Unspoken Promises

He tossed his hat on the table and stared down at Billie. Shoshone and Scandinavian heritages both graced her lovely face and the shiny black hair, which hung in a single braid to the middle of her back, but she didn’t lift her head so he could see her beautiful brown eyes. “Can’t ignore me forever, Willamina.”

Using her full name earned him a glare and he almost laughed. The faint scent of lavender and mint drifted to him, and images from the last time they’d shared her clawfoot tub flooded his head. The handmade soap had left him smelling girlie as all get out, but the chance to explore her trembling body had been worth it. He held out his hand. “You coming?”

“I have no interest in talking to a cheat, Officer Pandoah.”

Her friend shoved him. “I told you to leave her be.”

Anger boiled in his gut, but he tamped down his temper and shot her a glance. “Stay out of it, Jenna. Unless you want to be charged with assaulting an officer, plant your backside and let us talk.”

She shoved him again despite the fact he didn’t budge. “We saw you kissing Diane Farrow.”

“You saw wrong.” Nothing he did or said would make much difference if he didn’t get his girl alone. “Can we discuss this, huittsuu?”

Tears welled in her wide eyes. “No, and I am not your little bird.”

“Then I’m done asking.”