jenna thought she detected the greasy, if not altogether unpleasant scent of bacon.

  If she did notice, Emily didn’t comment.

  As she led the way through the house, Jenna kept up a steady, nervous monologue. “Help yourself to anything in the kitchen. Bedrooms are here on the first floor with the guest room at the end of the hall. The bathroom is here on the right, towels in the cupboard on the left. I’m not sure how long I’ll be, but I’ll try to speed things along.”

  Jenna stopped at the rear of the hallway and turned to face her guest. Emily watched her quietly, her gaze oddly intent. It was the first serious expression Jenna had seen from her since surprising Emily in the disabled Tahoe.

  “Is something wrong?”

  Without releasing her gaze, Emily squatted slightly and set her gear on the floor. Then she stood and closed the short distance between them. She reached out slowly, until her fingertips softly grazed Jenna’s cheek. Jenna stood riveted, trapped in the intensity of the moment.

  “You really are gorgeous.”

  The kiss followed the words so quickly that Jenna hadn’t a chance to respond. Strong hands threaded through her hair and Emily’s tongue stroked inside her mouth. For several long moments, Jenna allowed the pleasure and excitement to take over, but eventually she pulled away. Emily’s pupils had dilated slightly, her desire evident, but Jenna was sure she found amusement there as well.

  “That’s a reminder of what’ll be waiting for you when you get back. Now go take your report.”

  Jenna took a breath and stepped back before she cleared her throat. “Right. Well. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  Emily smiled again, but didn’t answer so Jenna walked away. She felt Emily watching and tried not to stumble or otherwise make a complete fool of herself. As soon as she left Emily’s presence, Jenna was able to redirect her focus to the missing persons call. Already, she was planning how to approach the scene and the questions she would need to ask.

  The light in the garage had shut off automatically, leaving Jenna to navigate to the driver’s door primarily by touch and shadows. She shivered slightly and realized her hair and clothes were still wet from the rain. If she’d been thinking clearly, Jenna would have changed, but it was too late now. She wasn’t about to go back into the house, or she’d risk not leaving it again tonight.

  “Not going there,” she muttered, slipping behind the wheel. She slammed the door, hit the garage opener, and turned the heater on full.

  As she reached the main road, Jenna leaned forward to grasp the mic. At the same time, she switched on the defroster and windshield wipers. “Deputy Brown, this is Sheriff Yang.”

  Her tone was clipped and slightly annoyed. When Brown didn’t answer immediately, her ire went up another notch. “Deputy Brown, respond.”

  A few seconds later, she heard his lazy drawl as well as his irritated sigh. “I’m here, Sheriff. What are you doing out so late?”

  “My job, as you should be. Put down the cell phone and meet me at Lois Freeman’s place.”

  Static covered the channel for a moment before his whine filled the airways. “Geez, Sheriff. What’s so important it takes both of us? Can’t you handle it?”

  Anger coursed through her veins and Jenna bit back her instinctive response. “Deputy Brown, if you still hope to be employed by the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Department when the sun comes up, I suggest you get to the Freeman house before I do. Is that clear enough?”