Ms. Demeanor (Mystery Christmas Book 4) Read online

  A cold-case Christmas in Mystery, Montana

  Yearning to be known as something other than Mystery’s ultimate bad boy, rancher Rainier Fitzgerald isn’t pleased when he stumbles upon the remains of a dead body. Especially when Officer Laura Blade catches him with a gun in his hand.

  Spending Christmas chasing down a cold case with a man she’s not supposed to fraternize with isn’t granting any of Laura’s holiday wishes, either. But could her favorite time of the year be working its magic on Laura’s feelings? Or is Rainier truly transforming from a charismatic rogue to a hero worthy of her heart?

  Mystery Christmas

  “If you knew me a little better, you’d know that I’m hardly ever disappointed.”

  “What if I disappoint you?” he asked.

  He was going to kiss her. She could feel it in his touch and hear it in the lilt of his voice, and though she wanted it, there was a nagging voice in the back of her head that kept telling her how stupid it would be to let him. If he kissed her, the rules of their game would change. Their roles would be compromised. Her job would be compromised. Heck, even his future could be jeopardized.

  “You won’t,” she said, as his lips grew nearer, so close that she shut her eyes and readied herself to feel his lips press against hers. “And we…can’t,” she said, nearly breathless.

  But he didn’t stop. And she didn’t pull away.

  Acknowledgments

  This series wouldn’t have been possible without a great team of people, including my agents and editors at Harlequin—thank you for all your hard work.

  Also, thank you to Suzanne Miller and the crew at Dunrovin Ranch in Lolo, Montana. Suzanne is the inspiration behind one of my favorite characters in this series, the fantastic Eloise Fitzgerald. Just like Eloise, she always greets you with a warm smile and an open heart.

  I’m proud to say that all proceeds from the events in honor of this series shall go to the Missoula, Montana, Girls Using Their Strengths (GUTS!) program. This program empowers and promotes leadership in girls aged nine to eighteen. It is my belief that we must support and help empower young women so someday they can run the world.

  MS. DEMEANOR

  Danica Winters

  Danica Winters is a multiple award-winning, bestselling author who writes books that grip readers with their ability to drive emotion through suspense and occasionally a touch of magic. When she’s not working, she can be found in the wilds of Montana, testing her patience while she tries to hone her skills at various crafts—quilting, pottery and painting are not her areas of expertise. She believes the cup is neither half-full nor half-empty, but it better be filled with wine. Visit her website at danicawinters.net.

  Books by Danica Winters

  Harlequin Intrigue

  Mystery Christmas

  Ms. Calculation

  Mr. Serious

  Mr. Taken

  Ms. Demeanor

  Smoke and Ashes

  Dust Up with the Detective

  Wild Montana

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com.

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  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  Rainier Fitzgerald—One heck of a bad boy and ultimate charmer of Mystery, Montana. After returning to his family’s ranch, the last thing he expected was to find himself knee-deep in another scandal.

  Laura Blade—As Rainier’s parole officer and one of his few allies, she quickly realizes she is falling for the man she’s been charged with helping. In order to truly help the handsome Fitzgerald, she must go toe-to-toe with her hard-edged father and hope that he can give them the answers they need.

  Eloise Fitzgerald—Foster mother and caregiver not only to the people in her life, but to the animals as well. She is the head matriarch of the Fitzgerald clan—but even she has secrets.

  Merle Fitzgerald—The patriarch of the Fitzgerald clan and foster father to four sons. With a heart as big as his ranch, he has an amazing capacity for understanding and forgiveness—even for those who don’t believe they are deserving.

  Dennis Blade—Laura’s no-nonsense father and a high-powered attorney. He always expects the worst in people, even Laura.

  William Poe—A shady county tax appraiser who thinks everyone and everything belongs to him—even the women of Mystery, Montana. When his family’s history crosses paths with that of the Fitzgeralds, he will use it to try to destroy everything they hold dear.

  Wyatt Fitzgerald—Waylon’s brother and the local sheriff’s deputy who quickly finds himself neck-deep in an investigation that calls into question not only his investigative skills, but a whole slew of his family’s history.

  Paul Poe—William Poe’s father, who had just about as many secrets as his son—secrets that may threaten the ranch and all those who call it home.

  To Mac.

  No matter what comes our way,

  we will always move our story forward.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Excerpt from Cowboy’s Legacy by B.J. Daniels

  Chapter One

  There was nothing quite like the rush he’d felt when he had tried to kill his father. It had been like a charge running through Rainier Fitzgerald, shooting up from his toes straight through his body and escaping in one ill-advised and perfectly placed punch. One hit, one single punch had cost him more than three years of his life, thousands of dollars and nearly all his relationships.

  There were times he wished he had really killed his biological father. Just a little bit harder or just a few more punches and he could’ve watched the life slip from the man’s body. If he had died, maybe then Rainier could’ve felt guilty about what he had done to him; as it was, the only regret he held was that he hadn’t punched him sooner.

  The prison’s chain-link gate vibrated; metal ground against metal and made an ear-piercing squeal as the gate opened. Rainier had been dreaming about this day, the day of his release, since the moment he’d entered this hellhole.

  He took in a deep breath. The cold air carried the heavy and earthy scent of concrete, dirt and broken dreams, but he didn’t care—for the first time in years, he was free.

  The only hint it was nearly Christmas was the thick layer of snow on the ground and the black sedan in the parking lot complete with a set of felt reindeer antlers poking out of its passenger’s-and driver’s-side windows.

  They looked ridiculous, but a hoarse chuckle escaped him, the sound so foreign that it caught him off guard.

  In the corner of its windshield, the car had a parking decal for the Montana State Prison. Whoever it belonged to must work at this place, or was here enough that it was deemed necessary for them to have quick access—which mad
e the Christmas fare seem even more asinine and somewhat obscene. It was as if the owner celebrated the fact that they could enjoy their freedom, even if it meant buying cheesy holiday decorations and displaying them from their cars for the inmates to see—and hate them for.

  He looked around the parking lot, hoping to see Wyatt in one of their father’s ranch trucks or maybe his patrol vehicle. Rainier smirked as he considered the irony of being picked up from prison in a squad car. Only in his life would something so ridiculous be possible.

  But the only truck was an old beat-up Dodge at the far end of the parking lot. The pickup was empty and a film of ice covered the windshield as if it had been parked there for days.

  His brother had left him in the lurch. He shouldn’t have been surprised, but a promise was a promise.

  Rainier sighed, rubbing his hands together as he tried to stave off the cold; though, if someone would have asked, it wasn’t the chill of winter that caused him to shiver but rather the icy reception from his family.

  On the other hand, he could hardly blame his brother for not coming here to pick him up after everything he’d put the family through. It was the same reason he hadn’t asked his mother to come get him—he hated her seeing him in this kind of place. All she’d ever done was take care of him and shower him with love, and yet he repaid her by being sent to a place where meals were given on a tray and people told him what time he could take a shower. In some ways, he felt like the bastard child he’d always been—thrown into foster care and finally picked up by the Fitzgeralds. They’d always made him feel like one of them, just another one of the adopted sons. Yet now here he was, alone and adrift again.

  The door to the black sedan opened, the reindeer antler on the driver’s-side door jiggling wildly, like a hand waving him down, as a woman stepped out. To say she was beautiful was an understatement. No, she was far more than that. Her ashy-blond hair was pulled tight into a no-nonsense bun, a pair of tortoiseshell-framed glasses teetered on the top of her head and her legs were long, and he couldn’t look away from the round contours of her luscious hips. She turned, bending over to get something out of her car, forcing him to stop midstep as her pencil skirt hugged the curves of her ass. His mouth watered as he stared at the diagonal lines her panties created as they pressed against the fabric.

  Maybe he had been imprisoned too long, but she might just be the sexiest woman he’d ever seen. She was dignified, classy and clearly the kind of woman who wouldn’t have a damn thing to do with him. She was a far cry from the type of women whose pictures decorated most inmates’ cell walls within his unit, as most of the pictures had been ripped out of men’s magazines.

  She stood up and patted her jacket pocket, searching for something. He was pretty sure he saw her mouth form a collection of profanities, which seemed in direct opposition to the lines of her skirt and the straight-edged look on her face. It made him only want her that much more.

  Yep, he had definitely been behind bars way too long. He’d never have a chance at a girl like that, not being the man he was, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t the kind who wouldn’t swing for the fences.

  She reached into her purse, rifling through its contents as he made his way toward her.

  “Can I help you, ma’am?” he asked. “You lose something?”

  She jerked as though she hadn’t noticed him. She lifted her hand, motioning for him to stop. “I’m fine. Just fine,” she said, then cleared her throat as though she were trying to collect her nerves. In fact, from the way her eyes widened, she looked almost scared of him.

  He should have anticipated that this was what his life was to become when he got out—people fearing him, the feral Fitzgerald.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you. Just thought, ya know...” His voice came out hoarse and tattered, befitting the man he had become. He turned to walk away.

  “Wait.” The woman’s heels clicked against the pavement behind him as she rushed to catch up.

  He swiveled back, and for a split second he could have sworn her gaze had been locked on his ass—or it could just be wishful thinking.

  “Yeah?” he asked, cocking a brow.

  “You’re Rainier Fitzgerald, correct?” She lifted a phone he hadn’t notice she’d been carrying, and was met with his mug shot from the day he’d been booked.

  He stared at the picture. His green eyes looked nearly black. The only thing that gave away his fear over heading to jail was the slight quirk of his lip. He always looked like he was about to smile when he was nervous. Reaching up, he touched his lip and realized he was making the same face now—except, unlike in the photo, a new set of fine lines surrounded his mouth, thanks to his years of hard living.

  “Is this you?” she asked, flipping the phone so she, too, could look at the picture.

  “Did Wyatt send you to be my welcoming committee? If he did, I’m going to have to thank him.” The words came out wrong, sounding far more crass than he had intended.

  “Excuse me?” she asked. “I don’t know what you’re implying, Mr. Fitzgerald. And while I’m sure you would love a warm welcome, I’m far from being someone who is available or willing to supply you with such a thing. Plus, it might be in your best interest to steer clear of women who would be interested in welcoming you.”

  He hadn’t been out of prison for five minutes and he was already in trouble with a woman and, in an upper-crust way, being told exactly where he could stuff his feelings for the opposite sex.

  About right.

  “Hey, I’m sorry for thinking maybe you were here to welcome me to the real world. I guess I just hoped, you being as beautiful as you are and all...”

  It could have been the cold, but her cheeks seemed to take on a darker shade of pink as she readjusted her suit jacket and cleared her throat again. “Mr. Fitzgerald—”

  “Call me Rainier.”

  “Let me guess, Mr. Fitzgerald is your father?” she asked, her tone laced with distaste, as though she had heard that failed line more than a time or two.

  “Actually, I wasn’t thinking that at all. No one calls my father that, either.” He motioned toward his hot pink Hawaiian shirt the prison had given him, one he was sure they had gotten for pennies on the dollar at the nearest thrift shop. “Does it look like I’m the kind of guy who should be called mister?”

  There it was, her elusive smile flickering over her features. He was breaking through her icy exterior.

  “Mister or not, Rainier, you need to watch yourself. I’m your parole officer. The name’s Laura Blade.”

  He instinctively glanced down at the packet of papers he’d been given on the inside. Now her cool attitude made all kinds of sense. Of course she was from the other side of the law. “I thought I was supposed to report to your office tomorrow?”

  “Your brother is a friend of mine. He requested we meet and you hear the terms and conditions of your release as soon as possible.”

  “Are you kidding me? My brother sent you to meet me at the door? Did he really think I was going to find myself in trouble so fast that I needed you to come here and warn me to toe the line?”

  She tapped at her phone as though she was texting. “Actually, I had other errands to attend to, as well. You are hardly the only parolee I get the pleasure of seeing. Plus I’m always there for my brothers in blue.”

  “I bet Wyatt laughed his ass off when he set this up. Is he going to leave me here to figure out my own way home, too?”

  “You must think little of your brother.” She waved him off as he opened his mouth to argue. “Don’t worry, I offered to escort you. I need to perform a home visit, anyway, so I can make sure you will not find yourself returning to Montana’s famous legal system.”

  “You mean infamous?” he said, snorting.

  “It’s hardly as infamous as you,” she said, motioning for him t
o get into her car.

  He stared at her. “Are you serious?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, swinging her car keys around her finger.

  “Are you really offering to take me—a convicted felon—on a road trip all the way to Mystery?”

  “I’m not your father, so I think I’m safe driving you home,” she said. “Now hurry up and get in. It’s not getting any warmer out here.” She walked around to her door and the reindeer antlers jiggled as she sat down. She continued to tap on her phone as she waited for him.

  He stood still for a moment, staring at the blonde before he got in next to her. She had done her research about him, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t dangerous. When it came to her, he could think of several things that he wanted to do—most of which involved kissing her pink lips and hearing her moan his name.

  Then again, he’d always been the kind of guy to want what he could never have.

  Maybe this tightly wound woman was more like him than he’d assumed. Maybe she liked to live life on the wild side.

  Chapter Two

  Laura had always thought it was just some stupid saying, but it was true that no good deed went unpunished. She’d thought Wyatt’s request to help his brother would be easy and quick, and yet it had turned into her sitting next to a far-too-handsome convict for one painfully long and awkward road trip.

  She glanced over at Rainier. His hair was flecked with bits of auburn and copper, and when the sunshine struck it just right it almost glowed like precious metal. His eyes were the color of emerald sea glass, their hue dulled and muted by the many years he’d spent behind bars. She wondered if, with time, their color would brighten and energy and light would return.

  Her palms were sweaty as she gripped the steering wheel. The Dunrovin Ranch wasn’t that much farther. She tried to nonchalantly glance at the clock on the dashboard to get an idea of how much more time she would be trapped in the car, but she noticed Rainier watching her and so she reached over and flipped on the radio. An old country song by George Jones filled the space between them, telling of broken hearts and destroyed lives. It was a bit ironic—the two of them were far too much like the song, she being the keeper of a broken heart, and his life destroyed.