Baby Back Murder: Hawg Heaven Cozy Culinary Mysteries Book 2 Read online

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  Forrest Hotchkiss’s voice at her shoulder startled the heck out of Rossie while she finished up the mopping in the kitchen.

  “You really shouldn’t have moved to this godforsaken little town,” he growled.

  She whirled to face him, eyes wide at his sinister tone.

  “Everything was going along just fine, until you had to try to bring a bunch of strangers in to disrupt a quiet old man’s life.”

  “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Rossie was terrified. She’d never seen anyone change from Jekyll to Hyde in the blink of an eye, and the look on Forrest’s face was… murderous.

  “You and your stupid TV show. What were you thinking? Nobody had to know, nobody would’ve cared,” he shook his head in disgust. “Somebody’s gotta pay for what you’ve done,” he threatened, reaching for her.

  Rossie spun away to try to run, and her feet went out from under her, slamming her down hard on the slippery floor. Hotchkiss kept coming toward her, and out of nowhere, a huge, leather-clad form came flying across the kitchen, tackling the well-dressed killer to the ground. Thought he’d been able to easily beat Samuel Preston to a pulp, Forrest Hotchkiss was no match for the military skills of the burly biker, and was subdued in a matter of seconds, with a barely winded Tom Hundman holding his wrists up between his shoulder blades, as a wailing siren came closer and closer.

  “You okay?” Tom asked, his eyes roving over Rossalyn, looking for any sign of injury.

  “Bruised, but okay. Thank you, your timing couldn’t have been more perfect.”

  “You owe me a Dinner Special,” he teased gruffly.

  “For a year,” Rossalyn grinned weakly, still breathless from the incident.

  Morgan Tyler came charging into the kitchen, having seen Forrest’s truck in the parking lot, and was relieved to see the perpetrator struggling beneath Tom Hundman’s considerable bulk.

  “Sheriff Willis is going to be so mad at you,” Rossalyn remarked absently.

  “Why?” Morgan frowned.

  “Because you’re about to make the arrest in his murder case.”

  “He’ll get over it. Hundman, let me get in there and get some cuffs on this guy.”

  Tom moved to the side and let Morgan take over.

  “Thanks, man,” the officer nodded to the biker on his way out, then began informing Forrest Hotchkiss of his rights.

  “No prob.”

  Rossalyn gingerly stood up and walked over to Tom, embarrassed, but grateful.

  “I can’t thank you enough,” she began.

  “Then don’t try,” he shrugged, heading for the door.

  “Tom!” she exclaimed.

  He stopped in his tracks but didn’t turn around.

  “I’m really sorry. I was wrong about you, and this town, and everything. I was scared and selfish… I felt like a cornered animal and I came out biting. I’m sorry, please accept my apology,” she implored.

  “Cornered animal, huh? As long as you ain’t got rabies,” he quipped, turning around briefly.

  Rossalyn was surprised and pleased to see one corner of his mouth quirking up in a smile and suddenly realized what a handsome face he was hiding beneath his impressive beard.

  “I’ve had my shots,” she said softly.

  “Good to know.”

  Copyright 2016 Summer Prescott